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THE SIGNAL'S TOP 10 2021 STORIES OF 2020

S2 · FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2021 · THE SIGNAL

THE SIGNAL · FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2021 · S3

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S4 · FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2021 · THE SIGNAL

The Top 10 Stories of 2021 Editor’s note: For the second year in a row, COVID-19 dominated the headlines in 2021, as nearly all aspects of daily life in the Santa Clarita Valley were somehow impacted by the global pandemic. In the following pages, in no particular order, we present 10 stories that shaped 2021 in the SCV.

SCV’s Pandemic Rollercoaster

A surge, reopenings and another surge keep residents on edge in 2021

By Emily Alvarenga Signal Senior Staff Writer

Y

ear two of the pandemic felt like much of the same to the Santa Clarita Valley and beyond as COVID-19 continued to take residents and businesses alike on a roller coaster — ups and downs, and the feeling of safety only to be quickly subverted by the latest update from Los Angeles County, state and federal public health officials.

On Jan. 1, the SCV reportedly had a total of just over 17,000 COVID-19 cases, and in the last year, that figure has grown by more than 1.5 times for a total of more than 42,000 on Dec. 28, according to latest data from the L.A. County Department of Public Health.

Despite the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines, and more recently boosters, new variants would create new challenges for public health officials, both in creating logistic chains to support shot administration, as well as the resources to inform the public of the peer-reviewed benefits of the injections.

The year began with a winter surge — much like the one L.A. County is currently experiencing — with the Southern California region’s intensive care unit capacity at 0%, leaving the region’s hospitals in a constant surge state.

Dr. Bud Lawrence, medical director of Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital’s Emergency Department, described L.A. County as “the COVID epicenter of the world,” in an interview with The Signal on Jan. 5, when the average wait time at Henry Mayo marked “300 minutes” on its website, a number that is fluid, according to Lawrence.

While the first COVID-19 vaccine was administered in L.A. County on Dec. 14, 2020, the rollout officially began in the SCV when Henry Mayo opened its COVID-19 vaccine-distribution site on Jan. 14 and Six Flags Magic Mountain became one of a handful of mass-vaccination sites countywide the following day.

As shots began to be slowly more widely administered, COVID-19 figures began to decrease, and slowly, restrictions for the SCV and beyond began to loosen.

Soon, the L.A. County stay-at-home order was lifted and some businesses were able to resume operations, some indoor, some outdoor, with limited capacities.

By March, even more businesses that had been shuttered for the past year, such as theaters, gyms and museums, had been given the green light to begin reopening their doors.

In mid-June, Gov. Gavin Newsom ended the state’s pandemic restrictions entirely, removing the state’s “blueprint for a safer economy” regulations and allowing all businesses to fully reopen for the first time in more than a year.

“Today, we celebrate the incredible strength and resilience of Californians — from our heroic health care workers to essential workers across the board to everyday Californians from all walks of life — who have supported each other through hardship and heartache over the past year, making sacrifices to save countless lives and enable us to turn the page on this pandemic,” Newsom said in a prepared statement on reopening day. “As we look ahead to better days, we will continue to look out for one another, redoubling our support to those hit hardest by the pandemic and making unprecedented investments to address California’s most persistent challenges, so that the entire state comes roaring back together.”

Unfortunately, it wasn’t long before the news of variants of COVID-19 had

Dan Watson/The Signal

Above: L.A. County Public Health workers prepare doses of COVID-19 vaccine for a carload of people in one of the hundreds of cars in line at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia waiting for vaccinations on Jan. 20. Below: Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital began offering vaccinations to the public in January.

begun to sow newfound worries, and by July, new science had emerged on the Delta variant, which the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention called a “concerning development.”

As COVID-19 case rates began to increase once again, L.A. County reintroduced the mask mandate indoors, which allowed businesses to continue operations without reinstating limitations, such as capacities.

Soon, L.A. County officials joined others across the nation in contemplating requiring people to show proof that they’ve received the COVID-19 vaccine to access certain indoor public spaces.

Ultimately, the county decided to implement these requirements in certain high-risk settings, including bars, wineries, breweries, night clubs and lounges, as well as at “mega” events.

In October, the SCV saw protests from parents and students following an announcement from Newsom that the state would be ordering all elementary- through

high school-age students to receive the vaccine upon their age demographic receiving final approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the vaccine.

Through the better part of the year following the widespread vaccination rates, COVID-19 cases began to fall, with L.A. County reporting less than or around 1,000 daily cases until recently.

In recent months, COVID-19 was once again brought to center stage when news of the new “variant of concern,” Omicron, began to emerge.

As with previous surges, it didn’t take long for Omicron to begin to dominate cases, leading to the most dramatic surge in cases L.A. County has seen since the onset of the pandemic.

The surge could even be seen locally, as the SCV set its record-high number of daily cases on Dec. 29, with 588 cases reported, which was 58% higher than the SCV’s previous daily case record of 383 reported on Dec. 23, 2020.

Amid the dramatic rise, Public Health

‘While we all wish that 2022 would begin without the continued tragedy of serious illness and death associated with COVID, we are instead facing the prospect of an alarming surge that requires every person to act with intentionality.’

