A grisly dog slaying and CFO sentenced for embezzling $480K. Today’s top stories

The Tribune covered a range of news on May 5, 2026, from a fiery congressional town hall to a local pastry chef’s national TV finale. Here’s a digest of the day’s top stories.

Here are key takeaways:

• Carbajal blasts Trump: Central Coast Congressman Salud Carbajal called President Trump “a dangerous moron” and an “unhinged president” during a Grover Beach town hall, telling 150 constituents he supports invoking the 25th Amendment to remove Trump. Pressed by attendees, he also pledged to stop accepting AIPAC campaign contributions.
• SLO chef takes third on Food Network: San Luis Obispo Michelin star chocolatier Florencia Breda placed third in the finale of Food Network’s The Ultimate Baking Championship, creating a carnival-themed dessert showcase inspired by her past attending carnivals in Italy. Molly Coen of Carmel won the $50,000 grand prize.
• Embezzlement sentencing: Former Scott O’Brien Fire and Safety CFO Robert Conrad Vasquez was sentenced to four years and four months in jail for embezzling more than $480,000 from the Atascadero small business between 2019 and 2023. Vasquez used company funds for rent, credit card payments, fine dining, vacations and firearms.
• District denies drugging claim: The Paso Robles school district says an anonymous Facebook post alleging students were “found drugged in the bathrooms” at Paso Robles High School is false and no such incident occurred. The district said it partners with police, has a school resource officer on campus and conducts random monthly drug searches.
• Animal cruelty charges: Orcutt resident Justo Alejandro Buenrostro, 37, has been charged with animal cruelty after deputies allege he killed and cooked a family dog named Coco on April 18. An emergency protective order says Buenrostro “butchered and cooked the family dog” and continued doing so when family arrived.
• New Morro Bay shop: Sol Sisters Collective, a flower and gift shop featuring funky cactus, homemade ceramics and quirky cards, opened April 10 at 560 Morro Bay Blvd. Owner Lacey Lomeli sources most items from small, female-owned businesses and will host a grand opening Saturday with a mobile bar and live music.
• New early voting method: SLO County voters can now cast mail ballots at the San Luis Obispo or Atascadero elections offices without a return envelope ahead of the June 2 primary. Voters complete a short form, staff verify the signature, and the ballots are counted early and included in first results at 8 p.m. on election night.

The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The source reporting referenced above was written and edited entirely by journalists.

This story was originally published May 5, 2026 at 6:04 PM with the headline "A grisly dog slaying and CFO sentenced for embezzling $480K. Today’s top stories."