Newhall Escrow Co. is celebrating it’s 50 year anniversary.
Episode 6d
Hosts: Steve Corn & Gene Bleecker
Guest: Debbie Kelly
Taped: December 13, 2013
Televised: December 30, 2013
[KHTS] – A baby boy was surrendered at a Valencia hospital on Sunday, as part of Los Angeles County’s Safe Surrender Program, according to a press release from the office of County Supervisor Don Knabe.
It was the ninth time in 2013 that a baby has been surrendered in the county.
As is standard practice, the newborn is in protective custody and will be placed with a family approved for adoption by the Department of Children and Family Services.
“Just a few months ago, we launched a new Safe Surrender outreach campaign with a message to desperate mothers that ‘there is a better choice,’” Knabe said in the release. “This mother made the better choice by safely surrendering her baby at a hospital, and now her child has a chance to be part of a loving family. As word continues to spread about the Program, other moms in similar situations can make the right choice for their babies and themselves, because of Safe Surrender. What better way to begin a new year than with the gift of life for this baby boy.”
The Safe Surrender program was unanimously approved by the board of supervisors in 2001 and has since received 113 surrendered children, including the infant on Sunday.
The program allows parents to surrender an infant that is no more than three days old and shows no signs of abuse.
The person surrendering the infant may fill out a voluntary medical history form to assist in the baby’s care. They will also be given an I.D. bracelet matching one on the baby’s ankle in case they want to reclaim the baby within 14 days of surrender.
There are Safe Surrender locations available throughout the county, at any fire station or hospital.
Specifically in the Santa Clarita Valley, this includes the following locations.
* Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital, 23845 McBean Parkway
* Fire Station 73, 24875 Railroad Avenue
* Fire Station 76, 27223 Henry Mayo Drive
* Fire Station 104, 26201 Golden Valley Road
* Fire Station 107, 18239 Soledad Canyon Road
* Fire Station 111, 26829 Seco Canyon Road
* Fire Station 123, 26321 Sand Canyon Road
* Fire Station 124, 25870 Hemingway Avenue
* Fire Station 126, 26320 Citrus Street
* Fire Station 128, 28450 Whites Canyon Rd
* Fire Station 132, 29310 Sand Canyon Road
* Fire Station 149, 31770 Ridge Route Road
* Fire Station 156, 24525 Copperhill Drive
In 2002, a year after the Safe Surrender Program went into effect, 13 infants were abandoned, eight of whom died.
In 2013, only one baby died from abandonment, according to the most recent data from BabySafeLA.org.
More information about the Safe Surrender Program is available here or by calling (626) 258-2059.
[KHTS] – Officials with the California Highway Patrol and the Sheriff’s Department are reminding residents of the importance of celebrating safely on New Year’s Eve.
“If the celebration plans include alcohol, designate a driver before the festivities begin,” according to a CHP statement. “The CHP will be ringing in the New Year on the roadway with motorists as part of a Maximum Enforcement Period, which begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday and continues through 11:59 p.m. Wednesday.”
Local police departments are also hosting a campaign to discourage anyone from firing weapons into the air on New Year’s Eve.
“The Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department have joined forces to launch its Countywide and Citywide Gunfire Reduction Campaign,” according to officials.
“This campaign is designed to help reduce incidents of indiscriminate gunfire that have become a deadly new year’s tradition in the city and county,” officials said.
The Gunfire Reduction Campaign aims to advise the community that ringing in the New Year with gunfire will not be tolerated in the city and county of Los Angeles, officials said.
Discharging a firearm into the air is punishable by one year in state prison. Anyone arrested for discharging a firearm will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
And while safe, defensive driving is being stressed, it’s also an especially important time to remember to put on seat belts, the statement continued.
“In an effort to promote safety on California’s roadways we will have every available officer on patrol throughout the holiday travel period,” said Commissioner Joe Farrow. “With all the excitement and celebration, the holidays can be a particularly deadly time due to an increased number of impaired drivers on the roads.”
This holiday season, the CHP joins with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for their aggressive “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement campaign.
In addition, the public is encouraged to call 9-1-1 if they suspect another driver of being under the influence.
Be prepared to provide the dispatcher with the location, make, model and license plate no. of the vehicle, and any other pertinent information.
“Our hope is that drivers will make responsible decisions ahead of time,” Farrow said. “There are plenty of transportation alternatives to getting behind the wheel.
Among the suggestions he offers are: Designate a sober driver, take a taxi or use public transportation.
“We want everyone to start the new year,” he said. “The mission of the California Highway Patrol is to provide the highest level of safety, service and security to the people of California.”
Canyon Country West, Zone 7
This past week in Zone 7, the following Part-1 Crimes occurred:
(1) Aggravated Assault, (2) Residential Burglaries, (2) Commercial Burglaries, (1) Vehicle Burglary, (3) Thefts From Unlocked Vehicles, (3) Shoplift, (1) Grand Theft, (2) Petty Thefts and (1) GTA.
An aggravated assault occurred near the 26800 block of Claudette Street. Deputies, responding to the location regarding a domestic violence incident, arrested a male and female after an altercation became physical. The case is currently under investigation by Santa Clarita Station Detectives.
A residential burglary occurred near the 20400 block of Soledad Canyon Road. Unknown suspects entered the residence and took several electronic items. There were no signs of forced entry.
A commercial burglary occurred near the 18500 block of Soledad Canyon Road. Upon arriving to work, the owner noticed the front door to the business was unlocked. The unknown suspect(s) pried open a cash register and took an undetermined amount of U.S. Currency.
A vehicle burglary occurred near the 18000 block of Beneda Lane. The victim’s front and rear passenger windows were both shattered with an unknown object. The vehicle was ransacked and it was unknown at the time of the report, if anything was taken.
A petty theft from an unlocked vehicle occurred near the 19600 block of Pleasantdale Street. The victim’s purse was taken from the center console of the vehicle.
A petty theft/shoplift occurred near the 26400 block of Carl Boyer Drive. A male suspect was detained by loss prevention personnel when he walked out of the location, failing to pay for a television. The suspect was subsequently arrested by responding Santa Clarita Station Deputies.
A grand theft occurred near the 16400 block of Sierra Highway. Unknown suspects scaled the walls of the location and attempted to take several battery chargers. The suspects were able to steal a winch, which was taken from a trailer located inside the yard of the location.
A petty theft occurred near the 27500 block of Camp Plenty Road. An item delivered in a UPS package was taken from the victim’s front porch.
A GTA occurred near the 17900 block of Sierra Highway. A 2011 Chevrolet HHR was taken from the parking lot of the location. The vehicle was recovered the following day by the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department.
Deputy Jeremy Carr
jmcarr@lasd.org
661-255-1121 EXT. 5158
Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
Twitter @SCVSheriff http://www.twitter.com/scvsheriff
Twitter @jdLASD http://www.twitter.com/jdLASD
SCV Station Homepage – http://www.santaclarita.lasd.org
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/SantaClaritaValleySheriffsStation
Newhall Zone 6
A look back at the crimes reported in the Newhall area last week:
A male victim had his wallet stolen while he walking on Walnut Street at 11:30 a.m., near 24800 block. The victim and two witnesses described the suspects as 2 Male Hispanics in their mid-20’s. The suspect’s vehicle was described as a newer model, gray 4 door sedan, possibly a Toyota.
If you witnessed the theft, detectives could use information to help solve the crime. Call the Santa Clarita Sheriff’s station at (661)255-1121. If you want to remain anonymous, you can call Crime Stoppers at (800)222-8477, or text the letters, TIPLA plus your tip to 274637.
Two commercial burglaries were reported. On December 28th, a shoplift burglary was reported in the, 24300 block of Main Street, then on December 29th, a window smash burglary occurred in the 25200 block of Wiley Canyon.
