Tuesday, July 21, 2026

Friday Gazette: August 29, 2025

Introducing The Raincross Gazette 2025 Back to School Collection

Today, we're excited to launch our 2025 Back to School merch collection.

Remember last year's "Happy Side" collection? Riverside's beloved 1974 marketing campaign is back by popular demand – and this time, we're bringing the whole family along for the ride. Our signature white heavyweight tee returns, PLUS two brand new colorways that capture Riverside's spirit. And by popular demand, we're also launching youth sizes, because hometown pride starts young!

Every Riversider knows where their loyalty lies. Now you can strap your city on your back and rep your school like the hometown champion you are in our Hometown Heavyweight Tees. Featuring the Gazette's signature raincross on the front and YOUR school's mascot on the back – printed in water-based ink with Riverside standing proud in puff print. So comfortable, you'll want one in each of your school colors.

  • Arlington Lions 🦁
  • King Wolves 🐺
  • North Huskies 🐾
  • Poly Bears 🐻
  • Ramona Rams 🐏
  • Home Forever (for those who rep the whole city) 🧡

Pre-Order = Better Prices for Everyone

Here's the deal: By ordering together as a community, we all win. Pre-ordering helps us reduce costs, and we're passing those savings directly to you. This isn't about profit – it's about getting as many Riversiders as possible wearing their hometown pride. We're offering pre-order pricing of $5 off every shirt through Sunday, September 14, plus options for lots of other savings!

  1. Rally Your Crew & Save More – the more you buy, the more you save:
    • 2-3 shirts: Save 15% – Grab one for a friend
    • 4-5 shirts: Save 20% – Family pack pricing
    • 6+ shirts: Save 25% – Team & group rates
  2. Mix & Match Family Bundle: Buy any 3+ shirts across adult/youth sizes and unlock special pricing:
    • Adult tees: $32 each
    • Youth tees: $24 each
    • Buy 5, get your 6th shirt 50% off
  3. EARLY BIRD SPECIAL: Use the code EARLYBIRD to take an EXTRA 10% off all orders of 3+ shirts. Because the early bird gets the... shirt? Good through this Sunday at midnight!
Order Now
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Meliia’s GoFundMe Update: So far, $1,660 has been raised to help 9-year-old Meliia and her family visit Disneyland. Every contribution brings her closer to making this dream come true! You can still help here: Support Meliia’s Dream.

GOVERNMENT

Planning Commission Advances Riverside Alive Project Despite Air Quality Concerns

The proposed Downtown redevelopment could bring 168 residential units, 376 hotel rooms, and expanded convention center to 10.2-acre site.

A rendering shows the proposed convention center plaza as part of the Riverside Alive project. (Courtesy Overland Development Company)

The Planning Commission unanimously approved an environmental impact report for Riverside Alive, a proposed mixed-use development that could transform a 10.2-acre Downtown site. The project envisions residential units, hotel rooms, office and retail space, subterranean parking, and a convention center expansion.

Driving the news: The environmental review covers the maximum development envelope to provide predictability for future proposals while creating a dynamic mixed-use district in Downtown Riverside.

  • No specific development application is currently under consideration.

Why it matters: The project aims to strengthen Downtown's status as the region's premier urban center, attract larger conferences, increase revenue, and provide quality housing near transit and employment centers.

  • Significant impacts to air quality and greenhouse gas emissions were identified, primarily from mobile sources.

The bottom line: The environmental review advances to the City Council for final certification, but does not authorize any development or issue construction permits.

  • Future proposals must obtain necessary entitlements and demonstrate consistency with the environmental review.

What's next: A 10-day appeal period follows the commission's decision, with appeal information available through the Planning Division.

Read and share the complete story...

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COMMUNITY

Beauty Queen Turns Tragedy into Naloxone Advocacy

Former Miss Riverside uses pageant platform to combat fentanyl crisis after nephew's overdose death.

Shari Wolf, a retired nurse and pageant titleholder, pictured at a community outreach booth. (Courtesy of Shari Wolf)

A retired nurse who began competing in beauty pageants at 60 is using her titles to combat the opioid crisis after her nephew died from a fentanyl-laced pill. Shari Wolf, now Miss Riverside, has distributed naloxone and advocated for harm reduction across the country.

Driving the news: Wolf's 22-year-old nephew died in March 2021 after taking what he thought was anxiety medication, prompting her to use her pageant platform for overdose prevention advocacy.

  • The case became one of the first drug-induced homicide prosecutions in the U.S.

By the numbers: Riverside County recorded 98 fentanyl overdose deaths from December 2024 through April 2025, a 19-death increase from the previous period.

  • The 25-44 age group accounted for 189 deaths in 2024, the highest among all age groups.

Why it matters: Wolf is expanding harm reduction efforts in the Inland Empire, planning to install 20 more naloxone boxes within a year.

  • California's naloxone distribution project has provided over 6.2 million kits since 2018, reversing more than 358,000 overdoses statewide.

The big picture: Wolf challenges stereotypes about drug users, noting the crisis affects diverse demographics, including "Eagle Scouts" and "elite youth."

What's next: Wolf continues advocacy through community events and CPR training, believing immediate action saves lives while government programs require years to implement.

Read and share the complete story...

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Adoptable Pet of the Week

Meet Archie!

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.

Archie is a handsome, spirited, and outgoing dog who’s been waiting nearly two months to be adopted. He loves walks, head scratches, and relaxing in the shade. Meet Archie at the Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., every day except Tuesday. On Saturday, Aug. 30, you can adopt a pet with a waived adoption fee as part of Clear the Shelters. Come meet Archie 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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What's Happening in Riverside

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