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ANTELOPE VALLEY NEWS


Where Do Your Tax Dollars Go? How to Track State and Local Spending in California
Californians pay taxes every day, but many residents may not know where that money actually goes once it is collected. From state spending and city budgets to public salaries, special districts, roads, schools, and public safety, much of the information is public — but it is not always easy to find or understand. Here is how residents can start tracking where their tax dollars go.

Brian Lawrence
5 hours ago2 min read


Lancaster Pauses Several Prop 218 Assessment Hearings, Sewer Hearing Still Moving Forward
Lancaster – Mayor R. Rex Parris says most of the City’s proposed Proposition 218 district increases will not move forward at this time, citing the financial pressure many local families are already facing. In a statement to Lancaster residents, Parris said he will not place the Proposition 218 district elections on the upcoming City Council agenda, a move he said would “effectively stop the tax increases from being enacted.” “Our residents are hurting,” Parris said in the sta

Brian Lawrence
1 day ago3 min read


Could AI Be Driving Up Gas Prices in California? New Lawsuit Raises Questions for Antelope Valley Drivers
California drivers are already used to paying some of the highest gas prices in the country, but a new federal lawsuit is now raising a different question: could artificial intelligence be helping keep those prices higher? A proposed class-action lawsuit filed in federal court in Sacramento accuses several major gas station operators, including BP, Circle K, Marathon Petroleum, 7-Eleven, Walmart, and Albertsons, of using AI-powered pricing software from a company called Kalib

Brian Lawrence
4 days ago3 min read


BREAKING NEWS: B‑52 Bomber Crashes at Edwards Air Force Base
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. — June 15, 2026A U.S. Air Force B‑52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff at 11:20 a.m. today on the Edwards AFB airfield, military officials confirmed. Emergency crews rushed to the scene within minutes, and the situation remains active and developing. 1 3 Image from Citizen App Base officials announced the crash in a statement posted to social media, confirming that the aircraft went down on the installation’s airfield just moments aft

Richard Sykes
Jun 152 min read


Incumbent Robert Luna Set to Face Predecessor Alex Villanueva in High‑Stakes L.A. County Sheriff’s Race
LOS ANGELES — In a dramatic rematch that underscores deep divisions over the future of the nation’s largest sheriff’s department, incumbent Sheriff Robert Luna is set to face off against his predecessor, Alex Villanueva, in the upcoming Los Angeles County sheriff’s race. Both candidates advanced after early returns showed them leading a crowded field, setting the stage for one of the most closely watched law‑enforcement elections in California. The contest marks the second ti

Richard Sykes
Jun 112 min read


Sales Tax is High In The AV, and It Is About To Get Even Higher
LOS ANGELES — After a dramatic late-count surge from mail-in ballots, Los Angeles County voters narrowly approved Measure ER on the June 2 primary ballot, enacting a temporary half-cent increase in the county sales tax to bolster healthcare services amid significant federal funding cuts. The measure, officially the Essential Services Restoration Act, passed with approximately 50.35% of the vote in favor and 49.65% opposed, according to updated results from the Los Angeles Cou

Richard Sykes
Jun 103 min read


Stanford Claims District 51 Senior League T.O.C. Championship in West Lancaster Showdown
ROSAMOND, CA — The California Senior League District 51 Tournament of Champions came down to an all-West Lancaster matchup Saturday as the Stanford squad faced off against the Lady Vols after both teams battled their way through victories over Palmdale and Rosamond. Hosted by Rosamond Little League, the championship brought together two talented teams filled with familiar faces, making for a competitive finale to the district tournament. Stanford pulled away with an 11-3 vict

Brian Lawrence
Jun 102 min read


A Classic That Crossed Continents: The Story of Starr Long’s 1959 Volkswagen Beetle
PALMDALE, CA—In the Antelope Valley, where desert winds carry stories across decades, few local treasures turn heads quite like Starr Long’s 1959 Volkswagen Beetle. Parked today in Palmdale, California, this Reseda Green time capsule isn’t just a car — it’s a documented survivor with a lineage as carefully preserved as its paint. What makes this Beetle special isn’t only its age or its California Historical Vehicle designation. It’s the fact that its entire life story has bee

Richard Sykes
Jun 93 min read


Quartz Hill Royals Capture District 51 Senior League T.O.C. Championship in Dramatic Fashion
QUARTZ HILL, CA — What started as a championship celebration quickly turned into one final test of endurance and determination Thursday night as the Quartz Hill Royals defeated the Quartz Hill Rangers 16-6 to claim the District 51 Senior League Tournament of Champions title. Photo Credit - Erika Nolte The June 4 championship matchup featured two familiar rivals and delivered plenty of excitement from the first pitch to the final out. The Rangers came out swinging early, build

Brian Lawrence
Jun 82 min read


Allegations of Massive Fraud in California’s Grid Solar Program and the Gas Taxes That Fund It
California’s SOMAH solar program, managed by GRID Alternatives, faces allegations of $928M in public funds diverted from solar projects to political activism. Only 269 solar installations completed out of nearly $1B budget over a 10-year period (based on their own reporting). Investigations highlight oversight failures and political controversy. A Program Sold as Clean Energy Relief Now Faces Accusations of Political Diversion California’s Solar on Multifamily Affordable Hous

