From freeway shutdowns and overnight street takeovers to CSUN commencement season officially kicking off and a local happy hour mixer bringing business owners together — Issue 38 covers a little bit of everything happening across the San Fernando Valley.

🔥 In this issue:

• 🚨 210 Freeway police shooting shuts down Sylmar traffic
• 🚔 Deadly Van Nuys hit-and-run investigation underway
• 🏎️💨 Street takeovers erupt across multiple Valley intersections
• 🚨 Reseda neighborhood chaos after naked suspect arrest
• 🍻 Valley Referral Network happy hour mixer this Thursday
• 🎓 CSUN commencement season officially begins
• ⚽ CSUN Men’s Soccer lands major $110K boost
• ⚾ Wild extra-inning Matador baseball comeback falls short
• 📅 Farmers markets, Grubfest, jazz, baseball & Mother’s Day weekend events

Let’s get into it 👇

Looking for a more relaxed way to connect with local business owners?

Skip the early alarm — we’re bringing the network to happy hour.

🔥 What’s happening:

📍 Where: LA Popular
🗓 When: This Thursday: 5-7-26
⏰ Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

💡 First time guests are FREE

📩 RSVP: Email [email protected] to be added to the guest list

💬 NNN Take:
This is the easiest way to check out the Valley Referral Network — no 7AM commitment, just show up, grab a drink, and see if the vibe fits.

👉 Come by yourself — or bring someone who should be in the room.

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Keep Your Cool

A major stretch of the westbound 210 Freeway in Sylmar was shut down Tuesday afternoon after a police shooting tied to an attempted carjacking investigation. Authorities say LAPD officers responded to reports of an armed suspect involved in an attempted carjacking before shots were fired on the freeway near Bledsoe Street.

🚔 What happened:

• LAPD responded to reports of an armed attempted carjacking
• Officers encountered the suspect on the 210 Freeway near Bledsoe Street
• Shots were fired during the incident
• All westbound lanes were temporarily shut down in the area
• Heavy traffic backups stretched across the northeast Valley during the closure
• Authorities have not yet confirmed injuries or released full suspect details

📍 Why it matters locally:

The 210 is one of the Valley’s busiest commuter routes connecting Sylmar, Sunland-Tujunga, Pasadena, and the Inland Empire. A closure like this during afternoon traffic quickly ripples through surrounding surface streets including Foothill Blvd, Hubbard, and San Fernando Road.

💡 NNN Take:

The Valley’s freeway system is becoming increasingly unpredictable — crashes, police activity, and emergency shutdowns are now regularly spilling into local neighborhoods within minutes. Having alternate surface street routes in mind is no longer just convenient… it’s practical Valley survival.

👉 Full story: CBS News

A pedestrian was killed in a devastating hit-and-run crash Monday night in Van Nuys, and police are now searching for the driver who fled the scene instead of stopping to help.

According to authorities, the victim was struck near the intersection of Sherman Way and Sepulveda Boulevard — one of the busiest corridors in the central Valley. (abc7.com)

🚔 What happened:

• Crash happened Monday night near Sherman Way & Sepulveda Blvd
• A pedestrian was struck and killed at the intersection
• The driver fled the scene before officers arrived
• LAPD launched a hit-and-run investigation immediately after the crash
• No suspect vehicle description has been publicly released yet
• Traffic in the area was heavily impacted during the investigation

📍 Why it matters locally:

Sherman Way and Sepulveda is one of the Valley’s highest-traffic intersections — packed daily with commuters, buses, foot traffic, and late-night drivers. Residents have repeatedly raised concerns about speeding and dangerous driving behavior throughout the Van Nuys corridor.

💡 NNN Take:

Hit-and-runs continue to be one of the most frustrating trends across Los Angeles right now. Beyond the tragedy itself, it leaves families waiting for answers while drivers disappear into traffic. Surveillance cameras, business footage, and witness tips often become the key to solving these cases quickly.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact LAPD Valley Traffic Division.

👉 Full story: ABC7

Illegal street takeovers erupted across the San Fernando Valley overnight, with crowds gathering at several intersections for dangerous stunt driving, burnouts, and fireworks that stretched into the early morning hours.

Video from the scenes showed vehicles spinning donuts while spectators packed intersections and blocked traffic. (ktla.com)

🔥 What happened:

• Multiple street takeovers were reported across the Valley overnight
• Drivers blocked intersections while performing burnouts and donuts
• Large crowds gathered around the vehicles filming and cheering
• Fireworks were also reportedly set off during some of the gatherings
• LAPD responded to several locations throughout the night
• Traffic disruptions and noise complaints spread across nearby neighborhoods

📍 Why it matters locally:

Street takeovers have become a recurring issue throughout the Valley, especially late at night in wide industrial corridors and major intersections. Beyond the noise and chaos, nearby residents often deal with blocked roads, property damage, reckless driving, and growing safety concerns.

