Community

College Brief for Feb. 15

February 15, 2024

Walker receives degree from Georgia Tech Cory Walker, of Valencia, has earned a master of science in computer science from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. Walker was among

Cameron Smyth | A Journey Through the Silver Screen

February 15, 2024

Dating back to the early 20th century, Santa Clarita has stood as a favored filming destination with silent movie productions seeking the region’s scenic backdrop for their films. The vast

Mary Luz and Aldrin Yangat toast during "The Big I Do" event held at the Canyon Country Community Center in Canyon Country on Wednesday, 021424. Dan Watson/The Signal

‘The Big I Do’ turns 2

February 14, 2024

What better way to celebrate love on Valentine’s Day, than to commemorate the start of a new union with a forever partner? The city of Santa Clarita helped seven couples

Human Trafficking Task Force visits hotels on V-Day By Perry Smith Senior Staff Writer The Santa Clarita Valley Human Trafficking Task Force sought to spread love and care on Valentine’s Day with a gift for local hotels and motels — information to protect against and raise awareness about victims the group is trying to help. The task force Wednesday was looking to support recent laws aimed at trafficking adults and children, including Assembly Bill 2034, which requires certain businesses to alert staff and any potential customers to indications of human trafficking, as well as undergo training to spot the warning signs. The group made a list of 20 SCV hotels and motels and set out to do just that, supplied with posters and tape, in case any managers were willing to let the group put up the legally required notice provided by a local chapter of ZOE International, an agency that fights child trafficking. The organizer, Pastor Dan Broyles of Valencia Hills Community Church, said the day chosen was incidental to the romantic holiday — he just wanted to organize a day when people could attend and when he thought managers might be in the office. All the establishments were given a heads up on the visits ahead of time, he said. The reception the group received Wednesday ranged from politely taking the posters on warning signs and saying another supervisor would have to sign off on it, to the Days Inn in Castaic, where the general manager spoke with the group, asked questions and then allowed them to post information in the lobby and restroom. State laws require businesses, including airports, transit centers, truck stops, bars, hotels and others to post information about human trafficking, as well as local resources. But the group just wanted to share a gentle reminder, and maybe follow up if there were any questions or concerns. “We’re not law enforcement, and we don’t threaten,” said Larry Schallert, who recently retired as assistant director of the student health and program at College of the Canyons, in explaining the instructions to the group before they headed out to talk to hotel managers. “We just want to help them out,” Broyles said. Community outreach efforts like this one are the main goal of the task force, said Broyles, who started the group in 2015 with Schallert. Something Broyles mentioned more than once in the pre-canvass discussion with volunteers is that one of the perceptions the group battles is the SCV is a nice, low-crime area, which is why that kind of crime doesn’t happen here. The exact opposite is true, group members said, with Broyles saying he hears about cases involving local trafficking victims monthly from his contacts in the county’s Department of Child and Family Services. “It’s almost like an undiscovered cancer,” Broyles said, talking about the danger of that misconception. “So, it can grow, if people aren’t looking for it or no one notices it.” The members were encouraged by the results, with one hotel employee, who mentioned she was planning to attend COC, saying she would have to ask permission before posting. She had already received the required training, but still took a minute to take some pictures of the poster. “If we didn’t do anything else, we informed management about trafficking and the law, so we brought awareness,” Schallert said, “and then when we were giving out the information on human trafficking, you could tell they wanted to read it and they were taking pictures. My sense is that it was very successful.” Pastor Dan Broyles of Valencia Hills Community Church speaks with Larry Schallert ahead of their outreach on Wednesday. Perry Smith/The Signal

SCV Human Trafficking Task Force visits hotels on V-Day

February 14, 2024

The Santa Clarita Valley Human Trafficking Task Force sought to spread love and care on Valentine’s Day with a gift for local hotels and motels — information to protect against

Charter College launches diagnostic sonography program

February 14, 2024

News release Charter College has announced the opening of its newest program, the associate of applied science in diagnostic medical sonography. This marks the third medical program to be launched

Petty Officer 3rd Class Taylor Todd. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Navy.

Santa Clarita native serves aboard USS Sterett

February 14, 2024

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Bryan Niegel Navy Office of Community Outreach MILLINGTON, Tenn. – Petty Officer 3rd Class Taylor Todd, a native of Santa Clarita who graduated from Hart

Derek Loughran as "Derek the Mime", left, plays an inflatable saxophone on a chair at the Head Table Sponsor - Home Instead during the Celebrity Waiter Dinner with the theme "Springtime in Paris" and held at the Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center at Bella Vida on Saturday, 042923.

Senior Center’s Celebrity Waiter set for April 27

February 14, 2024

News release The Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center’s Celebrity Waiter fundraiser is scheduled Saturday, April 27, celebrating the theme, “California Dreamin’.” Celebrity Waiter is the signature fundraising event for

Hundreds of participants gather at the starting line before the Michael Hoefflin Foundation Annual Walk and Pancake Breakfast held at the City of Santa Clarita Activities Center on Saturday, 052023.

