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ANTELOPE VALLEY NEWS


Flooding, Road Closures, and Infrastructure Challenges in Lake Los Angeles
LAKE LOS ANGELES, CA – At a recent community meeting in Lake Los Angeles, residents gathered to discuss the severe flooding that occurred just before Christmas and the long-standing infrastructure challenges in the area. The meeting featured representatives from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, who provided updates on road conditions, explained why flooding continues to be a recurring issue, and discussed potential long-term solutions, including federal fun

Richard Sykes
5 days ago3 min read


Imagination Upgraded Studios Opens in Palmdale
PALMDALE, CA – The space was swirling with excitement as Imagination Upgraded Studios officially opened its doors in Palmdale, California , welcoming creatives, families, and local business owners into a new creator-first community hub. Built around one powerful idea — access — the studio was designed to provide education, professional production resources, and a supportive creative environment for youth, working creatives, and entrepreneurs across the Antelope Valley. Fr

Brian Lawrence
5 days ago1 min read


Beyond the Stereotype: What I Saw During LA County’s Homeless Count
PEARBLOSSOM, CA – From January 20th to 22nd, Los Angeles County conducted its annual homeless count. This entails a massive effort involving agencies and volunteers across the region, including LAHSA, MHALA, Lancaster Sheriff’s Station, Lancaster PD, and countless community members who gave their time to help capture a clearer picture of homelessness in our neighborhoods. On Tuesday, January 20, I had the opportunity to ride along with Christopher Minsal, President of the P

Brian Lawrence
Jan 275 min read


Defensive Stand Leads Victor Valley to a Win Against the Antelope Valley in the HD All-Star Classic Football Game
VICTORVILLE, CA – Victor Valley College was buzzing on Saturday, Jan. 24, as the home team came out on top in the HD All-Star Classic football game against the Antelope Valley team. Coin toss at the HD Classic All Star Game, featuring Antelope Valley and Victor Valley high school all stars. Oak Hills’ Junior Dennis was awarded the game MVP. It all came down to the wire—with time running out, Victor Valley’s defense stuffed the Antelope Valley squad right at the goal line, se

Richard Sykes
Jan 263 min read


Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.—Remembrance Through the Lens of the Antelope Valley
The Antelope Valley has always been a place defined by contrasts — vast open skies and tight‑knit neighborhoods, aerospace innovation and working‑class grit, a growing population and persistent inequities. In many ways, it mirrors the America Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. fought to transform. Remembering him here, in this high desert community, carries a unique resonance. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. A Dream That Reaches the High Desert Dr. King never marched down Lancaster Boulev

Richard Sykes
Jan 192 min read


Deputies Respond To Denny’s for Two Naked Women in Restroom Refusing to Leave
LANCASTER, CA — Lancaster Sheriffs deputies responded to the Denny’s restaurant on Avenue K and 20th Street West upon receiving a report of two naked women in the restroom that were refusing to leave. Deputies respond to the Denny's in West Lancaster regarding to naked women in the restroom who refused to leave. Upon arriving at the scene, the women — a mother and daughter — left the establishment (now clothed). Why the women were naked in the restroom was not determined and

Richard Sykes
Jan 151 min read


Multi-Vehicle and Big Rig Crash on Highway 138 Today
ANTELOPE VALLEY, CA - A significant multi-vehicle crash involving a big rig and several passenger cars occurred today on State Route 138 near 195th Street East, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Antelope Valley division. The crash has led to the closure of SR-138 in both directions between 165th Street East and SR-18, with authorities expecting the closure to last for several hours. Photo credit: California Highway Patrol The CHP has urged motorists to avoid t

Richard Sykes
Jan 141 min read


Body Discovered in Burning Car in East Palmdale
PALMDALE, CA — A body was discovered inside a burned car early Tuesday morning, prompting an active investigation by local authorities. The discovery has raised questions and concerns in the community as investigators work to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. The burned car was found in the early hours of Tuesday morning in a residential area of Palmdale. Firefighters responded to reports of a vehicle fire and, upon extinguishing the flames, discovered th

Richard Sykes
Jan 141 min read


Homelessness in the Antelope Valley: An In-Depth Examination
ANTELOPE VALLEY, CA — The Antelope Valley—anchored by Lancaster and Palmdale—has long been viewed as one of the last affordable regions in Los Angeles County. But over the past decade, that affordability has eroded. As housing costs rose across the county, thousands of low‑income residents migrated north in search of cheaper rents. The result: a dramatic increase in homelessness, especially among those pushed out of central L.A. by rising rents and limited housing availabili

Richard Sykes
Jan 124 min read


Will the 14 Freeway Construction Ever End? Asking For a Friend...
A lighthearted opinion piece from Richard Sykes, who has spent far too much time staring at brake lights between Technology Drive and Avenue A. Here ’s the truth, the 14 Freeway construction between Palmdale and Lancaster has been going on so long that future archaeologists may one day study it as a “long‑duration regional ritual.” And yes, Caltrans does say it’s for our own good — smoother pavement, longer‑lasting lanes, better ride quality — but at this point, most of us ar

Richard Sykes
Jan 82 min read


City of Lancaster, Law Enforcement Conduct Encampment Cleanup Near Avenue K and 15th Street West
Lancaster, CA — City crews, alongside local law enforcement, conducted a cleanup operation Tuesday at homeless encampments located near the corners of Avenue K and 15th Street West. The effort involved the City of Lancaster , Lancaster Police Department , and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department , who were on site to oversee the operation and ensure it was carried out safely and in accordance with local procedures. According to officials on scene, individuals living