💡 NNN Take:

The problem isn’t just the stunts anymore — it’s the crowds. Once intersections fill with spectators, these gatherings become harder and more dangerous to break up quickly. What starts as “car culture” can turn into injuries, crashes, or worse in seconds.

Residents in several Valley neighborhoods reported hearing engines, screeching tires, and fireworks well past midnight.

👉 Full story: KTLA

Residents in a quiet Reseda neighborhood woke up to a bizarre and unsettling scene after police say a naked man was running through the area damaging property and frightening neighbors before eventually being arrested.

Video from the incident showed the man behaving erratically while moving through residential streets.

🚨 What happened:

• Police responded to reports of a naked man causing disturbances in Reseda
• Witnesses said the man was yelling, running through yards, and acting aggressively
• Property damage was reportedly caused during the incident
• Neighbors described the situation as chaotic and frightening
• LAPD officers eventually detained and arrested the suspect
• No serious injuries were reported during the encounter

📍 Why it matters locally:

While bizarre incidents happen across Los Angeles, situations involving erratic behavior inside residential neighborhoods create immediate fear for families — especially during early morning or overnight hours when people least expect it.

💡 NNN Take:

These kinds of incidents are becoming increasingly common across the Valley, and they often leave neighbors asking the same question afterward: was this drugs, mental health, or both? Either way, residents are increasingly relying on neighborhood apps, cameras, and quick communication to stay aware in real time.

Several neighbors reportedly recorded portions of the incident before officers arrived.

👉 Full story: KTLA

It's go time. An estimated 11,355 Matadors are eligible to walk this year, and the whole celebration kicks off this Saturday on the Library Lawn. The first formal ceremony — Sciences & Math + Anagnost College of Engineering and Computer Science — hits Friday May 15. The grand finale wraps Monday May 18. Eight events, one lawn, lots of leis.

🔥 What's happening:

📍 Why it matters locally: Commencement weekends mean Reseda Blvd, Nordhoff, and the campus parking lots are about to look like a stadium event. Plan ahead if you're driving anywhere near Lindley or Plummer May 9 and May 15-18.

NNN Take: 11,355. That's a small city's worth of new alumni walking off our Library Lawn. Congrats to every Matador in a cap and gown — and to the families who got them there.

👉 Full story: CSUN Newsroom

CSUN Men's Soccer just landed a serious assist. The New Hope Foundation — a group focused on knocking down barriers for people in need — dropped a $110,000 gift on the program, earmarked for scholarships and player nutrition. For a roster that grinds through Big West road trips, that meal money is real money.

🔥 What's happening:

📍 Why it matters locally: CSUN soccer plays right here in Northridge. Better-funded scholarships keep more local talent on campus, and consistent team meals are a quietly massive piece of student-athlete welfare.

👉 Full story: CSUN Newsroom

Tuesday gave Matador fans one of the wildest finishes you'll see all spring — and the All-Big West awards started landing. Quick rundown:

🔥 What's happening:

NNN Take: The CBU game was the kind of swing-out-of-your-shoes nightcap CSUN fans will remember even in a loss. Now there's one more weekend at Hiegert before Hawai'i — show up loud.

👉 Full coverage: GoMatadors.com

🥬 Weekly Farmers Market at Northridge Fashion Center

📅 Wednesdays · ⏰ 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 7

🍻 Trivia Night at Paragon Bar and Grill

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

FRIDAY · MAY 8

🌮 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

SATURDAY · MAY 9

🏃 PACE 5th Annual Autism Shero Run

8:00 AM start · Woodley Park (Section 1, 6350 Woodley Ave., Van Nuys) · Inclusive 5K, 10K & 1K Kids Fun Run supporting kids and adults on the autism spectrum. Live DJ, bounce house, food trucks, vendors. Registrants get custom finisher medals.

🔗 Event details & registration

SUNDAY · MAY 10 · 💐 MOTHER'S DAY

🥬 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

🎷 CSUN Jazz A & B Bands feat. Wycliffe Gordon

Thursday, May 7 · 7:30 PM · The Soraya at CSUN · $10–$22

Internationally acclaimed trombonist Wycliffe Gordon shares the stage with CSUN's student jazz ensembles. Cheap ticket, big sound. Tickets & info

SATURDAY · MAY 9

⚾ CSUN Baseball vs. UC Santa Barbara (Game 2)

2:00 PM · Robert J. Hiegert Field, CSUN campus · Saturday afternoon ball at the friendly confines.

🔗 Schedule & info

SATURDAY · MAY 9

🎓 CSUN Honors Convocation

6:00 PM · University Library Lawn, CSUN campus · Open-air ceremony recognizing CSUN's top graduating students. Family- and community-friendly.

🔗 Details

SUNDAY · MAY 10

⚾ CSUN Baseball vs. UC Santa Barbara (Series Finale)

1:00 PM · Robert J. Hiegert Field · The last regular-season home game of 2026. Bring Mom and a glove.

🔗 Schedule & info

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