👋 Welcome to Northridge Now - Issue #0033
Good morning, Northridge ☀️ - rolling into the weekend with a mix of real updates + things to do around town.
Today’s issue leans local… from campus conversations to Valley crime updates—and some solid events if you’re getting out this weekend.
🔥 In this issue:
🪧 CSUN students rally on campus - pushing for transparency and accountability
🚨 Valley sexual assault suspect turns himself in
🏠 $23.9M burglary case tied to Santa Clarita, Northridge & Woodland Hills
🔬 Sylmar students get hands-on STEM exposure at Mission College
🏐🎾 Matadors heating up - tennis run + Senior Day weekend
📅 Plus: Grubfest tonight, LAPD pancake breakfast, Take Back Day, Soraya concert + more
Let’s get into it 👇
🏊 CSUN News
🎓 Students Take the CSUN Library Lawn for "Hands Off Students" Rally
A big crowd of CSUN students, staff and faculty gathered on the University Library Lawn Thursday for a rally organized by the S.O.A.R (Students Organizing Against Repression) Coalition and the new Hands Off Students Coalition. The event put a spotlight on how campus policing is playing out at CSUN — and what students want to see change.
🔥 What's happening:
🪧 Organizers say the rally focused on transparency, accountability, and student-officer interactions on campus
📊 Flyers cited CSUN data showing 5.5% of students are Black, while 13.4% of police stops involved Black students
📣 The coalition is asking for accountability forums, policy disclosures, and review of excessive-force incidents
🏫 CSUN President Erika Beck and the Department of Police Services have not publicly responded to all of the coalition's demands as of this week
📍 Why it matters locally: This is the biggest campus-organized action we've seen at CSUN this semester, and it's touching a conversation about campus safety and student trust that affects a huge chunk of the Northridge community.
NNN Take: A university this big always has a lot of moving parts, and we'll be watching how the administration, campus police, and student organizers keep the dialogue open in the weeks ahead. We'll keep reporting it straight.
👉 Full story: Daily Sundial
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📰 Valley News
🚨 Suspect in 6 Valley Sexual Assault Cases Turns Himself In
A man linked to a string of sexual assaults across the San Fernando Valley has surrendered to authorities, bringing a tense and ongoing investigation closer to resolution.
🔥 What’s happening:
👤 Suspect connected to six separate sexual assault cases across the Valley
📍 Incidents reported in multiple neighborhoods over recent weeks
🚔 The man turned himself in to law enforcement
🕵️ Investigation involved coordination across multiple agencies
⚖️ Charges are expected as the case moves forward
🧭 Why it matters locally:
This case had a lot of people on edge across the Valley. Multiple incidents, spread out locations, and a suspect still at large created real concern. With a surrender, there’s some relief—but it also raises bigger conversations around safety, awareness, and how quickly these situations escalate.
👉 Full story: LA Daily News
🚨 Santa Clarita Man Pleads Guilty in $23.9M Burglary Scheme — Ties to Northridge & Woodland Hills
A Santa Clarita man has pleaded guilty in a nationwide “burglary tourism” case—and the investigation now directly involves individuals from Northridge and Woodland Hills.
🔥 What’s happening:
👤 Juan Carlos “Parcero” Thola-Duran, 59, of Santa Clarita, pleaded guilty to federal charges
🌎 He admitted helping a group carry out burglaries across the United States
💰 The scheme reportedly caused $23.9 million in losses
⚖️ Federal prosecutors say four people have pleaded guilty so far
📍 Two co-conspirators—one from Northridge and one from Woodland Hills—have pleaded not guilty
🗓️ Their trial is set for August 18
📍 Why it matters locally:
This case hits especially close to home—from Santa Clarita to Northridge and Woodland Hills, it involves people and places right here in the Valley. While the crimes span the country, the connections are local, and the case is still unfolding.
👉 Full story: KTLA
🔬 Sylmar’s Mission College Sparks Student Interest in Science Careers
Middle and high school students got a hands-on introduction to science and career pathways at Los Angeles Mission College—an event designed to open doors and get young minds thinking about their future.
🔥 What’s happening:
🎓 Students from local schools visited Mission College for an interactive science-focused event
🧪 Activities highlighted real-world applications in STEM fields
👩🔬 Faculty and program leaders introduced students to career pathways and educational opportunities
🤝 Event aimed to connect younger students with college-level resources and mentorship
🌱 Focus on sparking early interest in science, technology, and health careers
📍 Why it matters locally:
Programs like this give Valley students early exposure to opportunities they might not otherwise see. With Mission College right in our backyard, events like these help bridge the gap between local schools and higher education, especially for students starting to think about their future paths.
