State Board of Education completes adoption of Common Core State Standards

SACRAMENTO-State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced today that the State Board of Education approved anchor standards for English-language arts and literacy in history/social studies, science, and technical subjects (ELA and Literacy). This completes California's adoption of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) that spell out clearly the broad skills students need to succeed in college and careers.

Two arrested in Canyon Country robbery incident

On Sunday, February 24th 2013, Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Deputies responded to the 27500 block of Whites Canyon Road in the City of Santa Clarita in regards to a robbery that had just occurred. The victim reported that while walking through a parking lot he was approached by a group of males who surrounded him. One of the males displayed a handgun and demanded the victim's property along with making reference to the fact that he was a criminal street gang member.

Countywide DUI crackdown expected St. Patrick's Day

Los Angeles County, CA - As St. Patrick's Day approaches, the Avoid the 100 (law enforcement agencies) DUI Task Force Coordinators from all area law enforcement agencies are urging motorists to plan a safe ride home and never get behind the wheel drunk or drugged. During this holiday, police, Sheriff, and CHP throughout Los Angeles County will be on high alert, cracking down on drunk drivers as part of its Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over public safety campaign.

Today in the SCV: Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Today is Wednesday, March 13, the 72nd day of 2013. There are 293 days left in the year. On this date in the SCV: In 1983, four sheriff's deputies who shot an armed man were deemed justified after it was proven that Antonio Urenda fired shots first, in his girlfriend's Santa Clarita home, and then at the deputies who gave chase. Today's Highlight in History: On March 13, 1933, banks in the U.S. began to ...

‘Blue Dog’ artist visits local school

Artist George Rodrigue, born and raised in the heart of Cajun country in southern Louisiana, delighted students at North Park Elementary School Tuesday with impromptu drawings and a brief look at his influences and artwork through the years. He was greeted by student works inspired by his famous "Blue Dog" series of paintings.

UPDATE: Supervisors send clean water fee back to drawing board

LOS ANGELES - After years of planning, months of discussion, more than 2 million mailers, two public hearings and hundreds of public speakers, county supervisors Tuesday voted to send the proposal for a "Clean Water, Clean Beaches" storm water cleanup fee back to the drawing board.

Valencia: Trial scheduled in New Mexico for slaying of local man

A California man accused of stabbing a Valencia man to death last summer in New Mexico is scheduled to appear in court there Monday charged with second-degree murder, court officials said.

Santa Clarita: Musicians invited to attend a free workshop

Musicians and community members interested in building a career in the music industry are invite to join the City of Santa Clarita and musician Toddrick Spalding for a free Professional Artists Workshop on Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. in the Century Room at City Hall, located at 23920 Valencia Blvd.

Antonovich votes 'no' on storm water cleanup fee

Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich cast the lone "no" vote on a motion by Supervisors Molina and Knabe to close the protest hearing and look into putting the tax measure on the ballot in 2014.

Supervisor comments on future of 'Clean Water, Clean Beaches' initiative

LOS ANGELES, March 12, 2013 – Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe, in a joint motion with Supervisor Gloria Molina, today put forth a motion to stop the Clean Water, Clean Beaches initiative in its current form and work with stakeholders to develop a new measure that addresses the concerns voiced by the public over the last several months. The Board also asked for quarterly progress reports and a target election date of June or ...

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.

Newhall: Man found dead of gunshot wound

A young man is dead today from what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Santa Clarita Valley sheriff's officials said.

COC Theater's spring season to feature comedic drama “subUrbia”

SANTA CLARITA - The COC theatre department will present playwright Eric Bogosian's gritty, but comedic, drama "subUrbia" for one weekend March 27-30 at the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center (PAC) Black Box Theater.

Runner Says Fire Fee Lawsuit Received by State

SACRAMENTO – According to George Runner, the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association today formally served the California State Board of Equalization, Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and Department of Justice with a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the state's "Fire Prevention Fee."

New cyber medal production stopped, being reviewed

WASHINGTON (AP) - The military has stopped production of a new medal for remote warfare troops - drone operators and cyber warfighters - as it considers complaints from veterans and lawmakers over the award, which was ranked higher than traditional combat medals like the Purple Heart and Bronze Star.

Saugus board raises concerns at Einstein charter hearing

The Albert Einstein Academy for Letters, Arts and Sciences began its fourth attempt to charter an elementary school in the Saugus Union School District with a public hearing Tuesday night.

Baca introduces new Assistant Sheriff Terri McDonald, new Chief Ted Sexton

New Assistant Sheriff Terri McDonald and Chief Ted Sexton Introduced On Monday, March 18, 2013 at Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau, Sheriff Lee Baca introduced Terri McDonald as the new Assistant Sheriff of Custody Division. She will have the responsibility of overseeing the largest jail system in the nation with nine custody and correctional facilities and over 18,000 inmates. In addition, Assistant Sheriff McDonald will supervise the Education Based Incarceration Bureau, which is an important component within ...

Today in the SCV: Wednesday, March 20, 2013

'Teen Scene Plugged-In' event

Striking the right chord

An event called the "Instrument Petting Zoo" was held at Wiley Canyon Elementary School in Newhall on Tuesday. Students were introduced to a variety of instruments in an effort to recruit them to the school's orchestra.

TEDxCollegeoftheCanyons Convenes Local Thought Leaders

Motion could streamline services for county's mentally ill

LOS ANGELES COUNTY – A motion by Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich directing the Chief Executive Officer to develop recommendations for streamlining and improving the provision of County services for the mentally ill homeless was unanimously approved.

Felony vandalism charges filed against young man arrested on drug charges

A young man arrested on drug charges but described as a prolific graffiti vandal has been charged with a dozen felony counts of vandalism, authorities said Tuesday.

UPDATE: Attempted homicide suspect detained on I-5

A Castaic man wanted for assault with a deadly weapon and attempted homicide was in custody Tuesday after local sheriff's deputies arrested him following a brief pursuit.

Canyon Country: Witnesses describe moments of terror during bank robbery

SAN FERNANDO - Witnesses took the stand in San Fernando Superior Court on Tuesday to describe long moments of sheer terror as suspected gang members allegedly threatened and shouted at them during a Canyon Country bank robbery last fall.

Supervisors ask for further review of near $1 billion jail project

County supervisors put a temporary hold Tuesday on a proposal to build a new downtown Los Angeles jail - with a price tag of almost $1 billion.

Knight supports realignment reform

SACRAMENTO­– Senator Steve Knight (R-Antelope Valley) attended a press conference this morning which introduced a series of bills to reform Prison Realignment in California. Assembly Bill 109 was passed by the California Legislature and signed by Governor Brown, taking effect in October, 2011.

SCV: Home sales continue march to recovery

Santa Clarita Valley home sales and prices continued their housing-slump recovery in February, the Southland Regional Association of Realtors reported Tuesday.

Suicide Is Second Leading Cause Of Death For College Students, Yet Too Few Seek Help

War deaths in Afghanistan number almost 2,100 young Americans lost since the U.S. entered that conflict in 2003. But most people are unaware that an even greater loss of young lives occurs every year on this nation's college campuses.

Open call for community photos

Community members are invited to submit their favorite local snapshots for the City of Santa Clarita's quarterly photography contest. The spring contest is currently underway and new submissions must be received by March 31, 2013 to qualify for a variety of cash prizes.

Today in the SCV: Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Rock Club meeting