header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
February 2
1848 - SCV becomes part of the United States with the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo [treaty]
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo


Los Angeles County Coroner sealThe Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Tuesday appointed Dr. Jonathan Lucas as the County’s new Medical Examiner-Coroner to lead one of the busiest and most high profile offices of its kind in the nation.

Dr. Lucas, 49, has worked for more than 15 years for the County of San Diego, where he first served as deputy medical examiner and then as chief deputy medical examiner. Prior to that, he was a medical examiner in New York City.

Dr. Lucas has distinguished himself as an expert on a range of issues, including illicit drug-related fatalities. During his career, he has personally performed more than 4,000 autopsies.

“I am honored that the Board of Supervisors has selected me to direct the profoundly important work of the Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner,” Dr. Lucas said. “The appointment provides me with an exciting opportunity to build on the department’s successes and confront its challenges.

Dr. Jonathan Lucas

Dr. Jonathan Lucas (Courtesy photo)

“I look forward to collaborating with the department’s dedicated, hard-working staff in bringing fresh approaches to the operation, while maintaining the exacting standards of service, accountability and compassion that the public expects and deserves.”

During the past year, the Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner has made significant strides in addressing key operational issues. The Board is committed to maintaining the momentum.

“It is clear to us that Dr. Lucas has the right experience, expertise and professionalism to keep this vital department moving forward and serving the people of Los Angeles County,” Board Chair Mark Ridley-Thomas said. “We cannot overstate the importance of this appointment.”

The Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner is mandated by law to inquire into and determine the circumstances, manner and cause of all violent, sudden or unusual deaths occurring within Los Angeles County. This includes all homicides, suicides, accidental deaths and natural deaths in which the deceased had not seen a physician within 20 days prior to death.

The department has a budget of nearly $40 million that includes 248 positions. The Board approved an annual salary of $350,000 for Dr. Lucas.

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

1 Comment

  1. Stasi Balo says:

    Hi my name is Stasi
    I’m a friend of Michael Foust.
    I was wondering if I could talk to you.
    Please when you get a chance can you call me
    At 657-337-2521
    Thank you very much.

Leave a Comment


LOS ANGELES COUNTY HEADLINES
Friday, Jan 31, 2025
The South Coast Air Quality Management District has issued a residential No Burn Day Alert on the effective day(s), for all those living in the South Coast Air Basin, which includes Orange County and non-desert portions of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties including the Santa Clarita Valley.
Friday, Jan 31, 2025
The deadline to provide feedback on the Los Angeles County Homeless Initiative’s proposed spending plan for FY 2025-26 has been extended to Tuesday, Feb. 4.
Thursday, Jan 30, 2025
Among several important issues, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will discuss Wildfire Recovery: Housing Choice Vouchers for Families Affected by the January 2025 Critical Fire Events at the Tuesday, Feb. 4 regular board meeting.
Tuesday, Jan 28, 2025
In the wake of the devastating fires in Southern California and as part of Governor Gavin Newsom’s proclaimed State of Emergency and Executive Order, the California Department of Public Health is taking steps to support and make things easier for Californians as recovery continues across the region.
Tuesday, Jan 28, 2025
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has adopted a sweeping plan to accelerate recovery efforts and ensure equitable support for thousands of residents and small businesses affected by the unprecedented Eaton and Palisades Wildfires this month.

