FLAGS WAVING - Members of the Army National Guard on Thursday place American flags around the perimeter of the new William J. "Pete" Knight Veterans Home of California-Lancaster in preparation for today's grand opening. EVELYN KRISTO/Valley Press

PALMDALE - Nearly 10 years after 18-year-old Michelle O'Keefe was murdered at a Palmdale park-and-ride, an Antelope Valley jury visited the scene of the deadly shooting Thursday night.   For complete story, subscribe to the Antelope Valley Press for only 25¢ a day.

PALMDALE - Lame duck directors on the Palmdale Water District board stuck the ratepayers with a higher tab for their service before leaving office, voting 3-2 to pour on even more pay, perks and job protections to the general manager's $215,000 salary before benefits.   For complete story, subscribe to the Antelope Valley Press for only 25¢ a day.

LANCASTER - City officials on Thursday trumpeted the beginning of construction of the city's newest recreation area, American Heroes Park. Work on the 13.75-acre downtown park, bounded by Jackman Street on the north, Kettering Street on the south, Date Avenue on the east and Fern Avenue on the west, is scheduled to be completed by July. Construction began last week.   For complete story, subscribe to the Antelope Valley Press for only 25¢ a day.

PALMDALE - Antelope Valley residents got a little more hateful last year - or at least they are reporting it more often. Hate crimes over race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and religion rose from 26 in 2007 in the Valley to 32 in 2008, according to data contained in a report released Thursday by the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations.   For complete story, subscribe to the Antelope Valley Press for only 25¢ a day.

LANCASTER - The fight continues for a local medical marijuana collective, which has hired an attorney to defend one of its members who faces three felony charges following his arrest two months ago.   For complete story, subscribe to the Antelope Valley Press for only 25¢ a day.

PALMDALE - State Sen. George Runner discussed three key issues at Tuesday's meeting of the Antelope Valley Republican Women Federated - the "Vote Safe Now" initiative, his race for the state Board of Equalization in 2010, and the state of the state of California.   For complete story, subscribe to the Antelope Valley Press for only 25¢ a day.

MOJAVE - Come rain or shine, Mojave Air and Space Port will play host to airplane fans of all ages Saturday for the monthly Plane Crazy gathering. The event, sponsored by the Mojave Transportation Museum, brings together aircraft in a range of types and vintages for a free public display along the airport flightline. Children are especially welcome so they may have the opportunity to see up close the often unusual or unique aircraft on display - such as an aerobatic biplane or rocket plane - peering into cockpits and crawling beneath the wings.   For complete story, subscribe to the Antelope Valley Press for only 25¢ a day.

PALMDALE - In less than a week, thousands of people around the Antelope Valley will loosen their belts for their aching stomachs. Thanksgiving is a national holiday that is celebrated by stuffing a turkey, then stuffing yourself.   For complete story, subscribe to the Antelope Valley Press for only 25¢ a day.

"I haven't done anything," U.S. Navy veteran Tom Craft said when asked to comment on the opening of the William J. "Pete" Knight Veterans Home of California-Lancaster.   For complete story, subscribe to the Antelope Valley Press for only 25¢ a day.

EDITORIAL - Disgraceful. After running the Palmdale Water District into the ground and onto the verge of bankruptcy the board majority couldn't resist sticking it to the citizens one more time.   For complete story, subscribe to the Antelope Valley Press for only 25¢ a day.

LANCASTER - It was exactly 30 years ago today when Reagan's Hallmark store opened in Lancaster, and former sales clerk-turned-owner Alice Hudson clearly remembers the grand opening as if it were yesterday.   For complete story, subscribe to the Antelope Valley Press for only 25¢ a day.

Leona Valley Gymkhana queens have to be poised, intelligent and well-groomed just like other community queens, but they also have to be able to ride. The three equestrians chosen at the seventh annual pageant on Oct. 17-18 at the Leona Valley Community Center underwent a two-day competition process that included interviews with four judges, prepared speeches and answers to impromptu questions.   For complete story, subscribe to the Antelope Valley Press for only 25¢ a day.

LANCASTER - Soccer had never before been a job for Shannon Cox. Then she arrived at Cal State University Fullerton. So Cox left, tired of the fierce competition in Division I and yearning for a softer landing out of high school.   For complete story, subscribe to the Antelope Valley Press for only 25¢ a day.

BORON - To an outsider in the stands, the Boron offense can look like chaos in the backfield. Two or three running backs are charging towards the quarterback, but which one will end up with the ball in his hands?   For complete story, subscribe to the Antelope Valley Press for only 25¢ a day.

QUARTZ HILL - Three singles players and two doubles teams from the Valley are set to compete at the 2009 CIF-Southern Section Girls Tennis Championship Sectionals in Claremont today.   For complete story, subscribe to the Antelope Valley Press for only 25¢ a day.

PASADENA - Brawn out-matched brains this time around. West Coast Baptist College out-muscled, out-defended and out-played California Institute of Technology Thursday at the Braun Athletic Center to remain perfect against the NCAA Division III program.   For complete story, subscribe to the Antelope Valley Press for only 25¢ a day.

FULLERTON - The Antelope Valley College men's basketball team has reverted to a much more familiar style. And it's reaping the benefits, with Thursday's 59-49 victory over Santa Ana in the first round of the Fullerton College Classic the latest example.   For complete story, subscribe to the Antelope Valley Press for only 25¢ a day.