UPDATE: Valencia man one of victims in helicopter crash

David Gene Gibbs was Hollywood's helicopter pilot to the stars. But to friends who were mourning him Monday, he was more than the actor and pilot behind "The Lost World: Jurassic Park" and "The Jackal" with Bruce Willis. "He was an amazing man," said friend Glenda Burdett of Canyon Country. "He was always volunteering his time," she said. "He took part in charity tournaments." Gibbs had plans to marry soon, Burdett said. But early Sunday ...

UPDATE: Bronze Star awarded to Afghanistan war veteran

Army Capt. Gabriel G. Surratt stood tall, straight and still as he was decorated with the Bronze Star Medal by Congressman Howard "Buck" McKeon at the Newhall Veterans Historical Plaza in a special ceremony Monday.

UPDATE: 1 injured as truck overturns on I-5 off-ramp

One man suffered minor injuries, including lacerations, Monday when his big rig flipped over onto its side at Interstate 5 and Lake Hughes Road in Castaic, spilling about 25 gallons of hydraulic fluid and blocking freeway access ramps.

Nobel Prize Winning Chemist to Present at COC Speakers Symposium Series

SANTA CLARITA - This semester, the College of the Canyons Mathematics, Sciences & Engineering (MSE) Division will host 2005 Nobel Laureate Dr. Robert H. Grubbs as part of the Division's annual Speakers Symposium Series.

Sen. Pavley named to State Parks and Recreation Commission

SACRAMENTO–The California State Senate Rules Committee has named Senator Fran Pavley (D-Agoura Hills) to the California State Parks and Recreation Commission.

Sen. Pavley to host 'Senior Scam Stopper' seminar

LOS ANGELES – Senator Fran Pavley (D-Agoura Hills) will host a "Senior Scam Stopper" Seminar on March 8. This seminar will help consumers learn how to spot common scams and avoid falling prey to them.

Santa Clarita installing solar-powered trash compactors in parks

The City of Santa Clarita is installing 34 new solar-powered, compacting bins at heavily used public areas and parks, offering residents a new way to keep the community clean while increasing efficiency. The units are for recycling bottles and cans with four of the units also providing for regular trash disposal.

Newhall’s urban cowboy

"Do you hear that?" Frank Hoffman says, pointing through the trees into the clear sky.

Local school celebrates Chinese New Year

It's the year of the snake. But, that's a good thing, according to the students and teachers at the Santa Clarita Valley Chinese School who welcomed in the Chinese New Year on Sunday. More than 200 people turned out for a buffet of arranged foods and scheduled musical performances at the school on Kelly Johnson Parkway in Valencia. "I feel safe and I feel lucky," said 11-year-old Cyrus Young who was born in the year ...

Today in the SCV: Monday Feb. 11, 2013

DivorceCare Support Group DivorceCare is a weekly seminar/support group that will help you heal from the hurt. It's a warm, caring, environment led by people who understand what you are going through. Learn practical information and gain hope for your future! The group meets from 7-9 p.m. today at Valencia Hills Community Church Offices, which is located at 25583 Ave. Stanford, Valencia, 91355. It costs $20. For more information go to http://www.valenciahills.com/ or call 661-775-1885. ...

Missing wallet with sentimental value is found

A 42-year-old Canyon Country woman who tearfully pleaded for the return of her 8-year-old son's stolen wallet in early February came home to find it on her kitchen counter one day last week.

UPDATE: Acton chopper crash described as "horrific"

Three people are confirmed dead following a "horrific" helicopter crash of a reality TV crew filming in the hills west of Acton early Sunday, according to federal and local investigators.

Helicopter airlifts at least one from crash on Highway 138 Sunday

At least one person was injured after being ejected from a vehicle in a crash on Highway 138 north of the Santa Clarita Valley on Sunday afternoon, fire officials said.

Today in the SCV: Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013

Black History Month celebration The 6th Annual Black History Month celebration will take place 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9 and Sunday, Feb. 10 at William S. Hart Regional Park 24151 Newhall Ave. Celebration features an art show and historical exhibits, including panels of historical photography and commentary compiled from national archives. Info: 661-259-1750. Signal tip line Got a news tip? Call The Signal's tip line: 661-255-1234. Want your event listed? Email calendar@signalscv.com ...

Decorated POW visits

U.S. Air Force Col. Leo Thorsness was held as a prisoner of war for six years in North Vietnam and spent much of the first three years enduring torture sessions bracketed by extensive stints in solitary confinement.

Emblem Academy open house today

Parents, prospective students and interested community members are invited to attend one of two open house events at Emblem Academy tonight.

'Every 15 Minutes' event set for Hart High School

Officials from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station, city of Santa Clarita and Hart High School will partner to stage the latest "Every 15 Minutes" event Thursday.

License compliance check in Acton

Officers from the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control will be in Acton today checking to ensure animals are up to date on their rabies vaccinations and that residents are complying with state licensing requirements.

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