Nevada
Lost hiker missing for 3 weeks in Calif. mountains survives — thanks to cabin left unlocked for this exact reason
That’s some proper prior planning.
A lost hiker missing for three weeks in the California mountains miraculously survived when she stumbled upon an unlocked cabin that had been left open by its owner for this exact situation — and was rescued just in time to celebrate her 28th birthday.
Georgia woman Tiffany Slaton found shelter at a closed resort in the eastern Sierra Nevada range after she was initially reported missing on April 29, authorities said.
A massive search for Slaton involved scouring more than 600 square miles at the Sierra National Forest, but it was Vermilion Valley resort owner Christopher Gutierrez who found her first this week.
He arrived at the venue Wednesday to prepare to reopen when he saw a front door slightly open and a pair of shoes.
“She pops out, didn’t say a word, just ran up and all she wanted was a hug,” Gutierrez said during a Wednesday evening news conference.
“It was a pretty surreal moment, and that’s when I realized who this was.”
He typically leaves the cabin doors open while the resort is closed during the off-season in case a wayward hiker needs a place to crash amid harsh weather conditions like blizzards.
“It’s mainly for people, just as this scenario played out, if they need to hole up in there one of shelter then it’s available,” Gutierrez said.
Slaton, who hails from Jeffersonville in the Peach State, told Gutierrez she survived for weeks solely munching on leeks before the resort owner fed her a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
“It was a blizzard, and she pushed through that blizzard, and the first thing she saw was a cabin,” said Gutierrez. “And she held up in the cabin overnight … this girl was saved for the reason.”
The survivor was brought to a hospital and is in good condition besides dehydration, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office said.
Her parents reported her missing late last month, and witnesses told the sheriff’s office she was last seen on April 24.
Two days before she was found, the sheriff’s office announced it was scaling back the search.
Bobby and Fredrina Slaton, her mom and dad, were losing hope when they received a phone call from none other than Tiffany as she was being taken down the mountain.
“She said, ‘Dad, I’m alive, and I’m sorry, but I’m alive and I wanted to call you and let you know I’m alive,’” an emotional Bobby Slaton said at the press conference.
As Bobby cried inside a store, Fredrina needed someone to hug.
“I grabbed somebody and said, ‘Can I hug you?’” she said. “And I did. I was crying and hugging.”
More information about Slaton’s incredible story of survival was not immediately known, including when or where her adventure began and how she ended up at Vermilion Valley Resort.
The sheriff’s office plans to eventually interview her for more details.
“Three weeks, it’s unheard of,” sheriff’s office spokesperson Tony Botti said. “It speaks to the tenacity that Tiffany has, that she’s a fighter.”
Slaton was rescued the day before her 28th birthday, People reported.
With Post wires
Nevada
Proactive power outage slated for northwestern Nevada
RENO, Nev. (KOLO) – Because of heightened fire weather conditions forecast for northwestern Nevada, a proactive outage is slated for Friday, Dec. 19, in Carson City, Clear Creek, Jack’s Valley, Genoa and Glenbrook from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to a NV Energy news release.
The outage would affect about 715 customers, the release said.
During a Public Safety Outage Management event, the utility proactively de-energizes power for customers in high-risk zones to help protect the community and environment from wildfires, the release said.
If weather conditions change, the potential proactive outage will be adjusted or cancelled.
Customers potentially impacted have been notified via phone, text messages and email.
NV Energy will continue to monitor conditions and provide updates.
The outage timeframe includes the duration of the weather event and an estimated time for crews to inspect the lines for damage, vegetation or debris to begin safely restoring power.
The restoration time may change based on weather conditions or if repairs to equipment need to be made.
Copyright 2025 KOLO. All rights reserved.
Nevada
Meet the 2025 Nevada Preps All-Southern Nevada girls soccer team
First team
Kloe Abdalla, Faith Lutheran — The junior was named the Class 5A player of the year by the coaches and helped the Crusaders win the state title. She is committed to Kansas.
Posie Armstrong, Faith Lutheran — The senior defender was a 5A all-state selection for the 5A state champion.
Julia Anfinson, Faith Lutheran — The junior scored 14 goals for the 5A state champion.
Anabelle Coe, Faith Lutheran — The senior was a first-team All-5A league midfielder to help the Crusaders win the 5A state title. She is committed to California Lutheran.
Cate Gusick, Coronado — The senior was named the 5A defensive player of the year for the 5A state runner-up. She is committed to Montana.
Emma Flannery, Bishop Gorman — The senior midfielder was a 5A all-state selection with six goals and 11 assists. She is committed to UNLV.
Allison Kleiner, Coronado — The senior was a 5A all-state selection for the 5A state runner-up. She is committed to Vanderbilt.
Emily Marks, Arbor View — The junior was named the 5A goalie of the year and helped the Aggies finish third in the 5A Southern League.
Kenadie Mashore, Doral Academy — The senior goalie was named the 4A player of the year. She recorded 14 shutouts and 141 saves for the 4A Southern Region and state champion.
Daniela Mayorga, Canyon Springs — The senior scored 67 goals, a state record in a season by a player in the top classification (5A/4A), and added 27 assists.
Jazmine McCallum, Coronado — The senior midfielder was a 5A all-state selection for the 5A state runner-up.
Alexandra Milano, Coronado — The senior midfielder was a 5A all-state selection for the 5A state runner-up.
Olivia Petty, Faith Lutheran — The 5A all-state goalie recorded 74 saves and allowed six goals in 20 games for the 5A state champion.
