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February 10
2013 - Motion picture helicopter provider David Gibbs of Valencia and two others are killed in crash at Acton movie ranch; Hollywood's deadliest on-set incident since triple-fatal "Twilight Zone Movie" helicopter crash in Valencia in 1982 [report]
NTSB report on helicopter crash


County also plans libraries in Newhall Ranch, Castaic and Placerita Canyon by 2020
| Tuesday, Nov 22, 2011

Two-thirds of the $18 million needed for a new Stevenson Ranch Library is in the bank in the form of developer fees, according to an annual report filed by County Librarian Margaret Donnellan Todd.

It’s one of four libraries Todd’s agency plans to build in the Santa Clarita Valley by the end of the decade.

The County Library’s updated capital improvement plan calls for new libraries in unincorporated Stevenson Ranch, Castaic, Placerita Canyon and the future Newhall Ranch community by 2020. Construction would be paid through developer fees as the areas grow.

Tuesday’s report from Todd to the Board of Supervisors was an annual requirement under state law, which requires government agencies to disclose how they’re spending developer fees.

The county has collected developer fees for libraries since 1998 as a means of averting the “unacceptable service levels” that would otherwise result from population growth in the county’s unincorporated communities, a board resolution states.

The county keeps its library developer fees in separate accounts for seven different geographical regions. The Santa Clarita Valley comprises one such region. (The Antelope Valley is separate.)

The SCV’s library developer fee account stood at $10.7 million at the beginning of the last fiscal year (ending Sept. 30). It added $1.06 million during year, the bulk of which was a $922,946 severance payment from the city of Santa Clarita to repay the cost of furniture, fixtures and equipment in the Canyon Country Jo Anne Darcy Library when the city withdrew from the county library system.

In the SCV region, fees are assessed at $805 per dwelling unit. With a slowdown in housing construction, only $138,034 – roughly equivalent to 172 new homes – was collected in the SCV last year on top of the city’s payment.

The SCV fund earned $139,892 in interest, and the county spent $109,253 on costs associated with upgrading the Canyon Country Library and planning the future Stevenson Ranch library – leaving a year-end balance of $11.79 million.

The Stevenson Ranch library is in the early planning stages. The county has held meetings to gather residents’ ideas about a location.

Money-wise, the county is two-thirds of the way there.

Under the capital improvement plan filed Tuesday, the Stevenson Ranch library is budgeted for $18 million, including $3 million for 60,000 square feet of land, $13.6 million for a 15,000-square-foot building and $1.36 million in library materials.

It would be roughly equivalent in size to the Canyon Country Library, which is 17,000 square feet. By comparison, the Valencia Library is 24,000 square feet and the old Newhall Library that’s being replaced is 4,482 square feet.

Todd’s plan calls for a substantially larger and more expensive library to serve Newhall Ranch. At 36,000 square feet, it would overshadow the city of Santa Clarita’s 30,000-square-foot Old Town Newhall library that’s now under construction.

As envisioned, the Newhall Ranch library would cost $43.8 million, including $7.3 million for 144,000 square feet of land and $32.6 million for construction.

Assuming the Sevenson Ranch library is built first, at $805 per dwelling unit, developers would need to build 54,400 new homes to pay for the Newhall Ranch library outright – or the county would need to identify additional funding sources. (Supervisors conceptually approved 20,660 homes for Newhall Ranch.) Property tax assessments collected in communities served by the Los Angeles County Public Library system are insufficient to cover the system’s current operating costs, according to previous county reports.

On paper, before the decade is out, both Castaic and Placerita Canyon would see a 10,000-square-foot library on 40,000 acres of land at a total cost of roughly $12 million each.

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LOS ANGELES COUNTY HEADLINES
Monday, Feb 10, 2025
Among several important topics, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will be Evaluating the First Year of CARE Court in Los Angeles County at the Tuesday, Feb. 11 regular board meeting.
Thursday, Feb 6, 2025
Federal, state and local agencies will come together to host an informative webinar, "Understanding Air Quality After the L.A. Fires" on air quality impacts in the wake of the Los Angeles wildfires.
Thursday, Feb 6, 2025
Join Los Angeles County parks as they celebrates Black History Month. From Feb. 13–28, the parks invite you to honor the achievements, contributions and resilience of black Americans through an exciting lineup of workshops, art exhibits, music, storytelling and community events.
Wednesday, Feb 5, 2025
The Department of Animal Care and Control has announced that the Castaic Animal Care Center has reopened its doors to the community after a temporary closure due to the recent Hughes Fire on Jan. 22.
Tuesday, Feb 4, 2025
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputies responded to the 24000 block of Woolsey Canyon Road in Chatsworth on Monday, at around 4:30 p.m. regarding a brush fire. Upon arrival, deputies saw a group of witnesses detaining a suspect. The suspect was in a prone position on the ground.