— Barbara Ferrer Public Health Director

officials continue to urge residents to get vaccinated and boosted, as well as wear masks and get tested.

Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer released a statement saying: “While we all wish that 2022 would begin without the continued tragedy of serious illness and death associated with COVID, we are instead facing the prospect of an alarming surge that requires every person to act with intentionality: get vaccinated and boosted, get tested, and please, always wear a mask around others. These are the tools we have to try to keep each other safe over the holidays.”

Dan Watson/The Signal

Left: Demonstrators wave signs at vehicles as they pass the corner of Valencia Boulevard and Magic Mountain Parkway in Valencia on Aug. 13. Above: Parent Traci Gee, right, holds her sign as she joins dozens of protesters at the Santa Clarita Public Library in Valencia.

THE SIGNAL · FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2021 · S5

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S6 · FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2021 · THE SIGNAL

Education marches on — amid debate

After a year learning online: Students return, parents protest mandates

By Jose Herrera Signal Staff Writer

A

fter a year of online learning, teachers eager to further the education of their pupils welcomed students from all grade levels back into the classroom.

Although students returned to in-person learning, state and local health officials established mandates to ensure the safety and health of students, teachers, staff and all who work at schools against the spread of COVID-19.

Schools across all levels were quite different from the past norm, with everyone wearing a mask, sitting at least 6 feet apart, Plexiglas separating certain areas, and more. School districts in the Santa Clarita Valley had to follow health mandates set by the California Department of Public Health and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

“It’s possible to revisit an earlier date, but (for) students to return, while they’re inside of classrooms, masks will be required,” Mike Kuhlman, the William S. Hart Union High School District superintendent, said in July regarding Public Health guidelines requiring masks at schools. “But all other aspects of returning to school will be as normal.”

Parents had the option of allowing their children back on campus or enrolling them in an onlinestudy program if their district or school offered one. Students who returned to campus were able to participate in school athletics, activities and instruction while adhering to Public Health protocols.

Teachers, staff and others, but not students, would be required to be fully vaccinated from COVID-19 or undergo weekly testing. Pfizer vaccinations were approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for teenagers 12-17.

Ahead of the first day of school, many parents were unhappy with the masking mandate, but in August, students had their first day of school.

“I have to tell you, with all sincerity, at all school sites teachers were fully engaged and excited about the return of students,” said Kuhlman, while standing in front of Golden Valley High School greeting students as they walked onto campus.

Parents were just as excited to drop off their children for the 2021-2022 school year.

“I think after a year-and-‘X’number of months being home, I think it’s worth it,” said Joe Gamboa, a Castaic Elementary parent of three when asked about health policies. “I think with all the waiting and anticipation...yeah, we’re just really happy to be here.”

After the first couple weeks of school, school districts reported cases of COVID-19, instances of quarantines and outbreaks. Some cases were linked to a single student, while other COVID-19

Bobby Block/The Signal

Above: Cindy Josten speaks to a crowd of protesters outside of the William S. Hart Union High School District office Oct. 18. Below: A group of protesters gathers in front of the William S. Hart Union High School District office in Santa Clarita on Sept. 7. cases were linked to sports teams.

Although students were happy to be back at school, students had to readjust after a year of online learning.

“This year is different and unique,” said Moniac Dedhia, program manager of access, crisis and community engagement at the Child & Family Center. “A big thing to consider is that going back to school – even though it is back in person – that expectation that it’s going to be ‘normal’ as a pre-pandemic is not necessarily the case...given that it’s been a year and a half of a lot of uncertainty and loss.”

Some parents from different districts were not happy with Public Health mandates. Parents protested against the mask mandate, and a future state vaccine mandate proposed by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

“Wearing face masks mechanically restricts breathing. Gas concentrations are altered significantly when breathing occurs through face masks,” said parent Santa Rivera, quoting a study published by Med Hypotheses in November 2020.

Some parents also contended masks contributed to “psychological torture” and “humiliation.”

Newsom announced California would implement a vaccination requirement for students in their grade span K-6 and 7-12 starting in the term following approval of the COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 and older by the Food and Drug Administration.

“Our kids deserve to live in an environment that is most optimal for learning,” said Karen Widman, a parent and founder of the Committee to Support Parental

Dan Watson/The Signal

Engagement in the SCV. “It’s this board’s job (referring to the Saugus Union School District governing board) to create an environment that will do that for them.”

After hearing concerns from parents, the Hart district, Sulphur Springs Union School District, Castaic Union School District and Newhall School District passed resolutions asking Newsom to rescind his future vaccination requirement.

The Saugus Union School District also passed a resolution.

However, the governing board will ask Newsom and politicians who represent the SCV to clarify the mandate. They also want to

‘“It should be a parental choice.

Parents have the right to choose whether their children get vaccinated.”

— Jeff Pelzel Superintendent, Newhall School District

extend the time for children to get vaccinated from COVID-19 up to a year or longer.

“It should be a parental choice,” said Jeff Pelzel, superintendent of the Newhall district. “Parents

have the right to choose whether their children get vaccinated.”

School districts, teachers, students and more went on their winter break and will return to school in mid-January.

Meanwhile, a Historic Mascot Change...

