Good morning, Santa Clarita.

Santa Clarita residents can enjoy the SENSES Block Party—Caribbean Nights starting at 7 pm today on Main Street with live music, tasty food from trucks, and drinks while the Small Business Council meets from 4 to 6 pm at the COC University Center.

Later this week, a Madonna tribute concert at Central Park on Saturday and a CubScouts meeting at Fair Oaks Park on Friday add to the busy local calendar.

At Central Park on Bouquet Canyon Road, the Youth Grove with 121 tree-stump pillars honoring young lives lost will become a gathering place on Wednesday, Aug 27 during the annual Evening of Remembrance.

The event will begin with a Walk of Remembrance at 7:15 p.m. — a quiet procession leading to a ceremony with youth speeches and live musical performances.

The City of Santa Clarita invites residents to attend the Evening of Remembrance on Aug.

27 to honor youth who lost their lives in traffic-related incidents — city officials say the event will remind everyone to drive safely.

A car carrier caught fire on the southbound 5 Freeway near Gorman School Road in Gorman on Wednesday morning, with CHP officers (California Highway Patrol) holding all lanes to give firefighters access to the scene.

The Valley Industry Association announced nominees for the 2025 VIA BASH Awards that will honor volunteer contributions, business excellence, and community impact in our business community.

Winners will be revealed at the VIA BASH: The Mad Hatter’s Ball on Oct. 24 at the Hyatt Regency Valencia.

On Monday night, Kenneth Timmons falsely reported that an armed suspect was following him in Canyon Country and was arrested after deputies found drug paraphernalia during processing at the sheriff’s station—he faces charges for the false report, parole violation, and drug possession.

Hart district high schools were recognized among the nation’s best in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings announced this week.

Seven schools including Canyon, Castaic, Golden Valley, Hart, Saugus, Valencia and West Ranch earned top national marks while Academy of the Canyons received a leading state ranking—students throughout the district can take college classes at College of the Canyons.

SCV Water’s Board approved a $23.9 million contract on Aug.

19 to build a new PFAS Treatment Facility near Bridgeport Lane that will remove harmful chemicals from water drawn from three local wells. Construction will begin in October and take 18 months to update pipelines and improve well operations at S6, S7, and S8 Wells—ensuring safe drinking water.

Rep. George Whitesides wrote a letter on August 20 to Acting IRS Commissioner Scott Bessent to question plans to close the Santa Clarita IRS Post of Duty Office on September 30—he said the closure would force more than 740,000 local taxpayers to drive up to 87 miles for help.

He warned that moving the office would also burden employees with higher costs for parking, gas, and childcare if they are reassigned to Glendale.