Issue 42 is here as graduation season officially takes over the San Fernando Valley. Today’s issue covers a critical Reseda hit-and-run, growing concerns from wildfire survivors over relief funding, why local restaurants say surviving in 2026 is getting tougher, plus major CSUN commencement and athletics updates as thousands of students prepare to graduate this weekend.

• 🚨 Scooter rider critically injured in Reseda hit-and-run
• 🔥 Wildfire survivors question $2.5B relief spending
• 💧 SFV captures 120 billion gallons of stormwater
• 🍽️ Why LA restaurants say survival is getting harder
• 🎓 CSUN commencement weekend begins
• 🏅 Matador Rapid-Fire athletics update
• 🦅 Memorial Day volunteer flag placement event
• 🌮 Grubfest, farmers markets & Valley events this weekend

Happy Friday, and Congratulations to all our SFV graduates.

Let’s get into it 👇

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A scooter rider is in critical condition after a hit-and-run crash in Reseda late Tuesday night.

🚨 What happened:

📍 Why it matters locally:

Residents across the West Valley continue raising concerns over dangerous driving and hit-and-run crashes at major intersections — especially involving pedestrians, scooters, and bikes.

💡 NNN Take:

The Valley’s busiest intersections are becoming less forgiving. Even a quick late-night ride can turn serious fast when reckless driving is involved.

👉 Full story: ABC7

Some survivors impacted by recent California wildfires are now questioning how a massive $2.5 billion relief package is actually being distributed.

💰 Concerns being raised:

📍 Why it matters locally:

Wildfire concerns continue to grow across the San Fernando Valley foothills and nearby communities. Many residents are paying close attention to how future emergency funding and preparedness efforts will work if disaster strikes closer to home.

💡 NNN Take:

People generally understand rebuilding takes time — but when billions are announced publicly, expectations move a lot faster than government systems do.

👉 Full story: LA Daily News

Water facilities across the San Fernando Valley helped Los Angeles County capture more than 120 billion gallons of stormwater this year.

🌧️ Why it matters:

📍 Bigger picture:

As California continues balancing drought concerns with extreme rain seasons, stormwater capture is becoming one of the region’s biggest long-term water strategies.

💡 NNN Take:

This is one of those infrastructure stories most people never see — but it quietly affects every faucet, lawn, and water bill in the Valley.

👉 Full story: San Fernando Sun

Restaurant owners across Los Angeles say rising costs are making it harder than ever to stay open in 2026.

📈 Owners point to:

🍔 What local owners are saying:

Many small restaurant operators say they’re being squeezed from every direction while still trying to keep menu prices reasonable for customers.

📍 Why it matters locally:

The San Fernando Valley’s local food scene is heavily built on independently owned restaurants, family spots, cafes, and neighborhood staples — many already operating on thin margins.

💡 NNN Take:

The Valley loves supporting local restaurants… but 2026 may become a real separating line between the spots that adapt creatively and the ones that simply can’t absorb the pressure anymore.

👉 Full story: FOX11

When: Tonight, Friday, May 15 at 6:00 PM
Where: CSUN Library Lawn, 18111 Nordhoff St
Details: First of seven ceremonies. Free to attend; livestream available. Parking available on campus.

Learn more

When: Saturday, May 16 at 8:00 AM
Where: CSUN Library Lawn, 18111 Nordhoff St
Details: Early ceremony for David Nazarian College of Business graduates. Livestream link available on CSUN website.

Learn more

When: Saturday, May 16 at 6:00 PM
Where: CSUN Library Lawn, 18111 Nordhoff St
Details: Michael D. Eisner College of Education and College of Health & Human Development graduates.

Learn more

CSUN athletics heads deeper into May with postseason pressure, national honors, and another strong week across multiple Matador programs.

🔥 What’s happening:

• ⚾ Baseball — Big West Fight Continues: CSUN continues battling through a tough Big West schedule as the Matadors push toward the final stretch of conference play against top conference opponents.

• 🏐 Men’s Volleyball — Another All-America Season: Jalen Phillips capped off another standout year after earning All-America and All-Big West recognition while helping keep the Matadors nationally ranked throughout the season.

• 🏆 Volleyball — National Tournament Expansion: NCAA men’s volleyball officially expanded its national championship tournament to 12 teams this season, signaling continued growth for the sport and programs like CSUN.

• 🥏 Track & Field — Momentum Building: CSUN track and field athletes continue posting personal records and strong performances heading into championship season.

• ⛳ Golf — Big West Championship Complete: The Matadors wrapped up conference championship play as younger players continue gaining valuable postseason experience.

• 🎓 Campus Buzz — Graduation Season Arrives: Commencement activity is beginning to take over campus as thousands of CSUN students prepare for graduation ceremonies across Northridge.

👉 Full coverage: GoMatadors.com

Caps and gowns are about to take over the Valley as high schools, colleges, and universities across Los Angeles prepare for graduation ceremonies throughout the coming weeks.

The Daily News released its full 2026 graduation schedule, including dates and times for campuses across the San Fernando Valley and greater L.A. area — from local high schools to major universities like CSUN, UCLA, and USC.

Families are encouraged to plan ahead for parking, traffic, and large crowds around campuses during ceremony dates, especially during peak evening and weekend events.

For many Valley families, graduation season marks one of the biggest community milestones of the year — celebrating years of hard work, late nights, and proud moments finally paying off.

👉 LAUSD Schools: LA Daily News

LANCSF is inviting Valley residents to help place American flags at veterans’ gravesites ahead of Memorial Day weekend ceremonies.

🇺🇸 Thousands of flags
🤝 Community volunteers of all ages
❤️ Honor those who served

Organizers encourage residents to reserve volunteer spots early as participation continues growing each year.

👉 Volunteer Link: bit.ly/MemorialDayWLACC

Grow your business through real referrals - not just networking.

🗓 Thursdays · 7:00 AM
📍 The Vineyards, Porter Ranch

👉 Register to Visit or send this to someone who should: LeTip - Valley Referral Network

FRIDAY · MAY 15

🌮 Granada Hills Grubfest

5:00 – 10:00 PM · Chatsworth St between White Oak & Zelzah · 30+ rotating food trucks. Casual, dog-friendly. The standing Valley food event.

🔗 Facebook

SUNDAY · MAY 17

🥬 Weekly Farmers Market at The Vineyards

9:00 AM – 2:00 PM · The Vineyards at Porter Ranch · Fresh produce, artisan foods, local vendors. Mother's-Day-meets-fresh-flowers energy — perfect plus-one for Mom.

🔗 More info

WEDNESDAY · MAY 20

🥬 Weekly Farmers Market at Northridge Fashion Center

⏰ 5 PM – 9 PM · 📍 Northridge Fashion Center

Fresh produce, artisan foods, flowers, desserts, and local vendors with relaxed midweek Valley vibes.

🔗 More info: Northridge Fashion Center Events

THURSDAY · MAY 21

🍻 Trivia Night at Paragon Bar and Grill

Paragon Bar and Grill, Northridge · Classic pub-style trivia. Bring your trivia buddies.

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