Archive By Author - Jim Holt
Jessica’s Law challenged
State Senator George Runner defended Jessica's Law Wednesday in response to a report that claims the proposition is ineffective, expensive and leaves sex offenders homeless.
Stimulus package infrastructure funds may not reach SCV
Congressman Howard "Buck" McKeon doubts any of the economic stimulus package proposed by President-elect Barak Obama will find its way to Santa Clarita Valley.
Saugus wells to pump clean water
The two formerly perchlorate-tainted Saugus wells shut down for more than a decade should be pumping fresh, clean drinking water for more than 30,000 customers of the Newhall County Water District by April, said the newly elected president of the water district that owns them.
Owner fights for county approval to build Castaic hotel
County officials extended a permit Tuesday for a Bakersfield woman who continues her struggle to build a hotel on the main road to Castaic Lake despite the county's ongoing road repairs and a sagging economy.
High hopes for an auto tax credit
Congressman Howard "Buck" McKeon wants to jump-start the economy by supporting a tax credit for new-car buyers.
Water board honors outgoing president
R.J. Kelly and Peter Kavounas hold the two top posts at the Castaic Lake Water Agency after its board of directors named them president and vice-president respectively Monday night.
Few surprises for CLWA election
Santa Clarita Valley residents overwhelmingly returned sitting board members to the Castaic Lake Water Agency during Tuesday's election, early returns indicated.
County specific measures
A local measure on water softeners and a county measure on a utility tax appeared headed for victory in Tuesday's election, but another county measure that would increase sales tax for mass transit was too close to call.
Salty softener owners may get shaken
Local homeowners could be fined $1,000 and hauled in front of the District Attorney if they keep their salt-rendering water softeners. But enforcing the law might be tough, said the man who has to enforce it.
Prop. 8 and the school debate
No student in Santa Clarita Valley will be taught comprehensive sexual health education, which includes teaching about alternative marriage, regardless of the vote on Proposition 8, local educators said.
Violence ushers in the new year
One man was shot in the chest and another stabbed multiple times in separate Canyon Country incidents on the first day of the new year, officials said.
Taking the (polar) plunge
Two dozen brave swimmers made a splash at the third-annual Glacier Slide Polar Bear Swim Thursday.
Alleged I.D. thief wants trial
A man charged with four theft-related felonies for allegedly using his girlfriend's credit card to run up thousands of dollars in purchases is going straight to trial without a preliminary hearing.
‘Pirate ship’ docks in yard
Families looking for an exciting non-scary Halloween event can find one in Canyon Country where a couple just finished building an elaborate pirate ship.
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.
Articles By Author - Jim Holt
Hearing in street racing case postponed for 5th time
SAN FERNANDO - For the fifth time, and with a courtroom filled with spectators and witnesses ready to testify, the preliminary hearing of two men charged with murder in a Sand Canyon street racing death was delayed Monday.
Nearly 500 people come out for 17th Annual Castaic Town Council 5K Run/Walk
The 17th annual Castaic Town Council 5K Run/Walk at Castaic Lake Sunday drew nearly 500 running enthusiasts, their families and friends for a day of fun in the sun – complete with pancakes – to raise funds for local schools, clubs and organizations.
Deputy arrests 4 in suspicious car found to be stolen
An alert sheriff's deputy arrested four people on charges including drug possession and possession of stolen property early Sunday morning when something about their car didn't add up, a local sheriff's spokesman said.
SCV Sheriff’s Station volunteer coordinator takes role of volunteer
Artie Thompson - the nation's one-time Airman of the Year, the state's National Guardsman and the community's veteran sheriff's deputy reserve coordinator - is retired but not deterred in pursuing his civic duties.
Truck fire shuts down 2 lanes of I-5
A truck fully engulfed in flames shut down two lanes of Interstate 5 today for more than an hour near Smokey Bear Road, emergency response officials said.
Truck fire shuts down two lanes on Interstate 5
A truck fully engulfed in flames shut down two lanes of Interstate 5 today for more than an hour near Smokey Bear Road, emergency response officials said.
5 plead not guilty of identity theft
Five people arrested for identity theft at a Stevenson Ranch hotel last month each entered a plea of not guilty in court Thursday, a court clerk said.
Firefighters respond to Agua Dulce brush fire
Firefighters responded to a half-acre brush fire near Agua Dulce today on the north side of Highway 14 just north Escondido Canyon Road, a fire official said. About 1 p.m., officials with the Los Angeles County Fire Department were dispatched to a brush fire north of the highway's southbound lanes, said Inspector Scott Miller. "We had a report of four small spot fires in that location," he said. Officers with the California Highway Patrol reported ...
Alleged SCV graffiti vandal ordered to preliminary hearing
A preliminary hearing was set Wednesday for a young man described as a prolific graffiti vandal who allegedly spray-painted property across the Santa Clarita Valley 160 times, a court clerk said.
UPDATE: San Fernando Valley man arrested in boating death last summer
A 29-year-old man has been charged in the boating death of a young Russian man on Pyramid Lake last summer, court papers show.
Chloride plan offers four alternatives
In a bid to stave off more chloride fines levied by the state, local sanitation district officials Wednesday have released four proposals for reducing the amount of salt discharged into the Santa Clara River.
San Francisquito Canyon body not murder victim
A woman whose body was found wrapped in a tarp and dumped at the side of San Francisquito Canyon Road two weeks ago does not appear to be the victim of foul play, the lead investigator said Tuesday.
UPDATE: Canyon Country: Child airlifted to L.A. hospital
An 8-year-old boy who lost consciousness after he fell from play structure at a Canyon Country elementary school was airlifted to a hospital in Los Angeles Tuesday morning, the school's principal said.
SCV Chloride plan due to be released Wednesday
When Santa Clarita Valley Sanitation District officials release their proposal Wednesday to remove chloride from the Santa Clara River, with it will come close to a million dollars of advising, polling, presenting and translating "engineer-speak" into English, organizers say.
UPDATE: Newhall stabbing victim recovering in hospital
A 29-year-old Hispanic man is recovering in the hospital Tuesday after being stabbed an estimated seven times in an alcohol-fueled altercation in Newhall Monday night, a sheriff's official said.