One vehicle burglary was reported at an apartment complex in the 23600 block of Meadowridge Drive. A window was smashed, and the victim’s wallet was stolen.
In the early morning hours of December 29th, a fight occurred in the 22500 block of 8th Street, resulting in an assault being reported.
Overall crime in the Newhall “Zone 6” area this year is down significantly. The drop in crime can partially be attributed to public awareness and crime prevention. Keep locking your doors, securing and concealing your personal property, look out for each other, and let’s have a great 2014.
The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station polices the City of Santa Clarita and the unincorporated communities of a portion of the Angeles National Forest, as well as Bouquet Canyon, Canyon County, Castaic, Gorman, Hasley Canyon, Newhall, Neenach, Sand Canyon, Santa Clarita, Saugus, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Sleepy Valley, Southern Oaks, Stevenson Ranch, Sunset Point, Tesoro del Valle, Valencia, Val Verde, West Hills and West Ranch: http://www.SantaClarita.lasd.org.
Deputy Danial Dantice
dldantic@lasd.org
661-255-1121 EXT. 4411
Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
Twitter @SCVSheriff http://www.twitter.com/scvsheriff
SCV Station Homepage – http://www.santaclarita.lasd.org
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/SantaClaritaValleySheriffsStation
Two years ago, Melanie Lightbourn-Rowe was newly divorced, new to the Santa Clarita Valley, and facing an uncertain future. Melanie needed a lifeline. She found one in Single Mothers Outreach (SMO), and thanks to donors like you, she got the help she needed. SMO shared her journey as she worked toward self-sufficiency.
“I got so much more than I had bargained for,” she says. “I had a ton of financial issues that I didn’t know how to resolve, but through SMO and the programs they offer, like Financial Peace University, I was able to pay off my debt and focus on saving for emergencies.”
Our contributors and more than 130 volunteers make a major difference in the lives of single parents and their children. Thanks to contributions from our donors, SMO provides programs and services that strengthen families and help as many as 450 single parents each year on their journey to independence.
Only through the generosity of our supporters can we help single parents like Melanie, whose outlook today is much brighter than it was just two years ago.
“As single parents we are not hopeless, nor are we crippled by our circumstances. We are uniquely strengthened because there is something that resides in us that pushes us to greatness,” she says. “We seldom seek help for ourselves because we are proud to be self-sufficient. I had to place my pride in my back pocket. I realized that if a little help goes a long way, then a lot of help could change a life! And that is what SMO provides.”
If you have already contributed to SMO’s 2013 giving campaign, we sincerely thank you for your continued support, and for helping us continue to change lives. If you have not yet done so, we hope the successes of the parents we serve will inspire you to continue supporting our programs for single parents. All donors will be honored on a special page at ShareTheirJourney.org and on a banner at our Newhall office.
You can make your contribution online at SingleMothersOutreach.org. We also encourage you to follow us on Twitter, @SMOSantaClarita, as we strive to guide single mothers on their journey toward self-reliance.
Sincerely,
DaAnne Smith, Executive Director
Jeffrey Shapiro, Board President
P.S. We are proud to announce that your contribution will be generously matched by the Henry Mayo Newhall Foundation.
The military encourages blood donors, the Army releases new suicide data and a new agency aims to improve delivery of military health care while cutting costs.
By the time I get back to California, I’m sure something will have changed in the SCV. I do know that one change was completed. How is the new roundabout in Newhall working out? Has the first accident happened yet?
This has been a good trip to Kentucky for Christmas. The grandkids were fantastic. The food was too much, and the laughter and joy were beyond compare. It is just what we all needed, considering what we might be facing in the coming year.
This could very well be the last Christmas we get to celebrate with Grandma Kathie. The cancer isn’t stopping, and the doctors are fresh out of what they can do. We are all praying for a miracle.
We are divorced, but one cannot erase the feelings and memories of 40 years. It is now that we are remembering the good times and not the hurt of events leading to the marriage ending.
We’ve managed to recount almost every Christmas together – and apart – since 1968. Sometimes, because I was at sea on a submarine, Christmas came in January instead of December. There were times, when money was tight, that we gave each other gifts of a car wash, or raking the leaves or any other “chores” we could give.
Later on when the boys were grown and had families, we spent far too much on the grandkids, and loved doing it. Still do. We went on a cruise or two. It was the time we spent together that was so important.
We gave each other the gift of love. We still do. It has changed but hasn’t gone away. We know we can’t live together or even in the same town or state, but all of those years still bind us. Is this bad? I know it isn’t bad. We are better friends today.
But it hurts. It hurts knowing she is having her last Christmas, her last time watching the New Year come anew. We are planning to watch the Rose Parade, with all of us gathered around the TV. It was and still is a tradition we can have one last time.
This year we are all celebrating her life. She has given so much to us over the years. The joys and laughter far exceed the pain of the divorce. In fact, we no longer talk about our being apart but just enjoy the family so much more when we are all together.
At this point in her life, as the cancer invades more of her brain, she falls asleep during conversations, and she has a real problem with time. You can call her at 5 in the afternoon and she’ll ask you why you are calling so early in the morning. Her short-term memory is very short-term. She can walk out of a room to get something, and I’ll find her sitting in another room reading and not realizing she went to get something. And then she asks me when I got to her place. I just say “a little while ago” and turn away with tears in my eyes.
I hate cancer. I hate the disease and the word, too. It took my mother in 1967. Now it is taking the mother of my sons. Her sons. Our sons. And it hurts. I can’t describe the pain of watching her slowly fade. The doctors say there won’t be much pain, but she will just sleep more and more until she is in eternal sleep. That thought is so painful.
Celebrating her life, indeed all life, is a lot better than sitting around in tears. I’ve a picture of her taken in 1969 or so. We were both at San Fernando Valley State at the time. That place has a new name today. Anyway, the picture was taken at William S. Hart Park. She is leaning on one of the big trees.
She sure was beautiful then. And is now, too. That picture traveled all over the world with me. Usually underwater. In fact, it made some extra time underwater because I left it on the submarine and had to wait to get it back when it arrived at port in Connecticut.
One time I took her up Pico Canyon and we walked to the top of PCO Hill, all the way from Pico Cottage. Sure enough, there are pictures of us on that little hike, too.
I won’t share those pictures just yet. They are memories we aren’t ready to share in pictures. Just know we had smiles on our faces and looked so young.
I’ll let you all know how she is doing, the next few months. How I pray it will be years, but I don’t know. It isn’t in the hands of the doctors or any medical treatment. The family has no say, either. Only God can work the miracle we are praying for every day.
But I like to think we’ve already had the miracle. We’ve had Kathie as a part of our lives since 1968. However how much longer she remains in this life is up to God.
Each passing part of time is a miracle. Our prayers are being answered in God’s way. Not mine.
This last day of 2013, I wish you all the happiest of New Years and pray that you’ll not have to face what we are facing with Kathie.
And when that day comes, I will have to go to Hart Park and the top of PCO Hill. She and I saw some golden eagles there once. A pair. They seemed to be playing in the air. She will soar with them that day. And I will celebrate her and her memory until we all meet again.
Happy New Year.
Darryl Manzer grew up in the Pico Canyon oil town of Mentryville in the 1960s and attended Hart High School. After a career in the U.S. Navy he returned to live in the Santa Clarita Valley. He can be reached at dmanzer@scvhistory.com and his commentaries, published on Tuesdays and Sundays, are archived at DManzer.com. Watch his walking tour of Mentryville [here].
Saugus, Zone 4 Update
This week we had three reported Part-1 crimes. The first was a residential burglary in the 28600 block of Kathleen Avenue between December 24th and December 25th. The victim discovered that items had been stolen out of her purse which had been left at the residence. After checking the rest of her residence she discovered other items missing. Detectives are working the case.
