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July 14
1769 - Portolá party sets out from San Diego; first Europeans to "discover" Santa Clarita Valley 3½ weeks later [story]
Gaspar de Portola


The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs released a list Friday of Navy and Coast Guard vessels presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War. The listing is intended to make it easier for veterans suffering from one of 14 different ailments to get the compensation they deserve.

“Posting of the ships list is an important recognition of the sacrifices U.S. Navy and Coast Guard veterans made for this Nation,” VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki said in a statement. “It provides an easier path for veterans who served in Vietnam to get the benefits and services they are entitled to under the law.”

The agency presumes that any veteran who served in-country or on its inland waterways between Jan. 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975, was exposed to herbicides. Veterans do not need to prove they were exposed to Agent Orange or other herbicides to qualify for disability compensation. The same rule applies to Korean War veterans who served in or near the demilitarized zone from April 1, 1968, to Aug. 31, 1971.

It does not apply to blue water veterans who served on ships that did not navigate the country’s inland waterways, or who did not set foot in Vietnam, unless the veteran suffers from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

The 14 qualifying maladies are acute and subacute peripheral neuropathy, AL amyloidosis, chloracne, chronic B-cell leukemia, Type-2 diabetes mellitus, Hodgkin’s disease, ischemic heart disease, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Parkinson’s disease, porphyria cutanea tarda, prostate cancer, respiratory cancers and soft tissue sarcoma.

Qualifying vessels are ships or boats that were part of the Mobile Riverine Force, Inshore Fire Support (ISF) Division 93, or which had one of the following designations: LCM (Landing Craft, Mechanized), LCU (Landing Craft, Utility), LCVP (Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel), LST (Landing Ship, Tank), PBR (Patrol Boat, River), PCF (Patrol Craft, Fast or Swift Boat), PG (Patrol Gunboat), WAK (Cargo Vessel), WHEC (High Endurance Cutter), WLB (Buoy Tender), WPB (Patrol Boat) or YFU (Harbor Utility Craft).

An alphabetized list of the vessels is available here.