Hoefflin Foundation announces new twists in Walk for Children’s Cancer

February 14, 2024

News release The Michael Hoefflin Foundation is scheduled Saturday, April 20, to host its Annual Walk for Children’s Cancer at Central Park. “This year’s event, set to unfold

Zonta to host workshop on importance of boundaries

February 14, 2024

News release Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley is hosting a free workshop Saturday designed to help participants focus on the importance of boundaries in their lives. The

The Savvy Senior | Does Medicare Cover Weight-Loss Treatments?

February 14, 2024

Dear Savvy Senior, Does Medicare cover any weight-loss treatments for overweight retirees? I just turned 65 and need to lose about 100 pounds and would like to know if Medicare

Schiavo introduces bill package to support veterans

February 13, 2024

News release Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo, D-Chatsworth, has introduced a package of three bills dedicated to improving financial protections for reservists and ensuring the Department of Veterans Affairs is serving all

Tataviam tribe releases strategy for climate resiliency

February 13, 2024

News release The Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians released the Tribal Climate Resiliency Plan, a blueprint for addressing climate in tribal territory. As global temperatures rise and the

Egg Nog a four-year-old Labrador and Pitbull mix was up for adoption at the pet adoption event hosted by the city of Santa Clarita and Castaic Animal Shelter on Saturday at the Mitchell River House in Canyon Country. Katherine Quezada/The Signal

Castaic Animal Care Center hosts pet adoption day

February 12, 2024

Snuggles, kisses, hugs and extra love were given to eight large dog breeds that were up for adoption at the adoption day hosted by the city of Santa Clarita and

From left: NAACP Santa Clarita members Kevin Thomas, Rachel Geraci, Barbara White, and Valerie Bradford speak at the St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church on Sunday to speak about Anti-Racism in celebration of Black History Month. Katherine Quezada/The Signal

Local NAACP leaders speak at St. Stephen’s

February 12, 2024

The local chapter of the NAACP visited St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church on Sunday afternoon to speak about their continued partnership and their goals for 2024. “Thank you for having us

Attie Jewel, 10, prepares to demonstrate a "scorpion" trick , 011423. Dan Watson/The Signal

Photos | Silky moves: Local youths learn aerial silk acrobatics

February 12, 2024

Photos by Dan Watson/The Signal

A total of 80 chickens live at Lively Little Farm, and the smaller ones live in a coop where predators in the day and night time cannot get to them. 020824 Katherine Quezada/ The Signal

Im-peck-able chicken raising: Lively Little Farms aims at sustainably raising chickens

February 12, 2024

Deep in the Agua Dulce community, surrounded by scenic mountain views and clear blue skies, lives a family that has 80 chickens on their 2.5-acre farm. Victoria Lee, owner and

Football fans were already seated enjoying drinks and food an hour before the much anticipated Super Bowl 58 game between the San Fransisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday at Schooners Patio Grille. Katherine Quezada/The Signal

SCV gears up for Super Bowl

February 11, 2024

Sports bars across Santa Clarita were packed with football fans on Sunday as they eagerly waited for the start of the highly anticipated game between the Kansas City Chiefs and

The Time Ranger | Happy B-Day to Us; We’re Not Wearing a Truss

February 10, 2024

One bona fide heck of a trail ride into Santa Clarita Valley history for us, dear saddlepals, amigos and amoebas. It’s our 105th anniversary and I thank The Mighty Signal.

Robert Lamoureux | Getting to the bottom of mystery leakage

February 10, 2024

Question: Robert, we are in need of a qualified pool inspector to inspect our 20-by-40 size swimming pool. The pool is in good overall condition, has newer equipment, and has

Dixon center’s diabetes program receives CDC recognition

February 9, 2024

News release Samuel Dixon Family Health Center Inc. announced that its diabetes prevention program has received Full Plus Recognition from the Centers for Disease Control for its National Diabetes Prevention lifestyle

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Community

College Brief for Feb. 15

Cameron Smyth | A Journey Through the Silver Screen

‘The Big I Do’ turns 2

SCV Human Trafficking Task Force visits hotels on V-Day

Charter College launches diagnostic sonography program

Santa Clarita native serves aboard USS Sterett

Senior Center’s Celebrity Waiter set for April 27

Hoefflin Foundation announces new twists in Walk for Children’s Cancer

Zonta to host workshop on importance of boundaries

The Savvy Senior | Does Medicare Cover Weight-Loss Treatments?

Schiavo introduces bill package to support veterans

Tataviam tribe releases strategy for climate resiliency

Castaic Animal Care Center hosts pet adoption day

Local NAACP leaders speak at St. Stephen’s

Photos | Silky moves: Local youths learn aerial silk acrobatics

Im-peck-able chicken raising: Lively Little Farms aims at sustainably raising chickens

SCV gears up for Super Bowl

The Time Ranger | Happy B-Day to Us; We’re Not Wearing a Truss

Robert Lamoureux | Getting to the bottom of mystery leakage

Dixon center’s diabetes program receives CDC recognition

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