After debate, district board votes to drop ‘Indians’ from Hart High

By Caleb Lunetta

Signal Senior Staff Writer

F

ollowing a year of protests over racial inequality, the William S. Hart Union High School District decided to eventually remove the mascot of its seminal school, Hart High School.

The district decided during a June 14 governing board meeting to remove the Indian mascot no later than 2025, as well as a number of other conditions, including: adding the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians as a name of honor in the school constitution, creating cultural education areas on the campus, and allowing the student/staff body on site to decide on a new mascot.

The most recent rekindling of the battle over the mascot involved, much like it had been in previous discussions over the years, proponents of keeping the mascot arguing that its removal would be erasing history,

while those arguing for a change called the mascot offensive and misrepresentative.

On Feb. 9 the board heard from a number of community members regarding the issue of the race-based mascot, after the nation watched during the previous summer as millions of demonstrators marched in American streets and in Santa Clarita following the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who was subsequently convicted of murdering Floyd.

During that same meeting, Laury Strauss, the former principal of Hart High School, explained how school officials attempted to tackle the issue in the 1990s.

On Feb. 17, the board heard from Rudy Ortega, the president of the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians, an organization that represents a number of tribes from inside and around the Santa Clarita Valley. Ortega during that meeting said the representation made by the mascot

‘The school released the findings of a survey that reported nearly half of respondent students and staff were in favor of keeping the mascot, while 26% of students and 38% of staff were in favor of changing the mascot.’

is disingenuous and harmful to students.

On April 14, the school released the findings of a survey that reported nearly half of respondent students and staff were in favor of keeping the mascot, while 26% of students and 38% of staff were in favor of changing the mascot.

During the spring, a community forum was held, with the participants, whose ages ranged from older alumni to current students, discussing how the race-based mascot affected and was perceived by them.

“We continue to normalize abuse because it’s 2021,” said a member of the public who selfidentified as a Native American and someone with four sons going to school in Santa Clarita.

“We know the history of Native Americans in this country, and we know the history of Native Americans in general. … I just think it’s the responsibility of educators to make sure that everyone is educated on Native Americans and not normalize abuse, not normalize forums to discuss normalizing abuse.”

A man who identified himself as a Hart alum with Mexican-American and Native American heritage drew a comparison between the United States military naming their helicopters after Native American culture, and asked why the school can’t do the same.

“I ask Hart High to keep the name and

mascot of Indians. I don’t know why these whiny, racist, PC, cancel culturalists want to take our strong and positive Native American symbols,” said the alumnus. “They are fighting imaginary racism and discrimination with actual racism, discrimination.”

Ultimately, the board opted, following a series of heated meetings throughout the first half of the year, to move on from the mascot in a 4-1 vote, disassociating the school from the Indian symbol that had been in place since Jan. 10, 1946.

THE SIGNAL · FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2021 · S7

S8 · FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2021 · THE SIGNAL

Business as Un-Usual

Pandemic restrictions create on-again, off-again footing for businesses

By Emily Alvarenga Signal Senior Staff Writer

B

usinesses across the Santa Clarita Valley spent another year facing the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic, as its consequences were felt through the economy.

As COVID-19 vaccines began to be distributed in January, 2021 began with Los Angeles County’s stay-at-home order being lifted, allowing some shuttered businesses, such as salons and restaurants, to once again resume operations — some indoors and others outdoors, all with limited capacities.

The city worked to support its small businesses through both its Shop Local and Eat Local programs, which gave those that needed to operate outdoors free permits to do so.

Restaurants on Main Street in Newhall took over parking spots, expanding their outdoor setups for what owners agree has been an extremely helpful measure in allowing them to recoup their losses due to COVID-19.

As the year progressed, more and more businesses were given the green light to reopen as the county moved into a less-restrictive tier of California’s colorcoded tiered system.

By March, theaters, gyms and museums had reopened after a year-long closure, welcoming customers back in limited capacities.

However, some businesses continued to feel the impacts of the pandemic, such as Westfield Valencia Town Center, whose officials announced in April they were halting plans to expand the mall with a 101,000-square-foot Costco and other amenities.

Others took the pandemic as an opportunity to expand, like MB2 Group, which announced the purchase of the Mountasia Family Fun Center in February.

Soon, some of the SCV’s

Dan Watson/The Signal

Above: Stylist Kayla Tyrrell, right, works on a customer at 8th & Main Hair Lounge in Newhall in January. Below: Stylist Blair Sanders, left, works on customer Momoko Russell at 8th & Main Hair Lounge. largest employers were able to follow suit, starting with Six Flags Magic Mountain’s reopening on April 1, with extensive new COVID-19 safety measures in place, followed by Princess Cruises resuming sailings in June. And by mid-June, Gov. Gavin Newsom had ended the state’s pandemic restrictions, allowing businesses to fully reopen for the first time in more than a year.

“I’m absolutely thrilled because we’ve been waiting for this for a long time,” Santa Clarita Mayor Bill Miranda said in June. “I think it’s obvious that we have the virus under control

— it’s not 100%, but we have it quite a bit under control — and it’s time that we open up, not only our businesses, but our society as a whole.”

Though fully reopened, restrictions didn’t end there. Businesses were tasked with ensuring customers remained masked, and soon, some businesses deemed high risk, such as breweries, wineries and bars, were required to verify vaccination status of employees and patrons.