Keep Up With Our Facebook
Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
1848 - SCV becomes part of the United States with the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo [treaty]
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
2015 - SCV native & 2007 Valencia High grad Shane Vereen's game-leading 11 catches help the New England Patriots defeat the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX [story]
Shane Vereen
The regular meeting of the Saugus Union School District Governing Board of Trustees will be held Tuesday, Feb. 4 beginning at 6:30 p.m. The board will first meet in closed session at 5:30 p.m.
Feb. 4: Saugus Union School Board Regular Meeting
The regular meeting of the William S. Hart Union High School District’s Governing Board will be held Wednesday, Feb. 5, beginning with a closed session at 6:15 p.m., followed by an open session at 7 p.m.
Feb. 5: Regular Meeting of the Hart District School Board
The mominations deadline for the 2025 Santa Clarita Valley Man and Woman of the Year awards has been extended until Feb. 7.
Feb. 7: Nominations for SCV Man, Woman of the Year Extended
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond issued a public statement and “Dear Colleague” letter to all California local educational agencies on Friday, Jan. 31, reaffirming Title IX protections for students.
Department of Education Reaffirms Title IX Protections
College of the Canyons athletics staff member and Pasadena City College alumnae Kim Streeter is being recognized for her contributions to the Lancers women's basketball program with induction into the California Community College Women's Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
Canyons Athletics Staffer Kim Streeter Named to CCCWBCA Hall of Fame
Santa Clarita City Councilwoman Marsha McLean has been tapped to serve as the Chair of the North Los Angeles County Transportation Coalition JPA.
McLean Tapped as Chair of North L.A. County Transportation Coalition
The South Coast Air Quality Management District has issued a residential No Burn Day Alert on the effective day(s), for all those living in the South Coast Air Basin, which includes Orange County and non-desert portions of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties including the Santa Clarita Valley.
Feb. 1: No Burn Day Alert for Santa Clarita Valley
Taste of the Town, Santa Clarita's premier outdoor food and wine event that serves as an important fundraiser for the Child & Family Center will be held on Sunday, May 4.
May 4: Child & Family ‘Taste of the Town’ Tickets on Sale
According to the NAIA baseball preseason poll, Missouri Baptist University is the No. 16 ranked team in the nation. But The Master's claimed a 5-3 win over the Spartans in the season opener at Lou Herwaldt Stadium in Santa Clarita Thursday, Jan. 30.
Mustangs Defeat No. 16 Missouri Baptist in Tight Season Opener
The city of Santa Clarita has received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada for its Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for Fiscal Year 2022-23.
City Receives 35th Consecutive Acclaimed Annual Finance Award
The Master's University women's basketball team picked up a big road win with a 75-70 victory over the OUAZ Spirit Thursday, Jan. 30 in Surprise, Ariz.
Lady Mustangs Defeat Spirit in Arizona
Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) signed onto a letter to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) opposing its vote on Thursday, Jan. 30, approving Southern California Edison’s latest rate hike proposal.
Schiavo Signs Letter Opposing SoCal Edison Rate Increase
The deadline to provide feedback on the Los Angeles County Homeless Initiative’s proposed spending plan for FY 2025-26 has been extended to Tuesday, Feb. 4.
Feb. 4: Deadline Extended for Homeless Initiative Input
The Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency will hold its regular board meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 4 starting at 6 p.m.
Feb. 4: SCV Water Regular Board Meeting
1943 - 3 Army aviators killed in crash of plane and glider in Castaic area; 3 others saved by 9-year-old girl [story]
Marylynn Winkler Butters
All For Kids is seeking foster families and now offers two virtual ways for individuals and couples to learn how to help children in foster care while reunifying with birth families or how to provide legal permanency by adoption.
Feb. 20: All For Kids Virtual Orientation on Foster Care, Adoption
Providence hospitals across Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino counties saved 159 lives in 2024 and improved the lives of 451 people by helping to coordinate organ, eye and tissue donations from patients who couldn’t be saved.
Providence Hospitals Save Lives, Sight with Organ, Eye Donations
A womans only "Galentine's Day Hike" will be held 6:30-10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 15 at Placerita Canyon Nature Center, 19152 Placerita Canyon Road Newhall, CA 91321.
Feb. 15: Placerita Canyon Women’s Galentine’s Day Hike
Family Promise of Santa Clarita Valley has announced Carmen Garcia as the nonprofit's new executive director effective Monday, Jan. 27.
Carmen Garcia Named Executive Director of Family Promise
The Bike Park of Santa Clarita will host a Youth Mountain Bike Demo Day on Sunday, Feb. 2, 10 a.m.-noon. The event is free and no registration is required.
Feb. 2: Youth Mountain Bike Demo Day at Bike Park
Join a group of local Santa Clarita acoustic musicians who’ve been playing together since the 1970s, Sunday, 1-4 p.m. Feb. 2 at the Old Town Newhall Library, 24500 Main St., Newhall, CA 91321 for an acoustic jam event.
Feb. 2: Old Town Newhall Library Presents Acoustic Jam Event
The College of the Canyons Athletics Department has announced its 2025 Hall of Fame class of inductees with the next Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony taking place Wednesday, March 19, at the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center.
March 19: COC Athletics Department to Host Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
SCVNews.com