SCVNews.com | Opinion/Commentary: Kathryn Barger | Keeping Up with Kathryn

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February 13

1999 - SCV & AV split off from 805 area code to become 661 [story]

Kathryn Barger | Keeping Up with Kathryn

Supervisor Kathryn Barger | Friday, Jul 21, 2023

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Summer is in full force and it’s slated to be a scorcher of a weekend. Los Angeles County has many ways for you to stay cool for free. Check out the list below to beat the heat during triple digit temperatures.

Pools: Take a dip in the Department of Parks and Recreation’s swimming pools during the day, plus extended hours Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays in the evening during Parks After Dark.

Splash Pads: Play in a splash pad to keep cool at one of the many locations across the County. Most splash pads are open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Lakes: Go swimming or boating in one of the swim beaches in the Fifth District, including Castaic Lake and Bonelli Park, plus Santa Fe Dam nearby.

Libraries: Prefer to keep cool indoors? Take advantage of the air conditioning at your local library! Enjoy ice cream making, music classes, arts and crafts, gardening classes, writing workshops, cooking demos, yoga, dance parties, story time, and many more events! You can also use their computers and check out books, movies, music and magazines.

Cooling Centers: The county also has designated community centers where you can go to escape the heat. Find the full list here.

Tips for Pets: For those with furry friends, check out my list of summertime safety tips to make sure they don’t fret the heatwave.

Stay safe, comfortable and cool!

Los Angeles County Fifth District Supervisor Kathryn Barger’s Fifth District spans 2,785 square miles and is larger than all the other districts combined. The district includes 20 cities and 83 unincorporated communities, including all of the Antelope, Crescenta and Santa Clarita Valleys and parts of the San Gabriel and San Fernando Valleys.

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Jason Gibbs | Explore Contract Class Offerings in Seasons

Thursday, Feb 12, 2026

One of the things that makes Santa Clarita such a special place to live is the variety of opportunities available for residents to stay active, learn something new and connect with one another.

Suzette Martinez Valladares | California State Driving Tax

Thursday, Feb 5, 2026

I have heard from hundreds of constituents this week about a bill coming to the Senate, and I wanted to flag it for you as well.

Marsha McLean | More Affordable Rides, A More Resilient Transit System

Thursday, Feb 5, 2026

Public transportation plays an important role in how our community moves, connects and grows.

Ken Striplin | The Dangers, Consequences of Red-Light Running

Tuesday, Feb 3, 2026

You have likely seen it happen and you may have even experienced it firsthand.

Laurene Weste | Looking Ahead

Monday, Feb 2, 2026

As we step into 2026, I am honored to serve as your Mayor and am excited for what lies ahead for Santa Clarita.

Bill Miranda | Creativity on Display in Santa Clarita

Thursday, Jan 29, 2026

Santa Clarita is home to a vibrant and diverse arts scene that continues to inspire connection, creativity and discovery.

