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January 27
1970 - Gov. Ronald Reagan appoints Adrian Adams as Newhall's first "second" judge [story]
Adrian Adams


Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey on Wednesday announced an expansion of her office’s efforts to help people living with mental illness in the criminal justice system.

The Mental Health Division brings together deputy district attorneys whose cases involve defendants who have been declared incompetent to stand trial or are seeking alternative sentences due to their mental illness.

The new division – the first of its kind in a prosecutor’s office in California and, possibly, the nation – was established effective Wednesday.

“Our goal is to protect the public and to assist people in getting the mental health and other services they need to be productive members of our community,” Lacey said. “We also want to make sure that jails and prisons are reserved for the most serious and violent offenders.”

The new division builds on Lacey’s legacy of leadership in seeking a more just and effective criminal justice system for people living with mental illness. The division staff will seek opportunities to expand treatment and other community-based services for people whose untreated mental illness historically has resulted in longer periods of incarceration and mental deterioration.

The Mental Health Division will serve as a resource to deputy district attorneys faced with questions about potential diversion cases and motions made under Senate Bill 1810, the new pre-trial mental health diversion law. It also will provide training to attorneys and first responders, advocate for more community-based mental health resources and pursue legislation to enact meaningful criminal justice reform in California.

An important internal policy component of this mental health continuum is District Attorney Lacey’s directive that allows deputy district attorneys to consider a defendant’s mental health when deciding if they should participate in a diversion program.

“With this policy, I am encouraging my lawyers to make courageous decisions and do the right thing,” Lacey said. “We must make informed decisions to ensure public safety and help another human being in crisis.”

Since her election in 2012, Lacey has worked diligently to address the needs of those with mental illness. She formed what would become the county’s Mental Health Advisory Board with mental health and criminal justice professionals in 2013.

The advisory board created its “Blueprint for Change,” a 2015 report that mapped out a path to address issues within the mental health and justice systems.

In response to its recommendations, Lacey has provided free mental health awareness training to more than 1,400 first responders from smaller police agencies. The training shows first responders how to safely de-escalate encounters with people in a mental health crisis, improving the safety of the officers and the public.

In 2016, Lacey appointed the nation’s first mental health liaison for a local prosecutorial agency. The liaison worked in collaboration with a variety of stakeholders to address ways to safely help people in a mental health crisis stay out of the criminal justice system.

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LOS ANGELES COUNTY HEADLINES
Saturday, Jan 25, 2025
Here are the latest updates from LA County's Coordinated Joint Information Center as of 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 2.
Friday, Jan 24, 2025
Due to the Hughes fire continuing to impact the Castaic area, the Federal Aviation Administration has issued a Temporary Flight Restriction for the affected area, effective till Tuesday, Feb. 4, at 9 p.m.
Friday, Jan 24, 2025
Cal Fire and the Los Angeles County Joint Coordination Information Center have released the following information as of 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24 on the fires active in Southern California.
Friday, Jan 24, 2025
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has revised the Health Office Order issued on Jan. 10 prohibiting the use of power blowers countywide.
Friday, Jan 24, 2025
Since the unprecedented Los Angeles County wildfire siege began on Tuesday, Jan. 7, the heartfelt generosity from the community has been inspirational.

