Service, Guide Dogs Train on Transportation Day
By Habeba Mostafa Signal Staff Writer
One by one, puppies who are en route to becoming service dogs boarded, rode and exited Santa Clarita buses on Saturday in order to become familiarized with public transportation.
As a part of the fifth annual Transportation Day hosted by The Guide Dogs of America — Tender Loving Canines and city of Santa Clarita Transit, about 40 puppies experienced wheelchair lift exposure, walked on bus ramps and stairs and became familiar with the hydraulic noises at the Santa Clarita Metrolink Station from 9 a.m. to noon.
Puppies ages 4 months to 2 years rode the city’s commuter buses, transit buses and even the Dial-A-Ride access buses.
“The puppies in training are working on their basics, their socialization,
in preparation for them to come in anywhere between 16 to 18 months old, where they’ll either become guide dogs for the visually impaired, service dogs for veterans with PTSD and children with autism, or facility dogs, who [work with first responders],” said Vikki Tonge, canine development assistant for The Guide Dogs of America — Tender Loving Canines.
According to Tonge, various volunteers began training and raising the puppies, which are typically Labrador retrievers and bred in-house by the organization, as early as 8 weeks old.
“Everyone that has a puppy that you see today is a volunteer — our organization is all run by volunteers. They basically volunteer their time, their home, their love, their training, all that kind of stuff to raise these puppies. They’ll get the puppies around 8 weeks old,” Tonge said. “They’re supported by area leaders, who are volunteers that help with different areas of canine development, such as training, puppy kindergartens, outings, evaluations. They get a lot of support, until they come back to our campus in Sylmar for guide dog training.”
Tonge said. “We don’t know [if the puppies] go to guide or service yet because they’re still in training. That’s kind of the fun thing.”
While the terms “guide” and “service” dogs may be used interchangeably, there is a difference, according to Tonge.
“Guide dogs are service dogs, but service dogs aren’t necessarily guide dogs. So the umbrella of a service dog is a dog that is trained to perform a task for someone with a disability or a health concern. Guide dogs specifically, are the seeing eye dogs. They’re the ones for the visually impaired, and they will basically help them navigate the world,”
Indicators on whether the dogs will be guide or service dogs depend on their personalities, and whether they’re more independent or personable.
“From personal experience, the dogs that tend to be more independent and headstrong tend to make better guide dogs, because the guide dogs have to be able to assess the environment for the visually impaired, and have to make decisions for themselves,” Tonge said. “Service dogs, on the other hand, while we definitely want very confident dogs, can also be a little bit more clowny because they’re going to have someone that’s working with them, kind of telling them, ‘Hey, I need this, and hey, I need that.’ But they still
need to understand if someone is having a panic attack.”
Pam English, area leader in Santa Clarita, focused on training 4-monthold Nanook by teaching her to go up the stairs of the Dial-A-Ride bus.
“We’ve been doing this before the pandemic. It’s pretty neat to be able to offer this type of thing. It’s one thing to get on a bus and ride it, but it’s another thing for a young puppy to be exposed slowly to it,” English said. “It’s not so much a ride as it is that we’re going to be boarding, exiting, listening to hydraulics, watching the ramps come down and go up, encountering different passengers.”
She added: “The city’s so good. They said, ‘Yeah, if you want one bus just to take rides around you can do that, if you want all three to take rides around, you could do that. Up to you for the rest of the day.’”
Pam and Nanook wait to what’s next on the Dial-A-Ride bus.
Service dogs became familiar with wheelchair ramps during Transportation Day. PHOTOS BY HABEBA MOSTAFA / THE SIGNAL
Threat, Hate Incident Alleged In Canyon Country
By Perry Smith Signal Senior Staff Writer
ASanta Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station spokesman confirmed Tuesday, April 8, a criminal threats investigation in Canyon Country last month also resulted in a report of a hate incident due to an allegation of a racial slur.
Detectives believe Michael Ellsworth Madison, a 55-year-old Black man, used a slur to describe his Latino neighbors in the 26800 block of Claudette Street, which the victims believe was “based upon their cultural heritage,” according to Santa Clarita Courthouse records.
This was after he allegedly threatened to “pistol whip” his neighbor’s son that same day, March 26, according to sworn statements a station detective made in a request to search for a gun at the Canyon Country apartment complex.
