Archive By Author - Jim Holt
New homes sought in Acton
One plucky developer is trying to push through red tape to build 16 homes in Acton near 38 homes that are in foreclosure.
Agency not waiting for a drought
New home construction is slow, but local water officials are pressing forward with six work projects that require changes to pipelines, treatment plants and pumping stations in anticipation of a massive increase in demand for water over the next 20 years.
On Election Day, all this man wants is your vote
Yeah, it's funny - until someone loses an election. Funny, that is, for local presidential candidate Stephen Thomas, who actually seems to make sense on issues that don't involve flatulence, infomercials and "noogies." "If elected, I promise to do absolutely nothing," he said. Thomas, a 38-year-old married Valencia man with a 9-year-old daughter, is running for president, and he is on the campaign trail drumming up support. He urges anyone swayed by his promise to ...
Trade group questions source of river salt
A trade group is challenging Measure S on November's ballot, saying water softener manufacturers are made a scapegoat for other agencies that dump salt into the Santa Clara River.
Political signs take a beating
Republican or Democrat, residents of the Santa Clarita Valley are waking up to destruction or elimination of their political lawn signs, and they're united in their anger.
Project never teed off
A woman in a plush white bathrobe leisurely looks over her balcony at beautiful rolling green hills and a professionally designed golf course called Los Valles.
One valley, one water supplier, official says
Tenth story in "The Big Picture," The Signal's series on plans for growth in the Santa Clarita Valley. Today we look at water, and why some officials think one agency should handle the SCV's water supplies. Click here for the rest of the stories.
Exec: Las Lomas not dead yet
Officials for the Las Lomas project believe they can resurrect the moribund 5,500-home development despite a stop-work order, a failed lawsuit, a president's resignation and two cities' resistance.
Alleged BB gunmen collared
Two alleged BB-gun snipers facing felony charges, including assault with a deadly weapon, used a laser scope and a BB gun that looks like a fully automatic AR-15 assault rifle, according to deputies with the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station.
Jailhouse talk forbidden
VAN NUYS - A Superior Court judge Friday ordered former high school teacher Kevin Lamont Thomas, accused of performing lewd acts with teenage girls, to stop communicating with his alleged victims from jail.
As the clouds lift, attention turns to frosty plants
Many rain-soaked and shivering Santa Clarita Valley residents thawing out from Wednesday's snowstorm turned their attention to plants and trees exposed to freezing temperatures.
Saugus man killed in crash
Rubin Villalobos, 41, of Saugus was killed at 5:50 a.m. after his 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee hit a patch of black ice and rolled over the southbound San Fernando Road offramp onto Highway 14, said Officer John Lutz of the California Highway Patrol.
UPDATED Traffic & Weather: I-5, 14 now open
UPDATED 4 p.m. Thursday: Both Interstate 5 and Highway 14 are now open in both directions, according to Caltrans. UPDATED 12:45 p.m. Thursday: The I-5 is now open to northbound travelers. Traffic is moving freely through the cities of Santa Clarita and Valencia, said CHP Public Information Officer John Lutz. Highway 14 is closed to southbound traffic from 6.6 miles south of Palmdale at Soledad Canyon to the Highway 138 junction due to snow. ...
Bankruptcy plan would liquidate properties
A plan filed in a bankruptcy court could lead to the sale of several high-profile SCV properties. Barclays Bank proposed a liquidation plan to turn all assets owned by LandSource Communities Development LLC into cash to pay its biggest creditors, a U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware heard this week.
Castaic High site picked
The long-awaited Castaic high school will be built near the Sterling Gateway industrial complex, Castaic Area Town Council members heard Wednesday night.
Articles By Author - Jim Holt
Man robs Newhall bank, suspect arrested in less than 15 minutes
An armed robber held up a Newhall bank this morning leading local sheriff's deputies on a chase to Sand Canyon where they arrested a suspect, a sheriff's official said.
Teacher who lives in Valencia pleads not guilty to possessing child porn
A Los Angeles Unified School District teacher, who lives in Valencia, has pleaded not guilty to charges of possessing child pornography, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office said.
UPDATE: Canyon Country man charged with attempted murder in Tuesday stabbing
A 19-year-old man is in custody charged with attempted murder for the Tuesday night stabbing of another man in Canyon Country in what appears to be a gang-related incident, a local sheriff's spokesman said.
Preliminary hearing begins for Saugus man accused of killing his girlfriend
Karla Brada, whose boyfriend stands accused of killing her, was the victim of murder and died of asphyxiation, according to a medical examiner with the county coroner's office.
Newhall woman found guilty of second-degree murder
An Arizona jury has found a Newhall woman guilty on all criminal counts including two counts of second-degree murder in connection with a fatal 2011 crash near the Arizona state line that claimed the lives of two children, a court official said.
Water is topic at VIA lunch
More than 120 of the Santa Clarita Valley's movers and shakers learned about the importance of water Tuesday during a luncheon of the Valley Industry Association of Santa Clarita.
Prosecutors wrap up case against Newhall woman charged with murder
Arizona prosecutors have wrapped up their case against a Newhall woman charged with two counts of second-degree murder for allegedly killing two children with her car near the Arizona state line in 2011, a court official said.
Indictment says street racers drove more than 100 mph
Two men identified as street racers charged with murder in connection with a fatal crash that claimed the life of their friend a year ago allegedly drove more than 100 miles an hour, on the wrong side of the road and made unsafe lane changes during their alleged "speed contest," according to details of the grand jury indictment filed against them.
UPDATE: LAPD officer charged with child molestation pleads not guilty
An officer with the Los Angeles Police Department pleaded not guilty in court Tuesday to charges he molested two young girls he allegedly lured to his Castaic home on Saturday, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.
Luncheon shows attendees importance of water
More than 120 of the Santa Clarita Valley's movers and shakers learned about the importance of water Tuesday during a luncheon at the Valley Industry Association of Santa Clarita.
Local homicide suspect arraigned in court
A Canyon Country man accused of killing his father Thursday was arraigned in court Monday on the felony charge of murder, court papers show.
Torch run for fallen officers
Close to three dozen local sheriff's deputies walked and cycled in honor of their fallen fellow officers Saturday.
Gorman fire is out
A brush fire burning near Gorman swelled to 10 acres from 2 acres in less than an hour Monday, an emergency response official said.
Body of Jane Doe found last month identified
Investigators with the Los Angeles County Coroner's office believe they've identified the woman whose body was found wrapped in a tarp and dumped at the side of San Francisquito Canyon Road last month, a coroner's spokesman said.
Men identified as street racers headed for trial
Two men identified as street racers charged with murder in connection with a fatal crash that claimed the life of their friend a year ago are going straight to trial without a preliminary hearing following a grand jury indictment in the case, a spokeswoman for prosecutors said.
