Perry Smith

Santa Clarita

Senior Staff Writer at The Santa Clarita Valley Signal

Scottish-raised Valley product | experienced writer, editor and newsroom manager who has enjoyed breaking news and sharing stories since 2007

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Articles

Deputies announce arrests in ‘jugging’ investigation

1 day ago | signalscv.com | Perry Smith

The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station announced Friday a pair of arrests in a “jugging” investigation that spanned several counties. The crime that involves a customer being targeted after leaving a bank, often followed from a distance as they leave a branch and then robbed once at a more convenient location for a thief or thieves.
Council to hash out possible removal of commissioner

1 day ago | signalscv.com | Perry Smith

Weste’s proposal to oust Lite raises questions on commissioner expectations The Santa Clarita City Council has just one meeting remaining before its summer break, and the July 8 session promises to bring a continuation of the drama that played out this week, when Mayor Pro Tem Laurene Weste made the unexpected request that her fellow council members help oust Denise Lite from the Planning Commission.
TMU makes plans for more pickleball, solar

1 day ago | signalscv.com | Perry Smith

The Master’s University is making some big plans ahead of its 100-year anniversary celebration in 2027, but before that it’s looking to add a few new features to improve its sustainability and student services, according to plans submitted to Santa Clarita City Hall.
The price of keeping things moving

2 days ago | signalscv.com | Perry Smith

Santa Clarita’s budget calls for tens of millions in mobility costs for L.A. County’s third-largest city Santa Clarita City Manager Ken Striplin regularly talks about the importance of local road investment during his annual budget talks. The city’s 2025-26 spending plan certainly reflects these priorities, with at least $60 million set aside for crosswalks, equipment, maintenance, signal, vehicles and, of course, street improvements and road construction.
John Paul Mitchell on the move

2 days ago | signalscv.com | Perry Smith

Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott announced this week that John Paul Mitchell Systems, or JPMS, the international hair care company, is relocating its headquarters from Century City to Dallas County. JPMS has had a longtime presence in the Santa Clarita Valley, including a manufacturing facility on Centre Pointe Parkway. The 45-year-old company, famous for its eponymous signature shampoo and conditioner line, is making a $12 million investment expected to create 80 new jobs, according to Abbott’s statement.
City to break ground on new bike park

3 days ago | signalscv.com | Perry Smith

Santa Clarita’s cycling enthusiasts shared their excitement Tuesday about the city’s latest offering for recreational space: the Haskell Canyon Bike Park. The Santa Clarita City Council approved the construction contract for the park at Tuesday’s meeting. A groundbreaking announced Wednesday is scheduled to happen at 10 a.m. July 1 at the park’s new address, 21450 Copper Hill Drive.
D.A. declines sex-crime charge against SCV man

3 days ago | signalscv.com | Perry Smith

A Special Victims Unit detective said Wednesday that a case was declined for filing against a Santa Clarita man arrested Sunday on suspicion of lewd and lascivious acts against a child 14 or 15 years old. Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station deputies arrested a 35-year-old sales technician, following the accusation of an underage female who was identified as a family friend, according to Sgt. Joseph Mesa of the Special Victims Unit. Mesa said the allegation stemmed from a late disclosure.
Chiquita hit with stricter monitoring rules

3 days ago | signalscv.com | Perry Smith

Prior to the start of another six-hour hearing, air regulators accused Waste Connections and Chiquita Canyon Landfill of weaponizing accommodations and gamesmanship in dragging out its hearing process, which the landfill’s lawyers denied Tuesday. The South Coast Air Quality Management District hearing board on Wednesday announced “stronger mitigation measures to address persistent odors that have been impacting the community for years,” according to a statement from the agency.
Weste seeks to oust Lite from commission

4 days ago | signalscv.com | Perry Smith

Relationship between Weste, Lite goes south; planning commissioner calls it political retribution Santa Clarita Mayor Pro Tem Laurene Weste made an unusual request of her colleagues during council member comments Tuesday: She asked the City Council to agendize the removal of her planning commissioner, Denise Lite. The request came toward the beginning of the meeting, after the course of her regular council comments on items like the recent opening of the Pioneer Oil Refinery Park.
River Walk plan gets 1-year extension

4 days ago | signalscv.com | Perry Smith

The planners behind River Walk, a mixed-use plan for land just east of Solamint Road, recently received a one-year extension, according to records at Santa Clarita City Hall. The River Walk Mixed Use Project calls for 150 two-story townhomes, 8,500 square feet of commercial space and 2,500 square feet of recreational space, including a pool and community building.