Archive By Author - Jim Holt
SCV challenges water cops
At a raucous public hearing in July, Santa Clarita Valley residents made it clear they have no intention of shelling out $210 million from their own pockets so farmers downstream can raise salt-sensitive crops in the Santa Clara River Valley.
Patented rides
A Santa Clarita man has reinvented the wheel - and put a bicycle seat on it. Local inventor Doug Fraser now holds the U.S. patent for a bicycle in which the seat is directly attached to the back wheel. For more than 30 years, Fraser has pursued his vision of perfecting a revolutionary new style of bike that's more than a unicycle, but less than a conventional bike. "I got little boys knocking on my ...
‘Fair and firm’ cash grab
You might call them the water police. Their beat runs from storm water runoff to overt dumping and extends throughout California. Their staff of 12 is evenly split between scientists and Special Investigations team members, their cases made and culprits exposed through lab work. While they carry no firearms, the sting of their punishment - including millions of dollars in fines - has proven so punitive and persistent that it's prompted some cities to band ...
Hate-crime handling questioned
The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station is one of two Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department stations singled out as lacking in the way it investigates hate crimes, according to a county report examining stations throughout Los Angeles County.
Ex-deputy sentenced on drug charge
An "aggressive" undercover probe by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department led to the arrest, conviction and sentencing of three people, including a former sheriff's deputy, trying to smuggle drugs into the North County Correctional Facility, a spokesman says.
Coastal domination
The board that decides the issue of chloride in the Santa Clara River includes two advocates of Ventura County strawberry farmers.
Water’s recycled future
In the wee early hours of any morning, as you drive along The Old Road near Magic Mountain by the Tournament Players Club Valencia golf course, you might see the sprinklers hard at work watering the 10th or 11th hole.
Fallen Marine Pfc. Jake Suter: On son’s birthday, a mother grieves
Fallen United States Marine Corps Pfc. Jake William Suter would have turned 19 today. Instead, the last day of July is shaping up to be one of the worst days his mother, Michelle Unthank, and his stepfather, Chris Unthank, could ever imagine having to face. "I'm lucky I have work to distract me," Chris Unthank said. His wife, sadly, is nowhere near as lucky. This past week, instead of stacking birthday presents, she had the ...
Rain keeps chloride level low
Chloride levels in the Santa Clara River have risen above the limit demanded by Ventura County farmers only once in the past six months - and then only by two milligrams per liter, a Santa Clarita Valley Sanitation District official said Thursday.
Delayed, but not defused
Santa Clarita Valley sewer ratepayers will wind up spending more in the long run, despite a decision Tuesday night to delay rate-hike discussion until spring.
Salty talk stalls rate hike
The vote on a proposed sewer-rate hike was delayed until spring following a lengthy public hearing Tuesday night that drew complaints from residents.
Salty talks stall rate hike
The vote on a proposed sewer rate hike was delayed until spring following a lengthy public hearing Tuesday night that drew complaints from residents.
Salty showdown draws near
The biggest battle in the on-going water war over chloride happens Tuesday. Officially, the showdown is called a public hearing sponsored by the Santa Clarita Valley Sanitation District seeking to raise sewer rates to help pay for a $210 million salt-ridding reverse-osmosis plant. The battle scene is City Hall; showdown set for 6:30 p.m. While the proposed 50-percent rate increase would likely be felt in residents' pocketbooks - especially those on fixed incomes - it's ...
Stephens will soon have day in court
Joshua Pipho would be 23 this year, probably helping his dad with a growing audio-visual business.
Killer’s lawyers wrap up death-penalty phase
SAN FERNANDO - Attorneys in the Antonio Rodriguez trial delivered eloquent arguments Friday for and against the death penalty for the man who beat a 5-year-old girl to death in a Castaic park bathroom in 2004. The jury in that convicted Rodriguez will receive instructions Monday from San Fernando Superior Court Judge Ronald S. Coen, then begin deliberations in the penalty phase of the trial. "There is no one here to speak for Desarie," prosecutor ...
Articles By Author - Jim Holt
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.
Windy weather blows through city
Following a blustery weekend in the Santa Clarita Valley, residents are likely to find themselves stepping over snapped branches and wind-swept debris today but without the strong winds that rattled windows and put things in motion.
Non Non Non
Employees of a Stevenson Ranch cellphone store found it easy to describe the man who ripped a demonstration iPhone off its stand in October and ran out the door.
Waiting for answers
A Las Vegas man is waiting to hear from local investigators about the traffic collision that claimed the life of his daughter three weeks ago, he said Thursday.
Boy injured in bicycle collision remains hospitalized
A 15-year-old boy injured a week ago when his bicycle and an SUV collided on a Valencia street remains in the hospital, a local sheriff's deputy said this week.
Funeral scheduled March 2 for slain educator
Funeral arrangements for a former Santa Clarita Valley high school educator shot and killed in Woodland Hills on Valentine's Day are to be held in Pasadena, two of the victim's daughters said Thursday.
Hearing due to begin Monday in Sand Canyon street racing case
A preliminary hearing is expected to get under way Monday for two men described as street racers charged with murder in a fatal crash that killed a friend, a court clerk said Thursday.
Wind will die down but temps to rise
Winds are expected to ease off in the Santa Clarita Valley today following a day of high winds that caused some damage.
Granada Hills man sentenced in local forgery attempt
A 52-year-old Granada Hills man charged with trying to cash a forged check at a Valencia bank in January is now serving a three-year sentence.
SCV deputies chase down, capture burglary suspect
Jumping over fences, Santa Clarita Valley sheriff's deputies chased down and captured a burglary suspect Wednesday in Canyon Country.
