CalCoastNews Contributor

Karen Velie

Karen Velie lives in San Luis Obispo County.

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Federal regulators seize San Luis Trust Bank

Federal regulators shut down San Luis Trust Bank (SLTB) in San Luis Obispo Friday because the bank was critically undercapitalized, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC). At 5:55p.m. Friday, just five minutes before the bank was scheduled to close for the day, the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) declared SLTB a failed institution. CalCoastNews watched as dozens of federal agents... (Continue Reading)

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San Luis Trust Bank facing threat of seizure

San Luis Trust Bank (SLTB) may soon be added to the FDIC’s list of failed banks unless it pulls itself out of a “critically undercapitalized” state, according to federal regulators. The bank’s regulator, the Federal Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS), says SLTB, which has only one branch, located at 1001 Marsh St., has until tomorrow, Feb. 15, to be recapitalized, according... (Continue Reading)

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State probe casts a shadow on new San Luis Obispo mayor

A three-year state investigation into the funneling of cash and gifts to the campaigns to stop Ernie Dalidio’s proposal to develop his San Luis Obispo farmland has revealed that the city’s newly elected mayor, Jan Marx, was part of the alleged illicit effort. Last October, the California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) levied $80,000 in fines against Tom and Jim Copeland,... (Continue Reading)

Gearhart’s casino – the final gamble

Amidst assurances that then President George W. Bush was poised to sign off on the first step towards the development of an Indian owned casino in Paso Robles, the Salinan Indian Tribal Council entered into an agreement with four venture capitalists who went by the name of PMA. North County developer Kelly Gearhart was one of the members of PMA, along... (Continue Reading)

Copelands fined by FPPC

After four years of anonymity, Thomas and James Copeland have been identified as the principals of the LLC that committed 16 campaign violations in their fight against Ernie Dalidio’s proposed San Luis Obispo County development. California campaign rules require the transparency of donors and contributors. For his part in the running of the Responsible County Development LLC, The FPPC determined Dave Booker... (Continue Reading)

Police take 30 hours to respond to 911 call

On Feb. 11, the owner of K-Jon’s Fine Jewelers called 911 requesting law enforcement's help with a man who was harassing a female customer. Atascadero Police failed to respond. Shortly after 10 a.m., a man reeking of alcohol approached the female customer outside the jewelry store. He said he was a felon and he wanted money.... (Continue Reading)

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Sewage release closes Oceano Beach

Public health officials closed Oceano Beach today as the result of a sewage release of between 160,000 and 180,000 gallons. The flow of partially treated sewage effluent was released into the Pacific Ocean from a pipe located some 4,000 feet off shore and 60 feet below the oceans surface between 4 and 7:30 a.m. today. A malfunctioning chlorinating system, blamed for... (Continue Reading)

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Sheriff’s destruction of medical marijuana leads to lawsuit

A Los Osos woman filed a lawsuit seeking $36,000 to replace six pounds of medical marijuana the San Luis Obispo Sheriff’s Department seized from her home and then destroyed. Before 1988, Kimberly Marshall worked in the foreclosure industry. Her life changed after she was given a blood transfusion contaminated with hepatitis. Following a liver cancer diagnosis, doctors informed Marshall she had less... (Continue Reading)

Computer snafu temporarily halts birth control prescriptions program

A computer glitch with California Department of Health Services Computers prohibited low income patients from filling birth control prescriptions during that past few days. Pharmacists throughout the state, who attempted to fill certain birth control prescriptions for patients covered by the departments Family Planning Access Care Treatment program, were informed that their eligibly for the prescription had been denied. Employees at Health... (Continue Reading)

San Luis Obispo slated to pay $195,000 for alleged police brutality

San Luis Obispo taxpayers are in line to pay $195,000 to a local business owner for alleged excessive force by police officers during a case of mistaken identity. Attorneys for both the city and Jeff Milne, the owner of Babbo’s Pizzeria, have agreed to accept mediator Dave Peterson’s settlement suggestion. City council members are expected to approve the proposed... (Continue Reading)