Karen Velie

California

Co-founder, Bridge Life Master and Investigative Reporter at Cal Coast Times

Investigative reporter, CalCoastNews co-founder, Bridge Life Master

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Articles

Former San Luis Obispo mayor canned, loses discrimination lawsuit

2 weeks ago | calcoastnews.com | Karen Velie

April 9, 2025 By KAREN VELIEAfter leaving her job as the mayor of San Luis Obispo, Heidi Harmon accused her new employer of racism and for using an incorrect pronoun – issues that prompted Harmon to file a lawsuit she lost last month. Harmon resigned as mayor in 2021 to take a job with the Romero Institute’s Let’s Green CA, a nonprofit affiliated with electric provider Central Coast Community Energy, a company she endorsed as mayor.
Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant turns to artificial intelligence

2 weeks ago | calcoastnews.com | Karen Velie

April 9, 2025 By KAREN VELIEIn order to more efficiently deal with regulatory requirements, Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant in San Luis Obispo County is now utilizing artificial intelligence, according to a PG&E press release. PG&E is utilizing Atomic Canyon’s artificial intelligence-powered solutions for the nuclear energy sector at the Diablo Canyon. This marks the first use of AI at a U.S. nuclear power plant. Atomic Canyon, a San Luis Obispo based company, developed the software.
Arroyo Grande police chief retiring in May

2 weeks ago | calcoastnews.com | Karen Velie

April 9, 2025 By Karen VelieArroyo Grande Police Chief Michael Martinez announced Tuesday that he plans to retire in May, capping a 22-year career in law enforcement. “The greatest part about being the police chief has been watching the development and accomplishments of the members of the department,” Martinez said. “I am inspired by the men and women of the Arroyo Grande Police Department who exemplify the very best in law enforcement.”His last day will be May 30.
Prosecutors create fraud task force focused on homeless funding

2 weeks ago | calcoastnews.com | Karen Velie

April 8, 2025 By KAREN VELIEA recently formed federal Homelessness Fraud and Corruption Task Force will investigate fraud, waste, abuse, and corruption involving funds allocated toward the eradication of homelessness in seven counties, including San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties, U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli announced today. Despite spending billions of dollars tackling this issue, homelessness remains a crisis.
Major increase in arrests, citations at Deltopia in Isla Vista

2 weeks ago | calcoastnews.com | Karen Velie

April 8, 2025 By KAREN VELIEThe tens of thousands of people who gathered last weekend in Isla Vista for the annual spring break event known as Deltopia were met by nearly 300 law enforcement personnel, leading to a sharp increase in arrests and citations, according to law enforcement. From April 4 through April 6, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office and partner agencies issued 485 citations and made 84 arrests.
Valley fever cases on the rise in San Luis Obispo County

2 weeks ago | calcoastnews.com | Karen Velie

April 8, 2025 By KAREN VELIEMore San Luis Obispo County residents were diagnosed with Valley Fever in 2024 than any previous year on record, with 482 cases reported to the Public Health Department during the calendar year. This is nearly double the 244 cases reported in 2023 and greater than the previous highest count of 445 cases in 2017. The disease is spread by a fungus that grows naturally in portions of Arizona and California.
SLO County supervisor candidate sentenced to 90 days in jail

2 weeks ago | calcoastnews.com | Karen Velie

April 7, 2025 By KAREN VELIEA judge sentenced a Grover Beach woman to 90 days in jail and two years probation on Monday for election fraud related to her run as a write-in candidate for the San Luis Obispo County District 3 supervisor seat in the March 2024 Primary Election. Michelle Marie Morrow, 55, pleaded no contest on Nov. 18, 2024 to filing false nomination or declaration papers and fraudulent voting. As part of the plea deal, charges of voter registration fraud and perjury were dropped.
Grover Beach officer protects property, two residents

2 weeks ago | calcoastnews.com | Karen Velie

April 7, 2025 By KAREN VELIEA Grover Beach police officer’s actions led firefighters to quickly put out a residential blaze on Sunday night. While conducting a neighborhood patrol near The Pike and Oak Park Boulevard, Officer Akai Reyna noticed smoke in the air. He then located an active fire inside a garage. Officer Reyna alerted the residents inside about the fire and led them from the home. The Five Cities Fire Department were able to contain the fire to the garage.
SLO County supervisor candidate sentenced to 90 day in jail

2 weeks ago | calcoastnews.com | Karen Velie

April 7, 2025 By KAREN VELIEA judge sentenced a Grover Beach woman to 90 days in jail and two years probation on Monday for election fraud related to her run as a write-in candidate for the San Luis Obispo County District 3 supervisor seat in the March 2024 Primary Election. Michelle Marie Morrow, 55, pleaded no contest on Nov. 18, 2024 to filing false nomination or declaration papers and fraudulent voting. As part of the plea deal, charges of voter registration fraud and perjury were dropped.
Morro Bay considers hiring in-house attorney

2 weeks ago | calcoastnews.com | Karen Velie

April 7, 2025 By KAREN VELIEThe Paso Robles City Council on Tuesday will consider moving back to an in-house city attorney, according to its agenda. From its incorporation in 1964 until 2002, Morro Bay contracted its city attorney services. Then from 2002 until 2013, the city had an in-house city attorney before switching back to contracted services in 2013.