FEMA, Goodwill, Red Cross offer fire aid

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency authorized the use of federal funds to help California pay for fighting the Sayre Fire in Los Angeles County.

Gas prices drop below $2

If a clean car doesn't convince motorists to get a wash, then $1.89 gas will, said a Valencia gas station owner.

Preparation they can bank on

"We're competitors when it comes to the bucks. We're partners when it comes to our customers' safety," said Roger Pida, vice president of corporate security for Wells Fargo.

Fighting fraud with training

The No. 1 crime in Santa Clarita is fraud, said Sgt. A.J. Rotella of the city of Santa Clarita Sheriff's Business Alliance.

City hosts party & (yard) makeovers

Santa Clarita code enforcement officers hope the party favors passed out at a recent block party gives an east Newhall neighborhood everything they need to make their community a better place.

Hospital proposal returns to City Council

Plans to expand the Santa Clarita Valley's only hospital return to the City Council in a public hearing Tuesday, including its construction sequence and potential environmental effects.

District programs bring up Down kids

Trig Palin is a hero to many, and he's still in diapers. Trig, son of Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin, recently thrust Down syndrome into the national spotlight. Frances Molocek hopes it stays there. "We like to think that our kids are just like any other kids, except they have a disability," said Molocek, whose son, Micah, 14, attends Rancho Pico Junior High in Stevenson Ranch. "They have the same emotions, the same need for ...

Inmates riot at jail

Inmates staged a relatively calm - and apparently unprovoked - riot at the Pitchess Detention Center in Castaic causing minor injuries to one deputy and one inmate Friday.

Newhall library workshop

The city of Santa Clarita and the architecture firm designing the proposed Downtown Newhall Library will host a second workshop on the proposed library from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sept. 30, The site is not determined. The community is invited to review and give additional comments on the conceptual site plan and architectural direction discussed at the first library workshop Aug. 20. "The workshops are a great opportunity for the community to help design ...

Local transit route changes

The following changes will be made to Santa Clarita Transit routes starting Monday: n Route 4: Will no longer serve the Hob/Alaminos/Benz area. Will depart from LARC Ranch and continue on Bouquet Canyon Road. Use the new stop at Bouquet Canyon Road and Russ Jay Street. n Route 504: Will no longer travel on Woodside Drive, Kathleen Avenue, Alaminos Drive, or Benz Road. n Route 612 ...

UPDATED: The-Signal.com's 'SCV Rock Star' 411 -- WINNERS!

UPDATED 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25: Renfue won first, un:armed took second, and Jessie Seely was named third in the Professional division, while Johnny Strat, Aaron Wong and The FBI Band were first, second and third in the Amateur division Friday, Sept. 19 at the SCV Rock Star Night concert finale. Click here for the complete SCV Rock Star Night wrapup!

Castaic students plant trees

The uphill slope leading to the Castaic Middle School parking lot got a facelift Wednesday when 60 eighth-grade science students planted 26 African Sumac trees along Hillcrest Parkway.

Vasquez is Teacher of the Year

Michelle Vasquez staples paper feathers to a paper head dress, puts it on and takes her place at the head of a tablecloth stretched out on the floor in front of her.

Hospital plan greenlit after hours-long city meeting

After 4 1/2 years of wrangling, Santa Clarita City Council members agreed to expand the valley's only hospital during a meeting that ran into Thursday morning.

Thomas to be sentenced in sex case

Convicted sex offender and former Canyon Country volunteer football coach Kevin Lamont Thomas is scheduled to be sentenced Friday in Van Nuys Superior Court.

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