Allie Rabe, Faith Lutheran — The senior defender was a 5A all-state selection for the 5A state champion. She is committed to UC Irvine.
Ella Schultz, Coronado — The junior defender was a 5A all-state selection for the 5A state runner-up.
Olivia Stark, Faith Lutheran — The senior 5A offensive player of the year scored 22 goals and added 14 assists for the 5A state champion. She is committed to UC Irvine.
Taylor Takahashi, Coronado — The sophomore scored a team-high 17 goals and added seven assists for the 5A state runner-up.
Sienna Turco, Doral Academy — The senior was named the 4A Mountain League offensive player of the year and scored 50 goals and added 18 assists for the 4A Southern Region and state champion.
Coach of the year
Kurt Divich, Doral Academy – Guided the Dragons to the Class 4A Southern Region and state titles, the program’s first state title.
Second team
Audrey Ancell, Green Valley — The senior was named the 4A Desert League defensive player of the year as the Gators allowed just eight goals in 18 games.
Taylor Bringhurst, Palo Verde — The senior was the 4A Sky League goalie of the year and helped the Panthers reach the state tournament.
Darien Cox, Green Valley — The senior was named the 4A Desert League offensive player of the year and scored 27 goals and 13 assists.
Gianna Davis, Doral Academy — The senior was a 4A all-state defender to help the Dragons win the 4A Southern Region and state titles.
Olivia Gastwirth, Palo Verde — The sophomore was named the 4A Sky League offensive player of the year and scored 34 goals to help the Panthers reach the state tournament.
Olivia Geeb, Green Valley — The senior was named the 4A Desert League goalie of the year as the Gators allowed just eight goals in 18 games.
Devyn Giraldo, Bishop Gorman — The senior was a 5A all-state selection who scored 10 goals.
Peyton Hedstrom, Doral Academy — The junior was a 4A all-state defender who helped the Dragons win the 4A Southern Region and state titles.
Taylor Johnson, Shadow Ridge — The senior was a 5A all-state selection for the state semifinalist. She is committed to Utah Tech.
Brooke Kramer, Liberty — The senior was a 5A all-state goalie. She is committed to UNLV.
Cristal Lara, SECTA — The senior scored 38 goals and led the state with 39 assists.
Elliott Lujan, Faith Lutheran — The senior scored nine goals and had six assists for the 5A state champion. She is committed to St. Mary’s (California).
Alayna Malloy, Centennial — The freshman scored 12 goals for the 5A state semifinalist.
Danielle Morales, Arbor View — The junior was a 5A all-state selection and scored seven goals.
Dasha Rosas, Doral Academy — The junior scored 19 goals and added 18 assists to help the Dragons win the 4A Southern Region and state titles.
Briana Salguero, Equipo Academy — The senior was the 3A region player of the year and scored 29 goals and added 15 assists to help the Yeti reach the state tournament.
Sophia Sachs, Arbor View — The junior was a 5A all-state selection and scored seven goals.
Aleah Warner, Bishop Gorman — The freshman scored nine goals and was a 5A all-league selection.
Honorable mention
Sophia Aragon, Sierra Vista
Grace Aznarez, Palo Verde
Anabel Alvarez Leon, Cimarron-Memorial
Melina Clavel, SECTA
Kimberly Dominguez, Eldorado
Emily Farnsworth, Las Vegas High
Lilian Foss, Coronado
Hannah Gutierrez, Silverado
Paige Hooiman, Silverado
Jasmyne Johnson, Basic
Linita Kioa, Virgin Valley
Briana Lee, Faith Lutheran
Layla Lindsey, Arbor View
Alexandra Miranda, Centennial
Ella Ostler, Eldorado
Melanie Mendez, Equipo Academy
Angelie Mendoza, Palo Verde
Caitlynn Nick, Palo Verde
Ryan Neel, Coronado
Natalie Rodriguez, Canyon Springs
Alexa Sandoval, Las Vegas High
Lupita Silveyra, Virgin Valley
Isabella Simental, Sierra Vista
Harmony Taylor, Shadow Ridge
Sanyi Thompson, Doral Academy
Natalia Vallin, Pahrump Valley
Xophia Vong, Eldorado
Contact Alex Wright at awright@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AlexWright1028 on X.
Nevada
Nevada reaches settlement with Hyundai and Kia over anti-theft technology
LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Attorney General Aaron Ford’s office says Nevada and other states reached a settlement with Hyundai and Kia for selling cars that lack industry-standard anti-theft technology.
“Hyundai and Kia did not meet their responsibilities to the public and created a public safety issue by neglecting to use industry-standard technology on their vehicles,” Ford said. “I strongly urge any impacted Nevadans to make use of this settlement agreement to install these safety measures and, if eligible, to seek monetary restitution.”
As part of the settlement, the automakers agreed to equip all future cars with the anti-theft technology and offer ignition cylinder protectors to owners or leasees of eligible vehicles.
In statements, both companies affirmed their commitment to work with law enforcement to combat car theft.
According to a media release, consumers who previously installed the software update on their vehicles (or were scheduled to do so) but nonetheless experienced a theft or attempted theft of their vehicle on or after April 29, 2025, are eligible to file a claim for restitution for certain theft and attempted-theft related expenses.
For more information about eligibility and how to submit a claim for compensation, Ford’s office says to visit the following:
- Hyundai: www.HKMultistateimmobilizersettlement.com
- For Kia: https://customercare.kiausa.com/SWLD or call (800) 333-4Kia(4542)
Copyright 2025 KVVU. All rights reserved.
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