'PARK SETTING' - Damien Rodriguez's dad, Robert Villalobos, snaps a picture Saturday during Damien and Linda's wedding at Lancaster Cemetery. JOANNA GARCIA/Valley Press

PALMDALE - When state payroll tax withholding rates jump 10% this week, California workers can avoid the immediate extra bite by reducing their personal withholding - but they're still facing higher state income taxes next April 15.   For complete story, subscribe to the Antelope Valley Press for only 25¢ a day.

LANCASTER - Hand sanitizer is enjoying a popularity surge - thanks to Centers for Disease Control's seasonal and H1N1 flu prevention guidelines. Recommended as a component of hand hygiene, alcohol-based hand sanitizers have emerged from doctors' offices and hospitals and into homes, businesses and glove compartments, and even into pockets and onto key rings and carabiners.   For complete story, subscribe to the Antelope Valley Press for only 25¢ a day.

LANCASTER - Vacant since the Antelope Valley Fair concluded in September 2003, the remaining unused fairgrounds property at Avenue I and Division Street is among the city's next-in-line projects.   For complete story, subscribe to the Antelope Valley Press for only 25¢ a day.

Antelope Valley voters on Tuesday will decide a host of local contests including board races for five school districts and Antelope Valley College, the Palmdale mayoral and City Council races, a Palmdale city charter measure and two water district contests.   For complete story, subscribe to the Antelope Valley Press for only 25¢ a day.

LANCASTER - Ricky Clutter, owner of Lancaster Honda, found his own way to stimulate the area's economy - by giving away $10,000 in cash to one lucky Antelope Valley resident on Saturday afternoon.   For complete story, subscribe to the Antelope Valley Press for only 25¢ a day.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the eighth chapter in a work of serial fiction that will continue through the Christmas holiday. The writer is the author of three previously published adventure novels: "Target Stealth," "Blackbird" and "Arthur, King." At this chapter's end, we invite readers to submit suggestions and educated guesses about the story's points of Antelope Valley geography.   For complete story, subscribe to the Antelope Valley Press for only 25¢ a day.

QUARTZ HILL - The contest for Westside Union School District's governing board features three incumbents - John Curiel, Linda Jones and Joan Sodergren - and one challenger - Anthony "Tony" Watson.   For complete story, subscribe to the Antelope Valley Press for only 25¢ a day.

LANCASTER - Alliant Techsystems, or ATK, opened a Lancaster office to better serve its customers, which includes the Air Force Research Laboratory "rocket lab" at Edwards Air Force Base.   For complete story, subscribe to the Antelope Valley Press for only 25¢ a day.

EDITORIAL - It's been a challenging week for the Obama administration, but even more daunting for career foreign service officers of the State Department. It turns out that about 50% of the plum ambassador slots, nice places like Barbados and Spain, are going to political appointees of the president. The plums are going to the high rollers who ponied up $500,000 or more to help the president get elected.   For complete story, subscribe to the Antelope Valley Press for only 25¢ a day.

EDITORIAL - Despite the usual spate of campaign "hit mailers" attacking candidates running for office, this election season was marked by fields of strong candidates exchanging ideas and appealing to the voters.   For complete story, subscribe to the Antelope Valley Press for only 25¢ a day.

LANCASTER - The Cougars thought they had the Marauders in trouble. With this kind of defense, though, the Antelope Valley College football team had no reason to worry.   For complete story, subscribe to the Antelope Valley Press for only 25¢ a day.

PALMDALE - The Palmdale High School defense didn't have its sharpest performance of the season, but it was opportunistic. The Falcons had four interceptions - including the first two of the season for senior defensive back Vincent Neilson - during Friday night's 62-28 victory against Littlerock in Golden League action.   For complete story, subscribe to the Antelope Valley Press for only 25¢ a day.

Rosamond didn't play Friday night as if it was down to its fourth-string quarterback. With Michael Sturgill playing flawlessly running the Roadrunners' Wing-T offense, Rosamond ran away from Desert 30-8 Friday.   For complete story, subscribe to the Antelope Valley Press for only 25¢ a day.