There was a grand theft from the 22100 block of Emplino Lane between December 21st and December 23rd. The victim discovered that multiple parts had been stolen off her vehicle including the front bumper, head lights, tail lamps and front passenger seat. Detectives are attempting to locate the stolen vehicle parts and possible suspect.
We had a petty theft from the 28300 block of Hidden Hills Drive between December 23rd and December 24th. The victim discovered that multiple items had been stolen out of the back of his work truck overnight.
There were multiple arrests over the past week in the Saugus area. The arrests include assault, narcotics, drunk in public and DUI.
If you have any information regarding the above mentioned crimes please call the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station at 661-255-1121.
To report graffiti in the city please call (661) 25-CLEAN (252-5326) or visit www.santa-clarita.com.
Deputy Manskar
mamanska@lasd.org
661-255-1121 EXT. 5161
Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
Twitter @SCVSheriff http://www.twitter.com/scvsheriff
SCV Station Homepage – http://www.santaclarita.lasd.org
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/SantaClaritaValleySheriffsStation
Meet Reza Baniahmed from The Bani Group on Real Estate Beat
Episode 6c
Hosts: Steve Corn & Gene Bleecker
Guest: Reza Baniahmed
Taped: December 13, 2013
Televised: December 30, 2013
Jupiter at opposition. Venus at conjunction. A Juno mission update. And the Quadrantid meteor shower.
[KHTS] – An act of vandalism caused at least $1,000 in damage to Castaic Elementary School over Christmas week, and school officials are asking for the community’s help to provide information about the crime.
The vandal(s) poured floor wax and discharged a fire extinguisher in music teacher Christopher Clewett’s classroom and wrote a hateful message on the SMARTBoard, according to a post on the school’s Facebook page on Sunday.
Two rooms were vandalized, according to a report filed with the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station.
Sgt. Courtland Myers said that the vandal(s) also poured orange paint in the classroom sinks and poured floor stripper on the carpet in both rooms.
The report was filed with on Sunday morning, but the crime could have taken place anytime between Dec. 23 and 29, when the school was closed for winter break.
A custodian at the school reported the crime, Myers said.
No arrests have been made at this time, and Myers said that anyone with information should contact the Sheriff’s Station at 661-255-1121.
Photos submitted by the community show the progress and efforts to combat Sunday morning’s Lowridge Fire.
Not like you care, but you might find some similarities between what you’re thinking and what I’m doing.
America’s top five resolutions are: 1) Lose weight; 2) Get organized; 3) Spend less, save more; 4) Enjoy life to the fullest; and 5) Stay fit and healthy. Even more interesting is the percentages of accomplishment. Only 45 percent of Americans actually make resolutions, and only 8 percent of those succeed. Eight percent. (Pause here a moment and let that sink in…)
What makes me think I can keep mine? Do I think I’m better than those people? No. More stubborn? Yes. Willing to go to the wall? Yes.
There are many successful people in this world who simply never gave up. They pushed through, and no matter how bad it got, they never got disheartened. So, I’ll take a few of the major resolutions:
1) Lose weight. I pledge to lose weight – the weight of all those naysayers who claim conservatives can’t win, can’t stand strong, and can’t come together to ensure a win. I resolve to dump the weight of people who send me emails telling me how this country is lost and we will never come back.
I will do it by doing what I do best: consistently focusing on the mark, pushing toward it, and asking God (yes, I said God) for His guidance for success and how to get God and country to the place of honor it deserves.
2) Get organized. That’s so important. I’m not talking about lining up my suits in the closet or my underwear in the drawer, but getting my priorities straight. Organize my friends and acquaintances in such a way that I know who cares about what issues, and have them help me strengthen this country again to make it, once again, the greatest country on the face of the planet. No one with “political correctness” need apply.
3) Spend less, save more. Agreed! Spend less energy fighting unwinnable fights, and save more energy to be used on battles we can win.
People in my line of work spend energy fighting on many fronts about many issues. If you don’t focus, you can’t win. Pick one or two. You know your bandwidth; use the saved-up energy and resources fighting and organizing (see item 2 above) to support those issues closest to your heart.
4) Enjoy life to the fullest. You have to have the “liberty” to “pursue happiness” and enjoy life to its fullest.
Most people enjoy life when they are pursuing their dreams and working hard for their money to be able to save or invest as they see fit to better their lives. In order for me to be able to enjoy my life, I have to have control over it. What kind of healthcare I want or don’t want. Whether I want to join a union, or not. How much debt I want to strap my children and grandchildren with.
5) Stay fit and healthy. OK, I can spin this one only so much.
Yes, we need to take care of ourselves so that we have energy for the fight – because, people, believe me, it will be a fight. Those of you who are left-leaning see what’s happened over the last almost five years as a positive. In your mind, America is finally taking care of all of its people. Healthcare for all, mortgage reductions for all, overreaching regulations in banking, the EPA, FCC and labor board (to name a few). A decimation of our military not seen since the days of Mr. Clinton.
None of that has been healthy – none of it. The economy is being propped up on government-money steroids and is so fragile that when a hint is uttered that the government might pull back just a little, the market tanks. None of these things is healthy, not a one.
I resolve to hold my feet to the fire to push, poke and prod myself and others around me to get this country back to “Liberty and Justice for All.” All people, any color, any size and ethnicity, should be able to pursue their dreams.
I resolve to hold my elected officials’ feet to the fire to do what they said they were going to do when they ran for election.
I resolve to make sure every legal vote counts by shining a light on those who think any person on American soil with a heartbeat has the right to vote. They don’t. Our founding fathers didn’t give up their property, family and lives for us to spit on the Constitution.
I resolve not to back down from my American pride, my Christianity, my “maleness,” or my love for God and country.
Join me in a New Year’s Resolution to ensure that:
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity.
God Bless and Happy New Year!
Joe Messina is host of The Real Side (TheRealSide.com), a nationally syndicated talk show that runs on AM-1220 KHTS radio and SCVTV [here]. He is also a member of the Hart School Board. His commentary publishes Mondays.
[KHTS] – Los Angeles County firefighters responded to a residential fire in Canyon Country on Monday afternoon.
The garage of a home on Four Oaks Street off of Camp Plenty Road caught fire.
The incident was first reported at 12:40 p.m. but the fire was out by 1:30 p.m.
No injuries were reported, and the incident was described as an electrical fire by Los Angeles County Fire officials.
Engines from Fire Station 104 on Golden Valley Road were the first to arrive on scene.
Battalion 6 Chief Gary Harris said that the damage was “limited to the contents of the garage … less than $30,000 (in damage).”
The following is the final installment in the countdown of Top-10 Moments in The Master’s College Athletics for 2013.
1. John Gilbertson Runs Into the Record Books
Capping one of the most decorated careers in the history of athletics at The Master’s College, John Gilbertson polished his elite status in the spring by winning the 5000-meter race at the 2013 NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships and finishing third in the 10,000 meters. Earning All-American honors in both races, the senior became the first Mustang track athlete to do so.
In one of his finest moments earlier in the spring, Gilbertson set a then world-leading time in the 10k at the Stanford Invitational, finishing in 28:30.35. Less than a month later, Gilbertson won the same event at the 2013 GSAC Championships in a time of 31:34.23. Qualifying to run on the national stage, Gilbertson’s dazzling collegiate career concluded in June in Des Moines, Iowa, in the 10,000 meters at the 2013 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Follow a trail of evidence that the insurgents have left behind as the Afghanistan Captured Material Exploitation unit analyzes it.
[KHTS] – A brush fire near San Francisquito Canyon and Lowridge Place, north of Copper Hill Drive in Saugus, burned 15 acres before being contained, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
The department received a call at 11:23 a.m. and full containment was reached at 12:32 p.m.
Homes were threatened, but no structural damage reported was reported.