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com

Valladares Introduces Bill to Ensure Buffer Between Schools, Rehab Facilities State Senator Suzette Martinez Valladares has announced the introduction of SB 1060, legislation establishing a statewide standard requiring large residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation facilities to be located at least 1,000 feet away from public or private elementary schools, secondary schools and daycare centers.	High School Soccer Playoffs: Three Foothill League Teams Remain Overtime and penalty kicks were not good to our Foothill League boys soccer squads in the playoffs on Feb. 11. And the result was that only one of five teams, yes, the one that did not have to go to overtime, collected a victory. None of the Foothill League girls teams had to go to overtime, and two out of four came away with victories on Feb. 12.	Feb. 22: Historic Rancho Camulos Museum Hosts Entertaining Fundraiser The Rancho Camulos Museum in Piru will present John Boston, a columnist for The Signal newspaper in Santa Clarita, as he shares humorous and secret tales of Santa Clarita Valley newspaper legends Ruth and Scott Newhall on Sunday, Feb. 22 at noon.	Today in SCV History (Feb. 13) <strong>1999</strong> - SCV & AV split off from 805 area code to become 661 [<a href="https://scvhistory.com/scvhistory/sg031305-manzer.htm" target="_blank">story</a>]<br> <a href="https://scvhistory.com/scvhistory/sg031305-manzer.htm" target="_blank"> <img src="https://scvhistory.com/gif/pacific_telephone.jpg" alt="Pacific Telephone" style="margin-top:6px;width:110px;border:0;"> </a>	Feb. 21: SCAA, Locke Ladies ‘First, Famous Black Trailblazers of Santa Clarita’ Book Release, Art Exhibit Reception The Locke Ladies Collaborative Members and Santa Clarita Artists Association will present "Celebration of Santa Clarita First & Famous Black Trailblazers," a Black History Month book release and art exhibit reception, 3:30-5:50 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21. at the SCAA Gallery.	Whitesides Pays Tribute to Santa Clarita Lady Flyers on House Floor in D.C. On Thursday, Feb. 12, U.S. Rep. George Whitesides (D-Agua Dulce) paid tribute, on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, to the Santa Clarita Lady Flyers, an age 12 and under girls hockey team involved in a tragic traffic accident last month.
Feb. 19: ‘Teen Crafts & Stuff, DIY Mini Yarn Hats’ at Canyon Country Library Canyon Country Jo Anne Darcy Library will host a "Teen Crafts & Stuff: DIY Mini Yarn Hats," event on Thursday, Feb. 19, 4-5 p.m. at 18601 Soledad Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91351.	Feb. 20: ‘Rock en Español vs. 80’s New Wave’ at El Patron Mexican Bar, Grill El Patron Mexican Bar & Grill will present "Rock en Español vs. 80’s New Wave" featuring the Golden State Band, Friday, Feb. 20 with live music starting at 10 p.m.	SCV Sheriff’s Station Seeks Witnesses to Fatal Crash That Killed Married Couple A traffic collision at the Intersection of Newhall Ranch Road and Bouquet Canyon Road at approximately 11:15 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 6 resulted in the deaths of Genry and Patty Ortiz of Santa Clarita and severe injuries to their 25-year-old daughter, Erin.	Feb. 14: Valentine’s Day Dinner at Greater Pacific Greater Pacific Restaurant at the Hyatt Regency Valencia will be hosting a three-course special Valentine's Day Dinner, Saturday, Feb. 14.	TMU Men Take Fifth, Women Sixth in First Golf Tourney of 2026 The Master's University men's golf team finished fifth, while the women's team placed sixth at the West Coast Classic hosted by Lewis-Clark State (ID) on Feb. 9 and 10.	Feb. 18: ‘Clay Decorated Mug Vases’ Event at Canyon Country Library Canyon Country Jo Anne Darcy Library will host a "Clay Decorated Mug Vases," event on Wednesday, Feb.18, 5:30-6:30 p.m. at 18601 Soledad Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91351.
TMU Track Notches Several Standards at CMS The Master's University track and field teams competed against multiple NCAA squads in the OIDFE Challenge on Saturday, Feb. 7 in Claremont.	Cougars Win Second Straight, 8-1 at Antelope Valley College of the Canyons women's tennis defeated host Antelope Valley College in convincing fashion on Tuesday, Feb. 10, as the Cougars played to an 8-1 victory for the team's second straight win.	Canyons Tops Field at First WSC Tourney College of the Canyons men's golf took first in its first Western State Conference event of the season, with the Cougars taking both team and individual medalist honors at Oakmont Country Club on Monday, Feb. 9.	Feb. 18: COC Board of Trustees Special Meeting/Study Session The Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees will hold a Special Meeting & Ethics, Conflict of Interest, Form 700 Reporting & FPRA Study Session on Wednesday, Feb. 18 at 3 p.m.	Jason Gibbs \| Explore Contract Class Offerings in Seasons One of the things that makes Santa Clarita such a special place to live is the variety of opportunities available for residents to stay active, learn something new and connect with one another.	CDE Reiterates Parents’ Rights to Review Student Records The California Department of Education recently sent a letter to all district and county superintendents and charter administrators to reiterate the facts of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and California law.
Today in SCV History (Feb. 12) <strong>1879</strong> - Mint Canyon School District organized (merged into Sulphur Springs Union in 1944) [<a href="https://scvhistory.com/scvhistory/sg19680421mint.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">story</a>]<br> <a href="https://scvhistory.com/scvhistory/sg19680421mint.htm" target="_blank"> <img src="https://scvhistory.com/gif/sg19680421mintt.jpg" alt="Mint Canyon School" style="margin-top:6px;width:110px;border:0;"> </a>	2026 SCAG Scholarship Program Now Accepting Student Applications The Southern California Association of Governments is pleased to announce that the application window for the 2026 SCAG Scholarship Program is now open.	Feb. 13: Zonta Club of SCV ‘Women Who Serve’ Nomination Deadline Since 1984, the Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley has honored the extraordinary women whose volunteer service strengthens and uplifts the Santa Clarita Valley.	LASD is Asking for the Public’s Help Locating Missing Children and Parents From Palmdale Detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Palmdale Station are asking for the public’s help locating Missing Children, Joseph Franz (10-years-old male White) and Jaxxon Franz (7-years-old male White) and Missing Parents, Audrey Nicole Burak (31-years-old female White) and Marcus Ryananthonie McArthur, (35-years-old male White).	Feb. 18: Public Invited to Participate in Third Urban Water Management Plan Community Workshop The Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency invites community members to participate in a community workshop looking at the Agency's portfolio and Water Shortage Contingency Plan as part of the Urban Water Management Plan development process.	Feb. 21: Final Call For Students to Submit Art For Art Hip Youth Contest The city of Santa Clarita is issuing a final call to local students to submit artwork for the Art Hop Youth Art Contest.