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Community Spotlight
ANTELOPE VALLEY NEWS

Community Spotlight


Palmdale City Council Candidates for 2026
PALMDALE, CA — With the November 3, 2026, General Municipal Election approaching, Palmdale voters are preparing to choose new representatives for Districts 3, 4, and 5 on the City Council. The race comes at a pivotal moment for the city, with debates over growth, public safety, infrastructure, and a major governance question: whether Palmdale should transition to a directly elected mayor beginning in 2028. 1 The Big Issues Shaping the 2026 Race Several themes dominate this ye

Richard Sykes
6 days ago3 min read


MotoHaus Cycles: Lancaster’s Independent Motorcycle Hub Gains Momentum Amid Growing Rider Community
MotoHaus Cycles, a rising force in Lancaster’s motorcycle scene, is carving out a reputation as one of the Antelope Valley’s most trusted independent repair and performance shops. While larger dealerships like Antelope Valley Harley‑Davidson dominate regional sales and service, MotoHaus Cycles, owned and operated by Mike Strozzi, is earning attention for its hands‑on craftsmanship, dyno tuning expertise, and the kind of personalized service that local riders say is increasing

Richard Sykes
Sep 112 min read


MotoHaus Cycles: Lancaster’s Independent Motorcycle Hub Gains Momentum Amid Growing Rider Community
MotoHaus Cycles, a rising force in Lancaster’s motorcycle scene, is carving out a reputation as one of the Antelope Valley’s most trusted independent repair and performance shops. While larger dealerships like Antelope Valley Harley‑Davidson dominate regional sales and service, MotoHaus Cycles, owned and operated by Mike Strozzi, is earning attention for its hands‑on craftsmanship, dyno tuning expertise, and the kind of personalized service that local riders say is increasing

Richard Sykes
Sep 112 min read


Quartz Hill Little League 10U Softball Team Wins Southern California State Championship
Quartz Hill Little League’s 10U softball All-Stars completed an undefeated 8-0 season with a 4-0 victory over Westchester to win the Southern California State Championship.

Brian Lawrence
Jul 142 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


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


Paraclete High School Student Wins $50,000 Edison Scholarship
ANTELOPE VALLEY, CA - Please join Edison International in congratulating Cesar De La Cruz of Palmdale as the recipient of the Edison Scholars $50,000 scholarship! Cesar De La Cruz, winner of the Edison Scholars $50,000 scholarship. On Tuesday (March 31), Southern California Edison representatives surprised the Paraclete High School senior with the news that he had been selected as a 2026 Edison Scholar. His family, friends and educators were there for the surprise, you can f

PRESS RELEASE
Apr 131 min read


City of Lancaster to Celebrate Earth Day on May 30 with Community Activities and Sustainability Events
PRESS RELEASE Edited: Changed the date of event to reflect the revised schedule. Event is on May 30. Lancaster, CA – The City of Lancaster invites the community to celebrate Earth Day on Saturday, May 30, with a variety of family-friendly activities focused on sustainability, conservation and community pride. This year’s Earth Day celebration reflects Lancaster’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship and the idea that small actions can make a meaningful difference.

PRESS RELEASE
Apr 92 min read


Leigh Salgado: Frills & Fringes Art Exhibit
Antelope Valley College extends an invitation to faculty, staff, students, and the broader Antelope Valley community to attend Frills & Fringes , an exhibition displaying the artwork of Leigh Salgado, on view through March 5, 2026. The show is truly a representation of superb artistry in a medium that is quite unique—utilizing hand-cut and layered paper! Hosted at the Rich Sim Gallery in Cedar Hall, this exhibition features Salgado’s meticulously crafted, hand-cut, and painte

Richard Sykes
Feb 241 min read


Rigs 4 Kidz Brings Big Smiles to Mojave
MOJAVE, CA — Saturday, February 7, the Veterans Building in Mojave, California, came alive with the sound of horns, sirens, and laughter as Rigs 4 Kidz rolled into town. Kids of all ages excitedly climbed in and out of vehicles of every size, getting an up-close look at the machines they usually only see driving by. Some of the trucks on display at the Rigs 4 Kidz event in Mojave. From Waste Management trucks and DWP vehicles to Caltrans equipment, UPS rigs, CHP units, Kern

Brian Lawrence
Feb 92 min read


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
Jan 303 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
Jan 301 min read


Holiday Rancho Village Is Built On Something Simple: Treating People Like Family
PALMDALE, CA — When people hear “senior living,” they often picture a one-size-fits-all facility with strict rules, tiered packages, and a long list of “we can’t do that here”, but during a recent conversation with Michelle Cochran at Holiday by Atria Rancho Village — the independent-living side of Atria Senior Living — one message came through loud and clear: This place is built around people first. Holiday Rancho Village in Palmdale, California. Photo credit:...

Brian Lawrence
Jan 236 min read


Veteran-Owned Palmdale Firestone Marks Decades of Service with Experience, Honesty, and a Can‑Do Attitude
PALMDALE, CA — At Palmdale Firestone, longevity isn’t just a statistic — it’s the culture. For DJ, who has worked at the shop since 1997, the years have added up quickly. “I’ve worked here since 1997, which is a long, long time ago,” he said with a laugh. “I’m still here. It’s a life sentence.” Palmdale Firestone is located at 2641 E Palmdale Blvd. in the Bridgestone building. The Palmdale location, opened in 1987, has become a fixture in the community, known for its deep

Richard Sykes
Jan 93 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


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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