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December 19
1970 - Snow day in Santa Clarita Valley [photos]
Saugus train station


LOCAL NEWS
Downs Sentenced to 15 Years for Sex Crimes
Thursday, Jan 10, 2013

Michael C. Downs A Valencia man pleaded no contest to 15 counts Thursday related to a string of sexual assaults in the Santa Clarita Valley. “(Michael Downs) received 15 years and 4 months in state prison,” said a San Fernando Superior Court official who spoke on the condition of anonymity...

Case Continued for Downs, Charged with Sexual Assault
Tuesday, Dec 11, 2012

Michael C. Downs A Valencia man accused of sexualy assaulting 14 girls had his case continued Tuesday, and he will be back in court Jan. 10, according to officials with the San Fernando Superior Court. The case for alleged pedophile Michael Downs, of Valencia, who faces 34 sex-related charges involving...

Downs Back in Court Next Month on Child Sex Charges
Tuesday, Jun 5, 2012

Michael C. Downs A pretrial conference has been set July 17 for alleged pedophile Michael Downs of Valencia, who faces 34 sex-related charges involving 15 victims, one as young as 12 years of age. Thirty-three of the charges are for felonies and one is a misdemeanor. Those charges include unlawful sexual...

SCV NewsBreak for Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012
Wednesday, Jan 11, 2012

In this episode: Passenger Dakota Demott, 19, a Canyon High graduate, killed when Ford Mustang crashes into oak tree on Sand Canyon Road; driver sent to hospital with major injuries. Neighbor wants city to enhance safety measures that on stretch of road that has seen at least seven collisions in 16 years. Also:...

Alleged Teenage Pedophile Faces Additional Charges

Michael C. Downs Alleged pedophile Michael C. Downs, 19, of Valencia, racked up five additional sex related charges involving three new victims at his preliminary hearing Wednesday morning at the San Fernando Superior Courthouse. “So now we’re looking at a total of 34 counts involving 17 victims,”...

Community Leaders Have Advice for Parents with Questions About Sexual Predation
Saturday, Dec 24, 2011

The Santa Clarita Valley Youth Project has served the students of the valley for 11 years and their mission may be more valuable than ever with the arrest of two local young men accused of sexual crimes with minors. On Oct. 12, Casey Crockett, 25, was taken into custody and later charged for Lewd Acts...

SCV NewsBreak for Thursday, Dec. 22, 2011
Thursday, Dec 22, 2011

In this episode: Seven more girls come forward to accuse Valencia man, 19, of sexual assault; New law prohibits employers from doing credit checks on prospective employees. Also: SCV Chamber to host City Council candidates at Feb. 9 quarterly luncheon; Assembly candidates line up endorsers; Local weather...

Seven More Girls Accuse Valencia Man, 19, of Assault

Michael C. Downs Seven more potential victims of alleged pedophile Michael Downs have surfaced since the 19-year-old Valencia resident was charged with 29 felony counts of having unlawful sex with minors. The complaint was filed Monday by the Los Angeles County District Attorney. Special Victim’s Bureau...

SCV NewsBreak for Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2011
Tuesday, Dec 20, 2011

In this episode: Army releases report on death of SCV soldier Rudy Acosta; 19-year-old Valencia man charged with 29 counts of sexual molestation. Also: Former city building inspector pleads guilty to taking bribes; SCV single-family home prices hit 9-year low; Local weather outlook. SCV Sports: High...

Valencia Man, 19, Faces 29 Counts Involving Minors

Michael C. Downs Nineteen-year-old Michael Downs of Valencia faces 29 felony counts of sex crimes with a dozen minors, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office, which filed a complaint Monday. Special Victims Bureau Detective Rich Simmons says he began his investigation the second...

