Heads up, AV! A serious heatwave is on the way.🔥 Stay cool out there by keeping water handy, giving your pets some shade, and making your plans earlier in the day. You’ll thank us later! Let’s get into it ⤵️

• 🏛️City Hall Shake-Up: Mayor Out Pending Review 

• 💧 New water project aims to fight drought in the AV

• 📝 New California laws in effect and what’s changing

• 🌿 Small Business Spotlight: The Modern Tea Room

• 🍴 AV Eats: Craft brews and birria tacos

• 🎶 Summer concerts, food truck nights, and dive-in movies

• 🏃 Youth sports, pickleball, art camps, and more local rec fun

Top Stories

🏛️Palmdale mayor being relieved of duty pending anonymous investigation.

City officials have placed Palmdale’s mayor, Richard Loa, on temporary leave pending the results of an anonymous complaint investigation. While the details remain under wraps, the city is assuring residents that leadership duties will continue uninterrupted.

This kind of news can stir up questions, but for now, it’s business as usual at City Hall. No changes to local services, and no disruption to upcoming council decisions. We’ll be keeping a close eye on this story and sharing updates as it unfolds.

What this means for the city:

Deputy leadership will step in to keep things running smoothly, and city services will remain unchanged. While it’s still unclear how long the investigation will last, officials say transparency and stability are top priorities. Residents can expect updates as more information becomes available.

💦 Pure Water Project Launches in Palmdale

Palmdale just kicked off a major water project called Pure Water AV that’ll help turn treated wastewater into safe, drinkable water. The new demo facility uses high-tech filters and UV light to clean the water, then sends it back into our groundwater supply. It’s a big step toward making the AV more drought-resistant and less dependent on imported water. The project also includes a cool new system called Project Monarch that can reduce carbon and cut down on disposal costs. The demo plant will be done in about a year, with plans for a full-scale.

The project also features a new system called Project Monarch that cuts carbon and lowers disposal costs. It’s all part of the push to make the AV more drought-ready and less dependent on imported water.

The demo plant is expected to be up and running within a year. If it works as planned, a full-scale version will be next.

Why It Matters: 

With hotter, drier days ahead, this kind of project helps secure our local water for the long haul. It’s more than just smart tech. It’s prepping the AV for the future.

🚙 AVTA Launches Late-Night Routes for Summer

AVTA just rolled out extended summer hours to help more residents get around after dark. Whether you're heading home from work, catching a late movie, or just trying to avoid triple-digit temps, these late-night routes make it easier to move through the AV without a car.

Here’s what you need to know:

🕐 Hours of Operation
• Mon–Fri: 5:00 a.m. – 12:28 a.m.
• Sat: 6:00 a.m. – 10:55 p.m.
• Sun: 6:45 a.m. – 10:26 p.m.

🚏 Where to Catch a Ride
• Main hubs: Sgt. Steve Owen Memorial Park & Palmdale Transportation Center
• Supplemental routes available during peak hours to reduce overcrowding
• Expect occasional delays on late-night runs because some buses may wait for connections.

With temps rising and gas prices still high, reliable public transit gives night-shift workers, students, and budget-conscious riders more freedom and fewer reasons to stay stuck at home.

City News & Civic Alerts

🌿 New Weed Abatement Crackdowns: Dry Grass? Time to Clear It

Palmdale and Lancaster are stepping up enforcement on overgrown lots and brush to prep for fire season. If you’ve got tall weeds or dry grass, now’s the time to clean it up. The fines are no joke this year.

City crews regularly inspect properties, and this year, they're not messing around. Homeowners and landowners who don’t clear their lots could face fines starting at $500, with additional penalties and clean-up costs if the city has to step in.

🚫 Overgrown weeds, dead plants, trash, and tumbleweeds are all on the list.
✅ What to do: Clear brush within 100 feet of structures, trim trees, and keep your property fire-safe.

It’s about protecting our homes, neighborhoods, and first responders. A little cleanup now could prevent a major emergency later. Plus, keeping the AV clean helps everyone feel proud of where we live.

🏗️ Development vs. Dust: AV’s Growth Gets a Check-Up

With new building projects popping up, air quality is back in the spotlight. Local officials are re-evaluating dust control rules to keep skies clear while our neighborhoods grow.

