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November 5
1913 - Grand opening of Mulholland's L.A. Aqueduct as the first water arrives from Owens Valley [watch film]
Cascades


Confirmed coronavirus cases in the United States surpassed 1,100 on Wednesday, continuing a massive surge through 38 states and causing panic over the weakening of the economy.

As of 3:13 p.m. PST Wednesday, there were 1,135 coronavirus COVID-19 cases in the U.S. and 32 deaths, according to a Johns Hopkins University tracker (see above). New infections popped up in Michigan, New Jersey and South Dakota over the last 24 hours.

Los Angeles County recorded its first coronavirus COVID-19 death on Wednesday.

“The bottom line — it’s going to get worse,” Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told a House committee this morning.

Concerns over the coronavirus have canceled some of the country’s largest events, including Chicago’s massive St. Patrick’s Day parade and the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, both slated for this weekend.

Democratic presidential contenders Senator Bernie Sanders and former Vice President Joe Biden also called off rallies this week. Schools and universities across the country are moving classes online.

Stocks continued to tumble, with the S&P 500 down 3.7% and Dow Jones Industrial Average down 4% by noon Wednesday.

Several states have called a state of emergency over the COVID-19 virus, including Colorado, Massachusetts and Florida, where two people have died.

In Washington state, Governor Jay Inslee announced new emergency measures Wednesday including a ban on all gatherings of more than 250 people in the state’s three largest counties – a move that will shut down major sporting events including Seattle Mariners baseball games and Seattle Sounders soccer matches.

“This is not just your ordinary flu,” Inslee said in announcing the new restrictions for King, Snohomish and Pierce counties.

The state is also laying the groundwork for possible school closures and Inslee will meet with school superintendents from the three counties for discussions Wednesday.

King County, where the majority of the Evergreen State’s coronavirus cases have occurred, announced a ban on smaller events of under 250 people unless organizers can guarantee social distancing by keeping attendees at least six feet apart and screen employees for COVID-19 symptoms.

“This is an unprecedented public health situation and we can’t wait until we’re in the middle of it to slow it down. We’ve got to get ahead of the curve. One main defense is to reduce the interaction of people in our lives,” Inslee said.

In California, San Francisco officials announced a prohibition on gatherings of 1,000 people or more.

“We know that this order is disruptive, but it is an important step to support public health,” San Francisco Mayor London Breed said in a statement Wednesday.

The Golden State Warriors basketball team will be affected by the ban and are “in support” of the efforts to halt COVID-19 exposure, Breed said. The team announced it will play its Thursday game in an empty arena and the rest of its schedule through at least March 21 will be canceled or postponed.

coronavirus cases - covid-19

The Seattle Mariners baseball team released a statement after Inslee’s proclamation, saying:

“Following Washington Governor Jay Inslee’s announcement this morning that he is banning large group events through March, the Seattle Mariners are working with the Major League Baseball Office of the Commissioner on alternative plans for our games that were scheduled for the end of March at T-Mobile Park in Seattle.

“While we hope to be back to playing baseball in Seattle as soon as possible, the health and safety of our community is the most important consideration.”

How soon life returns to normal depends at least in part on testing for the virus. Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said at the House Oversight Committee hearing that the public health system currently has the capacity to test only about 75,000 people.

“As we experience the growing community spread in the United States, the burden of confronting this outbreak is shifting to states and local health professionals on the front lines,” he said.

So far, 37 states and Washington, D.C., have confirmed positive coronavirus cases. Washington state, the epicenter of the disease, has 267 cases, followed by 173 in New York and 157 in California. Florida has 28 cases and two deaths.

Many public health officials have criticized the federal government’s response to the outbreak, including the lack of tests and President Donald Trump’s diminishment of the risks.

“The White House often downplays the seriousness of the epidemic, comparing to a cold or flu,” Lawrence Gostin, a public health expert and professor at Georgetown University, said in an email. “But health professionals are telling a different story of ongoing spread and serious disease, even more deaths.”

Gostin disputes recent comments by federal officials, such as the surgeon general, about the virus being contained in certain areas of the country.

“We are doing so little testing that there is no area in the country where we can definitely say COVID is contained,” he said. “And even if it were, it could become resurgent as people travel to and from that vicinity.”

The coronavirus has spread from Wuhan, China, to every continent except Antarctica. The number of worldwide cases surpassed 120,000 on Friday. COVID-19 has so far killed more than 4,300 people across the globe.

— By Alex Pickett and June Williams, CNS

* * * * *

Always check with trusted sources such as those below for the latest accurate information about novel coronavirus COVID-19:

Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
California Department of Public Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
World Health Organization
City of Santa Clarita

