Good morning, Santa Clarita.

Teens from TLC Club helped about a dozen veterans learn to use digital tools at the Santa Clarita Veterans Services Collaborative center in Newhall.

The event built digital skills and nurtured mutual respect — a sign of how technology can unite different generations.

Buddy, a 6-year-old Miniature Pinscher/Chihuahua mix weighing 16 pounds, is waiting for adoption at Castaic Animal Care Center (31044 N Charlie Canyon Road) after being surrendered for his sensitive handling.

Volunteers say he loves running, playing with squeaky toys, and snuggling, and he needs a patient rescue to give him a second chance.

Circus Vargas returns to town today at the Valencia Town Center mall with its new show 'Hollywood Dreams!' that features high-wire acts, motorcycle stunts, singing and comedy for all ages while tickets cost between $25 and $85 and the two-hour production runs until Oct.

20.

The city of Santa Clarita announced the debut of the Western Star Dust — an interactive art installation that transforms the Walk of Western Stars in Old Town Newhall to celebrate western heritage.

Eighteen teachers from the district were honored at the Oct.

8 Hart Board meeting, and math teacher Nicholas Patey from Golden Valley High School was named the 2025/26 Teacher of the Year—he was previously named Los Angeles County Teacher of the Year in September.

Educational Results Partnership has released the 2025 Honor Roll list of California’s best-performing schools and districts, including several in the Santa Clarita Valley, using data from the Smarter Balanced test scores provided by the state; the list honors schools that have closed achievement gaps among disadvantaged students—continuing an 11-year tradition of academic recognition.

The Sulphur Springs Union School District celebrated the opening of its new inclusive playground at Canyon Springs Community School on Vicci Street with staff, teachers and community members—showing its decade-long commitment to play as a way to teach teamwork.

SSUSD board President Denis DeFigueiredo said his grandkids' excitement for recess highlighted the playground's role in bringing everyone together.

On October 10, the Hart District reported that students made measurable gains on the CAASPP tests in math, English, and science—with seventh, eighth, and eleventh grade math scores rising by 6%, 4%, and 5% respectively—and several schools, including La Mesa Junior High, Rio Norte, Canyon High, and Academy of the Canyons, showing double-digit improvements. The district also noted that overall performance remains well above county and state averages.

The College of the Canyons board approved Jasmine Ruys as acting superintendent-president during Wednesday's meeting after David Andrus resigned last month — Andrus remains on paid leave and will return as a professor in January.

Ruys announced forums for choosing a permanent leader will be held on Oct. 21 and Oct. 22, and an online survey will run until Oct. 27 for staff, students, and foundation members.

Los Angeles County health officials reported three more deaths linked to the synthetic kratom compound 7-Hydroxymitragynine—raising the total overdose fatalities to six—and warned that mixing these products with alcohol or other drugs increases the risk of a fatal overdose.

They urged retailers to stop selling 7-OH products immediately.

Valencia High School scored a touchdown in the first minute and won 55-3 over Canyon High in their Foothill League game Friday—despite early penalties—in a dominant display that improved their record to 6-1.

The Vikings will travel to Golden Valley on Thursday at 7 p.m. while Canyon is set to face Hart on Friday.

Friday night at Cougar Stadium, Saugus earned a 54-6 win over West Ranch as quarterback Jake Nuttall broke the school record with seven touchdown passes—Landon Lattimore added five scores.

The victory marked Saugus' second straight Foothill League win and they will host Castaic on October 24 after a bye next week.

Tonight in the Foothill League, teams will determine playoff seeding as Hart, Valencia and Saugus compete with Saugus hosting West Ranch at Cougar Stadium, Hart playing Castaic at Canyon High School, and Valencia facing Canyon at Valencia High School—with Golden Valley on a bye.

Coaches and key players will look to build on recent successes in these crucial matchups.