BRIEFLY.

More red light cameras possible

SANTA CLARITA - City officials are considering installing red-light cameras at up to 15 intersections in addition to the five now wired.

Fewer drivers are running red lights at intersections where the cameras are installed, which has resulted in fewer collisions, officials say.

Sheriff's Sgt. Richard Cohen said head-on and broadside crashes have decreased significantly at intersections equipped with the cameras, which snap pictures of motorists who run red lights. Tickets carry a fine of $351.

Local bank grows by 39 percent

SANTA CLARITA - The 1 1/2-year-old Bank of Santa Clarita's assets grew by 39 percent in the first quarter, to $87 million.

Assets had reached $72.7 million by the end of 2005, and $31.2 million by the end of last year's first quarter.

During the first quarter of 2006, which ended March 31, the bank generated $12 million in net new loans, a 25 percent increase over the fourth quarter, which ended Dec. 31.

Interest income hit $1.03 million, a 27 percent increase over the fourth quarter.

``We continue to build momentum and our growth is reflective of our expanded presence in the Santa Clarita Valley,'' said James D. Hicken, the bank's president and chief executive officer.

Hearing to focus on fire station

SANTA CLARITA - The county Fire Department will hold a public hearing Wednesday on a proposed fire station in a an area of Saugus outside Santa Clarita city limits.

Fire Station 108 is slated to be built on 28799 N. Rock Canyon Drive.

The 6 p.m. meeting is at Fire Station 126, 26320 Citrus St., Valencia, and is part of the state environmental review.

Emergency Expo to help disabled

SAUGUS - Sheriff's deputies, firefighters and other emergency workers will be available during Saturday's Santa Clarita Emergency Expo to talk one-on-one with disabled residents and others with special needs an hour before it opens to the general public.

Those interested in this special attention are invited to arrive at the Expo at 9 a.m. Representatives from the Santa Clarita Special Needs Registry will be on hand to help complete forms that alert first responders to residents' individual needs and conditions.

The Expo will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Saugus Speedway, 22500 Soledad Canyon Road. Admission is free.

Standing water warning issued

SANTA CLARITA - The recent rainfall followed quickly by warmer weather prompted a warning this week for residents to clear standing water where mosquitoes might breed, cutting the potential risk of West Nile virus.

Mosquitoes, which carry the potentially deadly disease, breed in pools of standing water and take just a week to hatch new swarms.

West Nile is spread when mosquitoes bite infected birds, then bite people or animals.

For information or to report mosquito problems, call the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District office at [phone] or log on to www.glacved.org.

- Daily News