Good morning, Santa Clarita.

The Samuel Dixon Family Health Center’s Duck Dash will take place on Oct.

5 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Santa Clarita Aquatic Center, where thousands of rubber ducks will race and families can enjoy water slides + food booths while raising funds for local health care.

Three 13-year-old Sierra Vista Junior High students saved history teacher Kellie Kontis on Sept.

16 when she started choking on dried—spicy edamame during class by quickly using the Heimlich maneuver and finding her inhaler.

The city of Santa Clarita announced a rain barrel purchase program that lets residents pre-order up to two barrels at $45 each plus tax, with pickup scheduled for Oct.

25 from 9 to 11 a.m. at The Centre—an informational class on rainwater harvesting will start at 9 a.m. for anyone interested.

The Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency will hold a virtual meeting Monday, Oct.

6, from 6 to 7 p.m. to update residents, businesses, and stakeholders on the S Wells PFAS Treatment & Disinfection Facility—located along Bridgeport Lane between Bridgeport Park and the Santa Clara River—and explain how upcoming construction may temporarily affect local neighborhoods. The $21 million project will restore up to 4,000 gallons per minute of groundwater, enough for more than 6,500 households.

The Santa Clarita Planning Commission will meet 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct.

7 at City Hall to consider the construction of two single-family homes — this vote will guide upcoming local housing plans.

Residents in the Calgrove/Wiley Canyon area filed an appeal with City Council on Sept.30 against the Wiley Canyon mixed use project approved on Sept.16.

They cited concerns over fire safety in a high hazard zone—poor emergency response due to distant facilities—and air quality impacts from its close proximity to Interstate 5 and deviations from local planning standards.

Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 30 today, legalizing the sale of E15 fuel—a blend that burns cleaner and costs less—while Senator Suzette Martinez Valladares said this bipartisan law will help California families by lowering gas prices and aligning the state with national standards.

The Santa Clarita Veterans Services Collaborative said it refuted claims of financial mismanagement after five board members resigned on Sept 25 plus officials explained that more than half of its revenue went to veteran services and that board compensation was lower than alleged.

The organization maintained its focus on supporting veterans by keeping its records open to public review.

The federal government shutdown has continued since Friday when the Senate failed to pass funding bills, and experts say it will stretch to at least six days.

Local officials in Santa Clarita are preparing to help residents as delays in vital services like Social Security, SNAP, and housing may occur—residents are urged to monitor local updates for assistance.

Governor Gavin Newsom signed three bills authored by Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo that give tax relief to families affected by the Chiquita Canyon Landfill, expand leave protections for crime victims, and support veterans by extending a military council until 2031—each law is designed to bring relief and accountability to the community.

After Friday night football games, Saugus scored 48 points against Canyon’s 20—Hart scored 63 as West Ranch finished with 21.

Thursday night, Golden Valley earned 35 points over Castaic’s 7 and Trinity beat Webb with 42 points to 26.

The West Ranch girls’ tennis team won 11-7 at Golden Valley, extending its undefeated run to seven league wins.

Head coach Paul Orszag praised the players’ performance — the team will host the Castaic Coyotes Tuesday at 3:00 p.m.

West Ranch girls’ golf team dominated Tuesday’s Foothill League round at the Oaks Club in Valencia by posting a team score of 193 strokes while four of six players finished in the top six.

Head coach Jeff Holen said the Wildcats, now 17-1-1 and undefeated, plan to maintain consistent play as they aim for another league championship — Valencia posted 202 strokes.