Year in review: Einstein still struggling for charter

After two years of attempts to get approval for an elementary school charter in the Santa Clarita Valley, the Einstein Academy for Letters, Arts and Sciences has turned to the Los Angeles County Board of Education.

CHP checkpoint nets no DUI arrests

No drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol during Saturday's 8-hour checkpoint run by the California Highway Patrol, according to an officer.

Year in review: Prop. 30 brings temporary relief, not long-term solution

After years of continued budget cuts, local school districts seem set to get some financial relief after voters approved Proposition 30 in November.

Fire activity up statewide

While some western states had a milder-than-normal fire season in 2012, the number of acres burned by wildfires in California was almost seven times that of 2011, statistics show.

House Ethics Committee completes Countrywide review, finds no wrongdoing

The Committee on Ethics for the U.S. House of Representatives has ruled legislators did not receive improper benefits while enrolled in the "VIP" loan unit of the Countrywide Financial Corporation, according to a statement released this week.

UPDATE: Highway 14 lanes reopen after crash

A big rig crashed into a wall on northbound Highway 14 in the area of Golden Valley Road at approximately 1:50 p.m. today, according to reports from the California Highway Patrol.

New I-5/SR-14 connector is part of larger project

After about four years of construction, the California Department of Transportation has officially opened a carpool lane connector between Interstate 5 and state Route 14.

‘Phonehenge’ builder sentenced to 539 days in jail

A former Acton resident has been sentenced to almost 18 months in jail after failing to repay thousands of dollars in county fines accrued as a result of the demolition of the elaborate structure he dubbed "Phonehenge West."

Jackknifed big rig forces closure on I-5

A collision between two big rigs today at 5:58 a.m., forced the closure of the truck lane on southbound Interstate 5 north of Interstate 210, according to the California Highway Patrol.

UPDATE: Injured Canyon Country bicyclist in serious condition

A Canyon Country man who was struck on his bicycle Saturday is still in serious condition and has been experiencing some problems moving his arms, his wife said Tuesday.

Sheriff works to act on jail violence plan

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department should implement most of the recommendations from the Citizens' Commission on Jail Violence within the next 90 days, according to a report.

McKeon calls past year 'frustrating,' but cites several successes

Rep. Howard "Buck" McKeon, R-Santa Clarita, said it has been "frustrating to try and get anything done" in a divisive and clashing U.S. Congress over the last year.

Citizens for Castaic may sue Hart

Representatives from the William S. Hart Union High School District and a local advocacy group have held a series of meetings recently trying to avoid a lawsuit the group has threatened to file over the proposed high school in Castaic, according to district officials.

Local DUI checkpoint nets two arrests, 14 citations

Officials from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station arrested two for driving under the influence at a checkpoint in Valencia Friday night.

Feinstein pushes assault weapons ban

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., announced that she intends to introduce legislation implementing a nationwide ban on the purchase, transfer, manufacturing or importation of guns defined as assault weapons.

UPDATE: Lanes reopen after morning crash on Highway 14

An early morning crash between a car and a big rig snarled traffic on Highway 14 for almost 10 hours Tuesday, according to officials with the California Highway Patrol.

Detectives investigating 'poking' incident that occurred during Santa Clarita City Council meeting

Detectives from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station are investigating an alleged "poking" incident during an argument at last week's meeting of the Santa Clarita City Council.

Relaying a message of hope

With a ceremony that was at times somber and celebratory, the Santa Clarita Valley's annual Relay for Life event to raise money and awareness for cancer research kicked off Saturday morning in Central Park.

Several dozen protest Pitchess expansion proposal

Carrying signs that read, "No More Cages" and "Education not incarceration," about 50 people lined the intersection of The Old Road and Biscailuz Drive in Castaic to protest a potential expansion of the Pitchess Detention Center.

UPDATE: Castaic wildfire now fully contained

A brush fire that scorched more than 700 acres in Castaic is now completely contained, according to officials with the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

CalArts hosts nontraditional graduation

As is typical of the California Institute of the Arts, the school's graduation ceremony Friday was anything but ordinary.

Hart district examines dissolving facilities foundation

With no new schools planned for the foreseeable future, the Hart district is taking steps to shutter the nonprofit foundation set up to manage land purchases and development, according to officials.

UPDATE: SCV detectives seek man in shooting death of his father

Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station detectives are asking for public assistance in locating a man who allegedly shot his father in the head late Thursday night in Canyon Country.

Santa Clarita honors 16 as ‘teen heroes’

Santa Clarita and local government officials recognized 16 local students as Santa Clarita Valley "teen heroes" Thursday night for their courage and determination in the face of adversity.

UPDATE: Hart district to appoint new board member

Members of the William S. Hart Union High School District board will appoint someone to replace former board member Paul Strickland, rather than holding a special election for the seat.

Acton-Agua Dulce district to vote on Einstein Academy charter tonight

Members of the Acton-Agua Dulce Unified School District board will vote tonight on whether to approve two charter petitions that would allow the Albert Einstein Academy for Letters, Arts and Science to open two schools in the district next year.

City budget projected to be slightly smaller than last year

Even as state and national economic conditions continue to improve, Santa Clarita's proposed budget for next year will actually shrink a bit, City Manager Ken Striplin said at a recent budget study session.

Road closures for Amgen

UPDATE: Third suspect arrested in spring break school burglaries

Santa Clarita Valley sheriff's deputies have arrested a third suspect thought to be involved in a string of burglaries at four Santa Clarita Valley schools during spring break last month, an official said Wednesday.

Roadblocks delay access to Castaic High groundbreaking

Speakers at a Wednesday groundbreaking ceremony for the long-awaited Castaic High School talked at length about the barriers and obstacles that had been overcome over the past few decades to get to the point where construction could begin on the project.