STILL APPRECIATED - Eighth-grade students show their appreciation to World War II veterans, including Women's Airforce Service Pilot member Flora Belle Reece, on Wednesday at Hillview Middle School in Palmdale, part of a World War II veterans event in teacher Lani Glasscock's class. Reece recently was awarded a Congressional Gold Medal for her service. RON SIDDLE/Valley Press

BORON - If anyone wants the lockout between Rio Tinto's U.S. Borax Mining Company and its 550 union employees to end - other than the workers - it's Domingo Gutierrez.   For complete story, subscribe to the Antelope Valley Press.

WASHINGTON - Nothing will make U.S. Rep. Howard P. "Buck" McKeon, R-Santa Clarita, vote for the health care reform bill touted by the White House. During a telephone news conference Wednesday morning, McKeon said no fixes would make the bill palatable to him. He found "too many things" in the bill problematic, he noted, including an estimated cost in excess of $1 trillion.   For complete story, subscribe to the Antelope Valley Press.

LANCASTER - A day after authorities boosted a reward in a movie-theater stabbing to $15,000, an anonymous tip led deputies to arrest a man suspected of stabbing another moviegoer in the neck with a meat thermometer in a dispute stemming from talking on a cellphone.   For complete story, subscribe to the Antelope Valley Press.

Reversing his preliminary decision, a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge has ruled that Palmdale Water District's rate hike in May is legal under state law.   For complete story, subscribe to the Antelope Valley Press.

PALMDALE - Corned beef and cabbage was on the menu Wednesday at the Palmdale Senior Center, but there was plenty of fun, laughter and smiles to go around as well at the center's annual St. Patrick's celebration.   For complete story, subscribe to the Antelope Valley Press.

CALIFORNIA CITY - After a sometimes acrimonious discussion, the City Council on Tuesday unanimously agreed to provide up to $5,000 to the Desert Rose Garden Club for the purchase of materials to refurbish a portion of the California City Boulevard median.   For complete story, subscribe to the Antelope Valley Press.

LITTLEROCK - Moldy Marvin likes to put on car shows. He's teaming with the County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation to put on several two-day shows and one-day events in 2010.   For complete story, subscribe to the Antelope Valley Press.

PALMDALE - Westside Union School District could get $7 million but no school from an agreement with the bankrupt developer of the Anaverde Hills housing project approved unanimously by the school district's governing board Tuesday night.   For complete story, subscribe to the Antelope Valley Press.

MOJAVE - Effects of the economic recession still are being felt at the Mojave Air and Space Port, although conservative budget planning should keep it in the black by the end of the fiscal year in June.   For complete story, subscribe to the Antelope Valley Press.

EDITORIAL - New Assembly Speaker John Pérez, D-Los Angeles, played the song "It's a New Day" at his swearing in earlier this month, but it quickly became apparent that it is not a new day. It's the same old nonsense.   For complete story, subscribe to the Antelope Valley Press.

March 2 marked the birthday of one of the most popular and beloved authors in the world - Dr. Seuss. It was also the official kickoff of "Read Across America," an annual program sponsored by the National Education Association to create a stronger interest in reading by children.   For complete story, subscribe to the Antelope Valley Press.

In the matter of the People vs. Lane: is a person's right to free speech still protected if that speech incites others to commit a crime, or is the speaker also guilty of the crime?   For complete story, subscribe to the Antelope Valley Press.

SOAR High School freshman Esther Maddox said watching the presidential debates and speeches in 2008 inspired her to enter the National Management Association Leadership Speech Contest.   For complete story, subscribe to the Antelope Valley Press.

LANCASTER - The 8-year-old Antelope Valley Magazine has ceased publication. Started in 2002, the magazine has been run since 2007 by husband-and-wife team Ray and Linda Santana. The Santanas announced the magazine was going to go on "an indefinite hiatus" in an e-mail message sent to magazine customers and others.   For complete story, subscribe to the Antelope Valley Press.

PALMDALE - Providing businesses information on how to survive and thrive will be a major focus this year of the Antelope Valley Black Chamber of Commerce, its new chairman said Wednesday.   For complete story, subscribe to the Antelope Valley Press.

LANCASTER - Although it's still technically the preseason, starting pitchers Jakari Bass of Lancaster and Andrew Potter of Eastside gave spectators a sneak preview of what to expect this spring.   For complete story, subscribe to the Antelope Valley Press.

QUARTZ HILL - It didn't take the Quartz Hill volleyball team long to prove it has overcome the graduation of its three big players up front. The Rebels used a deep front line to help overpower Highland on Wednesday in a 25-12, 25-11, 25-14 straight set victory at Quartz Hill High School in the Golden League opener.   For complete story, subscribe to the Antelope Valley Press.

On Sunday, Fred Gormley will wear his heart on his carburetor. Well, four of his cars will, anyway. The Leona Valley resident, whose backyard could be Lake Elizabeth's answer to Hendrick Motorsports, owns four of the cars that will take the green flag in Sunday's Hooper Hundred Memorial Race at Speedway Willow Springs.   For complete story, subscribe to the Antelope Valley Press.

Ray DeShane couldn't stay away from Antelope Valley College for long. The football program has brought the veteran coach back on as tight ends coach, one year after he left the Marauders, having retired from coaching.   For complete story, subscribe to the Antelope Valley Press.

Antelope Valley Ronnie Turner and the Antelopes are looking to build off last year's success. The junior went to CIF prelims last year in high jump, but the team is hoping to send a handful of others to prelims as well.   For complete story, subscribe to the Antelope Valley Press.