💌 Hey AV Fam! The holiday season is in full swing, with streets buzzing from shopping, the air smelling wintery + festive, and the warmth of cozy fireplaces calling your name. It’s the perfect time to soak in the holiday spirit and enjoy all the delights of this busy, magical season.

Let’s dive into all the fun happening around the valley this week!⤵️

🚨 Top Stories: $33.2M for Avenue M; Explorer Program 2026 open.
🌹 Community News: AVAC toy drive spreads holiday cheer.
🍴 AV Eats: The Third Place Bar Room: drinks, bites, cozy vibes.
⚽ Sports News: AVC wins; local hoops highlights.
🎭 AV Happenings: Toy drive, concerts & festive fun.

Top Stories

🚧 Lancaster Scores Huge Win with 33.2 Million for Avenue M Interchange Upgrade

The City of Lancaster just landed a major victory. SCAG has officially approved 33.2 million to upgrade the SR-14 and SR-138 Highway Equity Corridor, starting with the Avenue M Interchange Project.

This is a big deal for drivers, families, and anyone who uses the 14 every day.

SCAG awarded the funding through its Surface Transportation Block Grant Program for federal fiscal years 2027 and 2028. The package includes more than 29 million in federal funds and over 3.8 million in toll credits. And the best part is that Lancaster does not have to pay a local match. Prior investments and toll credits helped the city compete at the top.

Since the funds are fully reimbursable, Lancaster can move forward with final design, right-of-way work, and construction with confidence.

The Avenue M Interchange sits between 20th Street West and 10th Street West. It is one of Lancaster’s busiest gateways, connecting residents to jobs, hospitals, airports, military installations, and the rest of Southern California. For years, the outdated ramps have created safety issues and traffic headaches.

Now the fix is finally coming.

The project will replace the old stop-controlled ramps with modern roundabouts that help reduce collisions and keep traffic moving smoothly. It will also add buffered bike lanes and continuous sidewalks, making the area safer and easier to navigate for everyone, not just drivers.

The roadway will keep one travel lane in each direction but will gain a center turn lane and upgraded safety features. Plus, the Avenue M bridge will receive a seismic retrofit to keep the region strong and resilient for the future.

Mayor R. Rex Parris said the project has been in the works for decades and that the approval moves Lancaster one big step closer to the safe, modern freeway access the community deserves. He also noted that the upgrades will help reconnect neighborhoods that were separated by the freeway.

This area includes communities that have faced years of limited investment and fewer public resources. Better walking, biking, and driving access will make daily life easier for residents traveling to schools, jobs, and Antelope Valley Medical Center.

Vice Mayor Marvin Crist called the award a major win for the entire Antelope Valley. Tens of thousands of people use these interchanges every day, from families and commuters to emergency responders. Modernizing this corridor will help reduce crashes, improve traffic flow, and give residents the reliable access they depend on.

Mayor Parris added that this is more than a construction project. It is a commitment to safety, equity, and Lancaster’s long-term future.

With this new funding, the city is ready to keep the project on schedule and continue moving forward with the larger Highway Equity Corridor program.

 🚨 Local Sheriff’s Stations Now Accepting Explorer Program Applications for 2026

If you’re a high school student looking for adventure, leadership skills, or a real look into law enforcement, the AV Explorer Academy 2026 is officially open for applications. This is your chance to challenge yourself and level up.

The program runs for 18 weeks from February 7 to June 6, 2026. Recruits train like real LASD academy cadets while building confidence and discipline along the way.

Participants take part in physical fitness, teamwork, and leadership training. There are classes in criminal law, investigations, forensics, and first aid and CPR. Recruits also get hands-on experience with defensive tactics and controlled scenario training that puts their new skills to the test.

Parents love this academy because it teaches responsibility and communication while giving teens real-world career exposure. Teens love it because it is competitive, motivating, and honestly pretty fun.

