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A Georgia woman who went missing for weeks while hiking in California's Sierra Nevada mountains has been found alive inside a cabin that was inaccessible to vehicles due to the snowpack.

The Fresno County Sheriff's Office said the family of Tiffany Slaton, a 27-year-old woman from Jeffersonville, Georgia, reported on April 29 that they had not been in contact with her for the past nine days.

During the investigation, authorities said they were able to confirm that she was seen on April 20 at Huntington Lake, located in California's Sierra Nevada, about 65 miles east of Fresno.

Four days later, she was seen at the old Cressman's General Store, about 20 miles west of the lake. After that, deputies were unable to track down her location.

In early May, a full-scale search operation was underway in the mountainous area. Deputies said they searched nearly 600 square miles, covering an area from Mono Hot Spring to Wishon Reservoir, and Pine Flat Lake to Auberry.

But the snowpack prevented the search operation from making it over Kaiser Pass. Deputies said they flew their helicopter in the area but could not find any trace of Slaton.

On Wednesday, snow plows cleared Kaiser Pass, allowing the owner of Vermilion Valley Resort, Christopher Gutierrez, to access his property so that he could prepare for the summer season.

As he was doing so, Gutierrez, who was aware of the ongoing search, found Slaton in a rental cabin.

"We see the door open and I see some shoes down there and I'm like, 'OK, well it's just a hiker who decided to hold up in the blizzard we had that previous night,'" Gutierrez said in a media briefing Wednesday afternoon. "As soon as we start making our way there, here comes Tiffany, she pops out, deer in the headlights. So she pops out, didn't say a word, just ran up and all she wanted was a hug."

Gutierrez drove Slaton to the pass where deputies and medics met them. They said she was dehydrated but in good health. She was taken to the hospital for further treatment.

Slaton's parents, who were set to travel to the area in the coming days, were notified that their daughter was located.

"To get a phone call that Tiffany is doing fine, it's hard to contain your tears and your excitement in the middle of clothes shopping," her father said, recalling the moment he found out his daughter had been found.

"I just grabbed somebody and said, 'Can I hug you?' And I did. I was crying and hugging," Slaton's mother said. "She was just somebody that was close and I needed to hug somebody."

The Fresno County Sheriff's Office said it has seen a couple of cases in the past of people surviving tough conditions in the Sierra Nevada, but never to this extent.

"Two days, nine days. That's amazing," Fresno County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Tony Botti said. "But three weeks, it's unheard of."

Gutierrez said he leaves a cabin unlocked for situations like this, allowing for an increased chance of survival.

He called Slaton's arrival at the cabin "miraculous" and said she took a trail that's not well-traveled.

Brandon Downs

Brandon Downs is a digital content producer at CBS Sacramento.

In the lead-up to the California Michelin Guide ceremony on Wednesday, June 25, the tire brand dropped its latest update to the guide, adding 13 new restaurants — including six Northern California establishments — to its list of esteemed places to eat.

Among the local restaurants added: Korean restaurant Sungho in San Francisco; Ethel’s Fancy from chef Scott Nishiyama in Palo Alto; and chef Srijith Gopinathan’s latest restaurant, Eylan, in Menlo Park. Sacramento also had a big showing with the additions of Kin Thai, Majka Pizzeria, and Pho Momma.

It’s a triumphant moment for chef Scott Nishiyama, who left the fine dining world to start Ethel’s Fancy, which he called “a very personal restaurant” at its opening. Imagined as an homage to his mother and maternal grandmother, Nishiyama’s menu skewed toward shareable plates that change with the season, which the guide called “eclectic, down-to-earth Californian cuisine.” The addition of Eylan to the guide is also quite an achievement for Gopinathan and restaurant partner Ayesha Thapar, as it’s their fourth restaurant project in the Bay Area. It’s been a string of hits for the duo, as they had also recently opened the well-received Copra in San Francisco in 2023 and Ettan before that in 2020. At Eylan, Gopinathan’s team serves Indian dishes with a bit of Bay Area influence, cooking dishes by live fire, as he told Eater SF in January. The guide notes that Gopinathan’s “compelling balance of flavors makes each dish stand on its own.”

San Francisco’s Sungho also landed on the list, despite a curious review from San Francisco Chronicle food critic MacKenzie Chung Fegan in November 2024, who inexplicably (and quite accidentally) visited the restaurant on its opening day after a sudden change in chef. That aside, the guide praised the restaurant’s meat stews, such as gukbap and kalguksu, and its raw marinated crab dish yangnyeom-gejang.

This latest announcement is an excellent showing for Sacramento, which did not land any restaurants in the guide back in March, when the first additions for 2025 were released. At the time, reporter Benjy Egel of the Sacramento Bee wrote that “hope isn’t yet lost for additional praise,” though he noted that the Sacramento section had been “stagnant” since 2022 with no new additions in later years. Sisters Napis Lindley and Napak Kongsitthanakor opened Kin Thai in 2020, and the Guide loved the “vibrant, punchy flavors” of their menu. In 2024, the Bee credited Majka Pizzeria as one of the restaurants upgrading the Sacramento pizza scene in the last few years. Pho Momma opened in 2022; the guide noted the charm of the staff and restaurant but stated “it’s the cooking, made with apparent care and high-quality ingredients, that really sets it apart.”