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Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
1970 - Gov. Ronald Reagan appoints Adrian Adams as Newhall's first "second" judge [story]
Adrian Adams
1990 - "Duplicates" premieres at L.A. Phil; concerto by CalArts Music School dean Mel Powell wins Pulitzer Prize [story]
Mel Powell
Here are the latest updates from LA County's Coordinated Joint Information Center as of 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 2.
UPDATE: Hughes Fire 92% Contained, Flood Watch Issued for SCV
1915 - Death of pre-Mentry oilman & San Francisquito vintner Ramon Perea [story]
Perea grave marker
The city of Santa clarita will host a Community Hike on Saturday, Feb. 8, at 4:30 p.m., weather permitting.
Feb. 8: Santa Clarita Community Hike Central Park Exercise Staircase
The Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Foundation's annual Home Tour Fashion Show will be held beginning at noon, Thursday, Feb. 20 at the Hyatt Regency Valencia.
Feb. 20: Henry Mayo Home Tour Fashion Show ‘Red Carpet Ready!’
The Sierra Hillbillies Square and Round Dance club invites everyone to a Groundhog Day themed Square Dance on Sunday, Feb. 2. The Sierra Hillbillies have supported American Folkdance in the Santa Clarita Valley for 57 years.
Feb. 2: Sierra Hillbillies Groundhog Dance
Due to the Hughes fire continuing to impact the Castaic area, the Federal Aviation Administration has issued a Temporary Flight Restriction for the affected area, effective till Tuesday, Feb. 4, at 9 p.m.
FAA Issues Drone Flight Restrictions Due to Hughes Fire
In collaboration with the Consulate General of Canada, the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation will host a luncheon featuring a group of nine Canadian energy companies, Wednesday, February 12 from 1-3 p.m. at College of the Canyons.
Feb. 12: SCVEDC Hosts Canadian Trade Mission at COC
The Santa Clarita City Council will hold its regular meeting Tuesday, Jan. 28, 6 p.m. on the first floor of City Hall in the City Council Chambers.
Jan. 28: City Council Considers Community Services, Arts Grants
Mission Opera has announced its upcoming performance of Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana is scheduled for Saturday, March 1, 7:30 p.m. at the Canyon High School Performing Arts Center.
March 1: Mission Opera Presents Carmina Burana
Cal Fire and the Los Angeles County Joint Coordination Information Center have released the following information as of 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24 on the fires active in Southern California.
Hughes Fire 56% Contained, Rain Expected, Flood Watch Issued
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has revised the Health Office Order issued on Jan. 10 prohibiting the use of power blowers countywide.
Power Air Blowers Now Prohibited Only in Palisades, Eaton Fire Areas
Join the Santa Clarita Artists Association on Monday, Feb. 17, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Barnes and Noble, 23630 Valencia Blvd., Valencia, CA 91355, for the SCAA monthly meeting and guest demonstrator.
Feb. 17: SCAA Features Oil Demo by Kevin Davidson
College of the Canyons Men's Basketball put away another win in Western State Conference, South Division play, posting a 71-67 win over the visiting L.A. Valley College Monarchs at Lee Smelser Court.
COC Men’s Basketball Wins at Home, 71-67
With the rise in local drug-related incidents, it’s more important than ever for parents to have open, honest conversations with children about the dangers of substance abuse.
Jan. 27: Empower Kids to Say ‘No’ to Drugs Prevention Meeting
Since the unprecedented Los Angeles County wildfire siege began on Tuesday, Jan. 7, the heartfelt generosity from the community has been inspirational.
Los Angeles Emergency Preparedness Foundation Seeks Donations
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the nominees for its 97th annual Academy Awards, recognizing excellence in the film industry on Thursday, Jan 23. As in years past, CalArtian-helmed films are in the running across the ceremony’s 23 categories.
Two CalArtians Receive Major Oscar Nods
Did you get engaged over the holidays? Say “I Do” on Valentine’s Day. Get married at The Big I Do, where multiple couples exchange vows in a beautiful ceremony and celebrate their love with a lavish reception. Participating couples will have a chance to win a custom wedding dress, a suit and wedding bands.
Experience Your Dream Wedding at ‘The Big I Do’
The fires that impacted the Los Angeles area in early January, especially the Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire, have displaced thousands of people destroying or damaging more than 16,000 homes and businesses and burning more than 40,000 acres.
Los Angeles Area Fires: What to Know, How to Help
1888 - Acton post office established; Richard E. Nickel, postmaster [story]
postal cover
A few Santa Clarita Valley school districts cancelled classes for Thursday, Jan. 23 due to an abundance of caution because of the Hughes Fire. With the lifting of mandatory evacuation orders, and the movement of the fire away from the SCV, back-to-school notifications have been issued, with a few exceptions, for Friday, Jan. 24.
Jan. 24: COC, Academy of the Canyons Remain Closed
Cal Fire and the Los Angeles County Joint Coordination Information Center have released the following information as of 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23 on the fires active in Southern California.
Hughes Fire 24% Contained, New Fires in SoCal
SCVNews.com