Santa Clarita

BURBANK — As Santa Ana winds stoked wildfires this week, Burbank and Glendale have largely steered clear of the havoc breaking out across Southern California. “All things are quiet in Glendale, but everywhere else is burning away,” Glendale Fire Capt. Tom Propst said. But that doesn’t mean the area was not affected in some way by the chaos surrounding it. Burbank sent all five of its engine companies, a battalion chief and a water tender to help contain the blazes that have charred thousands of acres in Southern California, Burbank Fire Capt.

Tracee Border and Justin Miller have announced their engagement after a romantic beach-side proposal. Tracee is the daughter of Bob and Cheree (Clark) Border of Santa Clarita. She is employed by RE/MAX Select Properties, Inc. in Loudoun County, Va. Justin is the son of Brian and Joanne (Lento) Miller of Burbank. He is employed as a firefighter in Prince William County, Va. The couple will wed in May in Santa Clarita followed by a honeymoon in Jamaica.

Ryan Carter BURBANK -- Only days before he was cut down by a bullet while on duty, L.A. County sheriff's Dep. Hagop "Jake" Kuredjian was enjoying the simple pleasure of riding his motorcycle with a good friend, sheriff's Sgt. Bob Norlemann. It was for a good cause. The two were raising money for fellow slain officers. Norlemann remembered Kuredjian's enthusiasm on that August morning. "When I walked over to him, he looked at me, we shook hands and he had that big old Jake grin on his face and he said, 'That was awesome,' " Norlemann said.

BURBANK — A motorist was arrested Monday night after California Highway Patrol officers tried to stop him in Santa Clarita for driving under the influence, but he instead led officers in a pursuit into the city, officials said. The motorist, whose name was not released, was driving erratically Monday night on the Golden State (5) Freeway near Santa Clarita. Highway Patrol officers tried to stop him, but he kept driving on the freeway and headed into Burbank, Burbank Police Lt. William Berry said.

Providence money to benefit local areas Providence Health Care has announced that it provided almost $30 million to benefit residents of the San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valleys in 2004. The money was made possible through a program called the Emilie Gamelin Program for Patient Assistance, named after the founder of the Sisters of Providence. Much of it was spent on free medical care for people with low incomes. Funds also benefited programs like tattoo removal, school nurse programs and cancer outreach.

Amber Willard SANTA CLARITA -- Sporting a black driver's cap turned backward, Burbank Police Det. Paul Orlowski tapped his tennis shoes in time with his fingers flying along the strings of his bass guitar. Standing next to him at a keyboard, Police Chief Thomas Hoefel was decked out in black sunglasses, his fingers dancing across the keys and bobbing his head while singing backup vocals. When Hoefel and Orlowski aren't busy nabbing criminals, they're rocking the stage with their band, Mutual Aid. "Our message to the kids is that you can dance and have fun without drugs," singer Angela Shepherd told the crowd during a recent concert at a Santa Clarita school carnival.

Ryan Carter The Burbank Fire Department hazardous materials team doesn't just clean up messes in the city -- this week, members were sent to assist in a street chemical incident near Santa Clarita. The call Tuesday ended up being canceled, but if Los Angeles County firefighters such as the ones in the Santa Clarita area need Hazmat aid again, Burbank would assist because of a recent agreement. Burbank and Los Angeles County officials agreed on a mutual-aid deal that would send local Hazmat teams to county incidents mostly in the west Valley if county Hazmat crews can't get there soon enough.

Gary Moskowitz SOUTHEAST GLENDALE -- Glendale Police issued a special bulletin announcing a traffic advisory for sections of Central Avenue on Tuesday. Funeral services for Los Angeles county Sheriff's Deputy Hagop 'Jake' Kuredjian will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Mary's Armenian Apostolic Church, 500 S. Central Ave. in Glendale. Rev. Vazken Atmajian of St. Mary's said Kuredjian, who resided in Santa Clarita, was a member of the Glendale church.

For the second day in a row, public health officials are warning people with respiratory problems in the Santa Clarita Valley to minimize their outdoor activity due to poor air quality. In an advisory issued today, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health officials said unhealthy air warning applied to those with heart disease, asthma or others who suffer from respiratory issues. Students with similar conditions should also not participate in physical activity and stay indoors as much as possible, according to the advisory.

Tracee Border and Justin Miller have announced their engagement after a romantic beach-side proposal. Tracee is the daughter of Bob and Cheree (Clark) Border of Santa Clarita. She is employed by RE/MAX Select Properties, Inc. in Loudoun County, Va. Justin is the son of Brian and Joanne (Lento) Miller of Burbank. He is employed as a firefighter in Prince William County, Va. The couple will wed in May in Santa Clarita followed by a honeymoon in Jamaica.

SANTA CLARITA — With nine returning players, members of the Providence High softball team remember how they began Liberty League play a year ago. In their opener in 2009, the Pioneers suffered a 10-run mercy-rule defeat against Santa Clarita Christian. Providence was determined to start off on a better note this time around, as it began league play Thursday against the host Cardinals. It was definitely payback time for the Pioneers, as they played well and notched a 17-2 victory at the Hart Baseball and Softball Complex in a game that was called after five innings because of the 10-run mercy rule.

Julio Jimenez’s fingers were covered in brightly colored chalk Saturday as he carefully sketched the image of a chrome motorcycle on asphalt at the Downtown Burbank Fine Arts Festival. Jimenez, a Winnetka resident, said he prefers chalk over paint because he gets to use his hands. “You were born with your hands,” he said. “You can fix mistakes with your hands. It’s not a brush.” While most artists paint on canvas, Jimenez favors a rough and rocky street surface like San Fernando Boulevard to showcase his art. Event organizers invited Jimenez to create a piece of art at the festival Saturday and Sunday, and Jimenez said he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to demonstrate his talent to art aficionados.

Once again, it’s time to think about how many pumpkins will be bought, how the house decorations will look, and what costumes kids will want to dress up in this year. Halloween Adventure, at 401 N. 1st St. in Burbank, is the latest incarnation of the Halloween stores that pop up every year. This branch of Halloween Adventure, which has moved into the former Circuit City building, is back in Burbank after a five-year absence, according to President and Chief Executive Lenny Goldman.

CITY HALL ? City Manager Mike Flad on Wednesday named William Yeomans to the post of interim financial service director, relieving Deputy City Manager Justin Hess of his double duties. Yeomans, a 20-year veteran of financial administration, is scheduled to begin work Monday. ?In these challenging economic times, having someone with his expertise in municipal finance is essential,? Flad said. Hess, who served as interim director since April 2008, worked in both capacities since being named deputy city manager in January.

BURBANK — A motorist was arrested Monday night after California Highway Patrol officers tried to stop him in Santa Clarita for driving under the influence, but he instead led officers in a pursuit into the city, officials said. The motorist, whose name was not released, was driving erratically Monday night on the Golden State (5) Freeway near Santa Clarita. Highway Patrol officers tried to stop him, but he kept driving on the freeway and headed into Burbank, Burbank Police Lt. William Berry said.