Meanwhile, seven Southern California restaurants were added to the list: Komal in Los Angeles; Somni in West Hollywood; Vin Folk of Hermosa Beach; Atellier Manna in Encinitas; and Lilo in Carlsbad. Oceanside also received a couple of nods, with the addition of Tanner’s Prime Burgers and 24 Suns.

It’s worth noting that these restaurants aren’t quite “starred” just yet — these additions, along with those added to the California Guide in March, are designated as “New” and “Recommended.” That may (or may not) change with the California Michelin Guide ceremony on June 25 in Sacramento, where chefs will learn whether their restaurant is awarded a Michelin star or a spot on the Bib Gourmand list. Becoming an addition to the guide, however, does not guarantee either, although it’s generally considered a good sign ahead of the ceremony.

A Redding man pleaded guilty on Thursday to swindling investors in a $35 million Ponzi scheme that used fake financial products and an existing medical business to persuade customers to trust him with their money.

Matthew Piercey, who was 44 at the time of his arrest in 2020, admitted to the scheme in federal court in Sacramento, pleading guilty to 27 counts of wire fraud, money laundering and witness tampering. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 4.

Piercey’s arrest in the scheme made headlines after he tried to flee the FBI on a “sea scooter,” plowing into California’s Lake Shasta on a cold November day on a Yamaha 350Li submersible device before emerging a half hour later, according to previous Bee reporting.

A co-conspirator, Kenneth Winton, has already pleaded guilty to a single charge in the case but has not yet been sentenced.

Piercey was accused of persuading investors to trust him and co-conspirators with about $35 million in funds in a scheme that ran from 2016 to 2020, a grand jury indictment against him shows. About $8.8 million was returned to investors, but $26 million was missing at the time of his arrest in 2020, the indictment said.

Among Piercey’s victims were members of Bethel Church in Redding, where he was a parishioner. Of the proceeds, he used about $1 million to buy a boat and another $1 million to buy and renovate two houses in the north state, the indictment said.

Piercey was not offered a plea deal by prosecutors, but after Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith dropped four of the original 31 counts against him last week, he told Chief District Judge Troy L. Nunley he would plead guilty “straight up” to the remaining charges.

In a statement filed with the court earlier this month, Piercey admitted to lying to investors and intending to defraud them. He also admitted that he had illegally used interstate wire communication to carry out the scheme. He confessed to trying to persuade another witness to withhold testimony and admitted to money laundering.

Piercey faces up to 20 years in prison for each set of charges, according to the indictment, along with fines of $250,000 or an amount equal to twice the money he gained. Prosecutors this week also asked the court to require Piercey to pay restitution in the case.

Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to cut roughly $767 million from the state’s payroll expenses in salaries and wages to help close a larger-than-expected deficit California is facing. The Governor’s Office said Newsom does not seek to cut existing salaries.

In a revised budget released Wednesday, Newsom’s administration said it hopes to reach that savings target through negotiations with the state’s 21 bargaining units. But if no agreement is reached, the administration said it will “impose reductions,” without detailing what those might involve.

“The governor’s budget proposal aims to achieve savings by delaying pay increases,” Tara Gallegos, a spokesperson for the Governor’s Office, said in a statement. “Ultimately, this will be decided as part of collective bargaining.”

Finance Director Joe Stephenshaw told reporters Wednesday: “The intent is really to avoid increased costs in the upcoming fiscal year and it’s not to implement furloughs or (personal leave programs) or those types of things.”

This year, salary savings are expected to begin in July. Seven bargaining units are already in active talks with the California Department of Human Resources to reach new agreements.

Union leaders reacted swiftly to the proposed cuts.

“While we understand the state’s budget realities, balancing the budget on the backs of hardworking state workers is not the answer,” Ryan Smith, the vice president of the state attorneys’ union, said in a Wednesday statement. “We are disappointed the governor chose to undermine the collective bargaining process by threatening our members with pay cuts.”

Ted Toppin, the executive director of the Professional Engineers in California Government, said the state has weathered previous downturns and should continue to pay competitive wages.

“Projecting a budget deficit that has yet to materialize does not absolve the Administration from the need to pay fair and competitive wages to recruit and retain the state-employed engineers and related professionals we represent,” Toppin said in a statement. “PECG is at the table now and will continue to bargain in good faith with the administration for the best agreement possible.”

Neil Flood, the president of the labor group representing correctional officers, said his union is committed to working with the administration to reach “responsible solutions.”

“We believe these issues are best addressed collaboratively at the bargaining table, where we’ve consistently found common ground in the past,” Flood said.

The proposed salary reductions are one part of the governor’s strategy to close a $12 billion shortfall for 2025-26. The budget also includes cuts to health care spending, a pause on Medi-Cal enrollment for undocumented adults, and the use of $7.1 billion from the state’s rainy-day fund.

