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Articles Tagged With ‘Atascadero’




Kelly Gearhart’s personal fall from grace

Written on 18 Dec, 2010 in Featured, Uncovered SLO | 98 comments

The political and financial powerbrokers of San Luis Obispo County might never have heard of Kelly Gearhart if he hadn’t decided to take advantage of family members, including his own father, to power his way to the top ranks of... (Continue reading)

Embattled planning commissioner to step down

Written on 11 Dec, 2010 in Daily Briefs | 20 comments

UPDATE: On Monday morning, supervisor Frank Mecham sent out a press release, accepting the resignation of Bruce White from the county planning commission. Mecham is nominating Adelaida rancher and realtor Jim Irving to replace White. Original Story: San Luis Obispo County... (Continue reading)

Atascadero man found guilty of attempted murder

Written on 8 Dec, 2010 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 4 comments

A jury found an Atascadero man guilty of attempted murder on Tuesday for the slashing of a man’s throat at Mr. Rick’s bar in Avila Beach in February. Michael Simmons, 43, began arguing with David Stratton at the local night... (Continue reading)

Gearhart’s control of Atascadero

Written on 1 Dec, 2010 in Featured, Uncovered SLO | 120 comments

As he built his empire, Kelly Gearhart’s relationships with public officials made it possible for him to skirt building requirements, thereby saving him hundreds of thousands in development costs. These exceptions risked public safety, cost the county revenue and negatively impacted... (Continue reading)

Concerned over water rate increase in Atascadero

Written on 1 Dec, 2010 in Featured, Opinion | 5 comments

OPINION BY KATHLEEN ARAGON On November 10th, I was the only member of the public present when the Atascadero Mutual Water Company Board of Directors discussed raising the basic water rates. Due to the success of the water conservation program,... (Continue reading)

Kelly Gearhart: Fraud, arson and betrayal

Written on 18 Nov, 2010 in Featured, Uncovered SLO | 140 comments

Amid a federal investigation into racketeering, money laundering and mail fraud, developer Kelly Gearhart’s stepmother claims her notorious stepson’s illicit activities also included forgery, bribing public officials and arson. The latter exploit was one that helped fund Gearhart’s transition from being... (Continue reading)

Atascadero and Shandon shorten school year

Written on 9 Sep, 2010 in Uncovered SLO | 10 comments

At the same time educational experts are touting the benefits of more time in the classroom, including higher test scores and improved performance, some San Luis Obispo County school districts are lowering their instructional days to help deal with budget... (Continue reading)

Atascadero woman hides handcuffs in body cavity

Written on 1 Sep, 2010 in Daily Briefs | 8 comments

A 51-year-old Atascadero woman drove into the garage of her home while allegedly intoxicated, was taken into custody, slipped out of her handcuffs and hid them in a place that baffled police last Thursday night. The unnamed woman’s 11-year-old son... (Continue reading)

Connected firms reap big contracts in Atascadero

Written on 18 Aug, 2010 in Uncovered SLO | 20 comments

Consultants connected to Atascadero City Manager Wade McKinney have profited handsomely from consulting and bond work for the North County city. Contracts for the work have often gone to consultants listed as associates of McKinney, according to data available through the... (Continue reading)

Federal investigation into Atascadero shifts into high gear

Written on 27 Jul, 2010 in Featured, Uncovered SLO | 49 comments

Federal agents from several agencies including the FBI and FEMA were in the city of Atascadero a few weeks ago asking questions about the Printery – the city’s former youth center - and searching through records related to the alleged... (Continue reading)