Archive By Author - Jim Holt
Bermite sale nixed
Developers shocked local officials when they announced Wednesday they would not purchase the contaminated 996-acre chunk of land in the middle of Santa Clarita.
Shake, rattle & fake a quake
The overall fallout of the Great Southern California ShakeOut can be summed up: shaken, not stirred.
Study: Air quality worst near freeways
When it comes to breathing in the Santa Clarita Valley, the most significant factor diminishing air quality and increasing the risk of cancer is microscopic cancer-causing chemicals released in the diesel emissions from trucks traveling along freeways.
Cemex probe in Europe won't affect SCV issues
An anti-trust investigation into Cemex SAB and a handful of other cement companies in Europe does not affect U.S. operations including a federal bill that would prevent a mine operation in Soledad Canyon, a company spokeswoman said.
Drought shuts down east valley well
Sporadic rain this past weekend and the "significant downpour" last weekend came just as plunging drought-critical water levels forced water officials to shut down a sputtering major well in the east end of the valley.
LandSource Chap. 11 no bonus block
The top 10 employees of The Newhall Land and Farming Company are expected to receive their benefits and bonus money despite the Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection petition filed in June by parent company LandSource Communities Development LLC, according to a recent decision handed down by a bankruptcy court judge.
Board entering Devil’s Den
If the recent election wasn't harrowing enough, local water officials will enter the Devil's Den today.
Cops raid local investment firm
The owner of a local investment company raided Friday by detectives refused to give details about the early morning incidents.
Mental health center opens
Toni Otis suffered a mental breakdown in 2003. Now she's helping others avoid the same fate, and she'll have new facilities to work with.
Sales tax to rise to 8.75% for transit
A half-cent sales tax to improve transportation in Los Angeles County was among the measures approved by voters on Election Day.
Voters approve Prop. 8
When it came to predicting a split vote on Proposition 8, the street corners of Santa Clarita said it all.
Sheriff’s Station expanding
Santa Clarita Valley sheriff's detectives will soon be moving into some new digs since the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a request for 9,500 square-feet in additional office space Tuesday.
Water agency looking ahead
Perchlorate cleanup and new developer water fees are two issues topping the local water agency's agenda for the remainder of the year, said the agency's top official prior to an agenda-setting meeting Tuesday night.
Towers upset neighbors
A monster stands 200-feet tall in the north end of Valencia, towering over the gray-haired men and women who look up at it in wonder and anger.
City Council back in session
The first meeting of Santa Clarita City Council was a collective "How I spent my summer vacation."
Articles By Author - Jim Holt
Santa Clarita: Woman makes court appearance in blond scammer case
The alleged accomplice of the blond scammer - who stalks other women at grocery stores, steals their wallets and uses their IDs - appeared briefly in court Tuesday, a court clerk said.
Santa Clarita: At least 2 more eyeing 2014 race for City Council
Alan Ferdman and Dante Acosta are taking a long, hard look at the next race for Santa Clarita City Council, but neither is ready to announce a candidacy, both said separately Monday.
Canyon Country: Motorcyclist remains in serious condition more than a week after collision
A motorcyclist remains hospitalized and in serious condition Monday more than a week after the Canyon Country traffic collision in which he was injured, according to hospital and law enforcement sources.
Canyon Country: Driver in Sunday crash arrested on DUI count
A 23-year-old Fontana man is in custody today, charged with impaired driving causing injury in connection with Sunday morning's rollover collision that sent a woman to the hospital, court papers show.
Falconer, fowl become fast friends
Animal keeper David Stives wears his heart on his sleeve, and his heart belongs to Apollo - a five-pound turkey vulture.
Cyclist hit by car
A cyclist suffered a minor leg injury Sunday following a "bump collision" with a car, a local sheriff's deputy said.
UPDATE: Riderless horse prompts Canyon Country search
The day-long mystery of a riderless horse that showed up in a Canyon Country park has been solved.
Two injured in rollover at Golden Valley Road
Two people were taken to the hospital with undisclosed injuries this morning following a two-vehicle rollover collision on Highway 14 at Golden Valley Road, a Los Angeles County Fire Department spokesman said.
Deadline looms for cleanup of Whittaker-Bermite site
The Whittaker-Bermite site's nearly 1,000 acres in the center of Santa Clarita needs to be ready for development by 2016 - and the state plans to ensure that happens, an official said recently.
Burglaries increase during first 2 months of year
The city of Santa Clarita's crime rate rose slightly during the first two months of this year compared to last, with burglaries showing the greatest increase, Capt. Paul Becker of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station said Thursday.
2 probation officers added to SCV Sheriff’s Station
Two county probation officers have joined the ranks of local sheriff's deputies to help deal with criminals released into the community as part of the state's realignment program.
UPDATE: Trio suspected of murder still have yet to stand trial
Eighteen months after a "good Samaritan" was shot and killed while trying to aid an alleged robbery victim, the three young men charged in connection with the Canyon Country shooting have yet to stand trial.
UPDATE: Two drivers injured in separate crashes on San Francisquito Canyon Road today
Two cars plunged down ravines off San Francisquito Canyon Road today in separate and unrelated crashes.
Man held at gunpoint, released
Local sheriff's deputies held a motorist at gunpoint Tuesday after he was suspected of driving a stolen car, a sheriff's spokesman said.
Detectives still searching for would-be robbers
Local detectives are still looking for two would-be robbers who held a Valencia woman at gunpoint two weeks ago, said a local sheriff's spokesman.
