Specter of violence appears in court

SAN FERNANDO - The elusive and allegedly abusive father of convicted child-killer Antonio Rodriguez dominated the closing minutes of the murderer's trial Thursday, as a jury decides his life-or-death fate.

The Signal's Water Wars 411 page

See "Related Content" for links to The Signal's exclusive "Water Wars" series, an in-depth look at the politics of water in the Santa Clarita Valley.

Child-killer’s chaplain proclaims trust during death-penalty phase

SAN FERNANDO - A chaplain who spent "hours and hours" with child-killer Antonio Rodriguez, sometimes talking about God, told jurors in Superior Court on Tuesday that she trusts him.

Frontal lobe abnormality affected child-killer

SAN FERNANDO - Jurors got a glimpse inside the brain of convicted child-killer Antonio Rodriguez on Monday, and what they saw was evidence of injury.

‘Bumper boats’ on the 14

A 52-year-old Sun Valley man is charged with hit and run today after allegedly playing "bumper boats" with another motorist on Highway 14 Saturday.

Magic Cup heats up

Attention sports drink sponsors - more than a thousand thirsty young soccer tournament players competing on perhaps the hottest weekend this year could your use your help next time.

Mowing down air pollution in SCV

Saving green at cutting green while going green. That's what more than 200 lawn mower owners did Saturday when they traded in their dirty old grass-cutting machines that pollute the air for clean "green" ones that do not. Everyone who took advantage of the Mow Down Air Pollution exchange program at the College of the Canyons on Saturday morning saved at least $250. "I'm going green while I'm cutting the green," said Mike Eskilson who ...

Rodriguez attacks ‘Grim Sleeper’

SAN FERNANDO - Convicted child-killer Antonio Rodriguez attacked suspected "Grim Sleeper" serial killer Lonnie Franklin while the two were being escorted from court by law enforcement officers last week, a Superior Court jury heard Wednesday.

Killer’s life in jury’s hands

Parents who still shudder about the day 5-year-old Desarie Saravia's body was dumped on a front lawn on their quiet cul-de-sac in Castaic say the man convicted of killing her deserves the sentence he now faces.

5.4 quake rattles, leaves no major damage

You can call it wobbly, you can call it undulating, but you cannot call Wednesday's earthquake harmful in any way - at least in the Santa Clarita Valley.

Jury deliberates in Rodriguez trial

SAN FERNANDO - Jury deliberations are under way this week in the murder trial of Antonio Rodriguez, 29, who is charged with sexually assaulting his girlfriend's 5-year-old daughter and killing her in a Castaic park bathroom.

Defense rests in Rodriguez trial

SAN FERNANDO - There is no evidence that 5-year-old Desarie Elizabeth Saravia was sexually assaulted by the man accused of beating her to death inside a Castaic park bathroom, the man's defense lawyer said in closing arguments Tuesday.

Prosecution closes case with photos

SAN FERNANDO - The prosecution wrapped up its case against accused child killer Antonio Rodriguez on Friday by letting some of the more than 100 injury pictures tell the stories of brutality in the savage beating death of 5-year-old Desarie Elizabeth Saravia.

Businesses balk at fees

A planned sewer-system hookup fee - part of a package of sewer-fee rate hikes proposed Santa Clarita Valley-wide - is necessary to avoid future bond measures, a sanitation district official said this week.

They called him ‘Daddy’

SAN FERNANDO - Lawyers representing a man accused of beating to death his girlfriend's 5-year-old daughter wrapped up their case Wednesday with further testimony that he was a caring man whom the little girl called "Daddy."

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.

Former SCV family mourns murdered mother

The children of a former Valencia High School educator shot and killed in Woodland Hills on Valentine's Day are struggling with "the worst thing" imaginable as they make funeral arrangements for their mother.

Pilot’s license suspended twice in past 10 years

A veteran Hollywood stunt helicopter pilot killed in a chopper crash in Acton earlier this month had his flying license suspended twice in the last 10 years, a Federal Aviation Administration spokesman said Tuesday.

Local educator found slain on Valentine's Day

A former Valencia High School educator was shot and killed in Woodland Hills on Valentine's Day and her daughter arrested in Oregon eight hours after the body was discovered, law enforcement officials said Tuesday.

Helmet saves a life