Traffic Northbound on San Francisquito Canyon was rerouted to the Southbound side, but reopened as of 12:55 p.m.
No one was surprised by the fire since the National Weather Service issued a high wind advisory and red flag warning for the Santa Clarita Valley Sunday morning.
BELOW: Photos submitted by Brian Slocombe
TSA makes it easier for troops to clear security at 100 U.S. airports, wounded warriors return to Afghanistan for Operation Proper Exit and a wounded Marine refuses to quit.
[KHTS] – The Hart boys basketball team is in the championship game of its Holiday Classic after knocking off Highland on Saturday night.
Hart beat Highland, 77-72, to go 3-0 in pool play in the tournament. Lewis Stallworth scored eight of his 23 points in the final two-and-a-half minutes of the game. Myles Franklin scored 24 points to lead Hart.
Hart won its ninth game in a row and improved to 10-1.
The Indians will play Righetti in the championship game of the Holiday Classic tonight. Tipoff is at 7:30.
Righetti upset Village Christian, 58-55, to advance to the championship game of the tournament. Village Christian lost for the first time this season.
Village Christian plays Highland in the third-place game of the tournament at 6 tonight.
In other action on the final day of the Hart Holiday Classic, South Bakersfield faces Glendale and Grant plays Crescenta Valley.
The Canyon boys basketball team won the Ventura Tournament, beating host Ventura, 68-59, in the championship game.
Dean Hendrix-Davis scored 25 points and had eight rebounds against Ventura. He was selected as the tournament MVP.
The West Ranch boys beat Westlake, 62-59, in the Holiday Hardwood tournament at Westlake High. Alec Rodriguez and Christian Ware-Berry each scored 15 points to lead West Ranch.
The Canyon girls basketball team beat Crescenta Valley, 56-49, in the West Coast Holiday Festival at Burroughs High in Burbank. Kali Vittallo scored 18 points for Canyon.
The West Ranch girls beat Glendale, 52-48, in the West Coast Holiday Festival. Whitney Branham scored 31 points for West Ranch.
The Valencia girls beat Burbank, 57-37, in the West Coast Holiday Festival. Sandra Ikeora scored 15 points for Valencia.
In high school soccer, the Hart and Valencia girls will play for the Hart Showcase championship today.
Hart shut out Granada Hills, 3-0, in the semifinals. Valencia shut out Centennial from Bakersfield, 3-0, in their semifinal game.
On the boys side, Hart plays Crescenta Valley in the championship game of the Hart Showcase.
Hart beat Knight, 2-1, in the semifinals. Crescenta Valley won its semifinal game, 7-0, over Dos Pueblos.
In the NBA, the Lakers lost to the visiting Philadelphia 76ers, 111-104. The Lakers have lost five games in a row.
In the NHL, the Kings are in Chicago for a game against the Blackhawks tonight. The Kings are coming off a 3-2 loss to the Nashville Predators.
Listen to the game between the Kings and the Blackhawks tonight on AM 1220 KHTS. The puck drops at 5 p.m.
Everything you need to know about short sales on Real Estate Beat.
Episode 6b
Hosts: Steve Corn & Gene Bleecker
Guest: Laura Smith
Taped: December 13, 2013
Televised: December 30, 2013
By now you’ve probably heard about the lawsuit in Arizona, in the Coronado National Forest, between the U.S. Forest Service and a group of recreational users.
The basic premise is that national forests belong to the people of the United States, and as such, the people should not be charged fees to park and recreate there. These fees, in the form of the Adventure Pass, might prevent some low-income people from visiting the forest, and thus it is, they argue, a form of double taxation.
We pay for the forest and services with our tax dollars. The Department of Agriculture then gives a percentage of our taxes to the Forest Service to manage said forest. The Adventure Pass is sold for $30 for an annual pass, and $5 for a day pass.
Part of the problem is dwindling federal tax dollars. When the Department of Agriculture loses revenue, the forests lose revenue. It’s that simple. Monetary cutbacks to our forests cause multiple, highly visible problems. Staff is limited, existing trails cannot be maintained, no new trails can be cut, fire suppression becomes more difficult (if not impossible), visitors centers are closed and bathrooms might not be maintained to the standards a visitor would wish. Even things such as volunteer programs could be impacted or completely nonexistent.
In the Angeles National Forest, the Forest Service collected $1.2 million in fees in 2011. These fees were used for maintenance and repairs, visitor services, and the cost of collection. Without the Adventure Pass fees, which I feel are negligible, I can only imagine how poorly the forest will fare.
The Adventure Pass program has been in effect for 16 years. The case in the Coronado Forest limited the Adventure Pass to areas with certain amenities such as bathrooms at trailheads and parking lots, all of which were to be maintained by the Forest Service. This current ruling applies to all Western states, but there is hope that the ruling will be applied nationwide.
The Angeles National Forest is determining how it will respond to this action. Currently, officials are suggesting that free-of-charge zones be created, which might include Elizabeth Lake, Frenchman’s Flat, Front Country, Little Rock, Mount Baldy, San Gabriel Canyon, Hoegees Trail Camp, Angeles Crest, Big Pines-Big Rock, Rowher-Drinkwater, and Big Tujunga. Other areas will still require an Adventure Pass to be displayed.
For me, this is a tough call. I agree with both sides. As a citizen of the United States, I own that forest, and I should be able to visit it without paying. I already pay piles of taxes for that privilege, and I expect it to be well maintained, spotless, with good trails for recreation, newly planted trees to replace the old, and fresh, clean, flowing water from every creek and river.
But what if there are not enough funds? What if the forest becomes a dirty, filthy swamp because there is no money to attend to its needs? No trash pickup, no volunteer groups because there is no funding for forest oversight … no clean toilets, no graffiti removal, no security. I see the possibility of the forest quickly becoming a disaster.
I appreciate everything the rangers do in the forest. I appreciate every single volunteer. I think the money paid to the Forest Service should be increased so services to the public can be increased. But if the funding is not there, the solutions are limited.
One solution would be to increase fees for every visitor, not eliminate them. That would go over like a lead balloon with the people using the forest. It might also deny the less fortunate among us from ever seeing the beauty of our forest.
A better option in my mind is to support the San Gabriel Mountains Forever Campaign, which is trying to turn the San Gabriel Mountains into a National Recreation Area. This action alone would not change any of the current uses within the forest. It would not affect anyone’s water rights. It would not change the management of the National Forest.
What it would do would be to bring in the National Park Service as a partner with the Angeles National Forest. It would bring roving rangers for security and visitor education. It would bring more volunteer groups, maintenance, new trails, and connectivity from Santa Clarita all the way to Cucamonga.
It would improve the air and water quality, animal migrations, and protect more endangered species (plant and animal) than the Forest Service has been able to do alone. It would also protect sensitive Native American sites that have been largely neglected.
Did you know Santa Clarita is the second largest city to butt up against the forest boundary? And yet we have not one trail that goes into the forest. To visit the forest on a sanctioned trail, we have to drive 1.5 hours to get there.
We need equal access to the forest. Currently we have none.
I am working on making this dream of the San Gabriel Mountains National Recreation Area a reality for all of us. If you’d like to help, let me know. I’m looking for business and individual supporters. You can contact me via the Internet at zuliebear@aol.com.
It won’t cost you anything at all, but it will give you equal access, it will bring services and businesses to Santa Clarita, and it will mean more multi-use trails for everyone. It will bring jobs to Santa Clarita, and lots of local opportunities for recreation.
Thus far I have 33 businesses in Santa Clarita that support the National Recreation Area, and thousands of individuals. It’s a good idea. It’s a sustainable idea, and it won’t cost you.
The choice is yours, really. You can send me a letter of support for the National Recreation Area at the email address above, sign a petition, or just tell me you want your business listed as a supporter.
