Karen Velie
Karen Velie lives in San Luis Obispo County.
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Arroyo Grande tryst a group affair
By KAREN VELIE and DANIEL BLACKBURN A late night rendezvous at Arroyo Grande City Hall involving two city officials ended abruptly when emergency workers, responding to a 911 call about a missing spouse, discovered a partially dressed couple in the darkened building. But the sex scandal apparently goes far beyond staff using a City Hall […]... (Continue Reading)
San Luis Obispo County general services director departs suddenly
By KAREN VELIE San Luis Obispo County Administrator Dan Buckshi recently informed Janette Pell, director of the general services agency, that she no longer held her position, according to county sources. On Aug. 11, Buckshi announced in an email sent to agency staff that the merger of the general services agency and the information technology […]... (Continue Reading)
California Supreme Court rules voter initiatives exempt from CEQA
By STEW JENKINS and KAREN VELIE The California Supreme Court ruled Thursday that land use planning by voter qualified initiative is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); even if a city council adopts the voter initiative to avoid holding a special election. Thursday’s ruling could impact the development of properties, such as the […]... (Continue Reading)
Parkinson’s Navy
By KAREN VELIE and DANIEL BLACKBURN Sheriff Ian Parkinson told San Luis Obispo County Supervisors in April that he needed an extra half million dollars to buy and operate a 27-foot Defender Class response boat to tow drug smuggling boats, known as pangas, an expense he said would save the county money. Parkinson noted in […]... (Continue Reading)
Wallace’s continuing costs to South County residents
By KAREN VELIE Even though John Wallace is no longer the administrator of the South San Luis Obispo County Sanitation District, district ratepayers continue to cover the costs of his mismanagement. In 2013, following the states determination that a 2010 sewer spill was the result of Wallace’s mismanagement, Wallace announced his retirement at a district […]... (Continue Reading)
State Bar temporarily disbars Paso Robles attorney
By KAREN VELIE Following multiple complaints of professional misconduct, the State Bar of California ordered Paso Robles attorney Dale Gustin’s license to practice law inactive on June 30. Gustin’s latest issue stems from allegations he was threatening criminal prosecution against a local investor if he did not pay his client $450,000. Gustin’s client Mary Ann Kalvans […]... (Continue Reading)
Covello quitting the DA’s office
By JOSH FRIEDMAN and KAREN VELIE A little more than a month after losing his bid to become San Luis Obispo County’s top prosecutor, Tim Covello is stepping down from his position with the district attorney’s office. Covello, who is currently assistant district attorney, or second in command, submitted a letter of resignation Wednesday, sources […]... (Continue Reading)
Police dispute that Ray is a target
By KAREN VELIE San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Caren Ray contends a pellet or BB shot through her window was done purposely by someone standing in her small private front yard, an allegation police say the evidence does not support. “Someone shot through my window,” Ray says on Facebook. “Guess this is what the general […]... (Continue Reading)
Is SLO’s vehicle sleeping ban unconstitutional?
By KAREN VELIE Amid a federal appellate court ruling Thursday that struck down a Los Angeles law that prohibits homeless from sleeping in their vehicles, San Luis Obispo homeless advocates are waiting to see how city officials will respond. A three-judge panel of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously agreed that Los Angeles’ […]... (Continue Reading)
Supervisors vote against controversial water district formation
By KAREN VELIE The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors changed its position and voted to only support legislation to form a water district to manage the Paso Robles aquifer if it was based on the democratic principle of one person one vote. Following a change of position by SLO County Supervisor Frank Mecham, […]... (Continue Reading)