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SCV NewsBreak
LOCAL NEWS HEADLINES
Tuesday, Nov 5, 2024
County Urges SCV Residents to Prepare for High Winds, Fire Weather
The Los Angeles County Fire Department, Sheriff’s Department and Office of Emergency Management are on high alert in anticipation of strong, high-speed winds and dangerous fire weather conditions that will impact the Santa Clarita Valley and Los Angeles County late Tuesday night through at least Thursday afternoon.
Tuesday, Nov 5, 2024
2024 General Election Vote Centers Open Until 8 p.m.
Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk (RR/CC) Dean C. Logan announced Vote Centers are open for the last day of voting in the Nov.5, 2024 General Election.
Tuesday, Nov 5, 2024
Disney’s Frozen Ice Holiday Skate Show at The Cube
Join Elsa, Anna, Olaf and other Frozen favorites at the 4th annual Holiday Skate Show featuring the beloved Disney movie, Frozen, on Friday, Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. and on Saturday, Dec. 14 with two separate times to attend, noon and 5 p.m. at The Cube – Ice and Entertainment Center | Powered by FivePoint Valencia.
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The Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry has announced a newly-formed partnership with California Institute of the Arts and its Basic Needs Center.
SCV Food Pantry Partnership with CalArts to Feed Students
The Los Angeles County Fire Department, Sheriff’s Department and Office of Emergency Management are on high alert in anticipation of strong, high-speed winds and dangerous fire weather conditions that will impact the Santa Clarita Valley and Los Angeles County late Tuesday night through at least Thursday afternoon.
County Urges SCV Residents to Prepare for High Winds, Fire Weather
For the fourth consecutive time, the College of the Canyons Contracts, Procurement and Risk Management department received a 2024 Annual Achievement of Excellence in Procurement award from the National Procurement Institute, Inc.
COC Purchasing Department Receives 2024 National Procurement Institute Award
Amidst the festivities for the team's seniors for the final regular season game, there was a soccer match, as The Master's University women's soccer team took a convincing 5-0 win over Life Pacific at Reese Field on Sat. Nov. 2.
TMU Women’s Soccer Celebrates Senior Day with 5-0 Win
After the roaring success of the first Laughs for a Cause comedy show, Soroptimist International of Valencia announces the return of this fundraiser on Friday, March 28, 2025, at the Canyon Theatre Guild, 24242 Main St., Newhall, CA 91321.
March 28: Soroptimist International of Valencia’s Laughs for a Cause
The Castaic Animal Care Center will host a family-friendly Veterans Weekend Pet Adoption event on Saturday, Nov. 9, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. to honor veterans and encourage the community to learn more about the benefits of pet adoption.
Castaic Animal Center, Pets Global, Partner for Veterans Adoption Event
The MAIN and Hope Theatre Arts presents "Yellow Face" from the mind of Obi and Tony Award-winning playwright David Henry Hwang, beginning the weekend of Nov.15-17 at the MAIN, 24266 Main St., Santa Clarita, CA 91321.
Hope Theatre Arts Presents ‘Yellow Face’ at The Main
Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk (RR/CC) Dean C. Logan announced Vote Centers are open for the last day of voting in the Nov.5, 2024 General Election.
2024 General Election Vote Centers Open Until 8 p.m.
Join Elsa, Anna, Olaf and other Frozen favorites at the 4th annual Holiday Skate Show featuring the beloved Disney movie, Frozen, on Friday, Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. and on Saturday, Dec. 14 with two separate times to attend, noon and 5 p.m. at The Cube – Ice and Entertainment Center | Powered by FivePoint Valencia.
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As the final Foothill League football games concluded on Friday, Nov. 1, league standings sorted out pretty much to recent expectations. Valencia beat West Ranch 35-0 to stand alone as champion at 6-0 in league. Hart defeated Saugus 54-40 to come in second at 5-1. Golden Valley took down Canyon 35-21 to place third at 4-2. Also to recent expectations, these top three in league are all playoff-bound this Friday, Nov. 8 at 7 p.m.
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1913 - Grand opening of Mulholland's L.A. Aqueduct as the first water arrives from Owens Valley [watch film]
Cascades
The College of the Canyons Performing Arts Center present the Doo Wop Project Holiday Show, Friday, Dec. 6 at 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91355.
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As the winter season approaches, that means one thing, the holidays are on their way. Here in Santa Clarita, our community comes alive with the festive spirit, making it the perfect time to discover and support our local businesses.
Ken Striplin | Celebrate the Holidays by Shopping Local
The city of Santa Clarita’s Film Office has released the list of four productions currently filming in the Santa Clarita Valley for the week of Monday, Nov. 4 to Sunday, Nov. 10.
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Los Angeles County Fifth District Supervisor Kathryn Barger was sworn in for her third and final term on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in a ceremony held Saturday, Nov. 2 in Pasadena.
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The Meadow Collective is back in Santa Clarita for the Meadow Collective Christmas Market, bringing together a curated selection of unique and handmade items and small businesses, Sunday, Dec. 8 at Hart & Main, 24217 Main St., Santa Clarita, CA, 91321.
Dec. 8:  Meadow Collective Christmas Market
The regular meeting of the William S. Hart Union High School District’s Governing Board will be held Wednesday, Nov. 6, beginning with a closed session at 6:30 p.m., followed by an open session at 7 p.m.
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Join Los Angels County Parks for some fall fun. The Harvest Festival returns this year Nov. 12-26 with cultural celebrations including food tasting, dancing, music, crafts, children’s story corner and family games.
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Propositions, ballot measures, judges, City Councilmembers, state assembly, Congress, Senate and of course, the President—as Tuesday, Nov. 5 approaches, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
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The Valencia Hills Wave Swim Team is hosting the annual “A Holiday Marketplace” fundraiser on Saturday, Dec. 14, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Valencia Hills HOA Clubhouse.
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California State Park’s Antelope Valley Indian Museum State Historic Park will celebrate Native American Heritage Month with exhibitions showcasing the compelling work of Indigenous artists.
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1849 - William Manly & John Rogers set out from Death Valley to find help for stranded Bennett-Arcan party [story]
W.L. Manly
1987 - City of Santa Clarita formation approved at the polls; Buck McKeon, Jan Heidt, Jo Anne Darcy, Carl Boyer III, Dennis Koontz win first City Council election (in that order) [story]
First Santa Clarita City Council
SCVNews.com