“The unfortunate circumstance is we have different agencies giving different directions to different businesses and, right now, we

‘We have different agencies giving different directions to different businesses and, right now, we lack consistency.’

— Brian Koegle Attorney

lack consistency in the application of what should have been a smooth transition,” attorney Brian Koegle of Poole Shaffery & Koegle LLP said at the time.

Regardless of sector, businesses in every industry were left in a sort of gray area, unsure of how to proceed as they work to protect both their employees and patrons with no clear answers on how to implement these changes.

For the business community, reopenings also meant in-person events began to resume, with many local business organizations returning to holding at least some of their events face-to-face.

However, soon COVID-19 variants began to make gatherings once again risky, and many business organizations began postponing larger in-person events.

Even with businesses reopened, virtually every industry was impacted, whether due to present restrictions or the resulting production disruptions, causing a ripple effect that was felt down global supply chains.

Record demand for imported goods combined with capacity issues across the supply chain worldwide have slowed distribution, while a shortage of truck drivers and railway workers that help deliver goods to their final destinations once they get off the ships has increased delay.

Moreover, businesses in nearly every industry continued to face challenges building staff back up, as many workers were slow to return and the U.S. faced a nationwide “worker shortage.” And, it’s the sectors that suffered the most when it came to pandemic restrictions, such as restaurants and salons, that remained in the worst shape through the end of the year.

As the year ends, businesses both small and large are continuing to navigate the pandemic’s continued hold over them, especially as a winter surge in cases and the Omicron variant are beginning to once again increase COVID-19 fears.

New maps affect political landscape Redistricting commission makes key changes to congressional district

By Caleb Lunetta Signal Senior Staff Writer

I

n an unprecedented year in terms of the Santa Clarita Valley’s role in national politics, the 25th Congressional District, and its representative, witnessed significant change.

After Rep. Mike Garcia defeated Christy Smith in a special election held in May 2020 — following former Rep. Katie Hill stepping down — by a margin of 16,946 votes, Smith and Garcia did battle once again in the November 2020 general election. Garcia claimed victory again, but only by a margin of 333 votes, representing the razor-thin margin of the “purple” district.

Then, earlier this month, the final districting maps for legislative positions were approved by the California Citizens Redistricting Commission, bringing name and boundary changes to the Santa Clarita Valley.

The final map alters both the name and boundaries for the SCV’s congressional representative, Rep. Mike Garcia, R-Santa Clarita. In addition to eliminating the portion of Simi Valley that had been previously included within the jurisdiction, the name of the district changed from the 25th California Congressional District to the 27th.

Ventura County, of which Simi Valley is a part, solidly supported Garcia in his 2020 November election, giving him the ultimate lead over Smith. The new district map removes that source of support

for Garcia.

In a prepared statement, Garcia said the commission had not acted independently, and contended the commission had acted to create safer seats for Democrats, while creating greater hurdles for Republicans.

“The commission has shown they were not acting independently when they drew all of the Democratic incumbents into safer seats while making five out of the 11 Republican districts more vulnerable, but I know we will win in this new district regardless,” his statement said. “While I am sad to lose the residents of Simi Valley – who showed a tremendous outpouring of support to keep me as their member of Congress during the redistricting process – and the Reagan Library, I am very pleased to represent Granada Hills, which is the city where I was born. It’s also great to welcome more of the Antelope Valley community into the 25th District.”

For the California State Senate, the final map puts the SCV in the 23rd District rather than the 21st, though the boundaries remain similar. The map adds Stevenson Ranch and certain mountainous areas to the boundaries, encompassing the entire SCV in what is currently the 21st District represented by Sen. Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita.

Sen. Henry Stern, who represents the current 27th District, announced last week that he would be running for L.A. County supervisor and would not seek to retain his seat. The 21st District will also be renamed to the 23rd District.

The California State Assembly final

‘The commission has shown they were not acting independently when they drew all of the Democratic incumbents into safer seats while making five out of the 11 Republican districts more vulnerable, but I know we will win in this new district regardless.’

— Mike Garcia Congressman

map puts the SCV in the 40th District rather than the 38th, currently represented by Assemblywoman Suzette Valladares, RSanta Clarita, expanding to the south to encompass a majority of the SCV, while shifting Agua Dulce to the 34th District, which was previously known as the 36th District, currently represented by Assemblyman Tom Lackey, R-Antelope Valley.

“Assemblyman Lackey will run for reelection in the newly renumbered 34th Assembly District,” said George Andrews, a spokesman for Lackey.

“I’m looking forward to continuing to represent the families and people of California in the state Assembly in 2022 and beyond,” said Valladares in a statement sent to The Signal.

THE SIGNAL · FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2021 · S9

S10 · FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2021 · THE SIGNAL

Grand openings a-plenty

Community center, Cube and sheriff ’s station among 2021 highlights

By Emily Alvarenga Signal Senior Staff Writer

W

hile the COVID-19 pandemic has led to numerous closures, the city of Santa Clarita continued to push past in 2021, celebrating the opening of not one but three community facilities.

When the Santa Clarita Valley’s only ice rink faced nearpermanent closure following the announcement from former owners that the rink would shut its doors after 20 years in business, the community rallied together.