If you want your voice be heard on the issue of the Adventure Pass, you can send an email to Tamara Wilton at twilton@fs.fed.us. There might be public meetings on the subject in January. I will keep you informed.
Remember, the forest is yours. Its fate is in your hands.
Dianne Erskine-Hellrigel is executive director of the Community Hiking Club and president of the Santa Clara River Watershed Conservancy.
The Santa Clarita WorkSource Center will host a free recruitment event on Friday, Jan. 3, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a variety of immediately available Santa Clarita-based positions. The event will be held at College of the Canyons in Suite 250 at the University Center, located at 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road. All job seekers are encouraged to arrive on or before 9:00 a.m., allowing time to park and sign-in.
The recruitment will provide information about employment opportunities available through Horizon Personnel Services, a staffing company dedicated to finding quality employees for a range of employers. Multiple first, second and third shift positions are immediately available with a local Santa Clarita company, including: general labor, fork lift operators, machine operators, drivers, packers, line leads, line set up, quality control inspectors, quality assurance, machine mechanic, shipping & receiving, loading & unloading, inventory, material handler, compounder, receptionist, administrative assistant, sanitation, and janitorial.
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, have at least one year of experience in the position in which they are interested, and eligible to work in the United States.
Job seekers are encouraged to dress to impress, have multiple copies of their resume, and bring a State ID such as Driver’s License, and Social Security Card or Passport to the recruitment. Onsite interviews, background checks, and drug screenings may be conducted for applicants who best meet the qualifications of the employer.
For more information on the Santa Clarita WorkSource Center or the recruitment event, visit WorkSantaClarita.com or call (661) 799-WORK (9675).
[KHTS] – A minimum-security inmate who “walked away” from the Acton Conservation Camp in Los Angeles Thursday night was captured Friday night, according to Sgt. Valdivia with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitations.
Inmate Miguel Velasquez, 22, was last seen at the facility, located near the community of Acton, around 11:55 p.m., during an inmate count, according to a news release.
Velasquez was captured by authorities around 10:50 p.m. Friday in Anaheim.
He was being held for a seven-year, eight-month sentence for vandalism and criminal gang activity, and was scheduled to be released on March 31, 2016.
The Acton Conservation Camp #11 has been part of a cooperative partnership with the Los Angeles County Fire Department since the 1970s. Camp 11 crews respond to brush fires and other natural disasters ranging from the Mexico border to the Oregon border, according to the website. As of Oct. 22, 73 inmates were held at Camp 11.
“Walk away” is a term used when an inmate leaves without permission at an institution, such as a fire camp, that is not as secure as a prison, according to CDC spokesperson Jeffrey Callison. If an inmate were to leave a prison without permission, this would be called an “escape.”
“We typically do not go into details about the exact method of walking away or escape because of the obvious security implications,” Callison said in an email.
Meet real estate expert Debbie Kelly on Real Estate Beat.
Episode 6a
Hosts: Steve Corn & Gene Bleecker
Guest: Debbie Kelly
Taped: December 13, 2013
Televised: December 30, 2013
Deputy Josh Dubin from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station discusses recent crime trends and offers some advice on how to keep yourself and your belongings safe.
Episode 369
Taped December 27, 2013
Televised December 27, 2013
Runner of the Year: Samantha Ortega, Saugus Junior
Oh, what a year! Saugus’ Ortega enjoyed one of the most magical seasons in SCV prep sports history this cross country season, setting many historic records in the process. The junior went undefeated up to the CIF Southern Section Prelims in mid-November and set course records at Castaic Lake (16:42), Central Park (17:17), College of the Canyons (17:20) and Shorline Park (17:44) , SCV records at Mt. SAC (16:47) and Woodward Park (17:26), and a school record at Balboa Park (17:54). Her third-place finishes at CIF Finals and the state meet earned her all-section and all-state honors for a second consecutive year, while her 16:47 win on the historic Mt. SAC layout ranks #9 in course history. The last two weeks of her season were impressive, as she finished fourth at the Footlocker West Regionals, qualifying for the famous nationals cross country championship event, where she capped off her season with a 15th-place finish, the last All-American award.
Season Highlights:
Foothill League Champion
3rd @ CIF SS Finals (All-Section first Team)
3rd @ CA State Finals (All-State first team)
4th @ Footlocker West Regionals (All-Region first team)
15th @ Footlocker Nationals (All-American first team)
16:47 @ Mt. SAC (#9 in course history)
FIRST TEAM:
Ashley Heys, Saugus, Sophomore: After battling anemia early in the season, Heys finished seventh at Foothill League Meet #2. Three weeks later, the sophomore enjoyed a break-out race at the Foothill League Finals, earning a bronze medal. In the process, she tied the sophomore course record at Central Park, held by Great Oak standout and state division 1 runner-up Destiny Collins. Heys also finished 40th and 42nd at the section and state finals, won the sophomore race at the Dos Pueblos and was second at Mt. SAC.
Kyla Danforth, Canyon, Junior: Danforth was instrumental in Canyon’s success this fall. The soccer player enjoyed her best performance at the Foothill League Finals, where she earned All-Foothill League first team honors with her 4th-place finish. She also contributed towards the Cowboys’ win at Foothill League Meet #1, the CV Mid-Week Dual and the Kenny Staub Invite.
Mackinzie Moncibais, Saugus, Junior: With senior captain and two-time state champion Abigail Frankian out for the season with a torn plantar fascia, the Saugus girls needed someone to step up big time. Enter Mackinzie Moncibais. The Foothill League long jump runner-up was money this fall, finishing 10th at league finals, 38th at the section finals and an impressive 22nd at the state meet. Her 18:28 5K mark at Woodward Park is now #26 in SCV history.
Kaylee Thompson, Valencia, Freshman: Perhaps the future of Foothill League distance running, Thompson raced like a veteran this year. Not afraid to go out with Samantha Ortega’s blistering pace, the freshman talent held on, twice, finishing third and sixth at the last two league meets. Her 18:32 at Mt. SAC ranks #9 on the SCV freshman list, while her 18:46 at Woodward Park is #7 all-time.
Natalie Rodriguez, Canyon, Senior: In one of the most inspirational stories of the year, Rodriguez is arguably the second greatest cross country runner in Canyon history, only trailing the legendary Lauren Fleshman. She broke 18 minutes, joining 15 other Foothill League runners to accomplish the feat. She was the Foothill League runner-up, becoming just the third, following All-American Samantha Ortega and former Centurions’ runner Karis Frankian, to break 18 minutes on Central Park’s three-hill course. Rodriguez also won the Cresenta Valley Mid-Week Dual and the Kenny Staub Invitational, her best time at CV Park now ranks #7 in SCV history.
Sabrina Janes, Saugus, Junior: Janes showed she has great range this cross country season, running some impressive marks, including a mind-boggling 18:05 5,000-meter personal best that netted her 13th-place at the CIF State Championships. That mark now ranks 13th in SCV history, and seventh on the all-time junior list, only trailing the Murakami sisters, Samantha Ortega, Kaylin Mahoney, Karis Frankian and Lauren Fleshman. After a calf injury kept her out of Foothill League Meet #1, Janes finished fifth at the finals as well. Fun Fact: Only Sarah Baxter ran faster than Janes’ 5:25 final mile at this year’s state cross country finals (all divisions combined).
SECOND TEAM:
Abigail Frankian, Saugus, Senior
– 3rd @ Foothill League Meet #1
– 19:11 @ Saugus September Showdown (15th fastest in Foothill Lg.)