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Join members of the Santa Clarita City Council, Saugus Union School District and the community for a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Northbridge Park Playground on Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 10 a.m. at Northbridge Park.
City Unveils Northbridge Park Playground in Partnership with SUSD
The Santa Clarita Artists Association Gallery will showcase the group art show, Pet Palooza, Friday, Feb. 21-Sunday, March 23 with an opening reception on Saturday, Feb. 22, 5-8 p.m.
Feb. 21-March 23: SCAA to Showcase Pet Palooza Art Show
Burrtec Waste is hosting a free document shredding and textile drop-off event for city of Santa Clarita residents only 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, March 29, at the Via Princessa Metrolink Station at 19201 Via Princessa, Santa Clarita, CA 91321.
March 29: Shredding, Textile Collection Event
California State University, Northridge’s Spring 2025 Cinematheque is collaborating with CSUN’s Department of Africana Studies to celebrate Black History Month with a special series, “Black Cinema: Cultural Labor and Liberation,” featuring two films by acclaimed director Robert Townsend, “The Hollywood Shuffle” and “10,000 Black Men Named George.”
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Among several important topics, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will be Evaluating the First Year of CARE Court in Los Angeles County at the Tuesday, Feb. 11 regular board meeting.
Feb. 11: Supes to Discuss CARE Court
Board & Brush will host a DIY "Mats & Mimosa" workshop, 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. Sunday, March 2 at Board & Brush, 24417 Main St., Santa Clarita, CA 91321.
March 2: ‘Mats & Mimosa’ Workshop at Board & Brush
College of the Canyons softball was quick in claiming a pair of non-conference wins on Saturday, Feb. 8, sweeping its doubleheader vs. Imperial Valley College in commanding fashion.
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The Open Book will host a local author fair, 2-6 p.m., Saturday, March 1. The Open Book is now accepting applications from authors to participate in the event.
March 1: The Open Book Hosting Local Author Fair
College of the Canyons track and field teams combined for 11 first-place finishes at the annual season-opening Battle of the Regions meet hosted by Bakersfield College on Friday, Feb. 7.
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In today’s fast-paced world, finding the time to stay informed and learn about new subjects can be a challenge; which is why I have always been a huge fan of the ease and flexibility of podcasts whether I’m using my AirPods to listen while exercising, playing through the car while driving or tuning in when relaxing at home.
Ken Striplin | Santa Clarita Voices is On Air
ARTree Community Arts Studio has been awarded a city of Santa Clarita Community Services and Arts Grant for 2025, which will allow it to offer its popular Nest: Healing Art Studio program an additional day each month for a year.
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Junior Chamber International of Santa Clarita has announced the return of Get Real: Adulting 101, a fun and interactive financial education simulation for high school juniors and seniors.
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The city of Santa Clarita’s Film Office has released the list of nine productions currently filming in the Santa Clarita Valley for the week of Monday, Feb. 10 to Sunday, Feb. 16.
Feb. 10-16: Nine Productions Filming in Santa Clarita
Sulphur Springs Union School District is hosting a job fair, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21 at 27000 Weyerhaeuser Way, Santa Clarita, CA, 91351.
Feb. 21: Sulphur Spring School District Job Fair
2013 - Motion picture helicopter provider David Gibbs of Valencia and two others are killed in crash at Acton movie ranch; Hollywood's deadliest on-set incident since triple-fatal "Twilight Zone Movie" helicopter crash in Valencia in 1982 [report]
NTSB report on helicopter crash
Detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Missing Persons Unit is asking for the public’s help locating an at-risk missing person.
UPDATE: LASD Seeks Public’s Help Locating Missing Santa Clarita Man
1971, 6:01 a.m. - Sylmar/San Fernando Earthquake centered in Iron Canyon/Sand Canyon [WATCH FILM]
1971 earthquake film
1990 - Rock 'n' Roller Del Shannon, whose hit "Runaway" topped the charts in April 1961, found dead at home in Sand Canyon [story]
Del Shannon
Beginning Saturday, Feb. 8 through Sunday, March 2, customers in Santa Clarita Valley can donate to Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Clarita Valley during checkout at their local Ross Dress for Less store.
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The Saugus Union School District Asset Management Committee will hold its next meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 12.
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The Castaic Union School District Governing Board will hold its regular meeting Thursday, Feb. 13, at 6 p.m. The board will first meet in closed session at 5 p.m.
Feb. 13: Castaic School Board to Receive Chiquita Canyon Landfill Update
The Santa Clarita Master Chorale, led by Artistic Director Allan Robert Petker, is currently in its 25th anniversary season celebrating its mission to bring fine choral music to the Santa Clarita Valley community.
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The Santa Clarita City Council will hold a special meeting in closed session to negotiate the purchase of parcels of land at 5:30 p.m. in the Carl Boyer Room at City Hall on Tuesday, Feb. 11.
Feb. 11: City Council to Negotiate Land Purchases
The Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees will hold a business meeting Wednesday, Feb. 12, beginning at 5 p.m. The board will first meet in closed session at 4 p.m.
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