To qualify, students need a minimum 2.0 GPA, good physical shape, good moral standing, and the ability to pass a drug test with no criminal history.

Applications close January 23, 2026, so don’t wait. Callbacks start January 15, orientation is January 25, and registration takes place January 31.

Students can apply by picking up an application from the front counter at either sheriff’s station.

Lancaster applicants can contact Deputy Thom at: [email protected].
Palmdale applicants can reach Deputy Godoy at: [email protected].

Sports News

AVC College

🏀 Men’s Basketball
AVC 104 Vs. Imperial Valley 58
Record: 4-5

🏀 Women’s Basketball
AVC 62 Vs. Santa Barbara 64
Record: 2-6

🏫High School Sports

AV High Basketball Scores:
Paraclete (2-5) 50 Vs. Vasquez 57
Eastside (6-1) 50 Vs. Lancaster 35
Rosamond (3-4) 49 Vs. Tehachapi  53
Antelope Valley 30 (0-6) 39 Vs. Littlerock (5-1) 45
Knight (6-2) 62 Vs. Highland (2-6) 36
Palmdale (4-3) 72 Vs. Palmdale Academy Charter School 28
Quartz Hill (6-3) 67 Vs Toro 51

Event Spotlight

🎄 AV Annual Holiday Toy Drive Spreads Holiday Joy - Dec 23

The Antelope Valley is coming together for a heartwarming celebration as local small businesses host the AV Annual Holiday Toy Drive. Families can look forward to free toys for kids, turkey giveaways, live music, photos with Mr Claus, warm hot chocolate, snacks, raffles, and plenty of festive surprises. Children from newborn to age seventeen are welcome and must be present to receive a toy.

This event is all about community, kindness, and creating real holiday magic for local families. To keep things fair, please register each child once. Duplicate entries will be canceled.

Come out and share a moment that brings the Antelope Valley together and makes the season feel special.

ℹ️ More Details

Upcoming Events

🎶 Concerts & Live Events 🎤

• T.S.O.L Live at Transplants - Dec 12

  📍 40242 La Quinta Lane
  🕓 7PM - 11PM
  🔗 Event details

• AV WINTER BASH "FENIX FLEXIN, RJMRLA, EKE & MORE - Dec 14

  📍 45000 Vly Central Wy
  🕓 7PM - 11PM
  🔗 Event details

• PROJECT RAVE in LANCASTER - Dec 13

  📍 Don Sal Cocina & Cantina
  🕓 9PM
  🔗 Event details

• The Nutcracker - Dec 13 & 14

  📍 Lancaster Performing Arts Center
  🕓 2PM & 7PM
  🔗 Event details

• Santana Magic: The Ultimate Santana Tribute - Dec 24

  📍 Lancaster Performing Arts Center
  🕓 8PM
  🔗 Event details

• NYE Decades Night DJ Night with DJ Bootleg & DJ Wabbit - 31

  📍 Lancaster Performing Arts Center
  🕓 9:30PM
  🔗 Event details

• Mariachi Rock Revolution - Jan 24

  📍 Lancaster Performing Arts Center
  🕓 8PM
  🔗 Event details

Weekly Weather

📅 Sun, Dec 7 – ☀️ Sunny | High: 58° / Low: 34°
📅 Mon, Dec 8 – ☀️ Mostly Sunny | High: 58° / Low: 34°
📅 Tue, Dec 9 – 🌤️ Partly Sunny | High: 57° / Low: 33°
📅 Wed, Dec 10 – ☀️ Sunny | High: 57° / Low: 33°
📅 Thu, Dec 11 – ☀️ Mostly Sunny | High: 56° / Low: 32°
📅 Fri, Dec 12 – 🌤️ Partly Sunny | High: 56° / Low: 32°
📅 Sat, Dec 13 – ☀️ Sunny | High: 57° / Low: 33°
📅 Sun, Dec 14 – ☀️ Sunny | High: 57° / Low: 33°