Karen Velie
Karen Velie lives in San Luis Obispo County.
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Deputy’s DUI arrest leads to allegations of favoritism
UPDATE: Sheriff’s spokesman Tony Cipolla said deputy Jim Fellows is facing a temporary suspension from the department following his trial. The department also detailed its reasons for retaining an officer arrested while on probation. By KAREN VELIE A San Luis Obispo Sheriff deputy was arrested after he was caught driving over 100 mph while intoxicated. […]... (Continue Reading)
Harmon closing in on Marx in latest report
By KAREN VELIE Incumbent San Luis Obispo Mayor Jan Marx’ lead over her opponent Heidi Harmon has shrunk as more ballots are counted. While Marx led in early mail in ballots, Harmon led among poll voters. Following Monday’s count of additional ballots from the general election, Marx has 51.13 percent, compared to Harmon’s 48.48 percent. […]... (Continue Reading)
Hill accused of threatening a nonprofit
By KAREN VELIE For more than 10 years, a local printer produced fundraising brochures for the Food Bank Coalition of San Luis Obispo County. Then in late 2008, the owner of a printing business said she lost the contract after Supervisor Adam Hill threatened to withhold county funds from the nonprofit. Julie Tizzano, the owner of […]... (Continue Reading)
Poll shows Peschong expanding lead over Martin
By KAREN VELIE Republican John Peschong is building on his wide lead over Democrat Steve Martin as the campaign for the San Luis Obispo County District 1 supervisor seat enters its final week, according to a CalCoastNews poll conducted Sunday. Among decided voters, Peschong holds a 29-point lead over Martin. Peschong leads with 64.83 percent […]... (Continue Reading)
Carpenter leads during latest fundraising period
By KAREN VELIE Despite San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Adam Hill allegedly using access to his office to pressure developers to donate money to his campaign, during the latest reporting period his opponent Dan Carpenter raised significantly more money than Hill. In the District 1 race, John Peschong is the clear leader garnering more than […]... (Continue Reading)
Builders say Supervisor Hill made threats over campaign support
By KAREN VELIE In what is being described as a pay to play demand, San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Adam Hill is alleged to have barred access and threatened financial harm to members of the Home Builders Association of the Central Coast if they do not support his campaign. The controversy began about seven months […]... (Continue Reading)
SLO Brew ordered to stop work, permits suspended
By KAREN VELIE San Luis Obispo city inspectors placed a stop work order and suspended all permits for SLO Brew’s new facility out by the airport after discovering multiple violations. The new facility, dubbed the Rock, includes a brewery, night club and concert venue at 855 Aerovista Place. While the city council approved the […]... (Continue Reading)
Nipomo nursery growing 52,000 marijuana plants
By KAREN VELIE Almost a dozen deputies served a search warrant at the Clearwater Nursery in Nipomo last month and discovered approximately 52,000 marijuana plants worth about $104 million at $2,000 a plant. Nevertheless, nursery staff provided the deputies with the names of their medical marijuana clients, and the deputies left, county officials said. The […]... (Continue Reading)
Less water for AG residents, more for developers
By KAREN VELIE The Arroyo Grande City Council voted 3-2 Tuesday to enact further water restrictions on existing residents while delaying a building moratorium. The delay will allow a developer to avoid the moratorium and move ahead with the construction of more than 80 new homes. During Tuesday’s council meeting, city staff estimated the city’s […]... (Continue Reading)
Did SLO facility fail to protect elderly resident?
By KAREN VELIE Questions have been raised about the speed of the response at a San Luis Obispo independent living facility after a 75-year-old man was found face down in the dirt behind the Las Brisas Retirement Community. On Oct. 7, the San Luis Obispo Police department asked the public to be on the lookout […]... (Continue Reading)
