AROUND THE REGION.

SANTA CLARITA VALLEY 

Traffic stop ends with drug arrest

CASTAIC -- California Highway Patrol officers earlier this week discovered roughly 9 pounds of cocaine and $100,000 in a 2003 Ford Focus after the driver was initially pulled over for a tinted-windows violation, said CHP spokesman John Lutz.

The car, with two Washington state residents, was pulled over on northbound Interstate 5 at Templin Highway. Officers determined that the driver didn't have a valid driver license and proceeded to cite him and impound the car. While conducting an inventory of the vehicle, officers found the drugs and the cash.

The car's driver and passenger were arrested on suspicion of possessing and transporting cocaine. The money was seized. The men were booked at the Santa Clarita Valley sheriff's station. Bail was set at $1.1million.

Grant to aid disaster preparedness

NEWHALL -- The William S. Hart Union High School District has received a $152,000 federal grant to expand emergency-preparedness programs at local schools.

The grant will fund training, communications equipment and supplies, a mobile command post and a disaster-preparedness summit.

The money also will replenish the emergency supply packs in all district classrooms and pay for ongoing amateur radio training and additional radios.

District officials also plan to buy a generator to make sure school-bus gas tanks can be filled during power failures at the district's gasoline pumps.

Club will lead annual garden tour

SANTA CLARITA -- The Santa Clarita Koi and Water Garden Club will hold its fourth annual tour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

A dozen private gardens will be open to the public with the purchase of an $8 tour book.

Since parking at each residence may be limited, comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Tour books will be available Saturday at 24128 Avenida Crescenta in Valencia; Rooms & Blooms, 24264 Valencia Blvd. in Valencia; and Vision Center, 26506 Bouquet Canyon Road in Saugus.

For more information, call [phone] or visit http://santaclaritakoiclub.com online.

ANTELOPE VALLEY

District hires new superintendent

LAKE LOS ANGELES -- Wilsona School District trustees on Thursday hired a Tehachapi school district administrator to be the new superintendent.

David Andreasen was the assistant superintendent for human resources in the Tehachapi Unified School District. He will start July 1.

Andreasen is replacing Ned McNabb, who is retiring after serving more than 40 years in education. McNabb has been Wilsona's superintendent since October 2001.

Water-saving rebate plan OK'd

Los Angeles County supervisors have approved a rebate program to encourage water conservation by customers in the Antelope Valley and other areas.

The program provides financial incentives to install water-saving devices, such as rotating sprinkler nozzles, "smart" weather-based sprinkler controllers, high-efficiency washing machines, synthetic turf, ultra-low-flush or dual-flush toilets, and waterless urinals.

For more information about the rebate program or water conservation, customers can visit www.lacwaterworks.org/.

-- Staff and Wire Services