The courts
Driver held to answer to charges in fatal crash
Caesar Avalos was using cruise control up Interstate 5, going about 75 mph past Templin Highway on Nov. 8, when he caught a silver flash from another car’s rims in…
Deputy Trevor Kirk, pictured in an online fundraising page set up in his name. Courtesy
County OKs $3M settlement in deputy assault
More than three years after a police-brutality incident resulted in a four-month jail sentence for a Lancaster sheriff’s deputy from Valencia, the L.A. County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a $3 million settlement for…
Screenshot
921 citations, 17 arrested for DUI by CHP Newhall over holiday weekend
The California Highway Patrol's Newhall-area Office issued 921 citations for speeding and other misdemeanors, including reckless driving, and arrested 17 people on suspicion of driving under the influence during the Fourth…
JCI Santa Clarita launches ‘Carry Hope’ initiative
News release JCI Santa Clarita is launching its inaugural community outreach event, “Carry Hope,” an initiative designed to provide foster youth with a sense of dignity, comfort and belonging during times of transition, the organization announced…
Katie Simpson, along with her children Ryder, left, 4, and Hunter, 8, celebrate running with shaved ice during the Independence Day Classic at Newhall Park on Saturday, July 4, 2026. Habeba Mostafa/ The Signal
Photos: Independence Day Classic
Runners of all ages participated in the Independence Day Classic — a Santa Clarita Valley tradition — at Newhall Park on Saturday to kick off the Fourth of July festivities.
Friends of Castaic Lake announces new board leadership
News release Friends of Castaic Lake has named its newly elected board of directors leadership team as the organization begins its next chapter of serving the community and supporting one of Southern California’s most treasured outdoor destinations, the nonprofit announced in a news release. The new officers are: President: Courtney Tole-Schmitz (formerly vice president). Vice President: Brad Van Quekelberg (formerly firewood lead). Treasurer: Melinda Wignal (formerly Pride in the Lake lead). Secretary: Kevin Schmitz. Member at Large: Glenn O’Shea. As the organization welcomes its new leadership, the…
Tesla stuck on train tracks in Newhall
A Tesla became stuck on the Metrolink train tracks in Newhall on Monday night, causing delays while the vehicle was recovered and towed. An official with the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station…
Graham Platner and a staffer leave a campaign event in Belfast, Maine, on June 6, 2026, just days ahead of the state's June 9 primary. The boutique oysterman and U.S. Marine Corps veteran hopes to oust Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) in November. Photo by Nathan Worcester.
Democratic leaders call for Platner to exit race after sexual assault allegation
By Chase Smith Contributing Writer Top Democrats — including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and the Maine Democratic Party — called on Maine Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner to withdraw from his race against Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, on Monday after…
UK: 3 tankers struck in Strait of Hormuz
By Jack Phillips Contributing Writer The United Kingdom’s military said three tankers were struck in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, as Tehran continues to hold funeral services for its former top leader,…
Should You Do an Arts Degree? Career Outcomes in 2026
In the age of artificial intelligence, there hasn’t been a better time for people to pursue liberal arts degrees. They’re an amazing choice for people looking to strengthen their skills…
Trump: US to decide on F-35 sales to Turkey
By Emel Akan Contributing Writer ANKARA — President Donald Trump arrived in Ankara on Tuesday to attend the two-day NATO leaders’ summit. He began with a bilateral meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the…
Smart Financial Milestones for Early Career Professionals
Photo by Gustavo Fring on Pexels According to new figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median weekly earnings for full-time wage and salary workers are $1,235 during…
How to Protect Yourself From Cyber Threats in 2026: A Practical Guide
Image by DC Studio on Magnific Our lives are more connected than ever, and with that convenience comes real risk. From online banking to smart home devices, nearly everything we do leaves a digital…
The Hidden Community Cost of Serious Traffic Injuries
A serious car crash rarely stays contained to the people in the vehicles. It spreads outward — into families, workplaces, hospitals, entire neighborhoods. Most of us picture the damage as a totaled car…
Santa Clarita’s Power Outage Season Is Here: Choosing a Generator Without Creating a Garage Hazard
Photo by Zendure Power Station on Unsplash Power outages can happen with little warning, whether they're caused by severe weather, maintenance work, or precautionary utility shutoffs. When the electricity goes out, having a reliable backup power…
Andrew Taban | 250 Years, and the Missing Excitement
Hello reader, and here we are in July, where I hope you and your loved ones had a beautiful and celebratory July 4th holiday celebrating 250 years of our great…
Letters to the Editor
Meg Reynolds | Romanticizing Communism
My husband Bill was drafted into the U.S. Army and sent to Vietnam, where he spent a year fighting communism in brutal conditions. He returned home alive, with only a…
Letters to the Editor
Eve Jones | Not Enough Diversity
I am expressing my dissatisfaction over the lack of diversity in many areas at the Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center. For years, in the entertainment sector, the Senior Center has…
Dan Walters | How Will DOJ Probe Impact Newsom?
Gov. Gavin Newsom recently revealed in a video and a social media post that the U.S. Department of Justice is investigating him and his wife, framing it as a political…
Patron's hosted a watch party for the U.S-versus-Belgium match Monday in Valencia. Perry Smith/The Signal
Watch parties to continue as U.S. run comes to end
Fans of the “beautiful game” gathered at Patron’s in patriotic garb Monday as the U.S. Men’s National Team took on Belgium. While the result might not have been what fans…