Archive By Author - Jim Holt
Castaic Lake Water Agency expected to close purchase of Valencia Water Co.
The Castaic Lake Water Agency is expected to close a deal Friday to buy the Valencia Water Co. from Newhall Land Development Inc.
Santa Clarita to fight fine over chloride levels
The City of Santa Clarita is fighting a $280,250 water fine over chloride levels handed to the local sanitation district by state water quality assessors last month.
Castaic killer sent to state mental hospital
A Castaic man who strangled his stepfather while the two were traveling on Interstate 5 and who was determined to be not guilty by reason of insanity Tuesday has been sentenced to a state mental hospital, a court official confirmed.
Convicted driver to undergo 90-day review
A 68-year-old man who entered a plea of no contest Tuesday to the felony charge of leaving the scene of an accident has been ordered to undergo a 90-day review in state prison, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office confirmed.
Crash blamed on falling asleep
Falling asleep at the wheel is suspected in a single-car rollover crash early Thursday morning that left one man slightly injured, a local sheriff's sergeant said.
Athlete survives crash
Dean Hendrix-Davis, captain of the basketball team at Canyon High School, said Wednesday he remembers driving through a roadside fence but recalls nothing about his 50-foot plunge down an embankment.
Man committed to state mental hospital following wild chase
A Chatsworth man accused of leading deputies on a wild high-speed chase through Santa Clarita two years ago has been committed to a state mental hospital, court papers show.
UPDATE: High wind warning issued for Santa Clarita Valley
It was a blustery day in the Santa Clarita Valley Tuesday and weather specialists were calling for a blustery night to follow.
UPDATE: Newhall Bicycle Company calling it quits
After years of spearheading what has become the Santa Clarita Valley's biggest community event and annual street party at Thanksgiving, the owners of the Newhall Bicycle Company are throwing in the towel on their business.
Due to insanity, Castaic man found not guilty of strangling stepfather
A Castaic man who strangled his stepfather while the two were traveling on Interstate 5 was determined to be not guilty by reason of insanity on Tuesday, a court official confirmed.
Newhall driver pleads no contest in fatal hit-and-run
A 68-year-old man accused of failing to remain at the scene of a fatal car-versus-pedestrian collision in Valencia last February entered a plea of no contest Tuesday, capping almost a year of court appearances.
UPDATE: Rollover crash in Canyon Country leaves driver injured
A car crashed through a fence and plunged down a 50-foot embankment Tuesday in Canyon Country, rolling over and injuring its driver who was trapped inside, officials said.
Wires down forces closure of some Castaic-area roads
A section of Lake Hughes Road in Castaic was closed to traffic Tuesday morning after utility wire were reported to be draped low across lanes, the California Highway Patrol confirmed.
Deputies step up school patrols
More sheriff's deputies were patrolling near Santa Clarita Valley schools on Monday, and fewer students were in some classes, reflecting the profound local impact of Friday's school shooting in Connecticut.
Chess celebrity visits Trinity Classical Academy
Trinity Clasical Academy students recently hosted a young chess celebrity - soon to be a worldwide celebrity, thanks to a contract with the Walt Disney Co.
Articles By Author - Jim Holt
Canyon Country man sentenced to 14 years in extortion case
A Canyon Country man who shot up the American Beauty condo complex with a machine gun eight years ago pleaded guilty to five criminal counts in a more recent series of offenses, including two counts of felony battery on a peace officer and three counts of extortion, a deputy district attorney said Wednesday.
Trial delayed for pair charged in shotgun holdup
Trial was put off until March today for a couple who allegedly held up a Valencia home-improvement store with a shotgun last September, a court clerk said.
1 injured in Bouquet Canyon head-on collision
One person was rushed to the hospital with undisclosed injuries this morning following a head-on collision in Saugus, according to emergency response officials.
Turkish man charged in Valencia crash is working a deal
A 20-year-old Turkish man charged with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter for a car crash last summer that killed a young Turkish woman was represented in court today by a lawyer trying to work out a deal for him.
UPDATE: Valencia woman confronts burglars
Two burglars, one brandishing a crowbar, startled a Valencia resident today when they tried to break into her home in an attempted "hot prowl" burglary, a local sheriff's spokesman said.
Newhall man arrested after woman attacked in her garage
A 25-year-old Newhall construction worker is in custody Tuesday facing assault charges after he allegedly attacked a woman in her garage in Canyon Country last week, a local sheriff's spokesman said.
Preliminary hearing ordered in Saugus murder case
A preliminary hearing has been ordered for a 41-year-old man charged with murder in the death of his Saugus girlfriend 18 months ago, a court clerk said Tuesday.
Plea deal pending in summertime fatal crash
A 20-year-old Turkish man charged with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter for a car crash last summer that killed a young Turkish woman was represented in court today by a lawyer trying to work out a deal for him.
Valencia resident confronts burglars
Two burglars, one brandishing a crowbar, startled a Valencia resident today when they tried to break into her home in an attempted "hot prowl" burglary, a local sheriff's spokesman said.
Judge: Water purchase complaint remains valid
A state administrative law judge has refused to throw out an environmental group's complaint over a Santa Clarita Valley water district deal.
UPDATE: Keene sentenced to 10 years in drunken-driving death of neighbor
Dennis Dean Keene, the Agua Dulce man convicted in October of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated in the death of his neighbor, Lori Lindlief, was sentenced Monday to 10 years in state prison.
UPDATE: Preliminary report says chopper pitched forward
A helicopter that crashed during a reality TV production this month suddenly pitched down and hit the ground about a minute after taking off in early morning darkness, a preliminary report said Monday.
Race to support students
Little feet made big strides Sunday as scores of kids took part in the WiSH Education Foundation Run For Gold races in Newhall.
Police searching for 3 muggers
A man was mugged at gunpoint for his iPod and cash in Canyon Country Sunday afternoon, a local sheriff's spokesman said.
Man charged with reckless driving
A driver clocked speeding close to 100 mph through city streets, past Central Park and Saugus High School and through one red light, has been charged with reckless driving, according to a report filed by a local sheriff's deputy.
