Santa Clarita Councilwoman hails recognition of historic mountain pass
Santa Clarita Councilwoman Marsha McLean and the City of Santa Clarita announced last Friday that La Puerta, a historically significant natural passage in Elsmere Canyon, has been officially named as a Point of Historical Interest by the State of California.
“For more than 25 years, I have fought alongside our community to protect Elsmere Canyon from becoming a landfill, knowing how important this land is to our environment, history and identity,” said McLean. “Seeing La Puerta within Elsmere Canyon recognized as a California Point of Historical Interest is deeply meaningful, as it ensures this site’s story and significance will be honored and remembered for generations to come.”
La Puerta, which means “The Door” in Spanish, is located near State Highway 14 in the Newhall area, between the San Gabriel Mountains to the east and the Santa Susana Mountains to the west.
It served as the principal entry point into the Santa Clarita Valley for centuries, linking Rancho San Fernando and Rancho San Francisco via the historic El Camino Viejo. Originally used as a footpath by the Tataviam, La Puerta later became a Spanish trail and wagon road.
The site is especially significant for its connection to the Portola Expedition of 1796, the first recorded European exploration of California by land. Passing through La Puerta, the expedition first saw the Santa Clarita Valley. At the base of the pass, they encountered the Tataviam village of Tochonanga, located where Eternal Valley Cemetery stands today.
Lieu reintroduces Workplace Protections Act
U.S. Rep. Ted W. Lieu (D-Santa Monica, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Manhattan Beach), and U.S. Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) announced yesterday the reintroduction of the Protections and Transparency in the Workplace Act to combat sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace.
The legislation requires publicly traded companies to disclose the presence and status of sexual harassment and discrimination claims and requires independent, licensed investigators to examine them.
Additionally, employers would be required to develop workplace training programs to educate employees on prohibited harassment and discrimination and how to report this behavior.
“It is despicable that companies can just pay off employees to hide inappropriate behavior that happened on their watch,” said Lieu. “The public deserves full transparency about companies with a history of harassment and discrimination. Employers also have a responsibility to inform and protect the people who work for them. I’m pleased to join Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez and Congresswoman Pressley to stand up to the powerful and demand accountability in workplaces across America.”
Congressman Lieu introduced this legislation in the 116th, 117th, 118th, and now the 119th Congress.
Hahn increases reward for hit-and-run driver who killed two
Los Angeles County Board Supervisor Janice Hahn (D-Long Beach, San Pedro, Diamond Bar, Whittier, Cerritos, Downey, Torrance, Redondo Beach, Hacienda Heights) saw the full board unanimously approve her motion yesterday to reestablish and increase to $20,000 the County’s reward in exchange for information leading to the apprehension and conviction of Octavio Montano Islas.
Islas was identified as the drunk driver responsible for the deaths of 42-year-old Jose Palacios-Gonzalez and his three-year-old daughter, Samantha Palacios, as they slept in their North Long Beach apartment. The reward had previously been established at $10,000 and expired on August 3.
The incident unfolded at around 10 pm, March 1, 2022, when Long Beach Police Department officers responded to a collision of a vehicle into an apartment building near the intersection of Artesia Boulevard and Rose Avenue.
Jose Palacios-Gonzalez was declared deceased at the scene, while Samantha was rushed to a local hospital but later succumbed to her injuries. LBPD detectives identified the driver, who fled the scene, as Islas, who was 24 years old at the time.
“Today Samantha would have been seven years old, possibly starting 2nd grade in a few weeks, had Octavio Montano Islas not brutally cut her life short. Nothing will fill the gap left by the deaths of Samantha and her dad Jose, but we need to find this driver and hold him accountable. Their families deserve justice,” said Hahn. “If you know where Octavio is or where he might have gone, please share that information with detectives.”
The vehicle that Montano Islas was driving was a 2014 Dodge Ram. Detectives believe Montano Islas was drunk at the time of the crash. An arrest warrant was issued for him on two counts of felony manslaughter, one count of felony driving under the influence, and one count of felony hit and run.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Scott Jenson of the Long Beach Police Department Detective Division at (562) 570-7218. The full-size image of Montano Islas is available here.
Lancaster Mayor Parris gets his bike on
Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris and the City of Lancaster is excited to announce the return of Tour de Luke, an annual community charity bike ride taking place on Saturday, October 4.
Tour de Luke celebrates cycling, community spirit, and active transportation safety, all while raising funds for Resurrection Cycles.
“Tour de Luke is a celebration of community, safety and giving back,” said Parris. “We’re thrilled to welcome this event back to Lancaster and to spotlight the importance of safe, active transportation in our City.”
Hosted in partnership with Lucky Luke Brewing and other community-minded sponsors, Tour de Luke invites cyclists of all skill levels to take part in a 14.2-mile ride through Lancaster. The event kicks off and wraps at Lucky Luke Brewpub, where participants can enjoy beer, event swag, raffles and more in a fun atmosphere.
Participants can choose between three options when they register:
- Pedal Only Ride:Basic registration to participate in the event. Stick around for the after-party!Join the pedal ride as a simple way to show your support and be part of the movement.
- Pedal and Pour Ride: General Ride for $30, which includes one free beer (or non-alcoholic drink) after the event, and all proceeds go to the local non-profit, Resurrection Cycles.
- “Pedal and Pour” is currently eligible for the Early Bird Discount rate—use EARLYBIRD10 for a $10 savings!
- VIP Rider: For $60 to get 1 free beer (or non-alcoholic drink) after the event, a limited edition T-Shirt, Lucky Luke water bottle, and 20% off at all 3 Lucky Luke locations the day of the ride.
- “VIP Rider” is also currently eligible for the Early Bird Discount rate—use EARLYBIRD10 for a $10 savings!
Riders are encouraged to sign up early for special pricing and secure their spot in this fun, welcoming event for all ages and experience levels. Helmets are required.
For more information on how to register, visit cityoflancasterca.gov/TourDeLuke.
