By KAREN VELIE

      Amidst a flurry of questions about how local attorney Eric Parkinson disperses donations earmarked for the needy, his supporters have changed their stories repeatedly to dispute allegations of misappropriations while a reporter in Sri Lanka voices new allegations.

      Last week, CalCoastNews reported that Parkinson took out more than 60 percent of monies donated to the VeAhavta nonprofit, a Sri Lanka orphanage and senior care facility Parkinson manages from San Luis Obispo, before sending the remaining monies to a self-declared cleric alleged to have defrauded donors from throughout the world.
 

By KAREN VELIE

      Several investors in Hurst Financial Inc’s (HFI) hard money lending schemes thrust HFI President Jay Miller into involuntary Chapter 7 bankruptcy citing Miller’s failure to repay loans he personally guaranteed.

      Before their meltdown a little more than a year ago, HFI’s key players’ lifestyles were reminiscent of Fitzgerald’s Jay Gatsby: lavish parties, exotic cars, and high rolling excursions in their monogrammed private aircrafts. Investors claim Miller and his associates used construction monies to live the high life, while paying interest from one account to fund another in an alleged Ponzi scheme.

By KAREN VELIE

      A local attorney takes out more than 60 percent of monies donated to a nonprofit he oversees before sending the remaining monies to a self declared cleric alleged to have defrauded donors from throughout the world, according to tax documents and news sources.

      Founded in 2001 by San Luis Obispo attorney Eric Parkinson, VeAhavta’s stated mission is to “lovingly nurture the physical, emotional and spiritual well being of orphans and destitute elders in a secure home.” Donations allegedly support the day to day operations of the Grace Care Center, an orphanage and home for seniors.

By KAREN VELIE

      North county developer Jimmie Shores, his brother Ronnie Shores, and Hurst Financial Inc. (HFI) President Jay Miller, in twisted and conflicting deposition testimonies and interviews, each maintains one of the others is responsible for paying back $700,000 to a group of 20 investors, primarily seniors. 

      HFI granted Jimmie Shores two short term construction loans in 2006. Miller, in turn, placed 20 investors on the deeds of trust of the two parcels used to secure the debts. Located in northeastern Atascadero, the proposed sites of two custom homes remain bare lots except for a tangled crop of weeds.

      Earlier this year, Jimmie Shores told investors he had received only $15,000 of the $700,000 he was promised by HFI. After copies of the canceled checks surfaced showing the loans were fully vested by the end of 2006, Jimmie Shores said he didn’t have to repay the debt because his brother Ronnie Shores had stolen the money.

By KAREN VELIE

      Randy Ghezzi and Max Keller remain on paid administrative leave while the San Luis Obispo County Human Resources Department investigates allegations the pair pirated county equipment, sources said.

      According to multiple sources, road crew supervisor Keller was caught using county equipment for his own use over a weekend. Keller allegedly commandeered a county truck to transport wood, previously cut with the use of county equipment, to a relative’s home to be offered for sale.    

By KAREN VELIE

      Investors have filed a lawsuit alleging Stewart Title and Heritage Oaks Bank (HOB) aided and abetted and/or conspired with Hurst Financial Inc. (HFI) in defrauding hundreds of seniors through illegal investment schemes.

      The suit filed by more than 300 investors against Stewart Title, HOB, and HFI lists eight complaints including conspiracy, fraud, financial elder abuse, and negligence. Investors are seeking punitive as well as compensatory damages.

By KAREN VELIE

      Bankruptcy court trustees are investigating claims that businessman Rob Rossi and the City of Atascadero are concealing assets of developer R.W. Hertel and Sons in an attempt to help the bankrupt home builder avoid paying creditors and taxes.

      Trustees began their investigations despite information that the man making the allegations is known to have duped Ross Perot, ABC’s Peter Jennings, and the FBI.  

      Scott Barnes is infamous for convincing Perot to drop his bid for the presidency due to information Barnes was accused of constructing. Barnes has a resume that includes serving time for fabricating evidence, illegal wire tapping, giving false testimony, and sending government investigators on wild goose chases, according to a Times article.