Thousands of residents contacted the City Council, pleading for them to “save the rink,” and a city study found that the rink was actually the city’s second most used venue — ahead of the city’s parks, libraries and community centers — making the purchase of the rink feel necessary, according to thenMayor Bill Miranda.

So, after a year-long closure, the SCV’s skating community was able to once again take to the ice at The Cube, the city of Santa Clarita’s newly rebranded ice rink.

Following the $14.49 million purchase of the 93,000-squarefoot building and assets, the rink underwent repairs and renovations, which were unveiled at the rink’s grand opening in April.

“We would not be here if it wasn’t for the passion, the commitment and the grassroots movement of all the people here and more beyond here that said, ‘We can’t let this stand, we can’t let the Ice Station go away. We have to do everything we can to save it and keep it a great place for all families to come and enjoy,’” Miranda said during the ceremony.

In October, law enforcement personnel marked the end of a multi-year, $68.8-million project with the grand opening of the new Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station on Golden Valley Road.

The old Magic Mountain Parkway station had been in operation since 1972, and as the SCV population grew from around 60,000 residents to its current size of roughly 300,000, the upgraded station became all the more necessary.

“The station will serve as a foundation for the Santa Clarita Valley sheriff’s deputies

Signal file photos

Above: Residents enjoy a game of volleyball at the grand opening of the new Canyon Country Community Center. Below: Members of the Santa Clarita City Council take their best shots at the net during the grand opening of The Cube ice rink. to better serve the community in a building that is equipped with more up-to-date resources,” Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said during the ceremony. “And when you compare the old station to this one, it’s like night and day.”

The new 46,552-square-foot station includes much-needed expanded facilities, including a communications tower, 9-1-1 dispatch center, 4,165-squarefoot vehicle maintenance facility for onsite vehicle repairs, a helipad, a Type 1 detention facility and more.

Not even two weeks later, the SCV community gathered to celebrate another milestone with the opening of a new 25,000-square-foot community center in Canyon Country.

Another long-term project, the Canyon Country Community Center had been in discussion for more than 10 years after the original 5,000-squarefoot center was deemed too small to accommodate the community’s needs.

The $55 million project features a playground with an inclusive play area, half a basketball court, an outdoor event space, a demonstration kitchen, computer technology, fitness

rooms and gymnasium.

During the 2021 State of the City event, Miranda noted these openings are a testament to the city’s commitment to building a better community.

“All those things are what we’re all about; those reasons we serve this community and we love all of you,” he said.

‘All those things are what we’re all about; those reasons we serve this community and we love all of you.’

— Bill Miranda 2021 Mayor Signal file photos

Ribbon cutting ceremonies were a familiar sight for the city of Santa Clarita in 2021, as the city opened The Cube ice rink (left), held a joint grand opening with L.A. County for the new Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station (below, left) and celebrated the opening of the new Canyon Country Community Center (below).

THE SIGNAL · FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2021 · S11

Gascón’s policies stir community ire

Critics: New L.A. County district attorney’s policies are soft on crime

By Caleb Lunetta

Signal Senior Staff Writer

U

pon entering office in December of last year, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón introduced a series of directives designed to shake up the legal justice system throughout the county.

However, with the wave of new policies came a tide of criticism from local officials, deputy district attorneys and the county’s top law enforcement officials.

The policies, many of which Gascón and his supporters said attacked systemic racism and bias targeted at minority groups in L.A. County, included limiting sentencing for less severe crimes, mitigating the weightiness of the bail schedule on suspects, and the elimination of sentencing enhancements — tools that prosecutors use to add years to sentences.

The changes, according to figures such as Sheriff Alex Villanueva and Deputy District Attorney Jon Hatami, were opposed for, what the critics said led to a wave of crime by repeat offenders — alleged criminals who committed crimes soon after being released due to Gascón’s lenient policies after their initial arrest.

With regard to the numbers, in the Santa Clarita Valley alone, between March 17, 2020, and July 31, 2021, 880 repeaters were arrested who made up 7,608 of the arrests made by the SCV Sheriff’s Station. During that same time frame, there have been five individuals who have been arrested 15 or more times, with two individuals each being arrested in the SCV 21 times.

“It is widely known among law enforcement and the criminal element, or our suspects, that we arrest and that they will be cited out,” said SCV Sheriff’s Station Capt. Justin Diez.

In March, the Santa Clarita City Council cited nine special directives and two amendments from the D.A.’s office as being problematic in their view, approving a vote of no confidence in the L.A. County district attorney.

Additionally, Villanueva contended that Gascón, since entering office, has dismissed 12,000 criminal cases under his new policies.

The Signal reported on a relatively unprecedented group of deputy district attorneys coming out and criticizing their boss’s policies, contending that one new policy — one that prohibits them from

‘It is widely known among law enforcement and the criminal element, or our suspects, that we arrest and that they will be cited out.’

— Justin Diez Captain, SCV Sheriff ’s Station

Dan Watson/The Signal

Above: Mothers Emma Rivas, left, and Imelda Hernandez tell their stories of loosing their sons to violent offenders on stage during the Recall Gascón Rally held at Central Park in Saugus on July 29. Below: Attendees applaud the speakers on stage during the rally. compelling witnesses to testify in criminal trials — has resulted in a number of their cases being thrown out before they even reach a jury.

