Archive By Author - Jim Holt
How does tap water get to the Santa Clarita Valley?
Snow falls on the rocky crest of Kettle Rock in Northern California, 500 miles from Santa Clarita.
Area man buys second Dodge Challenger
Even though gas prices are at an all-time high, consumer confidence wanes and the U.S. dollar drops, sometimes love just trumps all other considerations.
Goodbye to softeners?
Santa Clarita residents who just can't live without their water softeners are the only ones standing in the way of avocado and strawberry growers trying to eliminate chloride from the Santa Clara River watershed.
Water agencies joining forces
Like tributaries of a river, local water agencies are coming together this week to forge a plan for better management of the Santa Clara River and to elicit state grant money to do the job.
SCV in midst of moderate drought
Santa Clarita Valley is faring better than the rest of California as the statewide drought proclaimed a month ago by the governor continues to deepen, according to weather and water experts.
Water usage up 13.5 percent in SCV
Conservation? What conservation? Santa Clarita Valley residents are using more water instead of less since local water officials asked them to start conserving two months ago, according to the latest figures tallied by the Santa Clarita Water Co. In its monthly water sales report prepared for its parent company, the Castaic Lake Water Agency, the local water purveyor reported an increase in water sales over the same period last year and a steady increase every ...
It’s gonna be a bright, bright sunshiny day
Sipping lemonade under the recycled roof was sweet. Nestled in the shade of several towering oak trees on Cross Street, off that winding extension of Market Street that meanders through the older section of Santa Clarita, sits the totally sustainable home of B.J. Atkins. In contrast to the history here and the oak roots so big and old and strong that they push up every neighbor's lawn, the Atkins home is on the cutting edge ...
Fate of heritage oaks awaits autumn
Thirteen big old oak trees will have the summer to do what big old oak trees do. In the fall, however, developers of a senior citizen community planned for the west side of Santa Clarita are expected to work with a tree specialist to decide what's best for the environmentally protected heritage oaks. Some of the trees, perhaps all, may be dug up and planted somewhere else on or near the Lyons Canyon Ranch project, ...
Acton cowgirl crowned state rodeo queen
As the cloud of dirt clears on this Santa Clarita Valley ranch, the door of the pickup truck swings open and out steps royalty that is unmistakable - the sequins, the tiara, the sash.
New city on west side?
Santa Clarita Valley is pregnant with a new community. The characteristics of that community - its name, its size, incorporated, not incorporated, a mix of other community profiles - are all still be realized. What's important, according to county and local politicians, is that residents will be the determining parents of that new community - whatever shape and character it takes on. On Tuesday, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors took the next step ...
Just another day in bankruptcy court
The Newhall Land and Farming Co. and 20 other debtors listed in a bankruptcy petition filed earlier this month by LandSource Communities Development LLC are settling in for a long court case.
Housing project would remove heritage oaks
When Wendy Langhans leads a small band of hikers back from a night hike through Towsley Canyon, she stops halfway down the trail and points across The Old Road to a place in the dark, under the stars.
Water approved for 482 new homes
Local water officials gave developers of the Copper Creek North project the green light last night when they promised to deliver water to nearly 500 new homes proposed by the builder.
Ban on home carwashing?
If you're thinking of washing your car at home you better do it soon, and when you do, you better have the garden hose fitted with a shutoff nozzle.
Local water officials discuss drought crisis tonight
Local water officials are expected to hear tonight about the state's "impending water crisis" and about implications of the governor's recent declaration of a drought, from the lobbyists they pay to stay close to politicians in Sacramento. Lobbyists Ralph F. Simoni and Dennis K. Albiani of California Advocates, Inc., are expected to debrief members of the Castaic Lake Water Agency's Government Relations and Outreach Committee tonight via conference call on the implications of the governor ...
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.