– 7th @ Saugus September Showdown
Amanda Dejesus, Saugus, Senior
– 54th @ CIF State Championships
– 17th @ Foothill League Finals
Darby LaPlant, Saugus, Junior
– 11th @ Foothill League Finals
– 18:39 @ Mt. SAC Invite (8th fastest in Foothill League)
Jessica Ruiz, Saugus, Junior
– 58th @ CIF Southern Section Finals
– All-Foothill League first team (7th at the finals)
– 18:46 @ Mt. SAC Invite (11th fastest in Foothill League)
Marisa Magsarili, West Ranch, Junior
– 45th @ CIF Southern Section Finals
– All-Foothill League second team (8th at the finals)
Megan Tuinstra, Saugus, Freshman
– 59th @ CIF Southern Section Finals
– Foothill League Frosh/Soph Runner-up
– 10th @ Foothill League Meet #2 (18:46 on Central Park’s 3-hill course)
Taylor Welker, West Ranch, Senior
– All-Foothill League second team (9th at the finals)
– 55th @ CIF Southern Section Finals
THIRD TEAM:
Allison Werbicki, West Ranch, Senior
– All-Foothill League second team (12th at the finals)
– 18:47 @ CIF Southern Section Finals (12th in the Foothill League)
Amelia Pear, Valencia, Junior
– 16th @ Foothill League Finals
– 18:40 @ CIF Southern Section Finals (9th fastest in Foothill League)
Concepcion Flores, Canyon, Senior
– 19:06 @ Mt. SAC Invite (16th fastest in Foothill League)
– 5th @ Foothill League Meet #1
Emma Bahr, Saugus, Sophomore
– Foothill League Frosh/Soph Champion
– Frosh/Soph winner @ Saugus September Showdown
Lexi Whitman, Valencia, Senior
– 19:08 @ CIF Southern Section Prelims (17th fastest in Foothill League)
Rachel Rush, Canyon, Senior
All-Foothill League second team (14th at the finals)
Shalyn Mabritto, Canyon, Senior
– All-Foothill League second team (13th at the finals)
– 18:49 @ Mt. SAC Invite (13th fastest in Foothill League)
TOP MARKS 2013:
Central Park (Three-Hill Course) -
17:17 Samantha Ortega, Saugus, Junior
17:54 Natalie Rodriguez, Canyon, Senior
18:12 Ashley Heys, Saugus, Sophomore
18:19 Kaylee Thompson, Valencia, Freshman
18:22 Kyla Danforth, Canyon, Junior
18:24 Sabrina Janes, Saugus, Junior
18:35 Taylor Welker, West Ranch, Senior
18:37 Mackinzie Moncibais, Saugus, Junior
18:37 Jessica Ruiz, Saugus, Junior
18:39 Marisa Magsarili, West Ranch, Junior
18:46 Megan Tuinstra, Saugus, Freshman
18:50 Concepcion Flores, Canyon, Senior
18:55 Shalyn Mabritto, Canyon, Senior
18:58 Darby LaPlant, Saugus, Junior
19:11 Abigail Frankian, Saugus, Senior
19:11 Allison Werbicki, West Ranch, Senior
19:14 Emma Bahr, Saugus, Sophomore
19:20 Rachel Rush, Canyon, Senior
19:23 Amelia Pear, Valencia, Junior
19:29 Morgan Spurlock, Valencia, Senior
Mt. SAC -
16:47 Samantha Ortega, Saugus, Junior
17:55 Natalie Rodriguez, Canyon, Senior
18:17 Marisa Magsarili, West Ranch, Junior
18:20 Sabrina Janes, Saugus, Junior
18:27 Mackinzie Moncibais, Saugus, Junior
18:31 Kyla Danforth, Canyon, Junior
18:32 Kaylee Thompson, Valencia, Freshman
18:39 Darby LaPlant, Saugus, Junior
18:40 Amelia Pear, Valencia, Junior
18:40 Ashley Heys, Saugus, Sophomore
18:46 Jessica Ruiz, Saugus, Junior
18:47 Allison Werbicki, West Ranch, Senior
18:49 Shalyn Mabritto, Canyon, Senior
18:54 Amanda DeJesus, Saugus, Senior
18:59 Megan Tuinstra, Saugus, Freshman
19:06 Concepcion Flores, Canyon, Senior
19:08 Lexi Whitman, Valencia, Senior
19:16 Emma Bahr, Saugus, Sophomore
19:17 Stephanie Martinez, Canyon, Sophomore
19:26 Kimmie Newton, Valencia, Senior
Woodward Park -
17:26 Samantha Ortega, Saugus, Junior
18:05 Sabrina Janes, Saugus, Junior
18:28 Mackinzie Moncibais, Saugus, Junior
18:44 Ashley Heys, Saugus, Sophomore
18:46 Kaylee Thompson, Valencia, Freshman
18:50 Marisa Magsarili, Saugus, Junior
18:57 Amanda DeJesus, Saugus, Senior
19:24 Allison Werbicki, West Ranch, Senior
19:30 Darby LaPlant, Saugus, Junior
19:38 Megan Tuinstra, Saugus, Freshman
19:39 Abbie Phillips, West Ranch, Senior
19:46 Morgan Spurlock, Valencia, Senior
19:55 Claire Lee, West Ranch, Sophomore
20:09 Taylor Welker, West Ranch, Senior
20:16 Kimmie Newton, Valencia, Senior
20:19 Gabby Zacky, Valencia, Senior
20:24 Kaeli Olson, West Ranch, Junior
20:26 Amelia Pear, Valencia, Junior
20:32 Lexi Whitman, Valencia, Senior
20:33 Caillie Binnie, West Ranch, Junior
On New Year’s Day, what better way to ring in the new year than by taking an exhilarating chilly ride down the water slide at the Aquatic Center following a short swim in icy water?
The City of Santa Clarita is inviting community members to attend the Free Arctic Chill Polar Bear Swim happening Wednesday, Jan. 1, at 9 a.m. at the Santa Clarita Aquatics Center.
Names of participants will be added to the official Santa Clarita Polar Bear Club members list displayed inside the trophy case in the halls of the Aquatic Center and you will receive a special commemorative Polar Bear Club gift. Coffee and hot chocolate will be provided after the plunge.
This event is free to the public and spectators are welcome. Doors open at 8:45 am, event begins at 9 am. Advanced registration is encouraged.
For more information about the Arctic Chill Polar Bear Swim, call (661) 250-3761 or visit Santa-Clarita.com.
I am not really big on resolutions. I prefer to reflect and set intentions for each new year. Typically I do this by selecting a “focus word” for the year.
For 2013, the word was “abundance,” but perhaps not in the way you might think. Not focused on the abundance of stuff, but rather a focus on appreciating the fullness of life.
In a dictionary I recently consulted, the second definition stood out: “overflowing fullness.” For me, that means a home filled with laughter or a kitchen overflowing with the smells of a delicious, home-cooked meal.
At the beginning of 2013, I noted another example of abundance: the fullness of sharing not only my life with my husband, but also sharing our professional goals as we struggle together as independent filmmakers and arts educators.
In short, the point was to recognize the abundance in my life just as it is, not how wonderful life would be “if only.” I have to thank Shawn of The Abundant Mama Project for helping me shift my focus so I could recognize the abundance of my life — as is.
For 2014, the word I’ve chosen is “compassion.” This choice grew out of keen observation of the world around me, not only right in my own community, but also in the much wider world.
There were certainly moments this past year when violence, destruction, misunderstandings and hate loomed large, or moments when I’ve viewed, at the supermarket perhaps, extreme anger over something quite minor.
In these moments and observations, I note the need for greater compassion in the world and realize that focusing on fostering compassion in myself and with my family is a good place to start.
As I shared recently on my blog, I decided long ago that when I didn’t have an “answer” or “solution” to a challenge or a “fix” for someone in need, I would always just try to give more love to the world. In short, I would try to respond with compassion.
The value of that, and the need for greater compassion in the world, feels necessary. So I am looking forward to this new year and to exploring, truly and deeply, what it means to foster compassion.
