This just in from Caltrans

SACRAMENTO – Caltrans announced today that Karla Sutliff has been appointed as California's Chief Engineer - the first woman to be appointed to the position.

Saugus woman arrested on suspicion of stealing neighbors' packages

Santa Clarita Valley sheriff's burglary detectives have arrested a Saugus woman on reports she was stealing packages off her neighbors' porches, officials reported today.

Sporting goods chain pulls gun sales

Dick's Sporting Goods has announced it has suspended sales of modern sporting rifles from its stores nationwide because of the Connecticut elementary school shootings.

Iraqi President Talabani suffers a stroke

BAGHDAD (AP) - Iraqi President Jalal Talabani has suffered a stroke and was in intensive care at a Baghdad hospital Tuesday, injecting new uncertainty into the country's political future a year after the U.S. military left.

Wires down forces closure of some Castaic-area roads

A section of Lake Hughes Road in Castaic was closed to traffic Tuesday morning after utility wire were reported to be draped low across lanes, the California Highway Patrol confirmed.

This just in from the California Highway Patrol

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – With holiday celebrations in full swing, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is preparing for increased enforcement throughout the heavy travel period to help ensure safety on the road. The CHP is reminding travelers to play by the rules behind the wheel: buckle up, adhere to the posted speed limit, avoid distractions behind the wheel, and never drive while impaired.

Today in the SCV: Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012

Today in the SCV Poetry workshop Spend a day writing poetry and improving existing poems! This one-day poetry seminar is creative writing meets group private tutoring. You can bring up to three poems in for supportive and constructive critique. You'll benefit from Sanora's poetic brilliance and her insights into your poetry to help you hone it into its best possible version. The first part of the day is spent getting creative and writing new poems ...

Deputies step up school patrols

More sheriff's deputies were patrolling near Santa Clarita Valley schools on Monday, and fewer students were in some classes, reflecting the profound local impact of Friday's school shooting in Connecticut.

Scouts give comfort cards

About 20 Girl Scouts delivered hand-made "comfort cards" to seniors at Sunrise Senior Living in Valencia on Monday, part of a bid to ensure no local senior is forgotten this holiday season.

Chess celebrity visits Trinity Classical Academy

Trinity Clasical Academy students recently hosted a young chess celebrity - soon to be a worldwide celebrity, thanks to a contract with the Walt Disney Co.

Two-car crash in Valencia

Sheriff's deputies and firefighters responded to the scene of a two-car collision at McBean Parkway and Valencia Boulevard in Valencia at about 7:45 p.m. Monday.

SCV Raw: From Supervisor Michael Antonovich

LOS ANGELES COUNTY - During the month of October, Los Angeles County D.I.S.A.R.M. officers arrested 132 probationers and confiscated 56 firearms and over

More holiday travelers expected this year as economy improves

Nearly 7.3 million Southern Californians are expected to travel this holiday season, up 1.8 percent from the year before, officials with the Automobile Club of Southern California said Monday.

Gas main broken in Canyon Country

A natural gas leak from a main line break sent firefighters to an area near Lost Canyon Road and Lark Way in Canyon Country on Monday, officials confirmed.

Collision blocks traffic on Highway 14 HOV lane

A collision on the southbound Highway 14 near the Pinetree area of Canyon Country was blocking at least one lane of the freeway this afternoon, the California Highway Patrol reported.

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