By KAREN VELIE

      Following an emergency motion, a federal judge ordered R.W Hertel and Sons’ principles Ronald Hertel and Robert Fowler to appear in bankruptcy court or face possible arrest, according to the June 4 order.

      U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Robin Riblet signed the order following an emergency and ex parte motion by court assigned trustee Sandra McBeth.

      “Due to the many allegations of impropriety and the inability to obtain information, the appearance of the principles Fowler and Hertel, are absolutely necessary and time is of the essence,” McBeth says in her motion in which she also notes the “threat of actual removal or destruction of assets of this case.”

Paso Robles Police Sgt. Nicki Woods

By KAREN VELIE

      State Attorney General Edmond G. Brown filed a lawsuit against the California Organization of Police and Sheriffs (COPS) alleging they engage in “unlawful, unfair, and fraudulent business practices,” on May 29.

      Paso Robles Police officer Nicki Woods currently holds the position of board president of the agency. The state complaint lists 13 causes of action that include allegations that the Civic Development Group (CDG), the telemarketing firm COPS contracts with, repeatedly deceived donors.

An example of a 1988, 103-foot Broward yacht

By KAREN VELIE

      Federal authorities seized bankrupt developers Ronald Hertel and Robert Fowler’s 2005 Bertram yacht including guns and ammunition, and a 1988 Broward yacht under purchase by Hertel earlier this year as part of an ongoing effort to recoup funds the financially troubled developers owe to lenders.

      U.S. Marshal Adam Torres acted on a court order requested by City National Bank to pay off a $1.75 million mortgage the bank says Hertel and Fowler owe on the “Dram Buoy,” a Bertram yacht the developers registered in the Cayman Islands. Hertel and Fowler haven’t made monthly payments of $8,333 since November 2008.

Moving day at the Millers

By KAREN VELIE

      The FBI seized proceeds from Hurst Financial Inc. (HFI) President Jay Miller’s home May 27 because of allegations of racketeering, money laundering, and wire fraud, according to the seizure warrant.

      “A racket is an illegal business, usually run as part of organized crime. Engaging in racket is called racketeering,” according to Wikipedia.

By KAREN VELIE

       A group of parents allege Santa Margarita Elementary School officials have failed to provide a safe environment and have chosen to keep their children home until their concerns are addressed.

       After numerous complaints, two Santa Margarita Elementary students have been suspended in the past few weeks for threats against other students. A fourth grader was sent home for producing a hit list and a third grader was suspended for making sexually violent threats against his classmates.

      Recent reports of the firing of county administrative chief David Edge include admissions by Edge to The Tribune that he supported his second in command by providing her a book called “Getting Naked.”  Gail Wilcox responded by leveling a "hostile workplace" complaint.

      Thanks to KSBY interviews with Edge, you can now view the county’s ex-leader explaining how he did nothing wrong and how deserving Wilcox was of her promotions through the ranks. [KSBY]

Gearhart's 1935 Packard

By KAREN VELIE

      Bankruptcy trustees have seized a collectable car and are looking into allegations ex-North county developer Kelly Gearhart and his wife, Tamara Lowe, have hidden assets during their high profile bankruptcy.

      Bankruptcy trustees seized a yellow 1935 Packard Gearhart and Lowe owned because the couple failed to disclose the asset in their bankruptcy filing, said attorney David Farmer with the law firm of Farmer and Ready.

By KAREN VELIE

      Estate Financial Principles Karen Guth and Joshua Yaguda Friday pleaded not guilty in San Luis Obispo Superior Court to charges they defrauded millions of dollars from more than 3,000 people.

      Prosecutors have charged Guth and her son Yaguda with 26 felony counts associated with a hard money lending business the pair led.

By KAREN VELIE

      A California Men’s Colony (CMC) lieutenant slipped away from a Pismo Beach police officer who had arrived to break up a fight in which the intoxicated officer was involved at Harry’s Night Club and Beach Bar on April 17.