Do you make resolutions or set intentions for the new year? If so, and you feel like sharing, pop over to The Good Long Road on Facebook and let me know. I’d love to hear it.
Jennifer Fischer is co-founder of the SCV Film Festival, a mom of two, an independent filmmaker and owner of Think Ten Media Group, whose Generation Arts division offers programs for SCV youth. She writes about her parenting journey on her blog, The Good Long Road. Her commentary is published Saturdays on SCVNews.com.
Cell phone video of an earlier brush fire sent in by Facebook Fan Melissa Davison Ford shows flames charring an area near southbound Interstate 5 and Calgrove this evening. The fire was extinguished moments later.
A “fire weather watch” has been issued by the National Weather Service for the Santa Clarita Valley and adjacent communities as strong Santa Ana winds should hit the region Saturday night into Sunday.
Although high temperatures are not expected to exceed the low 70s, a potential for wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph across the mountains, coupled with dry fuels and humidity in the low teens and possibly single digits Sunday, “will potentially bring critical fire weather conditions to much of Los Angeles and Ventura counties,” according to NWS.
Offshore winds should diminish Sunday night, but warm and dry conditions will extend an elevated fire danger into Monday.
Gov. Edmund G. “Jerry” Brown Jr. announced the appointment Friday of Mark K. Hanasono, Daniel Juarez, Shelley L. Kaufman and Dorothy C. Kim to judgeships in the Los Angeles County Superior Court.
Hanasono, 39, of Los Angeles, has served as a deputy alternate public defender in the Los Angeles County Alternate Public Defender’s Office since 2004. He served as a deputy public defender in the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office from 2000 to 2004 and was a law clerk for the Honorable Stephanie Duncan-Peters at the District of Columbia Superior Court from 1999 to 2000. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown University Law Center and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Berkeley. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Stephanie Sautner. Hanasono is a Democrat.
Juarez, 47, of Rancho Palos Verdes, has served as an administrative law judge at the California Office of Administrative Hearings since 2005. He was associate managing attorney at Protection and Advocacy Inc. from 1995 to 2005 and a staff attorney at the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles from 1992 to 1995. Juarez earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law and Bachelor of Arts degrees in political science and Spanish literature from the University of California, Irvine. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Joseph F. De Vanon Jr. Juarez is registered decline-to-state.
Kaufman, 56, of West Hollywood, has been an attorney at Geragos and Geragos since 1997. She was an attorney in private practice from 1989 to 1996 and an attorney at Karp and Mooney from 1986 to 1988. Kaufman was an attorney at Levy Ansell and Goldman from 1984 to 1985, at the Burbank Studios from 1983 to 1985 and at the Law Offices of Edwin K. Marzec from 1981 to 1983. Kaufman earned a Juris Doctor degree from Southwestern Law School and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Pitzer College. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Philip H. Hickok. Kaufman is a Democrat.
Kim, 41, of Los Angeles, has been deputy chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Central District of California Criminal Division since 2010, where she has served as an assistant U.S. attorney since 2001. Kim was a litigation associate at Irell and Manella LLP from 2000 to 2001 and served as a law clerk for the Honorable Norman H. Stahl at the U.S. Court of Appeals, First Circuit. Kim earned a Juris Doctor degree from Columbia Law School and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Cornell University. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Linda K. Lefkowitz. Kim is a Democrat.
The compensation for each of these positions is $181, 292.
Runner of the Year: Brian Zabilski, Saugus, Junior
Zabilski of Saugus enjoyed the greatest junior campaign in SCV history, earning all-section and all-state honors. He won his first Foothill League cross country title in 15:13, smashing the three-hill course record by 14 seconds in early-November. His 14:58 at the CIF Southern Section Finals at Mt. SAC was a junior record and #6 all-time in Santa Clarita. A week later, Zabilski finished fourth at the state finals at Woodward Park, clocking 15:21, which tied Kristian Martinez’s SCV junior record and #5 in valley history. His performance led Saugus to its seventh Foothill League championship in eight years, as well as a Southern Section championship and the school’s first state title of any kind. He also set a school record at Shoreline Park and won all three Foothill League meets this fall. Zabilski will return as the fastest Div. 2 performer in California in 2014!
Season Highlights:
Foothill League Champion
4th @ CIF SS Finals (All-Section first team)
4th @ CA State Finals (All-State first team)
14:58 @ Mt. SAC (#6 in SCV history, SCV junior record)
15:21 @ Woodward Park (#5 in SCV history, SCV junior record)
15:13 @ Central Park (“three-hill” course record)
FIRST TEAM:
Alex Pearson, Saugus, Senior: This season, Pearson’s experience was vital in Saugus’ bid for the school’s first state championship. His first major performance occurred at the Clovis Invite, where he clocked 15:49, #31 in SCV history. During Foothill League action, he finished second at the first two meets and third at the finals. He, then, went onto the post-season, where he finished 24th at the section finals and 37th at the state championships.
Caleb McClain, Canyon, Junior: The 2013 season was a great one for McClain. In Foothill League competition, he was sixth and third at the first two meets. At the finals, McClain was involved in a thrilling dual. Saugus’ Zabilski pulled away with 600 meters remaining and won by 14 seconds, while McClain held on to the silver. At the Mt. SAC Invite, the junior clocked 15:29, the sixth fastest in league, trailing four Saugus guys and WR’s Welker.
Ethan Walker, Saugus, Senior: In perhaps the biggest comeback of the year, Walker didn’t make his 2013 racing debut until Foothill League meet #2 in October. In that race, he won convincingly. The quick improvements made was one of the biggest reasons Saugus won its first state championship, as Walker clocked a stunning 15:43 three weeks into his comeback, finished fourth at league finals and clocked 15:36 and 15:27 at the section prelims and finals. He ended his prep cross country career by taking 34th at state in 15:54, a week following his 20th-place finish at section finals.
Jordan Serrano, Saugus, Junior: The 2011 Foothill League frosh/soph champion wasted no time joining the league’s best this season, finishing seventh and eighth at the first two meets, and a respectable 10th at the league finals. The highlight of his junior season came at the CIF Southern Section Prelims at Mt. SAC, where the junior blazed a 15:33 clocking, the 16th fastest junior mark in SCV history. He also anchored Saugus’ state and section title wins this year, finishing 36th and 48th (16:02) in the two championship races.
Ryan Tate, Saugus, Sophomore: Tate is without a doubt the most-improved runner in the Foothill League this fall. The sophomore standout turned heads at the Clovis Invite, where he ran 16:06 for 5,000 meters. A month later, he won the frosh/soph league title in the 10th fastest time of the day. Tate had a huge impact in Saugus’ section and state title wins, finishing 21st and 45th in the two races. His 15:28 Mt. SAC and 16:00 Woodward Park marks now rank #2 and #6 among sophomores in SCV history as well.
Tucker Welker, West Ranch, Sophomore: Welker once again proved he’s one of the greatest in his grade, clocking 15:28 at Mt. SAC and 16:02 at Woodward Park this season. Those marks rank #2 and #8 on the SCV all-time sophomore list. The Wildcat also became the third sibling to earn All-Foothill League first team accolades with his 5th-place finish, making the Welkers the second family in valley history to have three in the same household earn 1st-team honors.
