Archive By Author - Melissa Gasca
Local veteran works out his post-service plan
It had been a graphic day of battle in Baghdad. It seemed like the U.S. Army had fired everything it had to fire, Stephen Watanabe said. But one combat experience stands out above the rest. As he manned the gun at the top of a truck, Steven Watanabe's only lifeline was the steel plate in front of him. A sniper's bullet ricocheted off the edge of the plate. "Had that plate not been there - ...
Where arthritis is an afterthought
Alexa Sutherland, 12, cannot participate in physical education with the rest of her class. Caitlin Ryan, 12, has already had a hip replacement. Mikayla Minnig, 12, had to stop cheerleading for a while.
Love of magic never gets old
Mark Wilson couldn't count the times he's levitated his wife in mid-air. He's performed the illusion on television, for a live audience, at theme parks and even in his warehouse for photo shoots.
Temple Beth Ami welcomes new cantor
Kenny Ellis stood on the bimah at Temple Beth Ami and sang out: "How good it is, and how pleasant, when we dwell together in unity." As he looked out into the unfamiliar congregation, he was shocked to see other mouths moving. He wasn't the only person singing the hymn, "Hineh Mah Tov," based on Psalm 133. "That was new and different; very exciting," Ellis said. "The people at Temple Beth Ami are incredible ...
‘A ministry without walls’
Dr. Sheryl Reaves sold her home and 4,000-acre property and headed west. She left behind a ministry that transformed the lives of dozens of women who have faced emotional, sexual, physical or spiritual abuse. A year and half after she picked up her two kids and moved from the East Coast to California, she lost her pharmaceutical job to layoffs. But she never doubted she was meant to move. Reaves knew she had a command ...
Combining faith and fitness
Gilbert Burns thrust his right fist toward a mirror. He pulled it back and then, punched the air again.
Back to school countdown
Bailey Prouty sprinted across a gym on Tuesday, clutching dodgeballs and scanning the opposite side of the court for his next target.
Boy released pending fire investigation
A 14-year-old boy who was arrested for setting a fire in Saugus on Sunday was released to his family, an official said Monday.
‘My stolen son’
A small framed clown painting hangs from the living room wall in the Markowitz's Santa Clarita home. A young Nick Markowitz created the painting.
From Cub Scout to leader
It was one particular Cub Scout meeting Jeff Prata attended that changed the course of his life and career. During the meeting, parents bickered about money matters as a pack of Cubs, boys ranging in age from 8 to 10, sat and listened.
Vampire fever
Before Edward Cullen fell for Bella Swan and Robert Pattinson became a teen heartthrob with a thirst for blood, a more ghastly character dominated vampire literature. In 1897, author Bram Stoker introduced Count Dracula to the world.
Women’s Expo empowers with opportunities
"I'm a real loser. I'm not good enough the way I am. I care too much about what other people think."
Former Assemblyman Dr. Keith Richman dies of cancer at 56
Former California Assemblyman Dr. Keith Richman, who served the Santa Clarita Valley, died Friday night at the age of 56 after more than a yearlong battle with brain cancer.
Living to ride and soar, again
You might have seen the replay on an episode of "World's Craziest Videos" or "Ripley's Believe it or Not."
Methodists welcome new pastor
Only a few weeks into the job as senior pastor, Rev. Melissa Roux MacKinnon has already injected some new energy into the Santa Clarita United Methodist Church.
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