      Employees of the popular nightclub called for police to assist them in breaking up a clash CMC Lt. Charlie Romero was having with a woman in the bar, an employee of the club said. The unnamed woman hit Romero and the pair began to scuffle, the employee added.

      Pismo Beach Police Patrol Officer Greg Benson arrived at the saloon to find Romero’s sparring partner had taken off, and the lieutenant apparently too intoxicated to drive home.

By KAREN VELIE

      The County Board of Supervisors will evaluate whether to terminate County Administrative Officer David Edge at their next meeting on May 19.

      Both Edge and Assistant County Administrative Officer Gail Wilcox are on paid administrative leave. A source told CalCoastNews the absences were due to allegations of sexual misconduct.

      County officials did not provide CalCoastNews the press release regarding the possible termination of David Edge and the appointment of Jeff Hamm. This is not uncommon.

      Because of this, the following e-mail was sent to County Counsel Warren Jensen:

By KAREN VELIE

      San Luis Obispo County’s top two administrators are currently missing in action, and county employees have been ordered not to discuss their absences.

      Monday, a source told CalCoastNews that County Administrator David Edge had stepped down following allegations of sexual harassment leveled by Assistant County Administrator Gail Wilcox. Our source alleged that the Board of Supervisor’s closed session discussion on May 8 regarding the allegations had resulted in the pair being placed on paid administrative leave.

By KAREN VELIE and DANIEL BLACKBURN

      A secret, decade-long, eight-phase strategy by a group of local investors –  including one notorious individual now under investigation for fraud – outlines plans for construction of a Indian gaming casino in San Luis Obispo County and anticipates huge profits for its principals, confidential documents obtained by CalCoastNews reveal.

      Those documents show that Kelly Gearhart, a North County developer with ties to Hurst Financial Inc. (HFI), is a primary partner in the syndicate. Gearhart’s questionable land dealings, bankruptcies, and financial losses have caught the attention of law enforcement.

      Gearhart has linked up with attorney Grigger Jones, Chris Molina and Dan Phillips to sign a contract with the Salinan Tribe of San Luis Obispo County to “develop a large community self-sustaining, green energy producing Indian reservation development,” according to the project's business plan.

By KAREN VELIE

      A federal bankruptcy judge slashed fee requests and ordered professionals working on the Estate Financial Inc. (EFI) bankruptcy to practice frugality in an attempt to protect assets for EFI investors at a hearing on Wednesday in Santa Barbara Federal Bankruptcy Court.

      “I don’t want to see money frittered away on fees,” Judge Robin Riblet said. “No one should be surprised; I took a cleaver to the fees.”

First District Supervisor Frank Mecham wants to move cautiously on Los Osos contract.

By DANIEL BLACKBURN

      County planning commissioners Thursday will consider a proposal for construction of Los Osos’ contentious wastewater project, a mission now shadowed by a documented crime.

      Despite the existence of substantial evidence of unlawful backdating of key contract agreements, executed by now departed officials of the Los Osos Community Services District (LOCSD), county planners are moving toward a decision that could ratify what critics are calling “a fatally flawed procurement process.” Several formal complaints by district officials to San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Gerald T. Shea, starting in 2005 and detailing allegations of potential conflicts of interest and other unlawful activities, were eventually brushed aside.

By KAREN VELIE

        During the latest battle over assets of failed Estate Financial Inc. (EFI) , attorneys for trustees, former co-owner Charlie Applebaum, Joshua Yaguda’s wife, and Heritage Oaks bank argued their clients alleged claims at an asset hearing on Friday. 

        San Luis Obispo Deputy District Attorney Steve von Dohlen objected to Joeli Yaguda’s request that the court recognize an undocumented ownership she claims to have in the Willow Creek Olive Ranch. Currently, Mrs. Yaguda manages the operation under the watchful eye of the district attorney’s office. Von Dohlen noted that “Mrs. Yaguda has done a good job managing the property.”

