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

Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich announced that $2.5 million dollars in American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) funds have been approved for roadway resurfacing projects in unincorporated County areas near Acton, Agua Dulce and Palmdale. (more…)

Earlier today, Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-Santa Clarita), the new Ranking Member of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee, joined local leaders and defense experts to praise the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (H.R. 2647), which was approved by the House last week. (more…)

The City of Santa Clarita is offering low and moderate income residents the chance to repair their homes and properties through the Residential and Property Rehabilitation Grant Program. The Rehabilitation Grant Programs are designed to address (more…)

The Fourth of July is one of the busiest times for the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC).  DACC reminds pet owners that extra precautions are necessary in order to protect pets during Fourth of July celebrations. (more…)

A Contra Costa County judge last week sentenced Darryl Kemp to death for the random rape and murder of a young jogger. But chances are that Kemp will not be executed anytime soon, if at all. (more…)

While marking an important security milestone for the Government of Iraq, House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-CA) today praised U.S. troops for their courageous service and dedication. (more…)

Alcohol’s inebriating effects are familiar to everyone. But the molecular details of alcohol’s impact on brain activity remain a mystery. A new study by researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies brings us closer to understanding how alcohol alters the way brain cells work. (more…)

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The following is a roundup of political activity going on in Washington and across the nation. It’s courtesy of Scott Wilk, Community Organizer, and Anchor Consulting group. The Beacon will be posting these daily as they become available. (more…)

Like actual spies, I’ve lived two lives on this Earth.  In my first life in intense New York City, I was a journalist.  In my second life as a public teacher in pastoral California, I have learned that the most effective way I can teach history in a state where people seem to hate the past is to perform it in modern costume. (more…)

Long-time community leader and local realtor Mary Ree was recently elected to serve as the President of the Board of Directors for the Domestic Violence Center of the Santa Clarita Valley.  Ree raised two children in Santa Clarita and has served as a local volunteer for over 25 years. (more…)

You’re sitting at your desk checking email, when you come across a message from a friend. That friend informs you that they are in London, and desperately need $2,000 wired to them. Sure you’re first thought is “scam,” but this isn’t some Nigerian prince. (more…)

According to the South Coast Air Quality Management District, Tuesday’s air quality will be unhealthy for sensitive individuals in the Santa Clarita Valley, Pomona Valley, East San Gabriel Valley and West San Fernando Valley. (more…)

The Supreme Court ruled on Monday that white firefighters in New Haven were subjected to race discrimination when the city threw out a promotional examination on which they had done well and black firefighters poorly. (more…)

Well summer is certainly here with the triple digit temperatures! So we finally got around to getting up some summer colors on The Beacon site. Enjoy them for a while and before you know it the new site will launch and there will be even more eye candy!!

California is preparing to issue IOUs to its creditors this week as it grapples with an unprecedented cash crunch and prepares to begin its new fiscal year deep in the red. Once the US’s richest state, California now has the dubious distinction (more…)

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe is pleased to announce the County’s Safe Surrender Program celebrated success again last week with the report of another safely surrendered newborn. (more…)

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar says the federal government is going to fast-track plans to build solar power generating facilities in six Western states. Salazar says the government is setting aside 1,000 square miles of federal Bureau of Land Management property in (more…)