SLO chef to compete on TV and minors busted with fake IDs. Today’s top stories
San Luis Obispo County saw a mix of breaking news, community concerns and lighter moments on Monday. From a chef competing on national TV to food bank funding cuts, here’s a roundup of top stories from The Tribune.
See the key takeaways:
• TV baking competition to air: SLO County chef Florencia Breda, owner of Breda, competes tonight in the finale of Food Network’s The Ultimate Baking Championship at 9 p.m. The Michelin star pastry chef is one of three finalists vying for $50,000 and the title of Ultimate Baking Champion.
• Kayaker identified: The Sheriff’s Office identified Ralph Sutter, 78, of Arroyo Grande as the kayaker who drowned at Montaña de Oro State Park on Saturday. Witnesses said his kayak was flipped by waves around 10:30 a.m., and his life vest appeared to slip off after he overturned.
• Suspected DUI arrest in SLO: Police arrested a suspected DUI driver in San Luis Obispo on Friday night after the driver of a white sedan crashed into a parked car on Garden Street. Officers found nine empty BuzzBallz containers and one half-empty container in the vehicle.
• 1 injured in car crash: A two-vehicle crash sent one driver to the hospital Monday morning in San Luis Obispo after a Subaru Outback flipped onto its roof. The collision happened at Broad Street and Sweeney Lane around 8:06 a.m., and DUI is not suspected.
• Food assistance funding cut: The SLO Food Bank is bracing for a 90% state cut to CalFood funding, which would drop from $60 million to just $8 million for fiscal year 2026-27. The reduction follows federal SNAP cuts and threatens the food bank’s ability to purchase fresh local produce, milk, meat and eggs.
• Minors caught with fake IDs: Undercover ABC agents busted 29 minors using fake IDs at HaHa Sushi and Ramen in San Luis Obispo on April 23. Six of those cited were arrested for possessing alcohol as a minor.
• What to do with school property: Morro Bay is weighing future uses for the Morro Elementary School site after the City Council voted to purchase the 9.7-acre property for $5.3 million. Residents at a public forum suggested ideas ranging from preserving sports fields to building senior or workforce housing.
• New restaurant in Atascadero: Happy Bites, a new restaurant in Atascadero, opened Dec. 21 with more than 80 menu items including crepes, tostilocos, manzana loca, burritos and chamoyada. Owners Fernando and Alma Avalos aimed to fill a gap they saw in the local dining scene.
• Dogs hit the surf: The World Dog Surfing Championships Exhibition Tour hit Pismo Beach on Saturday, drawing hundreds of spectators to the north side of the Pier. Six invited pro dog surfers competed alongside local canines.
This story was originally published May 4, 2026 at 6:32 PM with the headline "SLO chef to compete on TV and minors busted with fake IDs. Today’s top stories."