BIRD BANNED - Mallory McBride holds one of the family's chickens Monday at her home in Palmdale. However, the birds are considered farm animals and as such are not permitted in the city. Troy McBride, Mallory's father, is attempting to get the city to change its stance on chickens. BERNARD KANE/Valley Press

LANCASTER - The city's budget could be knocked out of balance by state plans to raid the coffers of California cities to backfill the latest spending hole dug by the Legislature.   Complete story.

LANCASTER - With 330,000 acres, 360 days of sunshine each year, the natural runways of the dry lake beds and easy access to restricted military airspace, Edwards Air Force Base provides an ideal location for a wide range of flight testing.   Complete story.

PALMDALE - The city's application to build a natural gas- and solar-powered electricity-generating plant big enough to power the Antelope Valley - with energy to spare - is expected to go next week to the California Energy Commission, accompanied by a $300,000 application fee.   Complete story with photo.

LANCASTER - An ethanol refinery planned for a site near the Lancaster landfill got the go-ahead Wednesday from the Los Angeles County Regional Planning Commission.   Complete story.

PALMDALE - Everyone wants to have it his or her way in the battle over groundwater rights in the Antelope Valley. With that attitude, nothing will be accomplished, says Bill Brunick, attorney for the Antelope Valley-Kern Water Agency.   Complete story.

As they battled wildfires raging up and down the state over the past month, California firefighters were aided by images sent from above, collected by unmanned aircraft surveying the fires.   Complete story.

JULY 23, 2008 EDITORIAL - Teenagers who don't graduate from high school often have dismal futures - low pay or no job; temptations to join gangs and engage in illegal, sometimes deadly, crimes; and poverty that can lead to homelessness.   Complete story.

LAKE HUGHES - Whether or not there is still gold in "them thar hills," there'll still be dancin' in the streets Saturday for the 58th annual 49er Day.   Complete story with photo.

LANCASTER - It's just like waking up and grabbing a bowl of cereal in the morning. Every day. For 40 years. That's how Mark Covert looks at his streak of running at least one mile a day - a feat that hit 40 years Wednesday morning, the longest-ever such mark recorded in the United States.   Complete story with photo.

ACTON - There was only a handful of players at an informal practice at Vasquez High School Wednesday afternoon, but it was typical for the Vasquez Division I American Legion baseball team.   Complete story.