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
Saugus residents oppose registered sex offender’s return
A registered sex offender recently released from a jail sentence for previously violating his parole is back in the same neighborhood where he lived when he committed those violations, and neighbors are protesting.
Sand Canyon residents remember youth killed at oak tree 32 years ago
While Kevin and Michelle Schlumpberger prepare for the funeral of their daughter, Brittany, killed last week in a single-car crash on Sand Canyon Road, others in Canyon Country recall a teen who died at the same spot 32 years ago today.
UPDATE: Suspect in deputy-involved shooting was hit in hand, officials say
A suspect arrested for allegedly pointing a handgun at officers last week was shot in the hand, possibly by local sheriff's deputies, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said Tuesday.
UPDATE: Police chase in Valencia nabs 3 suspects
Three people suspected of burglary for allegedly stealing a safe from a Saugus home were behind bars Tuesday after a wild ride through the Santa Clarita Valley, and a foot chase across the Santa Clara River, officials and witnesses said.
Prolific graffiti vandal sentenced to 270 days in jail
A young man described as a prolific graffiti vandal having spray-painted property across the Santa Clarita Valley 160 times was sentenced to 270 days in jail and ordered to clean up his mess after he pleaded no contest today to four felony counts, court officials said.
UPDATE: Crashes slow travelers on rain-slick SCV freeways
Monday morning commuters making their way to work on local rain-slick roadways encountered at least three multi-vehicle crashes on both Highway 14 and Interstate 5, emergency response officials said.
Family of Sand Canyon crash victim warns drivers
The father of a popular woman killed in a single-car crash on Sand Canyon wants Santa Clarita Valley's young drivers to take greater care travelling on local roads.
SUV flips in two-car collision on Highway 126 near Val Verde, officials said
Three people were injured and taken to the hospital Sunday when two vehicles collided on Highway 126, near Val Verde, fire officials said.
Celebrities raise money for sick children at soccer game
More than 100 people showed up Sunday to watch some of their favorite celebrities raise money for sick children by playing each other in a friendly match of soccer.
Spring break school burglar sentenced to 1 year in jail
A 20-year-old suspected gang member arrested for spring break school burglaries in the Santa Clarita Valley was sentenced to one year in jail after pleading guilty, a spokeswoman for the district attorney's office said Thursday.
Alleged ‘blond scammer’ pleads not guilty
SAN FERNANDO - The woman suspected of being the so-called "blond scammer" - part of a ring that stole women's wallets from shopping carts and impersonated credit card holders to obtain cash or expensive jewelry - entered a plea of not guilty in court Wednesday to charges of identity theft and burglary.
Pool to reopen following $325,000 in repairs
A Valencia swimming pool destroyed by vandals last summer reopens today after $325,000 and more than nine months spent in repairs - and still no arrests for the damage.
Massive valley oak collapses in Valencia shopping center
The huge, 150-year oak tree that graced the Bridgeport Marketplace parking lot has broken apart, prompting city tree experts and property owners to contemplate its future, they said.
Part of SCV east side left in dark overnight
More than 100 residents of Santa Clarita Valley east side communities were left in the dark overnight after an electrical transformer blew in their area Monday night, a utility spokeswoman said.
1 injured, 1 arrested in skateboard towing incident
A 20-year-old Valencia man faces a felony count today for allegedly towing his 19-year-old friend on a skateboard behind his car and crashing into a curb, injuring the friend, a California Highway Patrol spokesman said.