About three times a day on average — now that trials have resumed — a case is dismissed because the prosecutor can’t get a witness to appear for testimony, according to one Los Angeles County preliminary hearing judge who spoke with The Signal on the condition of anonymity.

“You can’t prosecute a case without witnesses, you literally can’t do anything,” said one deputy district attorney who spoke with The Signal. “It doesn’t matter how great your case is: If you can’t get witnesses to testify, there’s little you can do.”

In another move that also garnered criticism as recently as December, Gascón ordered that some robbery, assault and sexual battery youth offenders will be given increased leniency following the announced expansion of a new District Attorney’s Office program.

According to Gascón, candidates may avoid criminal charges by agreeing to participate in an individually tailored program designed to address issues such as mental health needs or substance use.

However, critics have said it is another step in Gascón devaluing public safety in lieu of suspects’ rights.

Heading into the new year, a new effort to recall Gascón is under way after a previous attempt failed to place a recall election on the ballot.

Violent youth offenders headed to Saugus?

Bouquet Canyon camp on short list of locations for incarcerated youth

By Caleb Lunetta and Emily Alvarenga Signal Senior Staff Writers

A

n ongoing battle between the city of Santa Clarita, its residents and Los Angeles County officials on whether to move some of the county’s most violent juvenile offenders to a camp in Saugus has yet to be resolved as the year draws to a close.

Saugus Camp Joseph Scott on Bouquet Canyon Road was first proposed to house the county’s youth offenders — some of whom may be as old as 25, having been in custody since committing crimes as juveniles — in a new Secure Youth Treatment Facility in May after state legislation passed last year ordered the shutdown of the state’s juvenile incarceration facilities.

L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, whose 5th District includes the Santa Clarita Valley, and Santa Clarita City Council members expressed their surprise at learning of such plans in June without any input from local representatives, and quickly began voicing concerns.

The news spurred a countywide debate, where representatives on the city and county level, as well as numerous residents of the area, expressed concerns about public safety and a lack of community input on the plan, while proponents saw the use of therapeutic programs and less severe structural layout of the camps as a benefit to a young person’s rehabilitation.

“It’s just reckless and hasty to say the least,” then-Mayor Bill Miranda said.

“The subcommittee which made this

recommendation has not even spent any time talking with our community. In addition, no outreach or communication regarding this plan has been made to the city, or to myself or to any of my fellow council members.”

After the City Council sent a letter opposing the plan to the Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council’s Juvenile Justice Realignment Block Grant Ad-Hoc Subcommittee, a report from the Sheriff’s Department found the Saugus camps would need major security improvements that left the council to concede the project required a comprehensive assessment before continuing.

Since then, the Board of Supervisors has delayed making any official recommendations, proposing a substitute recommendation in July that would require not only community input but also further environmental studies.

It wasn’t until October that city officials were notified that the Saugus camps were placed on a short list of potential future sites for the county’s violent youth offenders, though Camp Scott had worse overall scores than some of the other camps listed.

Suggestions were then sent to the Juvenile Justice Block Grant subcommittee and eventually the Board of Supervisors, though a decision had yet to be made as of December.

As recently as Dec. 21, residents continued to voice concerns to the board, advocating instead that Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall in Sylmar is the most appropriate and least disruptive location for the Department of Juvenile Justice youth, which

Signal file photo

Camp Scott, in Bouquet Canyon, has been targeted as a potential housing location for L.A. County’s violent youth offenders. is already where they spend most of their time while in pre- and post-adjudication status, as well as where they are currently housed while Campus Kilpatrick in Malibu undergoes renovations.

Although a hard date has not yet been

decided upon, county officials said that a decision by the Board of Supervisors would be made by the end of January or early February following a recommendation by the Youth Justice Reimagined subcommittee.

12 · FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2021 · THE SIGNAL

THE SIGNAL · FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2021 · S13

It's been a banner year in the Santa Clarita Valley!

The opening of the new Sheriff's Station is helping law enforcement ensure public safety and meet the needs of the growing SCV.

Thousands of residents were vaccinated at Six Flags Magic Mountain and College of the Canyons.

A Community Services Block Grant for $140,000 served local youth in Val Verde and Castaic so they could play, learn, and thrive this summer.

We broke ground on the I-5 North County Expansion, which will add carpool lanes, truck lanes and sound walls to benefit communities and commuters.

Family Promise is working to build a new resource center and housing units to help families experiencing homelessness as they work toward independence.

@SupervisorBarger @KathrynBarger @SupervisorKathrynBarger KathrynBarger.LACounty.gov

S14 · FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2021 · THE SIGNAL

The Valencia High School football players raise their helmets after the game against Scripps Ranch High School at Valencia High on Dec. 4.

Dan Watson/The Signal

Sports are back? Understatement.

