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ANTELOPE VALLEY NEWS

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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


Palmdale Youth Soccer League is Back and Bigger Than Ever
PALMDALE, CA — Palmdale’s biggest youth sports tradition roared back to life last weekend as the Palmdale Youth Soccer League (PYSL) officially kicked off a new season at Domenic Massari Park — one that’s grown to an impressive 84 teams, all powered entirely by volunteers. The league, a nonprofit recreational program under Cal South, continues its mission of providing a safe, nurturing environment for children ages 5–17 through the sport that has become a cornerstone of commu

Richard Sykes
Sep 173 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


Together California Ribbon-Cutting in Palmdale with Christian Bale
PALMDALE, CA — Together California marked a major milestone in Palmdale this week, celebrating the grand opening of its first-ever foster care village — a groundbreaking facility designed to keep siblings together within the foster system. The event drew local leaders, community members, and high-profile supporters, underscoring the significance of the project for families across the Antelope Valley. A Landmark Ribbon-Cutting in Palmdale Actor Christian Bale, his wife Sibi Ba

Richard Sykes
Sep 102 min read


Los Angeles Times Investigation Raises Alarms Over RV Miscounts, Desert Blight, and Expanding Illegal Marijuana Grows in the Antelope Valley
Residents say the rural desert is being overwhelmed — and official data isn’t keeping up. The Antelope Valley’s rural communities — Pearblossom, Littlerock, Llano, Lake Los Angeles, and Sun Village — are once again in the spotlight after a Los Angeles Times investigation revealed deep inconsistencies in homeless RV counts and worsening environmental conditions across the high desert. The findings, published in late August 2026, paint a picture of a region where off‑grid livin

Richard Sykes
Sep 103 min read


Antelope Valley August Crime Summary
Antelope Valley’s August crime landscape was defined by a high‑risk shootout, a string of property crimes, and continued narcotics‑related enforcement — a month that underscored both volatility and persistent community safety challenges. Major Violent Incident: Detective Wounded, Suspect Killed The most serious event of August occurred on August 5, when a San Bernardino County Sheriff’s detective was shot during a gunfire exchange in Littlerock while assisting in a narcotics‑

Richard Sykes
Sep 32 min read


Lancaster Police Department Expands
The Lancaster Police Department (LPD) is rapidly expanding both its personnel and its responsibilities as the city continues building out its hybrid policing model, a system designed to strengthen local safety while easing the burden on the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD). The expansion marks one of the most significant shifts in Lancaster’s public‑safety strategy in decades, reshaping how the city responds to crime, invests in prevention, and engages with resi

Richard Sykes
Sep 33 min read


Antelope Valley Under an Intense Heat Wave
The Antelope Valley is baking under an intense, days‑long heat wave — one of the most severe the region has faced in recent years. Temperatures across Palmdale, Lancaster, and the surrounding communities are soaring well into the triple digits, with the National Weather Service warning that highs could reach up to 112°F in parts of the valley through Friday evening. 1 2 A Dangerous Stretch of Extreme Heat The National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Heat Warning for the

Richard Sykes
Aug 272 min read


Antelope Valley Families Gear Up for Back‑to‑School Season
ANTELOPE VALLEY, CA — As August settles over the desert and triple‑digit days begin their slow retreat, families across Lancaster, Palmdale, and the surrounding communities are preparing for one of the most anticipated transitions of the year: sending kids back to school. From kindergarteners picking out their first backpacks to high‑schoolers returning to campuses buzzing with fall sports and new academic programs, the Antelope Valley is shifting into back‑to‑school mode — a

Richard Sykes
Aug 83 min read


Antelope Valley July Crime Summary — July 2026
The Antelope Valley saw a turbulent July marked by violent incidents, property crimes, narcotics enforcement, and holiday‑week crackdowns that kept law‑enforcement agencies stretched across Lancaster, Palmdale, and surrounding communities. The month’s reports reveal a mix of escalating gun violence, persistent vehicle theft, and intensified policing operations aimed at curbing repeat offenders and organized criminal activity. Violent Crime and Public‑Safety Emergencies The mo

Richard Sykes
Aug 73 min read


Palmdale’s mayor is no longer chosen by voters — and many residents still don’t know it.
PALMDALE, CA — Since 2022, the City of Palmdale has used a rotating, council‑selected mayoral system, replacing the long‑standing practice of electing a mayor directly. The shift happened quietly during the city’s transition to district‑based elections, and it continues to generate confusion, frustration, and organized opposition among residents. Palmdale City Council Chamber A Major Change With Minimal Public Awareness Palmdale’s current mayor is not elected by voters. Inste

Richard Sykes
Aug 64 min read


Here We Go Again—The Recent Rise In Violent Crime In The Antelope Valley
The Antelope Valley is experiencing a sharp and unsettling rise in violent crime, marked by shootings, armed encounters, and high‑risk police responses across Lancaster, Palmdale, and surrounding communities. Recent incident logs and regional reporting paint a picture of a region under strain, where everyday spaces — neighborhoods, streets, even pool parties — have become the backdrop for sudden bursts of violence. 1 A Region on Edge: Gunfire, Chaos, and High‑Risk Encounters

Richard Sykes
Jul 303 min read


Homelessness Declines in the Antelope Valley—So Why Does It Still Feel Like a Problem?
The latest homeless count shows the Antelope Valley experienced a decrease in homelessness in 2026, even as Los Angeles County saw an overall increase. But many residents say the numbers don't match what they're seeing in their neighborhoods. So why does it still feel like homelessness remains a growing problem?

Brian Lawrence
Jul 272 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


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
Jun 293 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
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