Bradley Brainard

By KAREN VELIE

      A multi-agency task force is investigating a subcontractor with the California Men’s Colony after discovering videos of the man having sexual relations with both a child and his dog, sources said.

      Suspecting the 49-year-old plumber of marijuana, narcotics, and cell phone smuggling, investigators from the California Department of Corrections Office of Internal Affairs obtained a search warrant for Bradley Brainard’s home and vehicle, sources said. On March 26, investigators entered the unsuspecting man’s home in Atascadero while he was working at the prison. Inside the home, investigators discovered several pounds of marijuana, along with videos of the man sexually assaulting a child, and also his dog, sources said.

Jimmie Shores said he doesn't like to be photographed.

By KAREN VELIE

     Prominent North County developer Jimmie Shores says he doesn’t have to repay a $700,000 hard-money loan because his brother, Ronnie Shores, stole the money, while Hurst Financial President Jay Miller, maintains the Shores are trying to defraud investors.

     “I don’t think he (Jimmie Shores) had any intention of building anything,” Miller said. “He never even took out the permits. I took them out and paid for them.”

By KAREN VELIE and DANIEL BLACKBURN

      Heritage Oaks Bank is battling with Estate Financial Inc. and Hurst Financial investors over first place in the quest for financial compensation.

     Attorneys for the bank are chasing first position in the pursuit for assets of fraud suspects Karen Guth and Josh Yaguda Estate Financial Inc. (EFI), and Hurst Financial, and in some cases, trying to supplant individual investors. Bank officials have attempted to foreclose on properties in which hundreds of investors, primarily retired locals, already have a prior financial stake.

     In addition, a large, unsecured loan made by Heritage Oaks Bank to Guth, Yaguda, and high-rolling developers created a false air of credibility that may have duped some hard-money investors.

By KAREN VELIE

      California State University Chancellor Charles B. Reed informed California Polytechnic State University President Warren Baker that he will not approve a student fee increase at this time, said Cal Poly Provost Bob Koob Tuesday.

      Students voted earlier this month to increase fees $100 to $200 per quarter to protect their degrees and help guarantee the availability of classes and labs.

       Remember just last week, when Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) labeled his peers who are taking earmarks as bank robbers, and voiced his strong opposition to project funding requests? It turns out that the congressman sponsored $56 million in legislative earmarks in 2008, with $282,000 going to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Department.

By KAREN VELIE

      A third figure emerged as a possible suspect in fraud precipitating the collapse of hard money lender Estate Financial Inc. (EFI) during yesterday's courtroom squabble over  the remains of the once rich and influential entity.

      San Luis Obispo County Superior Court Judge Jac Crawford said questions linger about one-time co-owner Charlie Applebaum’s possible participation in alleged EFI crimes. Crawford also pointedly wondered about the legitimacy of claims put to the court by a gaggle of claimants, including Heritage Oaks Bank.

By KAREN VELIE

      While most people touched by the Estate Financial Inc. (EFI) debacle have been monetarily devastated, a select few are  in line to do quite well. Trustees and their special attorneys have collected, or are requesting, compensation of $4.5 million for their effort to organize the failed North County lenders’ debts.

      Charges includes approximately $4 million for the current trustees and their staff and about $500,000 in charges from two previous trustees. That averages more than $20,000 a day.

By KAREN VELIE

      Centervest, the group that contracted to take the torch from Ernie Dalidio and propel his proposed development through the system, has backed out, reportedly because of the economic downswing. Meanwhile, Dalido’s team continues attempts to unmask their mysterious foe, the Responsible County Development LLC.

      Centervest principles John Wilson, Rudy Bachman, and Tom Morrell have elected to focus on their Promenade shopping center after learning Gottschalk’s was following in the footsteps of Mervyns and planning to shut their doors, sources said. Kohl’s is likely to replace Mervyns, and Macys is a probable candidate for the Gottschalk’s site.

