Canyons News

Canyons News Canyons News is the official student news agency of College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita Valley.

05/30/2026

The Oldtown Farmer's Market in Newhall has been held every Saturday since 2015, but this one is particularly special.

“Today is our 11-year anniversary,” said Larry McClements, Senior Market Manager, Santa Clarita Valley Farmers Markets. “When I took over… we were eight vendors, eight, and we've just grown it.”

“We have a very large crowd that comes out here every week and supports our farmers.”

Folks come from all over to shop for everything from produce and meat to seafood and even services. Others just come for a snack, a little treat, something cold to drink, quality time with family, and maybe something for dinner.

“I'm a customer,” said McClements. “About 98% of what I eat in my house comes from our markets, and I've never eaten better in my life.”

McClements said they personally visit their sellers’ farms, from Northern California to Southern California, to verify that the food at the market is top quality.

“No matter where it is, we will go and visit the farm and see what we bring to Santa Clarita each week,” said McClements.

05/30/2026

It was a perfect day at the College of the Canyons valedictorian recognition ceremony last Friday.

Students and their guests gathered at the Cougar Den to celebrate this achievement.

“For this year, we have a total of 125 valedictorians, which is probably the biggest that we've had yet,” said Robin Herndon, a College of the Canyons Student Services Technician.

Even a single B will keep you from achieving a 4.0 GPA. Being one of these students took a lot of dedication and commitment.

“Being recognized as valedictorian is not only a reflection of intelligence but also of consistency, resilience, and the decision to keep going even during difficult moments,” said Amna Fadel, a valedictorian and a speaker at the event.

Ariel Wong, a valedictorian honored at the event, encouraged others to believe in their potential and pursue their goals with determination.

Charlene Hqang, a valedictorian honored at the event, said that her Business and Economics major was supported by COC’s International Services and Programs (ISP), which has significantly contributed to her success as an international student.

Each honoree received a gold honor cord and medallion to wear at commencement.

05/29/2026

The discontinuation of a “live work” program in automotive technology here at COC has some students frustrated and worried... because they feel they are not getting the real mechanical work experience.

“I find it frustrating as someone that wants to do things right, that I just get signatures that say, I did that job right, when in fact I know I didn't do it right,” said Chase Roman, a College of the Canyons Automotive Technology student.

“The more students who start realizing it’s not worth it, the more students are not going to take it. And then what will happen to the auto program if no one takes it?” said Ashley O’Donnell, a College of the Canyons Automotive Technology student.

Disappointment and frustration—that's what these two College of the Canyons' Automotive Technology students claim to be experiencing.

For not being able to do “live work” in class with their own vehicles...a program's teaching model that gave students perform hands-on work in real running vehicles...a plan that the faculty decided to stop implementing since 2024, according to O'Donnell, who still remembers how it was before being discontinued to now.

"With “live work” it was a really interesting experience,” said O’Donnell. “There were liability sheets that people would have to sign before bringing in their own car or bringing either 'customer's cars'.”

“That was really engaging.”

O’Donnell said that without this hands-on experience, students now struggle to stay engaged and question the purpose of their learning.

Voicing his concerns, Roman attended the COC board members’ meeting a few weeks ago.

"What I was advocating to the board was for the return of ‘live work',” said Roman.
“Where we all know that the job needs to be done correctly, because we are going right out of class back onto the streets.”

According to the COC faculty, auto technology students currently do “live work" in class on functioning vehicles owned by the college or donated by auto manufacturers... and students can also receive hands-on vehicle repair experience through internships with local automotive repair businesses.

05/29/2026

As online learning continues to grow, colleges across California are also seeing an increase in fraudulent student accounts enrolling in online courses.

College officials say identifying fraudulent accounts has become increasingly important as more students depend on online learning platforms.

“The incentive for enrollment fraud is real,” said Eric Harnish, College of the Canyons Vice President of Public Information Officer. “The goal is to access financial aid dollars, and so the 'bad actors' are highly motivated to perfect their craft and try to get seats in classes, apply for financial aid and get those funds.”

“But we are working just as hard to stop it.”

For many students, getting into required classes is already a challenge. Now, colleges are working to prevent fake enrollments from taking up valuable space.

“Some classes, if you want to finish within a certain amount of time, you need those classes…that's gonna be hard if the classes are all filling up and they're gonna have to try and find another way,” said Joshua Rashtian, a College of the Canyons Student.

“I think in a lot of ways it’s going to lead to a lot of frustration for those who want to be honest, like most people at COC want to do.”

“I think it's really important to know what a widespread effort this is on the part of multiple departments at the college,” said Harnish.

“It doesn't just fall on one office or the other; it really is a coordinated, collaborative effort on the part of the college to ensure we're keeping 'bad actors' out of our classes to make room for students who want to learn and achieve their goals.”

05/28/2026

Is it ever too late to get started?

“I haven't played in so many years, and I thought my playing days were over,” said Sean Simons, an adult league softball player.

As New York Yankees manager Yogi Berra once said, ‘it ain't over till it's over’.

The local diamond at Central Park in Santa Clarita is home to many sports teams, but for the 55-and-older senior adult league, it isn't just about winning games.