The governor attributed the economic slump to the Trump administration’s tariffs, though he denied blaming the deficit entirely on President Donald Trump.

Director Stephenshaw confirmed Wednesday that the state budget did not include money for a 1% salary increase employees represented by Service Employees International Union Local 1000 hoped to secure this year.

Two years ago, SEIU Local 1000 negotiated a contract provision that would grant rank-and-file members a 1% raise — on top of a guaranteed 3% salary increase — based on the Finance Department’s determination of whether the state has enough extra money in the budget to grant the increase.

“We’re not in a position to provide that additional 1% at this time,” Stephenshaw said.

In a Wednesday statement, SEIU Local 1000 President Anica Walls said, “The administration may be seeking savings, but our position is clear: we are not here to help the state cut our pay. We’ll fight to protect jobs, pay, and the services our communities rely on.”

Earlier this year, the Finance Department estimated the additional 1% would have cost $120 million. Nine of the union’s 10 bargaining units — 1, 3, 4, 11, 14, 15, 17, 20 and 21 — were eligible for the 1% raise.

Without the conditional raise, SEIU Local 1000-represented employees are slated to receive a 3% raise in July, on par with salary increases from the previous two years. The 3% increase is expected to cost the state $360 million, according to the Finance Department’s projections earlier this year.

The Bee Capitol Bureau’s Stephen Hobbs contributed to this story.

This story was originally published May 14, 2025 at 2:32 PM.

CORRECTION: This story has been updated to clarify comments from the Governor’s Office about proposed spending reductions in the May budget revision. Officials said the unspecified cuts would not include reductions in employee pay.

Three Sacramento restaurants were added Wednesday to the California Michelin Guide, bringing the capital region’s total to 17 ahead of the state’s annual culinary awards next month.

Michelin named 13 new additions statewide — including Majka Pizzeria & Bakery, Pho Momma, and Kin Thai Street Eatery — each recognized for their distinctive menus and community ties.

Majka Pizzeria & Bakery, 1704 15th St. in downtown Sacramento, opened in the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the business is still thriving nearly five years later. Michelin praised owners Alex Sherry and Chutharat Sae Tong for their focus on seasonal ingredients and daily special pizzas, alongside an “exceptional assortment” of wines.

The Sacramento Bee featured Majka on its Top 50 restaurants of 2024 list, noting its strong relationships with local producers.

Pho Momma — at 9555 Folsom Boulevard, Suite A, in the La Riveria neighborhood — is possibly the most affordable option among the 17 Sacramento restaurants on Michelin’s list.

The restaurant’s star offering starts at only $6 for an extra-small shrimp pho with chicken broth. With 12 base protein options, four sizes and a list of extra add-ons, you could easily avoid having the same pho order twice.

The extensive menu also includes numerous appetizers and soupless entrees —the guide gave a shout out to the rice paper spring rolls, which can be filled with a variety of meat, seafood or vegan proteins and are served alongside a “tangy peanut dipping sauce.”

The drink section takes up a third of the menu, with a broad selection of boba drinks and Vietnamese coffee dwarfing the traditional soft drink section.

On Instagram, the restaurant’s owner Tuan Le expressed gratitude to the Michelin Guide and to customers for the accolade.

“Everyday, I care about the food quality, the food quantity, the service, the smiles, the conversations, and the memories made here,” Le wrote. “All because all my customers have made it so easy for me to want and care to do it.”

Bee readers voted Pho Momma one of the region’s most underrated Vietnamese spots in 2024, only two years after it opened.

The restaurant guide described Kin Thai Street Eatery, 1050 20th St., Suite 180 in midtown, as “vibrant” and “punchy.”

The menu challenges fans of Thai food to traverse the country through its cuisine. Well-known comforts like Pad Thai accompany specialties from different regions, like Gai Tod Hat Yai, a southern-region fried chicken dish.

Kin Thai’s owners wrote on their website that they were “beyond thrilled and deeply honored” to be mentioned in the restaurant guide’s 2025 edition.

“As a small, family-owned restaurant, this recognition means the world to us,” the message read. “To our amazing customers — thank you for your unwavering support. You’ve helped turn our dream into reality.”

In 2024, The Bee included Kin Thai in its Top 50 restaurants of the year, lauding the restaurant’s homage to Thailand’s street food.

The new restaurants were added to the list in the lead-up to the California Michelin Guide ceremony on June 25, where the guide will announce the restaurants receiving the esteemed Michelin stars and Bib Gourmand awards.

Currently, two Sacramento restaurants have one star each — The Kitchen and Localis. Four local favorites have been awarded the Bib Gourmand, a distinction for restaurants with high-quality food at a great value: Frank Fat’s, Canon, Yue Huang and Nixtaco.

This story was originally published May 14, 2025 at 11:01 AM.

The Sacramento Bee

Camila Pedrosa is a service journalism reporter at The Sacramento Bee. She previously worked as a summer reporting intern for The Bee and reported in Phoenix and Washington, D.C. She graduated from Arizona State University with a master’s degree in mass communication.