Good morning, Santa Clarita.

The Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce announced this year’s honorees for its Black Business Month Celebration, which will honor local Black-owned businesses on Thursday, Aug.

6 at 5:30 p.m. at the California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, including Dog Haus, Mississippi Georgia Fried, and Nola Med Transport.

The Boys and Girls Club of SCV is hosting two free backpack giveaway events to support students returning to school (offering essential supplies).

After nearly 10 years serving families, The Backyard Grub N’ Brews closed Friday in Santa Clarita — its final dinner marked the end of operations.

The Valley Industry Association announced Friday that CEO Kathy Norris (31 years of service) will retire, leaving a legacy of expanded programs and workforce initiatives in support of local businesses.

The board plans to name her successor soon, ensuring continued community impact.

Mission Valley Bank celebrates its 25th anniversary, marking 25 years of serving businesses, professionals, nonprofits — and local communities across Southern California.

The bank said it will continue its focus on personalized service to support client growth.

A woman climbed a chain-link fence on the Valencia Boulevard overpass Friday evening, prompting officials to close the 5 Freeway in both directions and divert traffic until lanes began reopening by about 6:26 p.m. (no injuries were reported).

The William S. Hart Union School District announced that 439 high school students earned College Board awards for academic excellence.

The awards include School Recognition, First-Generation and Rural Small-Town Honors based on high GPA, PSAT and AP scores to boost college applications.

Sen. Valladares and 38 lawmakers sent a letter urging Gov. Newsom, Senate President Pro Tempore Limón, and Assembly Speaker Rivas to exempt the Film and Television Jobs Program from SB 122 caps to protect local entertainment jobs and businesses.

They seek change before the session ends.

Santa Clarita saw a small drop in homelessness with 90 individuals in shelters and 39 unsheltered across 85 (dwellings) with 48 (tents) reported, while countywide numbers slightly increased due to reduced rental subsidies.

City engineers reported that traffic volumes at key intersections stayed similar to last year, with Newhall Ranch Road and Bouquet Canyon Road recording 113,400 vehicles daily in March and 10 collisions (a crash rate of 0.29), all below the state’s standard.

The analysis guides future roadway improvement efforts.

On Friday, Jul. 24, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority reported a slight increase in the region's homeless numbers, including in Santa Clarita Valley, due to fewer new enrollments in rental assistance programs + slower rehousing efforts.

Officials call for steady funding to boost permanent housing placements.

The Santa Clarita Valley Animal Care Center has spotlighted Cheri (an 8-year-old Maltese mix surrendered after a biting incident while a husky was being groomed) for adoption; shelter staff say she has quickly charmed volunteers and invite residents to meet her and other adoptable animals during business hours.

College of the Canyons football recognized eight players from its 2025 roster who earned spots on the Academic All-State Team by meeting the 3.5 GPA requirement, and coach Ted Iacenda said the honors affirmed their dedication to both academics and athletics.