LATEST TWEETS
Newest Additions to SCVNews.com
1970 - Snow day in Santa Clarita Valley [photos]
Saugus train station
Do you have a passion for swimming and a desire to make an impact in your community? The city of Santa Clarita is seeking individuals with strong customer service skills and a commitment to community engagement to join its lifeguard team.
Applications Are Open for the Summer 2026 Lifeguard Season
Santa Clarita Valley residents need to put down the yule log and refrain from all residental wood burning fires on Friday, Dec. 19.
Dec. 19: No Burn Day Alert Issued for SCV, South Coast Air Basin
U.S. Rep. George Whitesides (D-Aqua Dulce), announced the winners of the 2025 Congressional App Challenge for California’s 27th Congressional District: the “MathViz” team led by local Academy of the Canyons student, Gautham Korrapati.
Whitesides Announces 2025 Congressional App Challenge SCV Winners
The Mardi Gras Madness 1K/5K/10K, set for March 1, in Santa Clarita, is more than a race, it’s a celebration of health, community and giving back. Now through Wednesday, Dec. 24, take $10 OFF race registration with promo code WINTER10 at checkout.
March 1: JCI Santa Clarita Holds Mardi Gras Madness 1K/5K/10K Runs
Theatre Extempore will present the all time classic musical The Fantasticks, 8-10 p.m. Jan. 9-11. 15-18 at The MAIN.
Jan. 9: Premiere of ‘The Fantasticks’ Presented by Theatre Extempore
West Ranch High School senior Braulio Castillo (17) never did any long-distance running before high school, but what he has accomplished in that demanding discipline since taking it up is impressive. And, so far his senior year, it is phenomenal.
West Ranch Runner Going the Distance
Powerlab Studio will hold its grand opening and ribbon cutting 4:30-5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8 at 28110 Newhall Ranch Road, Valencia, CA 91355.
Jan 8: Powerlab Studio Grand Opening, Ribbon Cutting
B2 Entertainment will have a Cookies With Santa event, 3-5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21 at 21516 Golden Triangle Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91350.
Dec. 21: Cookies With Santa at MB2 Entertainment
The College of the Canyons soccer programs will be hosting 'Friday Night Footy,' small-sided pick-up games, running on Friday evenings Jan. 2 through June 26 at the COC Soccer Facility.
Jan. 2-June 26: Cougars Soccer Programs to Host ‘Friday Night Footy’
College of the Canyons sophomore pitcher Nichole Muro will continue her academic and athletic career at Cumberland University after signing with the Phoenix softball program.
Muro Signs with Cumberland University Softball Program
College of the Canyons men's basketball won its fourth straight contest in an 80-72 affair at Napa Valley College on Monday afternoon, Dec. 15 as freshman Julius Washington led all scorers with 20 points.
Cougars Win Fourth Straight 80-72 at Napa Valley
Canyons women's basketball snapped a five-game losing streak with a 60-44 win over Diablo Valley College during the final day of action at the Napa Valley Storm Surge tournament on Saturday, Dec. 13.
Canyons Finishes Tourney Weekend with 60-44 Win Over Diablo Valley
1929 - Swift justice: Thomas Vernon sentenced to life in prison for Saugus train derailment & robbery 1 month earlier [story]
Tom Vernon
The Newhall School District Board of Trustees met on Tuesday, Dec. 16 for its annual organiational meeting.
Newhall School Board Elects Rachelle Haddoak 2026 Board President
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department  Forensic In-Patient Step Down program’s success has led to an annual graduation that not only celebrates the participants for the progress they have made in the program but also acknowledges the department’s commitment to excellence in custody operations. 
LASD Custody Division Honors Inmates on the Path of Recovery and Success
The study of bones from the largest collection of Neandertal remains in Northern Europe has revealed evidence of selective cannibalism targeting Neandertal females and children between 41,000 and 45,000 years ago.
Research by CSUN Prof Finds Neandertal Selective Cannibalism 45,000 Years Ago
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond today announced that registration is open for the second annual School Leadership to End Hate Winter Institute, co-hosted by the California Department of Education and the California Teachers Collaborative for Holocaust and Genocide Education.
State Education Dept. to Address Rising Antisemitism, Hate
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department was awarded a $134,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety
LASD Crime Lab Awarded Grant to Bolster Testing for DUI Cases
Southern California’s iconic Joshua trees are in bloom, and California State University, Northridge’s environmental biologists are asking the public’s help in figuring out why and what it means for the trees’ future.
CSUN Researchers Call for Public’s Help in Documenting Joshua Trees’ Surprise Out-of-Season Bloom
The California Department of Motor Vehicles today issued its decision in the Tesla administrative case, adopting the administrative law judge’s proposed decision
DMV Finds Tesla Violated California State Law With ‘Autopilot’ Terms
Starting January 1, 2026, Santa Clarita Transit is launching Fare Capping, meaning once riders hit the daily or weekly cap, the rest of their local rides are free.
Santa Clarita Transit Launches Fare Capping Beginning January 2026
The University Library at California State University, Northridge has completed the processing and cataloging of the Los Angeles Jewish Federation Community Relations Committee (CRC) Archives, spanning from 1921 to 2000, providing researchers and the public access to one of the most comprehensive archives documenting the Jewish community’s role in combating antisemitism, fascism and discrimination in Southern California and beyond.
CSUN University Library Announces Completion of Jewish Community Archives Processing (1921–2000)
1839 - Judge John F. Powell born in Galway, Ireland [story]
John F. Powell
SCVNews.com