After long layoff, SCV sports teams come back and they’re on a mission

By Ryan Menzie Signal Sports Writer

T

Dan Watson/The Signal

Above: Many local sports fans and athletes lamented the long layoff due to COVID-19. Below: Santa Clarita Christian head coach Darcy Brown, left, holds up the CIF Southern Regional Championship plaque as she celebrates with the team after winning against Garces Memorial at SCCS in Canyon Country on Nov. 16. Below right: Morgan Guardado (3), center, celebrates with her Saugus High teammates after winning the match against Serrano High at Saugus High on Oct. 27.

he world came to a stop as the COVID-19 pandemic made its effects heard across the world in 2020.

The effects of the pandemic are still being felt today, and in the world of sports the reactions are no different.

Sports were put to a halt, causing many athletes to lose their final year of eligibility. When given the opportunity, the athletes and coaches of the respective schools wasted no time to get back on track.

In the midst of the pandemic, the smaller schools of the Santa Clarita Valley got things started.

The first highlight from the SCV belongs to the Trinity Classical Academy Knights girls’ basketball team, who won the CIF championship game in June for Division 5AA. The Knights had won their previous three playoff matchups heading into the game by an average of 21 points and didn’t slow down with a resounding 41-24 victory against Faith Baptist.

“It’s humbling,” said Knights head coach James De Monbrun during his postgame interview. “The Lord blessed me with an incredible group of girls that worked hard and have a great attitude and are extremely selfless. They know I’m very proud of them and I’m going to remind them.”

The Knights would not end their season, steamrolling into the state playoffs and being crowned the new Division 5AA champions with a 49-33 win against San Fernando. Coming into the game, both teams were on a 10-game win streak and were beating their opponents by an average of 17 points.

Making some more noise for the smaller schools, and arguably the most impressive run the SCV has ever seen, the Santa Clarita Christian School Cardinals girls’ volleyball team won the state championship in November.

What made their state championship even more impressive was the fact they only dropped four sets all season long on the way to a 37-0 overall record (two sets in the CIF finals, one set each in the final two games of the state playoffs).

‘It’s humbling. The Lord blessed me with an incredible group of girls that worked hard and have a great attitude and are extremely selfless.’

— James De Monbrun Trinity girls basketball coach

Despite being down 26-25 in the final set of the state championship against Skyline, the Cardinals would rally off three straight points to end the match in four sets and be crowned the undisputed state champions for Division 5.

“Rallying to win in extra points was huge,” said Cardinals head coach Darcy Brown after their win. “It showed their determination and their grit. I’m super proud of them.”

A Cinderella run that no one can forget about belongs to the Valencia Vikings, who won the CIF Southern Section football championship for Division 5 in November. The Vikings had been accustomed to success, winning the previous 11 Foothill League titles but falling short this season, finishing fifth in the standings.

Against all odds, the Vikings would dominate the playoffs, playing their first game on the road on the way to three home games with the grace of the schedule, including a home finale for the CIF championship. The Vikings would beat Oaks Christian 28-14.

“We’re just excited for these players and the alumni that were all a part of this,” said Vikings head coach Larry Muir in a postgame interview. “It’s been a long road for everybody, but these kids See SPORTS, S15

THE SIGNAL · FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2021 · S15

Dan Watson/The Signal

Above: Saugus High celebrates winning the second set against Fallbrook High School at Saugus High on Nov. 9. Below: The Santa Clarita Christian School bench erupts as they win the match against San Pedro at SCCS in Canyon Country on Nov. 13.

Sports

Continued from S14 went through so much this year and fought through so much heart and frustration. It was what these kids have worked hard all year to do and they did it. I couldn’t be prouder.”

Honorable mentions: • Saugus High School football, which won the Foothill League title in the abbreviated spring season, then repeated the feat in the fall season, ending Valencia’s 11-year stranglehold on Foothill League supremacy.

• West Ranch boys’ basketball won the Foothill League title with a perfect 10-0 league record. West Ranch would compete and lose in the quarterfinals of the CIF playoffs to the eventual CIF championship runners-up.

• The Castaic swim team became the first team in

school history to compete at the CIF playoffs and would compete in 10 meets. Delaney Cowan and Anika Mailey Sta. Maria would win secondplace medals in the girls 200 medley relay and the girls 200 freestyle relay.

• Valencia girls’ tennis reclaimed the Foothill League title with a perfect 10-0 league record and advanced to the second round of the CIF playoffs, further than any other team in the Foothill League.

• West Ranch girls golfers Eunice Yi and Valencia’s Jillian Leh competed in the CIF individual playoffs. Leh competed until the second round with Yi competing into the third round, marking the furthest a West Ranch golfer has advanced since Zoe Campos in 2017.

• Hart boys’ cross-country advanced out of the CIF championship and competed at the state finals as the only Santa Clarita

Valley team. Hart would finish 11th overall in the state championship with a team time of 1:22:14.

• Saugus High School girls’ cross-country runner Bella Duarte competed as an individual in the state

championship and finished fourth overall in the Division 1 race with a time of 17:34:9, five seconds

behind third place, and marked the third fastest time all time in Foothill League history.

‘It’s been a long road for everybody, but these kids went through so much this year and fought through so much heart and frustration.

It was what these kids have worked hard all year to do and they did it. I couldn’t be prouder.’

Dan Watson/The Signal

The Golden Valley cheer squad (above) and the Hart football team (below) celebrated being back in action, albeit for an abbreviated season, in the spring of 2021.

