Archive By Author - Jim Holt
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 ...
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.
Articles By Author - Jim Holt
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.
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.
