Rotary Club to provide patriotic pancakes

Last year they brought back the ever-popular blueberry pancakes, but this year the Rotary Club plans to get really fancy, offering patriotic red, white and blue pancakes at the 43rd annual Santa Clarita Valley Rotary Club pancake breakfast.

Mr. SCV, John Boston, to be Grand Marshal of Fourth of July parade

Mr. SCV himself was chosen as this year's grand marshal. Signal Staff Writer Katherine Geyer had a few questions for the legendary John Boston, who answered as only John Boston would. Q: So Mr. SCV, how did you get the name Mr. SCV?

Two bond amounts used in survey

The survey commissioned by the Hart district to test the feasibility of placing a Proposition 39 facilities bond on the November ballot asked those surveyed about two different amounts for the potential bond. Of the 800 voters surveyed, half were asked if they would support a $300 million bond, and half were asked about a $240 million bond. Twice the usual number of voters were surveyed, doubling the sample, so that both numbers could be ...

Duck, duck goose: UPDATED with photos

Why did the geese cross the road? To get to a lake on the other side. A flock of Canadian geese, and a few ducks, waddle across the 10-lane Newhall Ranch Road at McBean Parkway a few times a day to get from one lake to another. Some drivers honk their car horns and swerve, while others screech to a halt to block traffic.

Hamburger named Saugus asst. principal

Diane Hamburger, who has been a science teacher at Saugus High School since 1989, has been named the school's new assistant principal. The William. S. Hart Union High School District Governing Board confirmed the appointment at Wednesday's meeting, and it will be effective July 1. Hamburger attended the meeting with her husband, Mark, their daughter, Nicole, and their twin sons, Jonathan and Jason.

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.

SuperScoopers to return during 2008 fire season

The Los Angeles County Fire Department has renewed a contract with Canada for two firefighting SuperScooper airplanes during this year's fire season, an official announced today.

Home sales: Up, up & away

Sales of existing single-family homes in the Santa Clarita Valley continued their rebound in May with more than 200 homes closing escrow, according to a Thursday report from the Southland Regional Association of Realtors. Despite the improvement for single-family home sales, condominium sales remain slow while the inventory of homes for sale is dropping and inching closer towards a balanced market between buyers and sellers.

Survey: School bond would pass

A survey commissioned by the Hart district found that 65 percent of Santa Clarita Valley voters would be likely to vote for a bond measure that could potentially pay for new facilities, including a high school in Castaic, if the measure is placed on the November ballot. The survey has a 5 percent margin of error, but only 55 percent approval is required to pass the $300 million Proposition 39 facilities bond.

Up to 40,000 likely to attend

From carnival rides to on stage performances and even a series of live animal shows, the Valley Fair opened its gates to the Santa Clarita Valley on Thursday, giving local families an opportunity to relax and have fun. The fair, which continues through Sunday at the Saugus Speedway, is expected to draw between 30,000 and 40,000 visitors all weekend long and is sponsored by the State of California 51st District Agricultural Association.

City throws block party

Some may have been a little offended at first, but with music and barbecue smoke in the air and a wealth of advice at their fingertips, Canyon Country neighbors set up their folding chairs and went along with the party. The city of Santa Clarita threw an Extreme Neighborhood Makeover block party Thursday night, an event for code enforcement officers and other city officials to work with 130 Canyon Country homeowners whose properties have fallen into a state of disrepair.

A hazy shade of summer?

Over the past two days, anyone who walked outside in the valley likely noticed the sky appeared hazier than normal. Thank a lack of "June gloom" for that extra haze. For the second straight day, the South Coast Air Quality Management District declared the air quality in the SCV as unhealthy for sensitive individuals Thursday. The district also forecast unhealthy air quality for today.

Sheriff's Department needs a few good women

Women throughout the Santa Clarita Valley interested in becoming a sheriff's deputy will have a chance to see if they are qualified at a recruitment fair Saturday.

Border control rally planned for Saturday

Border control will be the theme Saturday during the "Honor America" rally at the Santa Clarita Valley Civic Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Nurse loan payment deadline nears

Eligible nursing students who need financial assistance to help pay for college still have a few days to apply for the 2007-08 academic year State Nursing Assumption Program of Loans for Education programs. The deadline for applications is June 30. Not enough people applied during the school year, so the application filing period has been reopened for a limited time. Up to $25,000 can be paid on outstanding student loans for eligible nursing faculty. ...

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

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.