As summer begins and people start planning their outdoor vacations and activities, these plans should be conscious of the environmental impact we have on the animals with whom we share the land.

The desert tortoise, native to the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts, is listed as threatened on the U.S. Endangered Species List - their numbers have decreased 90% in the last 50 years; leaving approximately 100,000 left in the wild.

The West Ranch baseball team ran out of runs in the semifinals of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 playoffs.

The Wildcats lost to Corona, 2-1, at Blair Field at Long Beach State, ending one of the best playoff runs in high school baseball in the Santa Clarita Valley.

West Ranch starter Cody Bennett nearly matched Corona starter Daniel Pena pitch for pitch. Bennett gave up two runs on five hits and pitched a complete game.

Sometimes high school graduation night can mean Pomp and (dire) Circumstance when celebrations get out of control.

“We know it’s a time of celebration for many teenagers and young adults who have completed their high school, and we know they’re going to celebrate. We just want them to celebrate responsibly and make good sound decisions,” said Sgt. Darren Harris, Santa Clarita Valley Station, Crime Prevention Unit (photo: right).

High school students with a flair for the dramatic are being sought to join the Santa Clarita Shakespeare Festival Apprentice Company of this year's Summer Theatre Festival.

Building on the Apprentice Program from last year, the high school apprentices will perform the pre-show entertainment as well as join the cast of “Macbeth” and assist with the technical aspect of the summer production in July at the festival’s home in Towsley Canyon.