Richard Sykes
Jun 83 min read


A History of Palmdale: From Ancient Trade Route to Modern Desert City
Palmdale’s story is one of migration, reinvention, and steady transformation—from Indigenous trade corridor to aerospace powerhouse and modern charter city. PALMDALE, CA — Long before Palmdale became one of California’s fastest‑growing desert cities, the Antelope Valley was a crossroads of movement, culture, and survival. Archaeological and historical records show that the region has been inhabited for over 11,000 years, serving as a major trade route for Native peoples trave

Richard Sykes
Jun 43 min read


Antelope Valley Crime Report: May 2026
ANTELOPE VALLEY, CA—Crime in the Antelope Valley during May 2026 reflected a month of escalating gun‑related incidents, high‑risk police encounters, and a continued strain on local law‑enforcement resources — a pattern consistent with the region’s long‑standing public‑safety challenges. While full consolidated monthly reporting is not publicly available, incident‑level dispatch logs and regional crime trackers provide a clear picture of the dominant themes shaping the month.

Richard Sykes
Jun 23 min read


New Industrial Investment is Reshaping the Antelope Valley
ANTELOPE VALLEY, CA—New industrial investment is reshaping the Antelope Valley, with a wave of large‑scale companies and developers bringing major projects to Palmdale and Lancaster—signaling one of the region’s strongest periods of economic expansion in years. The centerpiece of this surge is the massive Antelope Valley Commerce Center (AVCC), a newly approved industrial hub poised to attract logistics, manufacturing, and distribution firms at a scale the area has never seen

Richard Sykes
May 293 min read


Mayor Proposes Future Term Limits
Lancaster, CA — Mayor R. Rex Parris has floated a new and politically charged proposal: implementing term limits for future Lancaster mayors. The idea, which surfaced amid ongoing scrutiny of his long tenure and recent controversies, has triggered a wave of reaction across the Antelope Valley’s political and civic landscape. City of Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris.

Richard Sykes
May 274 min read


The 14 Freeway Construction - The Seemingly Endless Project
ANTELOPE VALLEY, CA — The long-running construction on the 14 Freeway through Palmdale and Lancaster has become one of the Antelope Valley’s most disruptive and closely watched public‑works projects — and residents are demanding answers about why it’s taking so long, what exactly is being done, and when the work will finally end. A Project Years in the Making — and Years Delayed Caltrans’ SR‑14 North Los Angeles County Safety & Mobility Improvements Project was launched to ad

Richard Sykes
May 223 min read


Palmdale Regional Receives an "A" Grade
PALMDALE, CA — Palmdale Regional Medical Center has officially entered the ranks of elite U.S. hospitals, earning a sweep of top‑tier accreditations, national safety grades, and specialty‑care awards that place it among the most decorated medical institutions in California’s High Desert. The hospital’s leadership says the recognition reflects years of investment in clinical quality, patient safety, and advanced specialty services — and the results are now undeniable. Palmdale

Richard Sykes
May 213 min read


The Iran War: Status in Mid-May
UNITED STATES—The war between the United States, Israel, and Iran has entered a volatile and uncertain phase, defined by stalled diplomacy, intermittent ceasefires, and a widening regional and economic fallout. As of mid‑May 2026, the conflict remains active, with no durable peace agreement in sight and both sides signaling readiness to resume large‑scale hostilities if negotiations fail. Current Military and Strategic Situation The war, which began on February 28, 2026, with

Richard Sykes
May 193 min read


Lancaster’s East Side Roads: Where Your Car Goes to Die
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this editorial are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Antelope Valley News. Listen, I love Lancaster. We’ve got wide-open skies, (somewhat) affordable houses, and that classic Antelope Valley wind that tries to sandblast your soul every afternoon. But good Lord, the roads on the east side are straight-up trying to end my bloodline. You know what I’m talking about if you live or work out h

Richard Sykes
May 182 min read


Memorial Day in the Antelope Valley: A Weekend of Remembrance, Community, and Early‑Summer Tradition
Antelope Valley, CA — Memorial Day weekend in the Antelope Valley will blend solemn remembrance with community gatherings as residents across Lancaster and Palmdale prepare to honor the nation’s fallen service members. While official ceremonies from local cities and veterans’ organizations are expected to be announced in the coming days, several events already on the calendar are shaping the tone of the holiday weekend. The Antelope Valley — home to generations of military fa

Richard Sykes
May 183 min read


Sunshine Festival Brings Art, Music, and Community Together in Pearblossom
Pearblossom, CA – The Sunshine Festival brought creativity and community spirit to the Pearblossom Community Center this weekend, transforming the space into a colorful gathering filled with art, music, food, and family activities. Walking into the event, visitors were immediately greeted by bright murals covering the walls, setting the tone for a day centered around creativity and expression. On stage, a live band prepared to perform while rows of local vendors lined the cen

Brian Lawrence
May 111 min read
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