Author: Karen Velie

School district illicitly garnered $13 million in FEMA funds?

School district illicitly garnered $13 million in FEMA funds?

Mar 27, 2012 | , | 0 |

The Paso Robles School District is getting a double wave of bad financial news ― not only is the district already facing a $1.59 million budget shortfall, but the federal government may be seeking the return of more than $13 million in disaster relief money the district is accused of collecting illicitly.

Nearly eight years after the San Simeon Earthquake damaged the Flamson Middle School building, the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) is recommending that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) ask the district to return $13 million in relief funds.

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Free legal help for San Luis Obispo homeless

Free legal help for San Luis Obispo homeless

Mar 26, 2012 | , | 0 |

In an attempt to help homeless subjected to heavy fines from San Luis Obispo police for sleeping in their vehicles, attorneys Stew Jenkins and Saro Rizzo are working pro bono to stop what they see as illegal enforcement.

At the behest of Prado Road business owners, police wake up homeless sleeping in their cars and hand them $450 a shot tickets four or five times a month. Several homeless unable to keep up with the fines and the $50 a day in late fees, serve time in the San Luis Obispo County Jail to cover their debt.

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Paso Robles residents challenge chief’s rich deal

Paso Robles residents challenge chief’s rich deal

Mar 26, 2012 | , | 0 |

When the Paso Robles City Council agreed last week to pay Police Chief Lisa Solomon $250,000 for the embattled 46-year-old’s early “retirement,” more questions were raised than answered.

Meanwhile, additional details of the city’s first female police chief’s checkered career are emerging, even as Paso Robles’ top appointed official heaps praise on the departing Solomon.

North County community members are attempting to digest the widely-criticized decision, and residents and business owners have announced formation of a group called “Change Paso Robles Now” (CPRN2012).

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Paso Robles teachers’ paychecks slashed

Paso Robles teachers’ paychecks slashed

Mar 23, 2012 | , | 0 |

Teachers in the Paso Robles School District will absorb a big paycheck hit this summer after agreeing to help balance the district’s stressed budget.

Teachers’ union president Jim Lynette said a cut of 9.72 percent over the next two years will help schools continue to operate through 2014. Individual teachers will give up several thousand dollars from their last three paychecks of the school year.

“The coming months will be extremely difficult for our membership and their families,” Lynett said. “This year’s pay cut is retroactive to the beginning of the school year.”

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Deputy sues sheriff’s department for retaliation

Deputy sues sheriff’s department for retaliation

Mar 23, 2012 | , | 0 |

A former San Luis Obispo County Sheriff deputy says in a lawsuit that he was retaliated against and eventually terminated after he reported multiple abuses of policy by department heads.

Dale Strobridge filed the civil suit March 13 in San Luis Obispo County Superior Court. He includes the county and both former Sheriff Pat Hedges and current Sheriff Ian Parkinson as defendants in the suit.

The complaint states that in 2005, the former sergeant reported the illicit taping of Chief Deputy Gary Hoving to the county’s former human resources director, Deb Hossli. As a result, Hoving filed a lawsuit against the county and received a $660,000 settlement.

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Clean up Paso Robles

Clean up Paso Robles

Mar 23, 2012 | , | 0 |

OPINION By SALLY REYNOLDS Dear Residents of Paso Robles, My name is Sally Reynolds and I want to help to clean up the city of Paso Robles. I am tired of our town being made a laughing stock to other...

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