IFS, ANDS, BUTTS: Santa Clarita officials are...

IFS, ANDS, BUTTS: Santa Clarita officials are having second thoughts about leaping aboard the anti-smoking train. Although the City Council earlier was ready to ban smoking in restaurants, workplaces and enclosed public areas, it decided to hold two more public meetings on the issue and survey restaurant owners (B14). . . . Said a councilman: “It’s one of those issues that will tear apart the community.”

SCHOOL SEGREGATION: The controversy at Cleveland High in Reseda: whether it’s right to hold an academic-improvement conference for African American students, barring those of other races (B6). . . . Teacher Donna Hill, a sponsor, said opening the Jan. 20 meeting might inhibit participation by black students. She said she expects controversy, but “it would be a different conference if everyone came.”

MAUDE SAVED: Remember the ad? “Buy this magazine or we’ll shoot this dog.” A similar threat came by phone to a Woodland Hills family after their 7-year-old Boston terrier, Maude, above, was abducted for ransom. With 15 cops on the case--and a helicopter--Maude was rescued . . . and a suspected dognaper nabbed (B1).

SATURDAY’S HEROES: The new state open enrollment law, allowing students to attend any school in their district with room, is one thing for everyday teen-agers, but what about star high school athletes? Some coaches and administrators foresee chaos, or at least far-reaching changes (C1). Coaches will be tempted to recruit, and athletes to shop around for good deals and championship-bound teams. . . . High school athletic officials are trying to determine if they should--or can--impose limits.

ONE MORE MARCACCINI: Gianandrea Marcaccini tried to follow in his older brothers’ footsteps as a basketball player at Notre Dame High in Sherman Oaks, but was cut from the team (C10). So he transferred to Crespi in Encino. . . . and, in one of his first games, scored 22 points to help defeat Notre Dame.