Heat advisory shifts weekend plans, charter review appointments delayed, Casa Blanca STEM school opens, fall football guide and one overlooked pup still waits for a home.
Heat advisory shifts weekend plans, charter review appointments delayed, Casa Blanca STEM school opens, fall football guide and one overlooked pup still waits for a home.
Ballet FolklĂłrico de Arlington High School filled the courtyard with vibrant movement and color during the grand opening celebration of Casa Blanca Elementary School. (Ken Crawford)
Committee Delays Charter Review Appointments to Avoid Lame-Duck Selections
Concerns about outgoing Councilmembers making appointments for successors prompts discussion to wait until after 2026 elections.
Riverside City Council chambers during Wednesday’s Governmental Processes Committee meeting.
Riverside's Governmental Processes Committee grapples with timing concerns over appointing members to the Charter Review Committee. The dilemma centers on current Councilmembers making appointments that would extend beyond their terms, with three of seven council seats facing election in 2026.
Driving the meeting: Vice Chair Jim Perry objects to current Councilmembers appointing members for terms extending past their own.
Perry states, "There's two of us that are not coming back."
Why it matters: The Charter Review Committee must submit recommendations by May 2027 for potential ballot measures in the March 2028 mayoral election.
Delaying appointments until after June 2026 elections would compress the committee's working timeline from 14 months to about nine months.
The big picture: The committee agrees to recommend a nine-member Charter Review Committee — one appointment per Councilmember and two by the mayor.
City staff will return to the City Council with an adjusted timeline and appointment process accounting for the 2026 election cycle.
What they're saying: Chuck Conder expresses confidence in a condensed schedule, stating, "This is not rocket science. These people know how to do stuff. They can do it in nine months."
What's next: The Charter Review Committee faces challenges, including updating charter provisions to align with state election cycles and addressing complex issues like mayor and City Council salaries.
Casa Blanca Elementary Opens as District's First Purpose-Built STEM School
New campus restores neighborhood anchor lost during 1965 desegregation, featuring labs with 3D printers and robotics.
Superintendent Sonia Llamas, and RUSD Board members Brent Lee and Noemi Hernandez-Alexander cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony for Casa Blanca Elementary School. (Ken Crawford)
Riverside Unified School District celebrated the opening of Casa Blanca Elementary, its first purpose-built STEM campus. The school marks the return of the Casa Blanca name to the neighborhood after a 60-year absence, restoring a community anchor lost during desegregation efforts.
Driving the news: The new TK-6 school features three STEM labs equipped with advanced technology, learning terraces, and innovative classroom furniture designed for collaboration.
The campus represents a significant investment in STEM education for a historically underserved neighborhood.
Why it matters: The school's opening symbolizes renewal and community investment in student success across all neighborhoods.
The phoenix mascot represents regeneration after decades without a neighborhood school.
The big picture: Extensive community partnerships demonstrate citywide commitment to student achievement.
Partners include Collins Aerospace, Cal Baptist University, Altura Credit Union, and local construction firms.
What they're saying: "We didn't retrofit old dreams to fit old buildings. We built something here from the ground up with our students, teachers at the center of every design," said Superintendent Dr. Sonia Llamas.
What's next: Principal Bernie Torres will lead the school, which aims to prepare a new generation for future success while honoring the community's educational heritage.
High School Boys Football, Girls Flag Football and Riverside City College all offer excellent entertainment at a great value.
J.W. North defenders bring down a Moreno Valley player during a Friday night varsity matchup. (Courtesy of jwnorthathletics.org)
The football season features more than 240 games from August through December, spanning high school boys football, girls flag football and Riverside City College. Ten local schools compete in boys football, eight in girls flag football, and RCC provides the region’s college-level action. From Thursday afternoon flag football to Saturday college games, it’s an exciting, affordable way to support our neighborhood schools and athletes. Girls flag football continues to grow, now officially sanctioned with college scholarship opportunities opening up. I know I have my eye on the Poly at Arlington game on Halloween! Let’s go, Cubs, as our Arlington Avenue dynasty, CSDR boys football, makes another run at a championship!
Meet this week’s featured furry friend from the Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center. Dedicated to eliminating pet homelessness, the center provides compassionate care and facilitates adoptions for animals in need of loving homes. Find your new companion and help support their mission of humane care and responsible pet ownership.
Kitana has been waiting more than five months to find her new family. Time and time again, she has been overlooked as other dogs get adopted. But Kitana truly has it all: an amazing personality, a love of affection, an “up-for-anything” spirit and a kind heart. At 2 years old, she still enjoys being adventurous and trying new things. She gets along great with other dogs and does well with kids. Come meet Kitana and all the adoptable pets at Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center in person. Stop by any day except Tuesdays, from 12 p.m. – 7 p.m., or learn more at petsadoption.org.
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Young entrepreneur’s lemonade stand wins community support, Downtowne Bookstore opens a new concept space, and crape myrtles burst into bloom across Riverside.
