WELL DONE - Quartz Hill High School 2009 graduate Joshua Crumbly, shown practicing at home, was one of 12 finalists who performed in May at the 21st Annual Music Center Spotlight Awards at the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion. Crumbly will be attending the prestigious Juilliard School of Music this fall. EVELYN KRISTO/Valley Press

PALMDALE - Almost four years after disaster struck, Jamie Smith is not sure where she went wrong. On Aug. 28, 2005, she lived in her own home with her two children in Bogalusa, La., working full time as a St. Tammany Parish sheriff's deputy.   Complete story.

From community parades to fun and food for all to fireworks, there's something for everyone on tap today as Antelope Valley residents join the rest of the nation in celebrating Independence Day.   Complete story.

LAKE LOS ANGELES - A teenage boy was fatally shot Thursday night in Lake Los Angeles, according to sheriff's deputies. The shooting death occurred in the 17000 block of Coolwater Avenue and was reported about 11 p.m. Thursday, said Deputy Jeff Gordon.   Complete story.

LANCASTER - Changes are in the works for those serving on the city's three advisory commissions. Mayor R. Rex Parris, who nominated everyone now seated on those boards, has advised his four council colleagues that "there will be some openings on some commissions."   Complete story.

PALMDALE - Honduras is a nation divided today: Some of its residents continue to protest a military coup that sent leftist President Manuel Zelaya into exile while others in the Central American country support the military action.   Complete story.

LANCASTER - The City Council agreed June 23 to pay Vizion's West Inc. of Quail Valley $99,420 to demolish several structures on the west side of Sierra Highway north of Avenue I.   Complete story.

MOJAVE - The state's financial crisis claimed still more victims this week, as further cuts to local educational funding caused the Mojave Unified School District to issue layoff notices to an additional 34 classified employees.   Complete story.

ROSAMOND - The community services district board of directors on Thursday unanimously approved increasing water and sewer rates following a public hearing.   Complete story.

JULY 3, 2009 EDITORIAL - Is anyone surprised that our laughing-stock Legislature failed to get it together in time to avoid issuing IOUs instead of the money owed by the state to its creditors?   Complete story.

LANCASTER - Tailgating, concerts, giveaways and fireworks. These were just a few of the pregame events taking place at Friday's JetHawks Independence Day celebration at The Hangar.   Complete story.

LANCASTER - This sellout crowd sure has plenty of patience. In order to have the chance to watch The Hangar's annual Fourth of July fireworks, the 6,008 on hand Friday night had to sit through an 11-4 debacle.   Complete story.