Archive By Author - Jim Holt
Police raid home in Canyon Country
Police investigators with the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office raided the Canyon Country home of a military woman who runs a business regularly contracted by the United States Department of Defense, causing alarm and concern among some neighbors Monday.
The trail of blood
Joshua Pipho's blood was found inside the Stevenson Ranch home - in the garage, laundry room and upstairs bathroom - where his alleged killer, Michael Dean Stephens, lived, a DNA analyst told San Fernando Superior Court on Friday.
Problem found in the flush
The Santa Clara River is salty, in part, because more and more people upstream in Santa Clarita Valley are urinating.
The Great California ShakeOut
The imaginary earthquake hit at 10:21 a.m. Thursday. And, when it hit (by the principal's official announcement), students at Meadows Elementary School did precisely what they are expected to do in the event of a real earthquake: They dropped, covered and held. At exactly 10:21 a.m. Thursday, many students in Santa Clarita Valley and across the state, took part in Great California ShakeOut earthquake drill for emergency preparedness. Fourteen schools in the Saugus Union School ...
Experts explain blood, tire markings
Police photographs of tire marks and blood stains painted a graphic picture of the deadly brawl that claimed the life of 20-year-old Joshua Pipho three years ago.
Canyon Country library left dark
A 10-year "marriage" between the city of Santa Clarita and Los Angeles County over books and libraries now has some officials wishing they had signed a "pre-nup."
All library bids are off
It's back to the drawing board for all those construction companies who put in a bid to build Newhall's new library.
Tesoro prompts water concerns
No one living in the next planned phase of the large Tesoro del Valle development is going to be left high and dry, water officials said of the Newhall County Water District earlier this week.
Smyth and challengers spar in debate
A depressed economy, the loss of jobs and the state budget dominated a three-way televised debate Thursday night among candidates vying for the seat in the state Assembly.
Magic Mountain hit with water fines
State water officials have fined Magic Mountain $57,000 for contaminants in storm-water runoff that was released into the Santa Clara River.
Father honors son after death
The father of a young local chess champ struck down by leukemia four years ago is expected to visit young hospitalized cancer patients in the next couple of weeks, presenting them with magnetic chessboards as gifts.
Letter flap blows up
A Santa Clarita city councilman's letter opposing a water-board candidate has left both the councilman and the candidate under scrutiny, but the candidate said Friday it's given his campaign a boost.
Faith-based intiatives
A downtown Newhall building that used to serve as the U.S. Post Office is in escrow to an Islamic organization, several sources have told The Signal.
Ferry takes aim at candidate
Local water-agency candidate Kevin Korenthal said Thursday he is weighing his legal options after learning City Councilman Frank Ferry sent a letter - on city of Santa Clarita letterhead - to Korenthal's employer criticizing his campaign.
Duct tape, stun gun, ransom
SAN FERNANDO - A Castaic tow-truck driver already facing several criminal charges including kidnapping was charged Monday with witness intimidation and ordered to stand trial next month.
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.
