The West Ranch Beacon – News & Commentary for the Santa Clarita Valley

Local Veteran Bill Reynolds received some well deserved coverage in the Sacramento Bee for his website www.9thinfantrydivision.com. The site helps to connect Vietnam Veterans that served in the 9^th Infantry Division living in Santa Clarita, Palmdale, Lancaster, and the San Fernando Valley. Here is what the sacbee.com article had to say: (more…)

It happens every day. Drunk drivers get on the roads, endangering our friends and loved ones. Sometimes, we witness these drivers on the road, weaving in and out of lanes or traveling down a highway going the wrong direction. Quite often, responsible citizens are left asking themselves—what do I do? (more…)

The Valencia Auto Dealers has the largest selection of new cars and used cars in the Santa Clarita Valley and are selling lots of cars this holiday weekend. With 16 dealers offering 23 brands you’ll find exceptional selection and value with so many dealers in one location. The Santa Clarita Valley Auto Dealers Association offers the highest quality service and convenience with great deals especially this Memorial Day Weekend. Treat yourself to a new or used car…..you deserve it!!! Check out the Valencia Auto Dealers Center online here: http://www.valenciaautocenter.com/

 Remember, Shop Local, Save Local, and help our local SCV economy prosper!

(From khts) With thousands of flags placed on graves by local Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, Eternal Valley Memorial Park in Newhall will be the gathering place for the 23rd annual Memorial Day Ceremony celebrating, honoring and remembering those who have served our country in the military. (more…)

(From latimes.com) Strong winds with gusts up to 60 miles per hour are expected across parts of Southern California Saturday night and Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. The highest winds will blow through the mountains of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties as well as the Antelope Valley and the south coast of Santa Barbara. Mountain areas in Los Angeles County also will also be affected, although the winds will not be as strong in the Santa Monica Mountains. (more…)

(From the AP) Sonoma County authorities say there are no reports of damage or injuries after an earthquake hit outside of Santa Rosa. The U.S. Geological Survey says a quake with a magnitude of 3.7 struck at 3:55 p.m. Saturday about 24 miles north of Santa Rosa, or about 80 miles north of San Francisco. A dispatcher with the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department says the department had not received any calls about the quake.

On Saturday, May 28, 2011, at approximately 6:00 AM, a 2001 Toyota Corolla was traveling east bound on Soledad Canyon Road east of Langside Avenue in Canyon Country.  The vehicle swerved to the left and struck the center median and then a tree where the vehicle came to rest. (more…)

(From the latimes.com) Several earthquakes rattled the San Bernardino Mountains around Running Springs on Friday afternoon. The strongest measured magnitude 3.8 and struck about 8 miles from Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear City — about 70 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. It hit at 4:27 p.m. (more…)

(From the sacbee.com) While California’s population is aging, it’s still one of the nation’s youngest, according to a new data set from the Census Bureau. The 2010 census found that Californians’ median age is 35.2, up two years from 2000, but it’s still lower than all but four other states and the District of Columbia, the bureau’s report says. (more…)

(From the ft.com) The US economy has stumbled deeper into the mud of another soft patch, with revised data showing a weaker pattern of growth in the first quarter. The Bureau of Economic Analysis kept its growth estimate at an annualized 1.8 per cent, dashing hopes that it would be revised upwards, and said that consumption growth was weaker than it previously thought. (more…)

Regardless of where you are in Los Angeles County this Holiday weekend there are plenty of Memorial Day observances and activities all around. The following is a list of many of those community and county based events: (more…)

The Community Development Commission of the County of Los Angeles (CDC) has been selected as a recipient of the 2011 Awards for Excellence in Government Finance by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA). The GFOA’s most prestigious awards recognize contributions to the practice of government finance that exemplify outstanding financial management. The awards stress practical, documented work that offers leadership to the profession and promotes improved public finance. (more…)

The Avoid the 100 Los Angeles County DUI Campaign, in which the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is a participating agency, will be deploying officers and deputies this holiday weekend at DUI/DL Checkpoints and DUI Saturation Patrols in order to arrest impaired drivers who still don’t get the message. (more…)

The City of Santa Clarita will begin construction on a major refurbishment project for the center medians along Soledad Canyon Road from Shadow Pines, proceeding west to Luther Drive beginning on Monday, June 6. The Soledad Road Landscape Median Refurbishment Project will cover 4.5 miles of landscape and irrigation improvements to the center medians in an effort to improve community aesthetics throughout the City. (more…)

(From delish.com) Burgers and grilling go together like lemonade and a sunny day. Fulfill your every burger craving, from basic beef to spicy pork to smoky mushroom and herbed seafood, with this go-to collection of juicy burger recipes for your next barbecue. Check out the Awesome Grilled Burgers here.