Bear dies in traffic accident

Less than 24 hours after a Saugus woman reported a bear lumbering through her backyard, another bruin was spotted late Monday night on Highway 14 just north of Sand Canyon Road. This time it didn't get away.

Robbery apparently gang-related

A 17-year-old boy was the victim of a strong-arm robbery early Tuesday morning at a Valencia gas station, sheriff's Lt. Tom Bryski said.

Congregation Beth Shalom to receive Torah

Congregation Beth Shalom will host a special service on Friday at 8 p.m. for the arrival of its new Torah, donated by congregants Marianne and David Simon in honor of Marianne's parents, Leonard and Nancy Marcus.

Hart grad's art to be shown in U.S. Capitol

A mixed-media painting created by a recent Hart High School graduate will be on display in an alcove at the nation's Capitol for the next year as part of "An Artistic Discovery," a program sponsored by members of Congress to honor the artistic talent of America's youth.

Relay for Life raises $500,000 for American Cancer Society

Fundraising for the 2008 SCV Relay for Life topped half a million dollars this week, a local record for the event sponsored by the American Cancer Society.

News briefs

Man breaks window at store, in patrol car A Canyon Country man was arrested on burglary and assault charges Saturday morning, after he allegedly assaulted his roommate and reportedly broke the front glass door of a liquor store on Soledad Canyon Road, according to officials. Edward Gilhooley, 19, allegedly broke into Canyon Liquor Store in Canyon Country and apparently took liquor and cigarettes. After deputies arrested him and placed him in the back seat of ...

Cocaine found on teen with counselor

The teenage boy who was with former Golden Valley High School counselor Roselyn Hubbell when she was arrested last week was also arrested at the same time for possession of cocaine.

Mother, son burglary team sent to slammer

More than six months after they were convicted in a San Fernando courtroom for breaking into a Canyon Country home, mother-son duo Cynthia Brandon and Michael Lugo were formally sentenced Tuesday morning, court officials announced.

Bear sighted near Saugus pool

As the mercury continues to rise throughout the Santa Clarita Valley, local residents and their pets are looking for ways to cool down. Apparently, the local wildlife is also searching for ways to avoid the heat.

Hart district kicks off summer school

The Hart district's summer school program started bright and early at 7 a.m. Monday, with students enrolled in summer classes returning to school after just a one-week break. "I guess one week was enough, but two would have been better," said Hart senior Ashley Larsen, who is attending summer school at West Ranch High School. "I haven't taken a physical science class yet, so I need to make up those credits - I didn't fail anything."

Las Lomas fights back, sues L.A.

Las Lomas Land Co., LLC, filed a lawsuit Monday demanding the city of Los Angeles pay damages in excess of $100 million for the City Council's March 19 decision to strike down a housing development that would have brought 5,553 residential units to the steep hillsides near the Newhall Pass.

Teacher retires after 44 years

She's been an educator for 44 years - 20 of those in the Newhall School District - but Friday was the last day of teaching for Judi Hayward, who described her profession as "the best job in the world." Hayward said goodbye to her sixth grade students and coworkers at Valencia Valley Elementary School last week before heading to her new home in Redondo Beach, where she will be closer to her family.

Yes I Can to operate T-shirt stands at rock shows

The Hart District's Yes I Can program for students with and without special needs has been invited to set up a booth to sell merchandise on Southern California stops of the Vans Warped Tour.

News briefs

Rothwell sentenced to 16 years to life A Valencia woman was sentenced Friday to 16 years to life in prison after she was convicted for killing an 18-year-old man in at the Huntington Beach Hotel in 2006, officials announced Monday. Samantha Elizabeth Rothwell, 21, was convicted in a Santa Ana courthouse in April of murdering Walter Rivas on Aug. 15, 2006, after he said he "saw God." Rothwell responded that she was the devil, and ...

Application deadlines nearing for city positions

A total of eight spots will be open on the city's two commissions and audit panel in July and applications are due to City Hall by Friday.

UPDATES: Biking activities take center stage in Santa Clarita Valley

You might call today the kick-off of Bicycle Week in the Santa Clarita Valley.

Insanity plea by Holmes holds risks for both sides

CENTENNIAL, Colo. (AP) - One of James Holmes' lawyers asked a judge on Monday to change his plea to not guilty by reason of insanity in the Colorado theater shootings. Such a plea is seen as his best hope of avoiding the death penalty in the killings of 12 people at a packed midnight showing of "The Dark Knight Rises" in Aurora. Changing the plea still carries risks for Holmes but moving in that direction ...

Smoke from controlled burn alarms Castaic residents

Smoke from a controlled burn near Hasley Canyon alarmed some Castaic residents this morning, a Fire Department spokesman said.

City budget projected to be slightly smaller than last year

Even as state and national economic conditions continue to improve, Santa Clarita's proposed budget for next year will actually shrink a bit, City Manager Ken Striplin said at a recent budget study session.

Homeowners face challenges from high-speed rail project

While the planned California high-speed rail isn't expected to arrive in the Santa Clarita Valley for 20 to 30 years, homeowners are already being held hostage to what some call a boondoggle and others say is a step into the modern transportation era for the state, some local residents say.

Kids and youth compete in the Antelope Valley Youth Rodeo Association Junior Rodeo

About 90 contestants raced, roped and rode in the Antelope Valley Youth Rodeo Association Junoir Rodeo on Sunday at JPK Arena in Agua Dulce.

Babies and parents celebrate Henry Mayo NICU’s first birthday

Graduation season has begun in the Santa Clarita Valley, but one recent ceremony was unique: all the graduates arrived in diapers.

Road closures for Amgen

Family, friends gather to honor crash victim

Blast to the past at Placerita Canyon nature Center's Open House

Outdoor fire in Castaic spreads to house

An outdoor fire around supper time Saturday ended up spreading to a house, emergency response officials said.

Chloride options: Pay up or pay up

Nearly everyone who flushes a toilet or does a load of laundry in the Santa Clarita Valley faces a complicated and costly problem over the issue of chloride contamination ­- and, according to sanitation officials, it's a problem that's not going to go away.

Real Life Church opens community center

Real Life Church has opened "Savia," a 23,600 square foot community center in Newhall, Real Life Church spent more than a year finishing the interior of a vacant building in the Stagecoach Plaza retail center on Newhall Avenue that was originally slated for a grocery store.

Coyotes are threat at local park

A coyote snatched a dog from a girl's arms in Valencia Summit Park, where sheriff's deputies and animal control workers responded Friday on a report of a jogger chased by a coyote, officials confirmed.

The Master's College holds 86th commencement

About 300 students from The Master's College marked the end of their college days during a Friday commencement ceremony at College of the Canyons in Valencia.