Deputies arrested Madison and seized a Remington .22 caliber pistol, 10 rounds and a piece of mail
to prove it was his apartment.
In the detective’s report, the resident notes that prior to the incident being reported, her homeowners association had advised her to start recording what the victim alleged was “frequent verbal harassment” in interactions with Madison.
Detectives reported in their search request that the victim shared the following interaction:
The suspect was “stationed” at the bottom of the stairs with his pet dog.
“The witness recorded the suspect stating, ‘Step
down and I’m going to pistol-whip (the victim’s) ass,’” and also, “Pull a gun on me again, I’ll pistol-whip his ass.”
The racial slur was allegedly used later that day, when the suspect also allegedly told them they have bigger things to worry about, “like being deported.”
The victims also stated they have never seen the suspect with a gun. However, the suspect’s unpredictable behavior left them concerned.
Deputy Robert Jensen, spokesman for the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station, said regarding the report of a hate incident that there is no criminal violation for such speech in the state’s criminal code.
However, a report was taken and such incidents are classified and tracked by the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations. Their latest data indicates such incidents are again on the rise.
The commission actually released its first-ever annual “Hate Incident Report” last week, according to an April 2 news release, which characterized some of its findings as alarming.
UNIQUE YARD ART VINTAGE TREASURES
Welcome to Rooster’s Relics, Santa Clarita’s most unique yard art and antique store. Growing up in Santa Clarita I have always had a knack for collecting unique items. Fortunately for me, when I had the opportunity to pursue my interest in acquiring vintage treasures, I couldn’t have been more thrilled. At the age of 24, I became the new owner of a one of a kind store. With my two and a half years of owning Rooster’s Relics I have learned a lot about the antique and vintage community. Whether you’re interested in vintage cameras, glassware, toys, sports memorabilia, vintage clothing, military, handcrafted yard art, and much more; Rooster’s Relics is the place for you! I try my hardest to make sure there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Stop on by to support and shop local at Rooster’s Relics Thursday through Sunday 10:00am to 5:00pm or by appointment. For any questions please call Evan at 661-877-8241.
I look forward to seeing you real soon!
Millions Involved in Solar Panels Legal Costs Battle
By Perry Smith Signal Senior Staff Writer
The solar panels are staying up on a hillside above Soledad Canyon Road for now, despite a yearslong legal fight from the city of Santa Clarita to remove them.
The attorneys for both sides will have made well over $1 million in legal fees for arguments that began in September 2018 and are still racking up invoices.
Now the only question is, who’s going to pay all those case consultants, subject-matter experts and, of course, the lawyers.
Both Canyon View Estates, which put up a massive solar farm above its mobile home park in Canyon Country, and the city, which unsuccessfully sought an order to have the panels taken down — filed motions saying the other side should have to pay their attorneys.
The stakes are high.
Canyon View is seeking north of $3.5 million for attorney fees and other legal costs, while the city is seeking more than $1.5 million for its attorney fees.
If the losing argument is forced to pay the other side’s legal bills, the cost could exceed the $5 million the city was ordered to pay Canyon View Estates in order to legally force the solar panels’ removal.
That’s because L.A. County Superior Court Judge Steve Pfahler found in favor of the city’s argument regarding the panels being a nuisance, which the city considered a win, but he also ruled that Canyon View had legal rights to be compensated for the $5 million it took to install the panels.
The appellate court later ruled that only a tiny
fraction of the solar panels could be considered a nuisance, which Canyon View considered a win.
The appellate court judge’s ruling on the case stated each side should have to pay their own legal costs.
But attorneys on both sides had something to say about that.
The Santa Clarita City Council is expected to talk about the status of the case, according to the agenda for a closed-session discussion Tuesday.
The latest arguments over the legal fees started back in October, when lawyers for Canyon View asked to file a motion seeking attorneys’ fees and a “status conference” on the matter.
Then on Jan. 22, the lawyers for Canyon View filed a 15-page request to be named the prevailing party and be awarded litigation expenses.
Canyon View’s firm is seeking $3.3 million in attorney’s fees, nearly $8,500 to pay for the city’s opposition to the briefing about legal fees, $37,941 in appearance costs and more than $300,000 in expert fees.
