Archive By Author - Jim Holt
‘It’s about survival’
Jurors at the trial of accused killer Michael Dean Stephens got a crash course in the fight-or-flight syndrome, "high fear" and how our bodies respond to life-threatening situations.
A compensation comparison
Whoever wins a seat on the local water board can bank on receiving a monthly paycheck from the Castaic Lake Water Agency.
Hit mailers don’t faze water-board candidate
Hit mailers and other attacks on Kevin Korenthal are doing nothing but good things for the water board candidate's campaign, he said Thursday.
Raid leads to cache of medical equipment
Sheriff's detectives raided a Saugus home Wednesday and seized $200,000 worth of stolen emergency medical tents that were meant to go to California hospitals, along with a recreational-vehicle trailer and jet skis, authorities said.
UPDATED: A wild night ends in deadly confrontation
A wild drunken night of screaming, fighting, shattered glass, screeching cars and spilled blood three years ago was described in further detail at the murder trial of Michael Dean Stephens on Tuesday.
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.
Articles By Author - Jim Holt
UPDATE: Valencia: Sheriff’s deputies chase, capture suspected vandal
A suspected graffiti vandal was detained at gunpoint today after a brief foot chase in Valencia, a sheriff's spokesman said.
Valencia: One injured in collision of motorcycle and car
One person was taken to the hospital with undisclosed injuries Thursday following a traffic collision involving a motorcycle and a car in Valencia, a Sheriff's Department spokeswoman said.
UPDATE: Suspected ‘blond scammer’ taken into custody by Ventura deputies
SAN FERNANDO - A woman suspected of being the "blond scammer" - who stalked other women at grocery stores, stealing their wallets and then using their IDs to obtain cash or expensive jewelry - appeared briefly in court today only to be arrested by Ventura County sheriff's deputies, a bailiff said.
Stevenson Ranch: 5 ID theft suspects make court appearance Wednesday
Five people suspected of identity theft after being arrested at a Stevenson Ranch hotel this week made a court appearance Wednesday and were scheduled to be arraigned next month.
Saugus man gets probation in online dating thefts
A Saugus man charged with three felonies for stealing from local women he romanced online received a suspended sentence and three years' probation this week after pleading no contest to the charges.
Resolution possible for Valencia pair charged with possessing illegal weapon
SAN FERNANDO - The lawyer representing a young Valencia man who made national news last fall for allegedly posting online comments about hurting children told a San Fernando Superior Court commissioner Wednesday he anticipates a "possible resolution" in the case.
5 due in court Wednesday on ID theft charges
Five people arrested at a Stevenson Ranch hotel Monday are expected to appear in court Wednesday on felony identity theft charges, a local sheriff's spokesman said.
UPDATE: Canyon Country: One taken to hospital following fight near fast-food restaurant
A man was taken to the hospital today following a fist fight near the McDonalds Restaurant on Soledad Canyon Road in Canyon Country, emergency response officials said.
UPDATE: Admitted Stevenson Ranch rapist sentenced to 43 years to life
SAN FERNANDO - A 19-year-old man who admitted to a brutal rape last year, then tried to withdraw his admission, was sentenced to 43 years to life in prison Monday after a judge said he couldn't change his mind about the plea.
Newhall: Man arrested on suspicion of van theft
Sheriff's deputies arrested a man in Newhall this morning on suspicion he stole a van, a sheriff's spokesman said.
UPDATE: Acton crash survivor listed in good condition
A 9-year-old girl who survived a vehicle crash that killed her father in Acton is expected to be released from the hospital Tuesday, a California Highway Patrol official said Monday.
All for the competition
More than 160 young people on their way to becoming police officers competed in a series of challenges Sunday similar to what law enforcement officers experience day to day.
UPDATE: Attempted homicide charge filed in bar beating
A Castaic man was charged with attempted murder after he allegedly beat another man in a Sunland bar Monday night, using a "mini baseball bat," officials said Thursday.
Alleged gang members to stand trial for Canyon Country bank robbery
SAN FERNANDO - Three men identified by prosecutors as Rollin 40s Crips gang members were ordered to stand trial Wednesday for a take-over bank robbery in Canyon Country last September.
Valencia woman faces felony charge in hit-and-run
A Valencia woman faces a felony hit-and-run charge today for allegedly hitting a bicyclist in Newhall on Friday, then leaving the scene, court papers show.