     There's a lot to be said for candid conversation, and The Roadrunner thinks that banks taking TARP money -- like Heritage Oaks -- would be a lot better served if officials were a little more forthcoming. Those AIG bonuses are a reflection of the same kind of arrogance The Roadrunner perceives locally. See if you agree. -- THE EDITORS

      CNN’s Lou Dobbs recently called out California Polytechnic State University President Warren Baker for squelching diversity and free speech.

      “Let me say this to Cal Poly's president, you sir are a coward and a fool and as far as I’m concerned, just this side of a fascist,” Dobbs said on CNN.

By THE EDITORS

      Securities and Exchange Commission investigators are probing California Assemblywoman Diane Harkey (R-Orange County), her husband Dan, and his hard-money lending company, Point Center Financial, regarding the Harkey’s  relationship with R.W. Hertel and Sons.

      The investigation is said to focus on Dan Harkey’s dealings with R.W Hertel and Sons, a company owned by Ronald Hertel and Robert Fowler, and the Burnett Development Company. Both companies donated to Diane Harkey’s campaign before receiving loans from Point Center. Each defaulted on their loans, which were subsequently found to have been massively overvalued. Thousands of investors have been left holding the bag and some are accusing Harkey of perpetrating a Ponzi scheme.
 

By KAREN VELIE

      A director of the California Valley Community Service District (CVCSD) Director who has been absent for five months was officially listed as a missing person Sunday by the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Department. Sal Guide surfaced 48 hours later.

      Locals claimed the woman had not been seen in the area nor reported for board meetings since October. The case was closed yesterday following a call from the elusive board member.
 

By KAREN VELIE

      After proclaiming a looming fiscal crisis and predicting municipal worker layoffs, Atascadero City Manager Wade McKinney and city taxpayers treated a group of upper level employees to a three-day excursion at an upscale Carmel Valley resort.

      But before heading north, McKinney offered city employees a voluntary resignation program: they could receive 30 percent of their pay for vacating their positions; take partial retirement or voluntary furloughs; or accept a reduction in work hours.

Sue Stiles, with two of her four-legged friends, left a multi-million-dollar trust to continue her sanctuary work for aged animals.

By KAREN VELIE

       Many healthy animals entrusted to Dancing Star Foundation’s Cayucos sanctuary have been euthanized in recent months after being placed on a “kill list” -- prepared with the help of a veterinarian and weighted heavily by economic considerations.

       A top sanctuary employee who witnessed the process is speaking on the record and has provided documents to CalCoastNews including death certificates, medical records, and the actual list of animals slated for the needle. The facility is endowed with $43 million in assets to care for aged and infirm farm animals.

Click on the following link to watch a video, shot by a current sanctuary employee, of a day of killing at Dancing Star animal sanctuary.
www.calcoastnews.com/news.php

By KAREN VELIE

      In Atascadero, change means more of the same when it comes to contentious city council sessions, with councilmember Tom O’Malley and cohort councilmember Jerry Clay demonstrating they have enduring memories.

      O’Malley’s barrage of accusations aimed at Mayor Ellen Beraud during last month’s “strategic planning” meeting caused her to walk out of the meeting. O’Malley had brusquely contended that Beraud “misrepresented” the council and had secret correspondence with Wal-Mart officials.

Veri, a retired brood mare from Varian Arabian Farms in San Luis Obispo, lies dead after feeling the needle.

By KAREN VELIE

      A husband and wife team of internationally known environmentalists, paid handsomely to oversee a San Luis Obispo County sanctuary for infirm animals, has ordered the accelerating slaughter of many of their wards.

      Former and present employees of the Dancing Star Foundation claim that its top officers, Michael Tobias and Jane Gray Morrison, intend to focus on endangered animals. They say the pair has commenced the systematic elimination of aged and infirm farm animals under the foundation’s care, contrary to the foundation's purpose.

      Tobias and Morrison have reportedly told employees that economic issues prompted the kill policy.

(Click on the following link to watch a video, shot by a current sanctuary employee, of a day of killing at Dancing Star animal sanctuary.)
www.calcoastnews.com/news.php

By KAREN VELIE

       Kelly Gearhart, a North County developer with ties to hard money lender Hurst Financial, has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection in Ohio.