“As the prevailing party, Canyon View is entitled to reimbursement for post-judgment attorneys’ fees, including attorneys’ fees incurred on appeal,” Canyon View argued.
In a Jan. 23 filing, attorneys for the city of Santa Clarita argued that the city is the prevailing party “because the city achieved a significant litigation objective, injunctive relief to stop the unpermitted construction.”
“The city seeks $1,503,850.80 in attorney’s fees,” the city argued. “This amount is reasonable under the circumstances of the case.”
The court records demonstrate how the costs of a legal fight can add up.
The city’s firm also believes the city will incur approximately $30,000 in expenses arguing why it shouldn’t have to pay for this latest challenge, according to its filing for next month’s hearing.
A trial conference is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. April 23 in Department F43 at the Chatsworth Superior Court.
CALENDAR
Celebrate Ireland
Canyon Country Community Center
Friday, May 9
6-9 p.m.
Celebrate highlights different cultures, customs and culinary wonders featuring music, dance, food, art and educational experiences.
Canyon Country Community Center
Open Gym Schedule
Open gym activities are available to people of all skill levels.
Gym Fees
Day Use
Juniors (12-17) Free
Adult $3 | Senior $2
15 Visit Pass
Adult $34 | Senior $12
Basketball
Tuesday/Thursday, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Bring your own ball or check one out with a student I.D./Government issued I.D.
Pickleball
Friday, 9:45 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Bring your own paddles
Table Tennis
Monday and Wednesday, 9:45 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Bring your own paddles
April 19
CANYON COUNTRY LIBRARY PROGRAMS
Visit the Library website for additional information on the library activities. bit.ly/4heLsY0
2 p.m. Painted Bricks (Adults/Seniors)
April 20 Easter Day Closed
April 21
1 p.m. Little Explorers
5:30 p.m. Monday Night Magic: The Gathering (Adults)
April 22
9:30 a.m. Storytime
3:30 p.m. LEGO® Block Party
April 23
9:30 a.m. Cuenta Cuentos
5:30 p.m. Upcycled Bird Bath (Adults)
April 26
10 a.m. Dia de los Ninos/Dia de los Libros
April 27
2 p.m. Teen Study Cafe
April 28
1 p.m. Little Explorers
April 29
9:30 a.m. Storytime
3:30 p.m. Science Explorers
April 30
9:30 a.m. Cuenta Cuentos
3:30 p.m. Wildlife Learning Center
5:30 p.m. Scrapbook Cookbooks
May 1
9:30 a.m. Storytime
noon Homeschool Resource Support Room
4 p.m. Teen Crafts and Stuff: Squishmallow Perler Beads
6:40 p.m. Club de Mujeres Latinas en Literatura
May 2
10:15 a.m. Yoga Together
May 3
1:30 p.m. Puzzlepalooza
May 4
2 p.m. Teen Study Cafe
May 5
1 p.m. Little Explorers
May 6
9:30 a.m. Storytime
3:30 p.m. Crafternoon
May 7
9:30 a.m. Cuenta Cuentos
4:30 p.m. Canyon Country Teen’s Advisory Board
6 p.m. Thrilled to Read Book Club (Adults)
A Library Without Walls for a City Without Limits
The Santa Clarita Public Library is excited to announce the launch of the Library Express, a rst-of-its-kind mobile library designed to bring books, educational resources and technology directly to the community. This innovative initiative will debut on April 26, 2025, at the Old Town Newhall Library Branch at 9:30 a.m. and will culminate at the Canyon Country Jo Anne Darcy Library Branch for the Día de los Niños/Día de los Libros event where the celebration will continue.
The Library Express will travel to underserved areas, o ering access to books, computers, free Wi-Fi and hands-on robotics programs for youth. This mobile library is a new way to connect our community with the resources and learning opportunities they need, right at their doorstep.
Join us for this exciting event and celebrate the launch of the Library Express on April 26. For more details, visit SantaClaritaLibrary.com.
Brought to you by Mayor Bill Miranda, Mayor Pro Tem Laurene Weste, Councilmember Patsy Ayala, Councilmember Jason Gibbs and Councilwoman Marsha McLean. Brought to you by Mayor Bill Miranda, Mayor Pro Tem Laurene Weste, Councilmember Patsy Ayala, Councilmember Jason Gibbs and Councilwoman Marsha McLean.