Good morning, Santa Clarita.

Today at 10 a.m., fall registration opens for community classes, sports leagues, and Early Learners programs at Valencia Community Center, Santa Clarita Park, and Canyon Country Park using the new Kaizen system—while the city also offers a High Ropes Course Challenge at CSUN and guided tours at SoFi stadium to give residents many ways to try new activities this fall.

Santa Clarita Elks Lodge 2379 and Child & Family Center donated 300 backpacks filled with essential school supplies to local students for back-to-school season—backpacks were distributed at community locations like Hope the Mission shelter and Sierra Vista Junior High to support students in need.

Residents in Santa Clarita will see a rare planetary parade today as six planets and the crescent Moon form a graceful arc 45 minutes before sunset—this alignment marks the last chance in 2025 to view Mercury before it slips into the Sun’s glare.

The bright display also guides spotting of Venus and Jupiter and will be visible again tomorrow, with the next parade on Feb. 28, 2026.

On Monday morning, August 18, a semi-truck drove off the southbound 5 Freeway near Templin Highway north of Castaic—lanes 3 and 4 were closed as emergency teams cleared the scene after the driver self-extricated with no injuries reported.

A 38-year-old Hesperia woman, identified as Alacia Mills, was arrested Saturday afternoon in Valencia on felony charges of grand theft and theft by access card plus misdemeanor charges for possessing burglary tools and drug paraphernalia after she allegedly stole an unattended bag and several credit cards—deputies quickly recovered additional stolen items.

The Santa Clarita Film Office reported that eight productions are filming in the Santa Clarita Valley from August 18 to August 23—featuring commercials, a television project, and internet shows—and that the projects are expected to boost local economic activity.

The diverse filming schedule highlights the city’s continued appeal for film production.

The Santa Clarita Community College District was chosen by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office to host the new Security Center.

The center — led by James Temple and Hsiawen Hull — will use a $40 million grant to offer cybersecurity workshops, training, and free resources to help colleges improve their security.

The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning and Fire Weather Watch for the Santa Clarita Valley as hot, dry, and windy conditions set the stage for unstable fire weather with temperatures predicted to reach 95 to 110 degrees from Thursday to Saturday—gusts up to 25 mph and isolated thunderstorms may spark new wildfires.

The Santa Clarita Planning Commission will meet at City Hall Council Chambers today at 6 p.m.—they will review a request for a senior living facility.

College of the Canyons student-athletes and coaches have prepared for the upcoming 2025-26 season with over 60 home games at the Valencia campus.

Community members can purchase the Cougars All-Sports Season Pass for $99, which includes a complimentary athletics T-shirt — tickets are available online.