Local agencies brace for sequestration cuts

California is due to lose about $87.6 million in funding for primary and secondary education, along with $1.6 million in law-enforcement grants, if the sequestration ax falls on Friday, White House officials say.

Conference center could come with hefty price tag

A new conference center in Santa Clarita could cost the city $2 million a year to finance, on top of the estimated cost of more than $20 million to build the facility itself, according to estimates presented Tuesday.

New assistant city manager has deep roots

The city of Santa Clarita has followed Frank Oviedo throughout his professional career. He worked in the city as a management analyst in the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services in 1997 alongside another man just beginning his career - Ken Striplin, who is now Santa Clarita's city manager. Oviedo then went to work as an assistant to the city manager in the city of Elk Grove, where he worked under John Danielson, who ...

Kids have a ball at YMCA

Visitors to the Santa Clarita YMCA got a taste of the royal treatment Saturday night. As part of the YMCA's first Royal Family Ball, attendees were offered an array of activities fit for a king or queen: including crafts, dancing and lessons on regal etiquette. Sharlene Duzick, membership director for the YMCA on McBean Parkway in Valencia, said the event was originally meant to be a father-daughter dance but grew into a larger event as ...

Hoppin’ and boppin’ for a good cause

Saturday night may be all right for fighting, but Saturday afternoon was set aside for a free concert that doubled as a tribute to Elton John and a fundraiser for the Santa Clarita Valley homeless shelter.

At least one arrest made in parole compliance check

At least one man was arrested during a series of parole and probation compliance checks Friday morning, a sheriff's official said.

Group takes aim at McKeon on gun control

Rep. Howard "Buck" McKeon, R-Santa Clarita, was placed firmly in the crosshairs of the nonprofit advocacy group Organizing for Action on Friday after the group rolled out an advertising campaign urging the congressman to support new gun-control measures.

Local districts eye election date changes

All of Santa Clarita Valley's public school districts have voted in recent weeks to change the dates of their school board elections from odd-numbered to even-numbered years.

Honor band brings together top student musicians

As local prep sports wrap up their winter competitions and look toward spring, student musicians in the Hart district get together for their own version of all-star teams - the junior high and senior high school honor bands.

Pay a toll to avoid traffic

Facing a $100 million funding gap and potentially decades of construction, county transportation officials are exploring the possibility of using per-mile tolls to fund two new carpool lanes on Interstate 5 in the Santa Clarita Valley.

‘4 of Hart’s’ group hits all the right notes

It began with the light tapping of a foot against a stage, buttressed by fingers snapping. Then a soft, warbling note, barely audible at first, escaped the lips of one girl. Steadily, three other joined in at various pitches. And there under the stage lights in the auditorium of Hart High School, the four students who comprise the "4 of Hart's" a cappella group turned a simple hum into a minutes-long melodious mash-up of more ...

Santa Clarita Planning Commission approves vets’ housing project

A proposed low-income residential development that would house veterans and their families has cleared one hurdle: Members of the Santa Clarita Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve the project.

Kinetic art in motion

A Southern California artist is hoping his latest exhibit of kinetic art will move enthusiasts at the College of the Canyons Art Gallery.

Baca says jail violence down significantly

Recorded incidences of violence in Los Angeles County jails have fallen substantially since 2007, Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca said Tuesday.

City talks future public art

Bike racks at City Hall, public art at the McBean Regional Transit Center and a new website to house Santa Clarita's arts and cultural resources are all on tap for the city Arts Commission in the coming year.

SCV school districts may face difficulties changing election dates

Due to 1960s technology, Santa Clarita Valley school districts' efforts to swap election years in a bid to draw more voters may not be possible, county officials said.

Deputies arrest three for metal theft

Three men were arrested Saturday afternoon after allegedly stealing more than $950 worth of metal from an old refinery in Newhall, according to an official with the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station.

Arts Commission names six semifinalists for Newhall roundabout art project

A field of 72 interested artists was whittled down this week to six, one of whom will construct a public art piece to be displayed in the roundabout planned for Newhall.

McKeon spokeswoman shoots down retirement report

Despite reports to the contrary, Rep. Howard "Buck" McKeon, R-Santa Clarita, has no plans to retire at the end of his term in 2014, a spokeswoman said Friday.

Wilk delays alternative education bill for a year

A bill that would have allowed students to gain college credit by taking state-regulated proficiency tests has been put on hold until next year, its sponsor said Thursday.

UPDATE: COC receives mixed grades in Student Success Scorecard

Students at College of the Canyons are statistically more likely to receive a degree or certificate, or to successfully transfer to a four-year institution, than their peers at other state community colleges, according to data released this week by the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office.

Computers, projectors, cell phones among items stolen from local schools

A television, computers and projectors are among the items taken from two Hart district schools following break-ins last week, a district official said Thursday.

CORRECTION: Burglaries, vandalism reported at 5 local schools during spring break

Five Santa Clarita Valley schools were broken into, burglarized or vandalized last week during spring break, school officials said Tuesday.

Council OKs $600K toward EDC

Members of the Santa Clarita City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve $600,000 of funding for the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation over the next three years, but only after adding additional review into the agreement.

UPDATE: SCV Sheriff’s Station in Baker to Vegas race

Dozens of law-enforcement personnel from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station will head out this weekend to participate in a 120-mile race across the desert and state line to Las Vegas.

City considers conference center

A master plan for a Santa Clarita conference center is set to be presented to City Council members Tuesday night.

New AYSO program for disabled

A local chapter of the American Soccer Youth Organization will become the second in Santa Clarita Valley to offer programming for special needs athletes this fall.

Students’ recipe takes the (cup)cake

County holds waste roundup

By Luke Money

Santa Clarita weighing additional crossing guards for schools

New crossing guards may be on the way for four local elementary schools, depending on the outcome of some city studies, Santa Clarita city officials say.