👉 Full story: San Fernando Sun
🏊 CSUN Sports
🏐🎾🥎⛳⚾ Rapid-Fire: Tennis Upsets Its Way to Semis, Men's VB Season Ends, Softball Senior Day
There is a lot going on in Matador-land this week. Here's the quick hit on all of it.
🎾 Women's Tennis: No. 6 seed CSUN is officially the Cinderella of the Big West.
Swept UC Irvine 4–0 in the first round Wednesday at Barnes Tennis Center
Upset No. 3 Cal State Fullerton 4–3 in the quarterfinals Thursday — Nicole West clinched it 6–4, 5–7, 6–3 on Court 3
They're back on court today (Friday) at 1 p.m. in the Big West Semifinals vs. No. 2 Cal Poly
🏐 Men's Volleyball: Season over.
No. 18 CSUN fell 3–1 to No. 6 UC Irvine in the Big West quarterfinals Thursday at the Bren Events Center
Final 2026 record: 12–14. Four Matadors earned All-Big West honors earlier in the week
🥎 Softball: Senior Day on Saturday.
CSUN hosts UC San Diego at Matador Diamond — Friday night and Saturday 1 p.m. (Senior Day)
Last home series of the season. Get out there and send the seniors off
⚾ Baseball: Big weekend at Cal Poly.
CSUN (22–17, 11–10 Big West) holds the 5th and final postseason spot with four weekends to go
Series games: Fri 6 p.m., Sat 3 p.m., Sun 1 p.m. in San Luis Obispo
⛳ Women's Golf + 🏖️ Beach Volleyball:
Senior Kim Turgut finished 3rd individually at the Big West Championship in Ka'anapali, Maui — CSUN placed 4th as a team
Beach volleyball dropped its first two pool-play matches at the Big West Championship in San Luis Obispo Thursday
NNN Take: Tennis is playing with house money and everyone should be tuned in at 1 p.m. today. Golf's Turgut quietly had one of the most consistent Matador seasons of the year. 👏
👉 Full coverage: GoMatadors.com
📅 Events & Things To Do
🍔 Granada Hills Grubfest
Tonight (Fri, Apr 24) · 5–10 p.m.
Chatsworth St. between White Oak Ave & Zelzah Ave, Granada Hills
Weekly 30+ food truck night, dog-friendly, super-casual. Your go-to Friday plan. More info →
🎾 CSUN Women's Tennis — Big West Semifinals vs. Cal Poly
Today (Fri, Apr 24) · 1 p.m.
Barnes Tennis Center, San Diego
The Matadors are two wins away from a first-ever Big West title. Follow along live. Match info →
🥎 CSUN Softball Senior Day vs. UC San Diego
Sat, Apr 25 · 1 p.m.
Matador Diamond, CSUN campus
Last home series of the season. Come cheer the seniors off. Free parking on weekends. Game info →
👮 LAPD Devonshire Open House + S.O.L.I.D. Pancake Breakfast
Sat, Apr 25 · 8–11 a.m.
LAPD Devonshire Station · 10250 Etiwanda Ave, Northridge
All-you-can-eat pancake breakfast ($15, kids under 3 free), car show, LAPD displays, a climbing wall. Great one for families. Event info →
💊 DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
Sat, Apr 25 · 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Local pharmacy and LAPD drop-off locations Valley-wide
The 30th National Take Back Day — dispose of unused or expired meds safely and anonymously. Find a location →
🎼 Mahler Chamber Orchestra with Yuja Wang at The Soraya
Sat, Apr 25 · 8 p.m.
The Soraya · CSUN Campus
Yuja Wang both plays piano and directs the legendary Mahler Chamber Orchestra — one of the biggest classical nights on The Soraya's calendar all season. Tickets →
🍇 Farmers Market at The Vineyards at Porter Ranch
Sun, Apr 26 · 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
The Vineyards at Porter Ranch
Fresh produce, artisan foods, local vendors. Our favorite Sunday-morning routine. More info →
👀 What’s Coming Next
🎓 CSUN Commencement ticket window + prep — ceremonies run May 15–18 at the Library Lawn
🎡 Salute to Recreation Family Festival returns to Northridge Park May 15–17
⚾ The Matador baseball push for the 5th and final Big West playoff spot heats up over the next three weekends
🕯️ We'll be covering the weekend's Armenian Remembrance observances across the Valley in Monday's issue
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