On this day in 1952, Elizabeth Blum made local history by becoming the first Miss Acton, proudly representing her community at the Antelope Valley Fair and Alfalfa Festival, held from September 4–7 in Lancaster. At just 18 years old, Blum stood among a court of young women from across the Antelope Valley region, each selected to represent their respective communities.  ...

Thursday, Rep. George Whitesides (CA-27) introduced the Stop Predator Dumping Act, legislation that would protect rural communities by mandating a new placement framework for Sexually Violent Predators (SVPs).  The bill aims to stop communities from being disproportionately impacted by repeated SVP placements, an issue that has historically burdened areas like the Antelope Valley. “For too long, communities like the Antelope ...

Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger Tuesday denounced the California Department of State Hospitals’ (DSH) recommendation to place convicted sex offender and adjudicated Sexually Violent Predator Harold Wachter at a residence on 200th Street East in the Hi Vista area of the Antelope Valley and urges Antelope Valley residents to submit written comments opposing the proposed placement.  Supervisor Barger first ...

On Wednesday, June 23, 2026, investigators from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Narcotics Bureau and the Los Angeles Police Department, assigned to a multi-agency task force, dismantled a clandestine methamphetamine conversion laboratory located near 110th Street East/Ave M-8 in the unincorporated area of Lake Los Angeles. An investigation that began with a possible illegal dumping incident led to the ...

A 10-time convicted felon from the Antelope Valley has been arrested on a 10-count federal grand jury indictment alleging he distributed fentanyl that resulted in the overdose deaths of four victims at a Palmdale house last year, the Justice Department announced Friday. Damian Michael Evans, 46, of Palmdale, was arrested Thursday and is scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon in ...

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman has appointed Jonathan Hatami, a Santa Clarita native, as Assistant Head Deputy of the Complex Child Abuse unit.  Hatami’s appointment reflects the L.A. District Attorney’s Office’s renewed focus on protecting vulnerable populations and ensuring that justice is served for the youngest and most defenseless members of the community, a notable departure from George ...

Supervisor Kathryn Barger issued a statement on the L.A. Superior Court’s decision to place Christopher Hubbart, a “sexually violent predator” in the Antelope Valley. Christopher Hubbart, also known as the “Pillowcase Rapist,” was convicted in 1973, 1982 and 1990 in Los Angeles and Santa Clara counties for raping dozens of women. He has violated his previous conditional releases multiple times, ...

Near triple-digit temperatures are expected over Father’s Day weekend with elevated fire risks in the surrounding hills. Temperatures are expected to remain in the 80s Thursday before conditions heat up, said Ryan Kittell, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. Friday, temperatures are expected to be 93, with Saturday being the warmest day of the weekend with conditions peaking at ...

Welcome to Ask Brien, the show with the answers to all your business questions! Hosts: Peter Bronstein and Alex Grossman     Guest:  Drew Mercy, AV Edge On today’s show, your hosts Peter and Alex talk with Drew Mercy, Executive Director of AV Edge.  The Antelope Valley Economic Development Growth Enterprise is a not-for-profit group located in Lancaster that helps to bring ...

A former Antelope Valley physician pleaded guilty Monday to federal narcotics charges for illegally dispensing prescriptions for often-abused controlled substances – including opioid-based medications – during telemedicine sessions with “patients” from across the United States. Raphael Tomas Malikian, 39, who resides in Llano and Palmdale, pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting the acquisition of a controlled substance ...