SCV blows up on the Fourth

If you like to see stuff blown up into a kaleidoscope of brilliantly colored bits and hear the ba-BOOM! of big explosions, but are smart enough to let the pros handle the pyrotechnics, the Santa Clarita Valley is the place to be after dark on the Fourth of July.

SCV man killed near Acton

A 25-year-old Canyon Country man was killed Wednesday morning in Acton after his car was broadsided by another vehicle, the California Highway Patrol reported.

Valley Fair opens today

The Valley Fair opens today at the Saugus Speedway. Daily highlights include: • Thursday "Celebrating the Community" - School of Performing Arts; Goddess Fitness Angels; Hoopla's Comedy Act; Unkle Monkey Tropical Beach Band. Hours are 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. • Friday "Celebrating Rock and Roll" - Tribute to Fleetwood Mac; Tribute to Queen. Hours are 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. • Saturday "Celebrating the 70s & 80s" - Tribute to Journey; Ambrosia. Hours are ...

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.

Plan calls for new bicycle paths

The city of Santa Clarita wants more riders and fewer drivers on the city streets, according to a non-motorized transportation plan approved by the City Council this week.

Meeting planned for Benz Road

Santa Clarita traffic engineers are looking at all possible solutions for the traffic problems on Benz Road in Saugus and plan to hold a public meeting later this summer to present the solutions to the residents, officials said this week.

District to celebrate centennial

The Saugus Union School District is collecting memorabilia from throughout its 100-year history to display during a centennial celebration scheduled for October. The K-6 school district plans to celebrate by collecting memories of its history and holding a community-wide commemorative event on Oct. 26. In addition to saving the date, alumni, former employees and others who have been associated with the district are invited to share their memories and memorabilia with Saugus school officials to ...

Neighbors upset at crime wave

A group of Saugus homeowners is tired of what they say is a crime wave in their midst, and they let sheriff's deputies know all about it at a recent neighborhood meeting.

District offers Accountability Report Cards

School Accountability Report Cards (SARCs) are now posted online at www.hartdistrict.org under the "School Accountability Reports" link. The most current reports are for the 2006-07 school year, since results of testing in spring 2008 won't be available until later this fall.

Council wrap: City upbeat about Cemex bill's passage

Santa Clarita city officials flew to the nation's capital again last week to get members of a key committee on their side before the lawmakers consider a bill that would keep a large mining company from setting up shop in Soledad Canyon.

Study flunks cop shop

Despite a "well run" courthouse, the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station ranks "unsatisfactory," according to a 350-page report released this week which found the 1970s-era building dirty and in disrepair.

Auditoriums once again placed on back burner

Just when the Hart district was making progress toward completing the auditoriums at Golden Valley and West Ranch high schools, another setback has delayed the projects that began when the schools were built in 2004 and 2005 respectively.

D.A. not pursuing charges against 1 in car thefts

Three days after a Simi Valley woman was arrested for her alleged involvement in an elaborate car theft ring, the county District Attorney's office decided to reject the filing of charges against her Tuesday morning, according to officials.

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.

Council closer to restricting peddlers

Tougher restrictions on peddling and soliciting in Santa Clarita got preliminary approval from the Santa Clarita City Council on Tuesday, with final clearance planned for an upcoming meeting. City officials are overhauling the existing code that the staff has said is vague and lacks the teeth necessary for enforcement. The new restrictions would apply to peddlers, a name given to vendors who sell products from trucks, mobile carts and on foot. The new rules ...

Kinetic art in motion

A Southern California artist is hoping his latest exhibit of kinetic art will move enthusiasts at the College of the Canyons Art Gallery.

Today in the SCV: Wednesday, Feb. 20

Today in the SCV

Baca says jail violence down significantly

Recorded incidences of violence in Los Angeles County jails have fallen substantially since 2007, Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca said Tuesday.

Pilot’s license suspended twice in past 10 years

A veteran Hollywood stunt helicopter pilot killed in a chopper crash in Acton earlier this month had his flying license suspended twice in the last 10 years, a Federal Aviation Administration spokesman said Tuesday.

Local educator found slain on Valentine's Day

A former Valencia High School educator was shot and killed in Woodland Hills on Valentine's Day and her daughter arrested in Oregon eight hours after the body was discovered, law enforcement officials said Tuesday.

Suppliers during 2000 energy crisis face billion-dollar refund

SAN FRANCISCO, February 19, 2013 - The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) today said that an Administrative Law Judge at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) last Friday issued a sweeping "initial decision" finding more than a dozen electricity wholesalers guilty of market manipulation in the summer of 2000, when California suffered the highest electricity prices in history. If the Administrative Law Judge's decision is adopted by FERC, the sellers will face a collective refund ...

Bi-partisan bill by State Senators to require prevailing wage jobs in California charter cities

(Sacramento) – Senate President pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) and Senator Anthony Cannella (R-Ceres) will co-author a measure on prevailing wage to increase middle-class jobs, sustain a skilled workforce, and ensure cost efficient and high quality public works projects. Senate Bill 7 would make charter cities eligible to receive or use state funds for a public works project only if the city has a policy of requiring contractors on all its municipal projects to comply ...

LAPD chief: Review of Dorner firing under way

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Los Angeles police Chief Charlie Beck says the review of ex-officer Christopher Dorner's firing is under way, but it's too early to comment on the re-examination.

UPDATE: Storm due to hit SCV overnight

Santa Clarita Valley residents will be asleep for most of the latest winter storm expected to hit our area, a spokesman for the National Weather Service said today.

"Every 15 Minutes" program planned for Hart High School

On Thursday, February 21st 2013, the City of Santa Clarita, the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station and Hart High School officials will join in partnership to conduct the Every 15 Minutes program at Hart High School.

Today in the SCV: Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2013

Today is Tuesday, Feb. 19, the 50th day of 2013. There are 315 days left in the year.

Helmet saves a life

HOA still recovering months after paint crime

Vandals who hopped a North Valencia HOA pool fence last summer and dumped seven gallons of paint into the pool and hot tub, causing more than $300,000 damage, are still at large.

Storm expected; local snow level to be low

A very cold upper-level low pressure system originating from the Gulf of Alaska is predicted to bring thunderstorms, snow, hail and rain to Southern California on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Valencia woman unharmed after robbery attempt

A Valencia woman is safe and unharmed after she snubbed two would-be robbers who held her at gunpoint, a local sheriff's spokesman said.