By DANIEL BLACKBURN Craig Totman, a former manager of Paso Robles’ Ralph’s grocery store, has been indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly making false statements to investigators probing the 2003-2004 grocers’ strike. Totman, 55, was one of eight people named... (Continue reading)
By KAREN VELIE and DANIEL BLACKBURN Lisa Solomon, chief of the Paso Robles Police Department, just loves to dance. But is she dancing with the stars? Or dancing on the bars? Dancing is what she does whenever she’s asked if she thinks there... (Continue reading)
By DANIEL BLACKBURN and KAREN VELIE A Paso Robles woman was sexually assaulted shortly after midnight Tuesday in her own front yard by three Hispanic men who shouted racially-charged slurs. The woman, in her mid-20s, was attacked from behind as she parked... (Continue reading)
By DANIEL BLACKBURN A multi-million-dollar Paso Robles water project funded by fattened water rates has pitted two mayoral candidates against one another and the conflict’s outcome could impact North County development for years to come. City officials have decided to saddle water... (Continue reading)
By DANIEL BLACKBURN and KAREN VELIE It took an acrimonious divorce and a protracted asset scrap to finally address the big question for investors in Paso Robles’ Estate Financial Inc.: Where did their money go? Now, EFI principal Karen Guth has answered... (Continue reading)
By DANIEL BLACKBURN A six-foot-high chain link fence erected around the perimeter of Paso Robles City Park for the city's annual Wine Festival appears to contravene a key component of the benefactor’s original deed requirements. Event sponsors and officials, however, say they... (Continue reading)
By KAREN VELIE and DANIEL BLACKBURN Three people were assaulted Wednesday night as they exited a shuttle bus after attending a Mid-State Fair concert. The victims contend fair and police officials are downplaying the incident to avoid negative publicity. Following the John... (Continue reading)
By KAREN VELIE and DANIEL BLACKBURN A million-dollar loan from Heritage Oaks Bank to North County developer Kelly Gearhart earlier this year was based on “erroneous” and questionable claims, according to the bank’s own appraisal. That appraisal was not received by bank... (Continue reading)
The State Department of Real Estate (DRE) has filed accusations against hard money lender Estate Financial (EFI) of Paso Robles for eight causes of action that include “misrepresentations and false promises made to investors and acting fraudulently and dishonestly in... (Continue reading)
By DANIEL BLACKBURN Angry Paso Robles downtown merchants are reacting to what many are calling a Memorial Weekend financial disaster triggered by city officials responsible for the sudden departure of one of the nation’s largest car shows. Local business owners are reporting... (Continue reading)