Brian Lawrence
Jan 61 min read


Storm Systems Line Up as Antelope Valley Braces for a Wet Start to the New Year
ANTELOPE VALLEY, CA — The final day of 2025 is closing out on a wet and unsettled note across the Antelope Valley, with a series of Pacific storm systems expected to bring repeated rounds of rain, low clouds, and chilly temperatures well into the first week of January. Forecasters say residents should prepare for a prolonged stretch of damp, gray weather — a stark contrast to the region’s typically dry winter pattern. A Soggy New Year’s Eve Light rain is already falling acro

Richard Sykes
Dec 31, 20252 min read


Illegal Mini Bikes on Antelope Valley Streets Spark Safety Concerns and Heightened Enforcement
Antelope Valley, CA — A surge in illegal minibike activity across the Antelope Valley has ignited growing alarm among residents and prompted an increasingly urgent response from law enforcement agencies. What began as sporadic sightings of small, unregistered bikes weaving through traffic has escalated into a persistent public‑safety issue—one that recently resulted in a major injury hit‑and‑run collision, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP). 1 A Dangerous Trend

Richard Sykes
Dec 31, 20253 min read


Local Bike Shop Owner, Paul Avila, Keeps Lancaster Rolling With Experience, Service, and Solutions
LANCASTER, CA —In a city where thorns, debris, and long stretches of road can take a toll on two wheels, one Lancaster bike shop has quietly become a go-to place for keeping riders moving. Paul Avila, owner of Paul's Squeaky Wheel Bike Shop in Lancaster. Now in its third year at this location — and under current ownership for just over a year — the shop is owned and operated by Paul Avila , a longtime bike industry professional whose focus is simple: fix bikes the right way.

Richard Sykes
Dec 26, 20253 min read


Relentless Storm System Drenches Antelope Valley, Triggers Flooding and Travel Hazards
LANCASTER, CA — A powerful winter storm fueled by a “very dangerous” atmospheric river is pounding the Antelope Valley with heavy rainfall, flooding, and hazardous winds, creating one of the most disruptive weather events the region has seen in years. The system, which began pushing into Southern California earlier this week, is expected to continue through Friday, bringing multiple rounds of intense precipitation and widespread flooding concerns across Lancaster, Palmdale,

Richard Sykes
Dec 26, 20253 min read


Stormy Week Ahead: Antelope Valley Braces for Heavy Rain, High Winds, and Rapid Weather Swings
LANCASTER, CA — The Antelope Valley is heading into one of its most active weather weeks of the season, with a series of storms expected to bring heavy rain, gusty winds, and rapidly shifting conditions through Friday before calmer, colder air settles in for the weekend. Forecast models show multiple rounds of precipitation and wind events that could impact travel, infrastructure, and daily routines across Lancaster, Quartz Hill, and the surrounding communities. According to

Richard Sykes
Dec 24, 20253 min read


Fatal Multi‑Vehicle Collision Shakes East Palmdale Monday Night
PALMDALE, CA — A violent multi‑vehicle crash in East Palmdale late Monday night left one driver dead and several others shaken after a speeding SUV barreled through a red light, triggering a chain‑reaction collision along a busy stretch of 47th Street East. Photo credit: Judy Sykes The crash occurred on December 22, 2025, just after 9:15 p.m. Deputies from the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station were dispatched at approximately 9:17 p.m. to the intersection of 47th Street East and Av

Richard Sykes
Dec 23, 20252 min read


Extension of Smoke Shop Moratorium in Lancaster
LANCASTER, CA — In response to growing concerns about illegal activity and public safety issues tied to smoke shops, the Lancaster City Council has moved decisively to tighten oversight of tobacco-related businesses. On October 28, the council adopted Urgency Ordinance No. 1144, establishing an interim 45‑day moratorium on the opening of new smoke shops and the expansion of existing ones. City officials described the temporary halt as a necessary pause—an opportunity to step

Richard Sykes
Dec 19, 20253 min read


Palmdale Standoff Ends Peacefully After Dramatic Pursuit
PALMDALE, CA — A tense standoff gripped a Palmdale neighborhood Thursday night after a police pursuit ended in a violent crash and a barricaded suspect situation. The incident unfolded around 7 p.m. near Avenue R and 35th Street East , drawing a massive law enforcement response and forcing residents to shelter in place. The truck jumped the curb, snapping off a fire hydrant and slamming into two parked vehicles. It's believed the driver was possibly still inside the truck a

Richard Sykes
Dec 12, 20252 min read


Ring in 2026 with Style: Big Shotz Bar & Grill Hosts a Glamorous New Year’s Eve Extravaganza
LANCASTER, CA: Big Shotz Bar & Grill, in Lancaster, is pulling out all the stops for its 2026 New Year’s Eve Extravaganza, promising an unforgettable night of gourmet dining, live entertainment, and festive celebration. Set beneath the glow of golden string lights in an elegant outdoor heated tent, the event will take place on December 31, 2025, at 227 W. Pillsbury Street. Cocktail Hour & Gourmet Buffet Doors open at 5:00 PM, kicking off with a cocktail hour from 5:00 to 6:00

Richard Sykes
Dec 11, 20252 min read
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