“But let me tell you, it ignited something in me,” said Simons. “There's a twinkle in my eye that I haven't had since I was a child, and I tell my family, my friends, all the time, this is the closest thing that I've ever done after reaching over 55 years of age, that I feel like a kid again.”

78-year-old Janie Wratton, who's been playing with the league for several years, feels the same.

“Because you get your exercise, if you sit there and watch that box, you're going to get old, so it keeps your body limber, and everything else,” said Wratton.

Landmark research published by the Mayo Clinic shows that social team-based sports add significantly more years to our lives than exercising alone.

“That's our main goal, having a place for our community to come relax, have fun, play the sports that they grew up playing,” said Addason Dilley, Adult Sports City of Santa Clarita.

Several teams of approximately 40 to 70 co-ed seniors compete each week. The players say it's the camaraderie that has the most significant impact on and off the field.

“We refer to each other as a softball family,” said Simons. “We're not just teammates, we're family.”

When thinking about healthy aging, one may picture solitary walks in the park or quiet time in the gym, but now older adults can step up to the plate and rekindle old skills or even learn new ones.

05/28/2026

This past weekend, the biggest hockey tournament of the year for youth programs was played at the Cube in Valencia.

The Spring Hockey Cup Tournament is a multi-division tournament played across various age groups, and it's only getting bigger.

“This year, we have 59 teams across 11 divisions,” said Matt Dugan, Assistant General Manager of the Cube. “Everyone’s competing to win a cup, a banner, and some medals for each player.”

“As soon as the Cube opened, we wanted to start hosting some tournaments and getting travel hockey games here.”

“We have run this tournament as the Spring Hockey Cup for two years, but as a memorial tournament for five years. Every year it's grown more and more, and this is our biggest tournament ever.”

The Spring Hockey Cup saw an increase in the number of participating teams, and not all of them are from California.

“We have teams from four states: California, Nevada, Utah, and Colorado,” said Dugan.

As the popular multi-day tournament continues to grow, the hope moving forward is to grow the game and give the kids a chance to grow not just as players, but as people.

“Hockey growth in California has been great,” said Dugan. “It started probably really exploding in the 90s when Wayne Gretzky came to the Kings, and then again, when the LA Kings won their two Stanley Cups.”

“I think the thing the players get the most out of is that camaraderie, the life lesson they learn from playing, and the friendship they make on the team,...and that’s what I like to see most.”

05/28/2026

The flags, the ceremonies, and the speeches of Memorial Day. Although the federal holiday occurs only once a year, the loss and sacrifice remain connected to it long after the weekend ends.

At Eternal Valley Memorial Park, community members gathered to honor fallen service members and reflect on the day’s personal meaning.

“When you're involved in something like the Memorial Day celebration here in Santa Clarita, you know, it just stirs your spirit a little bit, recognizing what we're doing and why Memorial Day is what it is,” said Terrell Edwards, a Navy Veteran.

For Edwards, the ceremony is often connected to people they still think about years after their service.

“I have some friends that I have lost along the way, and it's good to just stop and, you know, give what you can, give your time to just remember,” said Edwards.

Edwards was not the only veteran reflecting on personal loss during the ceremony. Speakers like former U.S. Congressman Mike Garcia shared memories of the people they served beside and the sacrifices that still stay with them years later.

“I’ve lost 16 close friends to mishaps and incidents while they were on active duty,” said Garcia.

“It's a really special honor to see so many folks come out and love those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.”

Garcia says remembering those sacrifices is important not only for veterans and families, but for entire communities.

“We have to remember them not only as human beings who had families, who had parents, who had brothers and sisters and kids, but also remember the way they fought,” said Garcia.

As the nation marks its 250th anniversary in 2026, thousands of Americans in Santa Clarita reflected on the sacrifices tied to generations of American military service.

“History is a prologue of the future. Meaning if you don't know the history and you don't remember the history, it's bound to repeat itself,” said Garcia.

“So that's why it's so important today.”

Canyons News is a show that's 100% student-run, student-produced. Not just the anchors and the journalists you see on-sc...
05/28/2026

Canyons News is a show that's 100% student-run, student-produced.

Not just the anchors and the journalists you see on-screen, but the camera operators, directors, and behind-the-scenes crew, all working hard to bring you the most important, hard-hitting stories from across the Santa Clarita Valley.

Want to be a part of the crew?

Join Canyons News this fall and get real, hands-on experience both behind and on camera.

Sign up for the fall semester online through the My Canyons portal, or at www.canyons.edu

05/28/2026

Join us for the latest news from across the Santa Clarita Valley.

05/28/2026

Canyons News is back live tonight at 8 p.m. on Facebook and YouTube, bringing you the stories that matter across the Santa Clarita Valley.

Tonight:

A growing problem for community college systems is affecting students. What C-O-C is doing to stop it.

The end of a hands-on training program has some automotive technology students concerned. They say losing that experience could leave them without real-world training.

Graduation season is here, and this year, a former cougar is returning to inspire the next generation at commencement.

Don’t miss Canyons News, live tonight at 8 p.m.

Address

Stevenson Ranch, CA

Telephone

(661) 362-5868

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Canyons News posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category