Morro Rock rescue and how tech jobs plan will impact traffic. Today’s top stories

The Tribune’s coverage on July 13, 2026, spans development, public safety, weather hazards and transportation across San Luis Obispo County. Here’s a quick digest of the day’s top stories.

Here are key takeaways:

• Paso Robles tech corridor faces traffic hurdle: Paso Robles is weighing how to support 7,000 anticipated new jobs along Airport Road, where an unsignalized intersection with Highway 46 needs $80 million to $120 million in improvements, including a temporary traffic signal funded by Majestic Realty as part of its $800 million Landing project at the former boys’ school site.
• Climbers rescued from Morro Rock: Two climbers who became stuck about 100 feet up Morro Rock were safely rescued Sunday afternoon around 3:30 p.m. Cal Fire, Morro Bay Harbor Patrol and California State Parks personnel responded and walked the climbers to safety.
• Central Coast Distillery moves to bigger home: Central Coast Distillery has left its six-seat bar on Traffic Way in Atascadero and held a grand opening June 27 in a larger space at the new Del Rio Marketplace. Founders Eric and Anna Olson produce small-batch Forager Spirits and have helped launch more than 10 SLO County distilleries.
• Pea Soup Andersen’s headed for demolition: The Buellton City Council unanimously approved demolishing segments of the former Pea Soup Andersen’s property, stripping its historic landmark status after repeated break-ins and vandalism. The original Bueltmore Hotel section will be preserved as developer Ed St. George pursues a mixed-use project.
• Intoxicated man rescued from SLO creek: San Luis Obispo police and firefighters used a ladder to pull a “highly inebriated” man from a downtown creek behind Tonita’s Mexican Food around 1 a.m. Saturday, after he climbed over a railing to urinate and fell down the embankment. He was taken to a hospital with minor injuries.
• Spot fires slow Highway 101 traffic: Multiple vegetation fires sparked along northbound Highway 101 south of Nipomo around 11:50 a.m. Monday, burning roughly 2 acres before Cal Fire stopped forward progress around 12:36 p.m. The No. 2 lane was closed near the Highway 166 exit, causing delays while the fires were put out.
• Rip currents threaten SLO County beaches: A beach hazards statement is in effect through Wednesday evening for dangerous rip currents, breaking waves and minor coastal flooding tied to a southerly swell and high tides of 7 to 7.6 feet, according to the National Weather Service. Beachgoers are urged to stay out of the water or remain near occupied lifeguard towers.
• Overnight ramp closures start on Highway 101: Caltrans is closing on-ramps and off-ramps at nearly a dozen spots along Highway 101, including at Prado Road and Madonna Road, from 7:30 p.m. to 7 a.m. nightly starting Monday, July 13, so crews can remove striping and replace markings. The work is expected to wrap by Aug. 7.

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.