— Larry Muir Head coach, Valencia football

S16 · FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2021 · THE SIGNAL

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Dan Watson/The Signal

Joslyn Carlon is led between hundreds of firefighters standing at attention in two rows before the Saugus High graduation ceremony at College of the Canyons.

Firehouse shooting sends shockwaves

Shooter kills co-worker, then sets home ablaze before killing himself

By Caleb Lunetta

Signal Senior Staff Writer

A

t approximately 11 a.m. on June 1, the Agua Dulce community, and Santa Clarita Valley at large, learned that 44-year-old Los Angeles County Fire Department Specialist Tory Carlon had been shot and killed at Station 81 on Sierra Highway.

The gunman and Carlon’s former-coworker, 45-year-old Fire Specialist Jonathan Tatone, then fled to his home on Bent Spur Drive in Acton, set it ablaze and then fatally turned his firearm on himself.

The second victim in the shooting, Fire Capt. Arnie Sandoval, was wounded and immediately transported to the hospital via helicopter. After a number of surgeries, and remaining in critical condition for an extended period of time, Sandoval would eventually be released from the hospital.

The shooting sent shockwaves through the Agua Dulce community, according to residents, who said the firefighters were responsible for saving their homes during a number of blazes that had broken out over the year prior.

“We just recently had fires and they protected our community,” said Ashley Ardnt, who said she had brought her three children along with her to a vigil that was held the same day as the shooting at Acton Park. “It is really important to show our kids how to bring the community together in a time of grief.”

In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, officials said the shooting stemmed from Carlon and Tatone having a contentious relationship with one another.

“We know that it was ultimately a work-related dispute between the victim and the suspect,” Deputy Miguel Meza, a spokesman at the Sheriff’s Information Bureau, said at the time of the shooting.

“But we do not know the exact details of that, what level, or what type of dispute.”

In a showing of support for Carlon’s family, hundreds of first responders, many of whom were Carlon’s former colleagues, showed up to the fallen firefighter’s daughter’s Saugus High School graduation, escorting the Centurion senior to the podium while she donned her father’s fire jacket.

Dan Watson/The Signal

Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies and Los Angeles County Fire Department personnel stage in front of Los Angeles County Fire Station 81 in Agua Dulce on June 1.

Memorial services were viewed and attended by thousands, in both Palmdale and at The Forum in Los Angeles.

The shooting had rippling effects throughout the department and county, with county Supervisor Kathryn Barger calling for planned mental health visits to Fire Department personnel and their families with “culturally competent clinicians.”

Other strategies proposed by Barger, whose district the shooting happened in, include analyzing workers compensation

treatment tools, reducing the frequency of staff recall, reducing vacancies, providing peer support groups and streamlining communications.

In the fall of this year, the parents of Carlon filed a lawsuit against the county, alleging medical, legal and emotional loss suffered by the Carlon family, the complaint reads.

Answers into the shooting remain unknown, as do the end results of various department changes and pending litigation, heading into 2022.

“Hundreds of first responders, many of whom were Carlon’s former colleagues, showed up to the fallen firefighter’s daughter’s Saugus High School graduation.”

Dan Watson/The Signal

Los Angeles County Fire helicopters battle a house fire in Acton on June 1 after the man who shot and killed Fire Specialist Tory Carlon returned to his home and set it on fire before turning the gun on himself.

S18 · FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2021 · THE SIGNAL

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S20 · FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2021 · THE SIGNAL

2021 in Pictures

Photos by Dan Watson/The Signal Clockwise from top:

A fixed-wing aircraft makes a drop on the Route Fire near Interstate 5 and Templin Highway in the Angeles National Forest on Sept. 11.

A Los Angeles County Fire Department helicopter heads to Pyramid Lake for water as it fights a brush fire on the northbound Interstate 5 freeway at the Vista Del Lago Exit in the Angeles National Forest on Sept. 17.

Homelessness continued to be a focus for local leaders in 2021, as multiple efforts were under way to provide shelter and services for the Santa Clarita Valley’s homeless population.

A person holding a “recall Gavin” sign is directing traffic to a recall Gov. Gavin Newsom petition signing booth at the corner of Via Princessa and Sierra Highway on Feb. 13.

Deputies investigate a crash between a Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station motorcycle deputy and a truck turning into the U.S. Post Office on Creekside Road in Valencia on April 28.

THE SIGNAL · FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2021 · S21

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S22 · FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2021 · THE SIGNAL

2021 in Pictures

Photos by Dan Watson/The Signal Clockwise from top:

Adrian Solorio, 12, jumps on some of the fitness equipment in the multi-purpose room during the opening of the Canyon Country Community Center in Canyon Country on Oct. 30.

Shoppers react to rain falling as they exit Target in the River Oaks Shopping Center Valencia on March 10.

Hundreds of cars wind around the Six Flags Magic Mountain parking lot as people wait for their COVID-19 vaccination in Valencia on Jan. 20.

A crowd of residents check out the amenities at the new Canyon Country Community Center during the center’s grand opening.

Dave, an 8-month-old English mastiff, hangs his head out the car window in 90-plus-degree heat on Soledad Canyon Road in Santa Clarita in the summer of 2021.

THE SIGNAL · FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2021 · S23

S24 · FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2021 · THE SIGNAL