       Gearhart and his wife, Tamara Lowe, filed the bankruptcy petition on Wednesday, stating $6.5 million in estimated assets and $45.1 million in estimated debts.

By KAREN VELIE

      Members of the county’s largest and most influential union have mounted an aggressive campaign to divide the Deputies Sheriff’s Association (DSA) into two separate unions.

      If the action is successful, one union would be comprised of sworn peace officers, the other of non-sworn sheriff personnel.

      A break would damage the effectiveness of the association, said DSA President Dale Strobridge. “The most effective way to represent the community is to have a blended agency. We are the most politically effective county organization.”

By KAREN VELIE and DANIEL BLACKBURN

By KAREN VELIE

      Prosecutors and defense attorneys today asked a judge to postpone arraignment and bail hearing for Estate Financial Inc. principles Karen Guth and Joshua Yaguda for the fourth time. San Luis Obispo Superior Court Judge Charles Crawford agreed to continue the arraignment of Estate Financial Inc.principles on 26 felony charges to February 20.
 
      Then Deputy District Attorney Steve von Dohlen alluded to the possibility of additional charges being made against the EFI pair, as well as the prospect of additional parties being arrested.

      Attorneys on both sides requested more time to put their cases together and to find out which allegations they agree on and which charges they plan to “fight over.”

By DANIEL BLACKBURN and KAREN VELIE

      How long did sheriff’s deputies spend at the home of Sheriff Pat Hedges and his wife, Sandy Oneal-Hedges, following a reported domestic disturbance? Official reports vary from more than an hour, to just 15 minutes, depending on who provided the information, and when it was divulged.

      San Luis Obispo County sheriff’s deputies responded January 19 to a domestic disturbance call at the North County home of Hedges and Oneal-Hedges.

      According to sheriff officials, Oneal-Hedges called 911 at 5:36 p.m. to report her husband was screaming at her and asked for assistance. A sergeant and a beat car deputy responded to the house and cleared the incident without creating a report  

This is not a good time to try selling a house in SLO County.

By KAREN VELIE

       Combinations of short sales and foreclosures due to unaffordable mortgage payments, as well as hard money lending schemes, are propelling an incredibly rapid deceleration of San Luis Obispo County home prices.

       Throughout the area, homes are selling for as little as 50 percent of what they sold for a few years ago. An end to the slide appears far off.

       For example, a home on Sheridan Road in Arroyo Grande sold for $849,000 in May 2005. Today it is on the market for $449,000. Last summer, a home buyer purchased a home on Adina Way in Nipomo for $227,250. The same home sold for $448,000 in September of 2005.

Cattle are becoming major players in bankruptcy proceedings for hard money lender EFI.

By KAREN VELIE

      Several key players in a hard money lender’s federal bankruptcy proceedings have apparent conflicts of interest, a situation which may further complicate investors’ efforts to recover hundreds of millions of dollars in lost assets.

      Trustees appointed by the Santa Barbara bankruptcy court are trying to sort out the convoluted financial dealings of Estate Financial Inc. (EFI) and EFI Mortgage Fund of Paso Robles with the assistance of an investor committee chaired by John Lacey. Roger Frederickson, of the San Luis Obispo law firm of Sinsheimer Juhnke Lebens & McIvor, LLP, and Santa Barbara attorney Peter Susi represent Centennial Livestock LLC, according to court records.

      John Lacey is a principal owner of Centennial Livestock LLC and the single largest investor in EFI with more than $3 million placed in EFI’s Mortgage Fund.

      Yet Lacey and his livestock LLC’s attorneys, Frederickson and Susi, apparently did not disclose that John’s wife, Dee Lacey, sits on the board of directors of Heritage Oaks Bank, which reportedly lent EFI president Karen Guth $5 million, originally unsecured. A county prosecutor has suggested Heritage Oaks Bank may have “dirty hands” regarding its financial dealings with EFI principles.