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SCV NewsBreak
LOCAL NEWS HEADLINES
Monday, Jul 14, 2025
July 14-19: Eight Productions Filming in SCV
The city of Santa Clarita Film Office has released the list of eight productions filming in the Santa Clarita Valley for the week of Monday, July 14 to Saturday, July 19.
Saturday, Jul 12, 2025
July 14: Hart Park Officially Transfers to City of Santa Clarita Control
The city of Santa Clarita has officially signed off on the walk-thru/hand over of William S. Hart Park, said officials from Supervisor Katheryn Barger's office in a statement released on Friday, July 11.
Saturday, Jul 12, 2025
Free Old Town Newhall Weekend Shuttle Launched
To alleviate parking and make it easier for residents and visitors to explore Santa Clarita’s Premier Arts and Entertainment District in Old Town Newhall, the city has launched the free Summer Shuttle Service Pilot Program.
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Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
True Barre is hosting "Summer Shred," a high-energy community shredding and fitness event 8 a.m.-noon, Sunday, Aug. 3.
Aug. 3: ‘Summer Shred’ Event at True Barre
California Credit Union Foundation has awarded a grant to La Mesa Junior High School in Santa Clarita through its Spring 2025 Teacher Grant Program. The grant, given to La Mesa Junior High School Teacher Kamalinphol Punpanichgul, will be used to fund a sumo robot challenge for robotics students.
California Credit Union Foundation Awards Grant to Santa Clarita Teacher
The Latino Business Alliance will host a Café con Leche, 9-10:15 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5 at Southern California Edison, 25625 Rye Canyon Road, Valencia, CA 91355.
Aug 5: Latino Business Alliance Café con Leche
The Small Business Development Center hosted by College of the Canyons will offer a free webinar, "Financial Fitness: Why is the Balance Sheet so Important for My Small Business?" on Tuesday, July 15 from 10-11:30 a.m.
July 15: SBDC Webinar on Financial Fitness
As summer unfolds in Santa Clarita, our city comes alive with opportunities that spark curiosity, creativity and community.
Ken Striplin | A Summer of Discovery, Connection in Santa Clarita
The city of Santa Clarita Film Office has released the list of eight productions filming in the Santa Clarita Valley for the week of Monday, July 14 to Saturday, July 19.
July 14-19: Eight Productions Filming in SCV
Caltrans has announced overnight lane reductions are scheduled on northbound and southbound Interstate 5 (I-5) between Lake Hughes Road and two miles north of Templin Highway starting Monday, July 14 for pavement rehabilitation.
July 14-16: Castaic Area I-5 Lane Reductions
Among several important issues to be presented at the regular board meeting on July 15, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will consider Support for State and Federal Legislation Enhancing Accountability During Immigration Enforcement.
July 15: Supervisors to Consider Support of Law Enforcement Identification
1769 - Portolá party sets out from San Diego; first Europeans to "discover" Santa Clarita Valley 3½ weeks later [story]
Gaspar de Portola
1884 - Hardison & Stewart start drilling Star No. 1 oil well in Pico Canyon; later form Union Oil Co. [story]
Lyman Stewart
The Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector is reporting increased occurrences of an alleged property tax scam, in which taxpayers are being sent phony property tax bills that look like real bills.
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The Santa Clarita Artists Association invites all fine artists to apply to its inaugural Old Town Newhall Fine Art Festival. The festival will be held Oct. 11-12.
Call for Artists: Old Town Newhall Fine Art Festival
The Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees will hold a business meeting Wednesday, July 16, beginning at 5 p.m. The board will first meet in closed session at 3 p.m.
July 16: COC Board to Accept Report on COC Foundation Gifts 2023-24
The city of Santa Clarita has officially signed off on the walk-thru/hand over of William S. Hart Park, said officials from Supervisor Katheryn Barger's office in a statement released on Friday, July 11.
July 14: Hart Park Officially Transfers to City of Santa Clarita Control
Scarlet Hope Southern California invites the Santa Clarita Valley community to its inaugural Brunch & Bloom fundraiser on Sunday, Aug. 24 at 11 a.m.
Aug. 24: Brunch & Bloom ‘A Fundraising Event’
The city of Santa Clarita and SantaClaritaArts.com is seeking speakers and proposals for the Fourth Annual Business for Artists Conference.
Fourth Annual Business for Artists Conference Seeks Speakers
To alleviate parking and make it easier for residents and visitors to explore Santa Clarita’s Premier Arts and Entertainment District in Old Town Newhall, the city has launched the free Summer Shuttle Service Pilot Program.
Free Old Town Newhall Weekend Shuttle Launched
The city of Santa Clarita has announced the release of the seventh episode of Santa Clarita Voices, the city’s official podcast, that highlights the stories, experiences and conversations from city leaders and unique members of the Santa Clarita community.
Santa Clarita Voices Episode Seven Podcast Available Now
1900 - Pacific Telephone & Telegraph establishes Newhall exchange; SCV gets first phone [story]
old telephone
The Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency will hold its next regular board meeting on Tuesday, July 15.
July 15: Regular Board Meeting of the Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency
For its innovative new website, California Institute of the Arts has earned a 2025 Circle of Excellence Gold Award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.
CalArts Website Wins 2025 Circle of Excellence Gold Award From CASE
The National League of Junior Cotillions has announced the appointment of Brooke Wanberg as the new NLJC Director for the Santa Clarita Chapter.
Junior Cotillion Santa Clarita Chapter Now Enrolling Students in SCV
The Rancho Camulos National Historic Landmark Museum will host a special history event on Saturday, July 26, featuring the story of Mrs. A.S.C. Forbes and the creation of the El Camino Real Bells.
July 26: Rancho Camulos Hosts History Event, ‘The El Camino Real Bells’
The city of Santa Clarita has announced that due to the construction of the new Rink Sports Pavilion, the outdoor basketball courts at the Santa Clarita Sports Complex will be closed effective Friday, July 11 and remain closed until Aug. 21.
Outdoor Basketball Courts at the Santa Clarita Sports Complex Closed Until Aug. 21
SCVNews.com