Karen Velie
Karen Velie lives in San Luis Obispo County.
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SLO rental inspection program moves forward
By KAREN VELIE At a contentious council meeting attended by approximately 200 people, San Luis Obispo City Council voted 3-2 Tuesday to have staff draft a rental inspection ordinance aimed at eliminating unsafe housing conditions. During the more than four-hour meeting, the bulk of those speaking at public comment were opposed to the city implementing […]... (Continue Reading)
Neighbors battle over Santa Margarita quarry
By KAREN VELIE As the application for a conditional use permit for a Santa Margarita property zoned for mining winds through the county, neighbors are taking sides in the heated battle over potential transformations to the community if the permit for the proposed Los Pilitas aggregate quarry is approved. Both sides have made claims. Proponents […]... (Continue Reading)
Father fights for the right to raise his child
Editor’s Note: Because of privacy concerns, the parent’s names have been changed in the story. By KAREN VELIE San Luis Obispo County Child Welfare Services is recommending the father of a 23-month-old daughter lose his parental rights, even though there have never been any allegations of abuse or neglect against the father. Jay is what […]... (Continue Reading)
Arroyo Grande mayor seeks sanitation district audit
By KAREN VELIE Arroyo Grande Mayor Jim Hill has asked the South San Luis Obispo Sanitation District to initiate a forensic audit of the district in an attempt to recover the cost of a fine and mismanagement attributed to the former plant administrator. At Wednesdays sanitation district meeting, Hill’s first action as a district board […]... (Continue Reading)
Emails expose alleged misconduct by Arroyo Grande officials
Editor’s note: A video of Arroyo Grande Council Member Kristen Barneich noting her reasons for voting against an independent investigation into the July 3 incident is at the bottom of this story. By DANIEL BLACKBURN and KAREN VELIE Several public officials in Arroyo Grande unsuccessfully instructed members of the city’s police force to take official […]... (Continue Reading)
Taxpayers to fund $2.4 million giveaway to county employees
By KAREN VELIE San Luis Obispo County Supervisors are slated to vote Tuesday on a $2.4 million payment to employees described as an offset to rising health care costs. The proposal comes a week after the board voted to raise a variety of public fees. In the consent agenda item (items to be passed without […]... (Continue Reading)
Mayor Tony Ferrara resigns before term ends
By KAREN VELIE and DANIEL BLACKBURN In an unusual move, Arroyo Grande Mayor Tony Ferrara announced at Tuesday’s council meeting he intends to resign Friday at 5 p.m., three days before his term ends. The early resignation means that Mayor Pro Tem Jim Guthrie will serve through the weekend and pass the gavel to mayor-elect […]... (Continue Reading)
Wallace Group no-bid contract on lame duck agenda
By KAREN VELIE Arroyo Grande Mayor Tony Ferrara is slated to give a no-bid contract to two engineering firms for consulting services before he gives up power over the city’s agenda and council. Tuesday’s Arroyo Grande City Council meeting marks the final council schedule and meeting Ferrara will control. The 10th item on a packed […]... (Continue Reading)
Kelly Gearhart gets another reprieve
By KAREN VELIE The sentencing hearing for former Atascadero developer Kelly Gearhart has been extended from Dec. 29 to Feb. 23. Gearhart faces a statutory maximum of 50 years in federal prison for defrauding investors out of more than $100 million. In May, Gearhart pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud and one count […]... (Continue Reading)
Cal Poly agrees to disclose records following lawsuit
By KAREN VELIE Amid a lawsuit against the campus, officials at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo agreed Thursday to release records about the university’s preparation in the event of an outbreak of an infectious disease on campus. Apologizing for a failure to follow the California Public Records Act, Director of Administrative Compliance […]... (Continue Reading)