SECOND TEAM:
Alex Allevato, Valencia, Senior
– 21st @ Foothill League Finals
– 16:03 @ CIF Southern Section Prelims (11th fastest in Foothill League)
Arnold Bautista, Canyon, Senior
– All-Foothill League first team (6th at the finals)
– CIF Individual Qualifer
– 16:03 @ CIF Southern Section Prelims (11th fastest in Foothill League)
Ashton Garcia, West Ranch, Senior
– All-Foothill League second team (8th at the finals)
– 15:53 @ CIF Southern Section Prelims (8th fastest in Foothill League)
Billy Anthony, Saugus, Senior
– 73rd @ CIF State Championships
– 60th @ CIF Southern Section Finals
– 15th @ Foothill League Finals
Justin Wikler, West Ranch, Senior
– All Foothill League second team (12th at the finals)
– 15:58 @ Mt. SAC Invite (10th fastest in Foothill League)
Ryan Ortiz, Hart, Senior
– All-Foothill League first team (7th at the finals)
Tim Broggie, Saugus, Junior
– 15:55 @ Footlocker West Regionals (9th fastest in Foothill League)
– Foothill League Junior Varsity Runner-up
THIRD TEAM:
Chris Ochoa, Saugus, Senior
– 62nd @ CIF Southern Section Finals
– 16th @ Foothill League Finals
Ian Hurst, Valencia, Junior
– All-Foothill League second team (9th at the finals)
Luke Contreras, Golden Valley, Senior
– 12th @ Foothill League Meet #2
Nick Lentz, Valencia, Senior
– All-Foothill League second team (13th at the finals)
Ryan Painter, West Ranch, Sophomore
– 19th @ Foothill League Finals
– 16:04 @ CIF Southern Section Prelims (13th fastest in Foothill League)
Townsend Kaneversky, Saugus, Senior
– Foothill League Junior Varsity Champion
Zach Strader, Valencia, Senior
– All-Foothill League second team (14th at the finals)
TEAM OF THE YEAR: Saugus Boys Cross Country
Alex Pearson was watching from the sidelines as a freshman when the 2010 Saugus boys team lost at the state championships by a heart-breaking 13 points to Loyola. Two years later, the program suffered another 13-point loss, to Westlake, at division two finals. Only this time, Pearson was involved. This fall, the senior and his teammates were determined to finally get it right. After solid performances throughout the regular season, Saugus put three – Pearson, Brian Zabilski and Ethan Walker – in the top four at the Foothill League Finals. A week later, the trio teamed up with teammates Ryan Tate and Jordan Serrano to clock 77:11 and 77:13 at the CIF Southern Section Prelims and Finals at Mt. SAC. Those two team times rank #5 and #6 in SCV history. Following a 35-point triumph at the section finals, the school’s second boys title in four years, the Centurions rallied in the final mile to capture the school’s first boys state championship of any kind by 29 points in Fresno. Their team time of 79:12, along with their 80:16 run at the Clovis Invite, rank #3 and #7 in valley history. Only the 2010 Saugus team and 2011 Golden Valley squad are better. The team’s success this fall didn’t just happen with five guys. Seniors Anthony Rosales, Billy Anthony, Devin Penick and Townsend Kaneversky, juniors Chris Ochoa and Jonathan Summer, and sophomore Drake Hougo all broke into Saugus’ top seven throughout the 2013 season. The varsity team also won its seventh Foothill League title in eight years, while the junior varsity and frosh/soph teams claimed their sixth consecutive championships. The defending state champions bring back Hougo, Ochoa, Serrano, Summer, Tate, and Zabilski next year!
2013 Season Highlights:
CIF State Division 2 Champions
CIF Southern Section Division 2 Champions
Foothill League Champions (seventh title in eight years)
6th in Clovis Invite sweepstakes race
77:11 @ Mt. SAC (#5 in SCV history)
79:12 @ Woodward Park (#3 in SCV history)
TOP MARKS 2013:
Central Park (Three-Hill Course) -
15:13 Brian Zabilski, Saugus, Junior
15:27 Caleb McClain, Canyon, Junior
15:32 Alex Pearson, Saugus, Senior
15:44 Arnold Bautista, Golden Valley, Senior
15:45 Ethan Walker, Saugus, Senior
15:47 Tucker Welker, West Ranch, Sophomore
15:59 Ryan Ortiz, Hart, Senior
16:00 Ashton Garcia, West Ranch, Senior
16:02 Jordan Serrano, Saugus, Junior
16:02 Nick Lentz, Valencia, Senior
16:08 Ryan Tate, Saugus, Sophomore
16:14 Justin Wikler, West Ranch, Senior
16:15 Ian Hurst, Valencia, Junior
16:18 Luke Contreras, Golden Valley, Senior
16:19 Chris Ochoa, Saugus, Junior
16:20 Ryan Painter, West Ranch, Sophomore
16:20 Lucas Holtz, Valencia, Junior
16:25 Zach Strader, Valencia, Senior
16:26 Anthony Rosales, Saugus, Senior
16:26 Billy Anthony, Saugus, Senior
Mt. SAC -
14:58 Brian Zabilski, Saugus, Junior
15:21 Alex Pearson, Saugus, Senior
15:27 Ethan Walker, Saugus, Senior
15:28 Tucker Welker, West Ranch, Sophomore
15:28 Ryan Tate, Saugus, Sophomore
15:29 Caleb McClain, Canyon, Junior
15:33 Jordan Serrano, Saugus, Junior
15:53 Ashton Garcia, West Ranch, Senior
15:55 Tim Broggie, Saugus, Junior
15:58 Justin Wikler, West Ranch, Senior
16:03 Alex Allevato, Valencia, Senior
16:03 Arnold Bautista, Golden Valley, Senior
16:04 Ryan Painter, West Ranch, Sophomore
16:09 Billy Anthony, Saugus, Senior
16:10 Ian Hurst, Valencia, Junior
16:10 Chris Ochoa, Saugus, Junior
16:13 Townsend Kaneversky, Saugus, Senior
16:18 Luke Contreras, Golden Valley, Senior
16:19 Zack Strader, Valencia, Senior
16:20 Lucas Holtz, Valencia, Junior
Woodward Park -
15:21 Brian Zabilski, Saugus, Junior
15:49 Alex Pearson, Saugus, Senior
15:53 Ethan Walker, Saugus, Senior
16:00 Ryan Tate, Saugus, Sophomore
16:02 Tucker Welker, West Ranch, Sophomore
16:02 Jordan Serrano, Saugus, Junior
16:21 Billy Anthony, Saugus, Senior
16:25 Ashton Garcia, West Ranch, Senior
16:25 Arnold Bautista, Golden Valley, Senior
16:38 Luke Contreras, Golden Valley, Senior
16:39 Devin Penick, Saugus, Senior
16:40 Ian Hurst, Valencia, Junior
16:41 Nick Lentz, Valencia, Senior
16:43 Anthony Rosales, Saugus, Senior
16:45 Alex Allevato, Valencia, Senior
16:46 Justin Wikler, West Ranch, Senior
16:48 Jonathan Summer, Saugus, Junior
16:51 Ryan Painter, West Ranch, Sophomore
16:53 Chris Ochoa, Saugus, Junior
16:56 Zach Strader, Valencia, Senior
The City of Santa Clarita is committed to preserving its natural spaces and resources. These efforts were recently recognized by the American Public Works Association (APWA), which named the Bouquet Canyon Creek Restoration Project the “best environmental project of the year.”
The Bouquet Canyon Creek Restoration Project was initiated in 2001 to preserve a portion of the Creek that runs along the outer perimeter of Central Park, and is the last natural stretch of the Creek in the City. During storms, the Creek flow caused severe bank erosion, so the Restoration Project was designed to stabilize the bank, slow erosion, and preserve the Creek’s natural flow, in addition to adding native plants to the area.
In 2010, the City purchased 3.6 acres of property surrounding the Creek and began the project, which was completed in June 2013 by City staff. This included planting native Sycamore, Elderberry, and Toyon plants and installing a temporary, solar-powered irrigation system to help water the plants until they mature and can survive on rainfall alone. Plaques were also installed along the trail lining the Creek to provide information about the project to the public.
For more information about the Bouquet Canyon Creek Restoration Project and its recognition as the APWA’s “best environmental project of the year,” contact the City of Santa Clarita’s Environmental Services Division at (661) 286-4098.
