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UPDATED: The-Signal.com's Fourth of July 411
It's time for bunting and flags, for pancake breakfasts and 5K runs, for fireworks and an old-fashioned parade as the Santa Clarita Valley celebrates what may be its favorite holiday - Independence Day - with festivities all day long Saturday.

	COC program earns certifcation The College of the Canyons automotive technology program earned a National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification, which ensures the college’s automotive training programs meet or exceed industry-recognized, uniform standards of excellence.
	Brushfire under investigation U.S. National Forest officials said they were investigating the cause of a brush fire that charred 75 acres and shut down Interstate 5 near Castaic Wednesday.
	Pair receives Silver Spur award for community volunteer work The College of the Canyons Foundation has selected Gary and Myrna Condie as the recipients of the “Silver Spur” Community Service Award for 2010.
	A life of ups and downs Just after midnight on the day before Father's Day, Lynn Whitaker, 56, heard a motorcycle racing up a nearby street.
	Smyth wants IOUs to count for something With California beginning to issue IOUs on Thursday to cover the state's obligation, a local assemblyman suggested the state accepts IOUs as payment for state services.
	College fees could increase California legislators are eyeing a community college fee increase as a way to help balance the state budget.
	The Signal.com's Daybreak: July 3, 2009 First Word “The bulk of the expenses for your health care will fall to someone else, and who ever turns down a free ride." Bob Dickson, columnist Today is Friday, July 3, the 184th day of 2009. There are 181 days left in the year. Today’s Highlight in History: On July 3, 1863, the three-day Civil War Battle of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania ended in a major victory for the North as Confederate troops retreated. ...
	From The Signal Archives: Budgets and investigations Editor’s note: As The Signal celebrates 90 years of service to the Santa Clarita Valley, we offer this peek into the SCV of days past. Following is from the first week of July 1976 in The Newhall Signal and Saugus Enterprise.
	New Harley dealership knocked over About $30,000 in merchandise was reportedly stolen from Old Road Harley-Davidson, less than two weeks after the dealership opened its doors.
	Officials say Newhall work won’t impact parade route Santa Clarita suffered a few setbacks in sprucing up downtown Newhall, but the so-called “streetscaping” work has had no effect on Saturday’s July Fourth parade route.
	Local spots for Fourth fireworks With two less fireworks shows in town for this year’s Fourth of July celebrations, sheriff’s officials are bracing for bigger crowds at the two that remain.
	Sales tax jumps again That new car just got a little more expensive to buy in Los Angeles County as sales tax has jumped by 0.5 percent again.
	Fourth of July schools and office closures on Friday A number of local offices will be closed Friday to observe the Fourth of July. n City Hall and all city offices will be closed, though the activity, aquatics and community centers will remain open.
	Teen hospitalized after bike collision A teenager was taken to a local hospital with apparently minor injuries after a van hit him on his bike Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.
	Teens arrested in drug bust Two teenagers in Stevenson Ranch were arrested in a drug bust Wednesday, authorities said. Christopher Vest, 19, and a juvenile were arrested after investigators served a search warrant, said Los Angeles County sheriff’s Lt. Mark Hershey. Investigators found a small amount of heroin, worth hundreds of dollars, along with scales and other items used in drug dealing, he said. The two are also suspected in unspecified robberies, Hershey said. The incident remains under investigation.
	COC introduces new program Students interested in jumpstarting their college careers and entering the workforce can enroll in the College of the Canyons LAUNCH program beginning July 6.
	The Signal.com's Daybreak: July 2, 2009 First Word “It seems that between the economy and the loss of our quality of life, Santa Claritans are finally fed up with the costs of all this new growth.” - Cam Noltemeyer, Environmentally Speaking Today is Thursday, July 2, the 183rd day of 2009. There are 182 days left in the year. Today’s Highlight in History: On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress passed a resolution saying that “these United Colonies are, and of ...
	Detectives slam brakes on shop Authorities arrested four men Wednesday in connection with an auto-theft ring run out of a Canyon Country hot-rod repair shop, including the business’s owner and a retired Los Angeles Police Department auto-theft detective, officials said.
	Domestic violence center is in the balance While state legislators continue to battle over a budget, one local nonprofit organization is fearing the worst.
	Without a budget, the storm could be on horizon The clock struck midnight and California legislators didn’t pass a budget Wednesday. Services haven’t stopped — but some government officials warn this is the calm before the storm. The budget proposed by California Senate Democrats fell two votes shy of the two-thirds majority needed to pass the legislature. The state Senate vote may have been a moot point since Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger promised last week to veto the budget proposed by Senate Democrats. Without an ...
	Three men arrested in Val Verde drive-by Three men were arrested early Wednesday after firing a gun at a home in Val Verde in what sheriff’s deputies called a gang-related drive-by shooting.
	Fire ignites north of Castaic A fire that sparked in the median of Interstate 5, just north of Templin Highway, jumped the highway forcing emergency officials to close the northbound lanes on Wednesday.
	The Signal.com's Daybreak: July 1, 2009 Today is Wednesday, July 1, the 182nd day of 2009. There are 183 days left in the year. This is Canada Day.
	Kenneth W. Keller: Make sure your business is reaching its potential Several years ago at his monthly executive forum meeting, a member shared with his peers that a longtime client returned to do business with him after having left for a competitor.
	Jail’s North Facility to stay open for now Pitchess Detention Center’s North Facility will remain open for now, according to a Sheriff’s Department spokesman.
	Summer in the city Several city employees working to stay cool as temperatures climb into the triple digits.
	The SCV heats up for summer Hot weather and poor air quality will smother the Santa Clarita Valley today. The forecast calls for temperatures in the 90s, with light winds and above-average humidity today, said John Makevich, College of the Canyons weather specialist. The hot temperatures and high humidity is forecast to last through Friday, he said. The culprit is a high pressure system above Southern California. “High pressure does two things,” Makevich said. “It presses down on the air heating ...
	State signs off on open space plan The state Department of Toxic Substances Control has signed off on a plan for 140 acres Santa Clarita is acquiring as open space in Placerita Canyon.
	Truck knocks down power pole San Francisquito Road in Saugus was shut down during rush hour Tuesday after a man apparently lost control of his pickup truck and slammed into a power pole.