Developers may soon face tighter guidelines for keeping dust down during grading and hauling, especially during dry, windy days. Community groups are also weighing in, pushing for better monitoring and stronger enforcement.

More growth is good for our community, but not if it means breathing in more dust. Cleaner air keeps our skies blue, our lungs healthy, and our progress sustainable.

New State Laws

📝 New California Laws You Should Know (Effective July 1)

A batch of new state laws just kicked in—and they’re worth knowing! From mental health to safety, here’s a quick breakdown of what’s changing:

• Student Mental Health Support: Middle and high school IDs must now include the 988 crisis line.

• Fertility Coverage Required: Big employers (100+ workers) must offer insurance that includes fertility treatments like IVF.

• No More Hidden Cleaning Fees: Airbnb and other short-term rentals must list all cleaning charges upfront.

• Better Protection for Domestic Workers: Babysitters and housekeepers are now covered by Cal/OSHA workplace safety rules.

• Tougher Rules on Online Stolen Goods: Marketplaces like eBay and Facebook must crack down on high-volume sellers of stolen items.

• Family Involvement in Mental Health Care: Courts must include families in the CARE Act process.

• Easier Subscription Cancellations: Companies must make it clear and easy to cancel auto-renewing subscriptions.

• Drink Safety at Bars: Bars without food service must offer drink lids and test kits to prevent drink tampering.

• Crackdown on Street Takeovers: New penalties now apply for illegal street takeovers and sideshows:

  • Fines and vehicle impoundment for participants and spectators

  • License suspensions from 90 days to 6 months

  • Law enforcement can now impound vehicles aiding in these events

Community Events

Waste Management Free Shred Events

Need to clear out old paperwork? Palmdale residents can safely shred up to 5 boxes of personal documents for free at the Palmdale Landfill.

📅 Date: Saturday, July 12th
🕓 Time:  9 AM - 12 PM
📍 Location: Palmdale Landfill - 1200 W City Ranch Road Palmdale, CA 93551
ℹ️ Restrictions: This service is for residential use only — no commercial waste allowed. Just bring proof of residency and have a WM account in good standing.
🔗 Event Details

LCC Community Clean-Up – Volunteer Opportunity

Looking for a feel-good way to give back? Join the Lancaster Community Center crew to help clean and beautify Yucca Avenue during this hands-on morning of service.

📅 Date: Saturday, July 12th
🕓 Time: 8:30 AM
📍 Location: Lancaster Community Center – 44611 Yucca Ave, Lancaster, CA
ℹ️ Details: Open to ages 12+. Minors must be accompanied by an adult. Wear comfy, closed-toe shoes and bring sun protection.
🔗 Event Details

Upcoming Events

🎶 Upcoming Summer Concerts

• Summer Concerts: Dedfones
  📍 Bandstand Stage, Ehrlich Avenue and The BLVD
  🕓 July 10th at 6 PM
  🔗 Event details 

• Dustin Lynch Concert
  📍 Palmdale Amphitheater
  🕓 July 19th at 8 PM
  🔗 Event details 

• Kool & the Gang
  📍 Palmdale Amphitheater
  🕓 July 19th at 8 PM
  🔗 Event details 

AV Sports News

⚽ AV Alta FC – USL League One

What's new: Antelope Valley’s own AV Alta FC is currently third in the USL League One standings. On Wednesday night, the first-year club notched a 2-0 road win over Portland Hearts of Pine and continued their win streak to three by defeating Union Omaha yesterday.

Current Standing: 2nd in USL1
Record: 7-4-3

Upcoming match: AV Alta FC vs. One Knoxville at July 16 at 7 PM
🔗 Get Tickets

Weekly Weather

📅 Sun, July 6 – ☀️ Sunny | High: 100° / Low: 62°
📅 Mon, July 7 – ☀️ Sunny | High: 98° / Low: 66°
📅 Tue, July 8 – 🌞 Hot & Sunny | High: 102° / Low: 69°
📅 Wed, July 9 – 🌞 Hot & Sunny | High: 104° / Low: 70°
📅 Thu, July 10 – 🌞 Very Hot & Sunny | High: 108° / Low: 73°
📅 Fri, July 11 – 💨🌞 Windy & Sunny | High: 103° / Low: 73°
📅 Sat, July 12 – 💨🌞 Windy & Warm | High: 108° / Low: 73°