Senator Suzette Martinez Valladares, R-Santa Clarita, released the following statement about Tuesday’s Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) report regarding utility rates in California. “The affordability crisis in California is out of control. Families in this state pay nearly double in utility bills over those in any other state, pay more for each gallon of gasoline than in any other state, and ...

More than one year after dozens lost their homes in the Powerhouse Fire last June, federal officials say the cause was what many suspected all along -- downed power lines near a 96-year-old power plant Powerhouse No. 1. “The U.S. Forest Service determined the cause of the Powerhouse Fire to be electrical power lines creating a competent ignition source,” according to a U.S. Forest Service news release Monday. “All other causes were excluded.” All fire causes were considered, investigated and evaluated during the Powerhouse Fire investigation, officials said, which has lasted more than a year.