       It's not every day that this little county gets compared to that giant of the Midwest, Chicago, but when it comes to corruption, we're right in there, says The Roadrunner. But, in a very peculiar way. Check it out at your right. -- THE EDITORS

By KAREN VELIE

      A thousand-acre parcel of the controversial Santa Margarita Ranch, owned by developer Ronald Hertel, is in default and will be sold at auction December 30.

      Also on the block, this one slated for December 22, is a Pismo Beach Hertel development project; both will be offered at sales to be conducted near the entrance of the San Luis Obispo County Courthouse.

      The properties being sold are at the center of numerous multi-million-dollar default judgments against Hertel in favor of commercial lenders. Transamerica Financial Life Insurance Co. is foreclosing on Hertel for failure to make payments on a $7.6 million loan on a parcel located on the Santa Margarita Ranch.

Mayor Mike Brennler, who after much effort obtained documents showing that city officials lied to the public.

By KAREN VELIE

      Atascadero city officials lied in public statements regarding an eminent domain controversy and made a scapegoat of a city employee.

      City Manager Wade McKinney, one of those officials, confessed the deception only when testifying under oath in depositions earlier this year.

By KAREN VELIE

      Care of San Luis Obispo County trauma patients takes a back seat while local physicians and hospital officials battle over lucrative patient dollars.

      French Hospital Medical Center and Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center continue to scuffle over whether either hospital will receive a specialty care system designation of trauma and/or ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI).

      While French Hospital CEO Alan Iftiniuk and Arroyo Grande Hospital CEO Rick Castro asked SLO County Emergency Medical Services Agency (SLOEMSA) and county Health Agency Director Jeff Hamm to proceed cautiously in designating a trauma system, officials from both hospitals have asked SLOEMSA to fast track a French Hospital STEMI designation.

By STACEY WARD

	When the sheriff came to town, backed by countless 
federal agents, to bust a legitimate, city-approved business, we could all breathe a
huge sigh of relief.

	No more squirrelly riff-raff posing as patients to get their
marijuana fix. No more “medical” marijuana dispensaries in San Luis
Obispo County. No more respect for community-based values and
standards in which local citizens govern themselves.

By KAREN VELIE and DANIEL BLACKBURN  

        Trustees working the Estate Financial Inc. (EFI) collapse – including a pair retained by the failed lender – want nearly a quarter-million dollars for their efforts during the past month and a half.

        That includes $10,400 for two round trips by car from San Francisco to Paso Robles.

By DANIEL BLACKBURN and KAREN VELIE

      San Luis Obispo County may play a significant role in the upcoming presidential election.

        This summer, two former California Polytechnic State University students, marketing whiz Cliff Branch and film director David Riordan, conceived and executed a massive national advertising campaign and dubbed it “Play it Forward.”

By THE EDITORS

        UncoveredSLO is expanding. In a world where it’s grow, or go away, we are redesigning our Web site; adding a host of new attractions like the county‘s best activities calendar (currently under construction); and broadening our news coverage in order to provide an even more rewarding and informative reading experience. Under the brand-new banner of CalCoastNews.com, quality investigative reporting by UncoveredSLO -- which tens of thousands of daily readers anticipate and depend on -- will continue to be our primary focus.  That we promise.

By KAREN VELIE

       Eight Probation Department employees have filed a lawsuit against the county of San Luis Obispo claiming they were harassed and discriminated against because of their race and gender.

         The plaintiffs, all Hispanic women, accuse the department of five causes of action including allegations of prejudice in promotions, training, workload, and supervisory requirements in the lawsuit.

            Do you enjoy reading UncoveredSLO.com’s in-depth reporting? Do you like the media watchdog function we provide and reader commentaries that follow? Now is your chance to help us continue.  Support us today.

By THE EDITORS

        A Cal Poly official took to the airways Monday to dispute portions of an UncoveredSLO.com article posted last week. 



        Amy Hewes, director of publications and communications for the College of Engineering, argued on Dave Congalton’s 920KVEC Hometown Radio show that she disagreed with parts of the article, “Cal Poly’s College of Engineering budget bleeds.”