Riversiders Gather in White Park to Honor Deceased Friends and Family Members. (Ken Crawford)
Friday Gazette: November 8, 2024
The weather was Perfect for last weekend’s Day of the Dead celebration. My booth was on the corner of Ninth and Market, directly across from the gate at White Park. It was two long days, but observing the characters and the community made the time tolerable. I love seeing the costumes, dancing, listening to music, and smelling the food. I’m glad I got to see and talk to a few of you guys. We try to create a community around the Gazette, and I think we do a pretty good job.
This Saturday, we have the Salute to Veterans parade on Magnolia/Market from RCC to the Courthouse. Parking is free at all public lots and garages.
Readers, we need your help putting together a local shopping guide for the holidays. If you own or know of a business that should be mentioned, please email me at Ken@raincrossgazette.com.
Community college bond hangs by narrow margin while Measure L gains ground in latest Riverside County vote count.
Editor's note: This story will be updated as we receive results and more information regarding the election. Last update: 7:30 pm, November 7.
Results are becoming clear with all of Riverside's 84 precincts reporting as of roughly 3:00 am Wednesday morning.
Riverside County released its latest vote count on Thursday evening, with no significant changes since Tuesday's early results. Here are the latest results in the races impacting Riverside's residents.
Measure L
Measure L, which would amend the City Charter to create a new Office of Inspector General, appointed by the Mayor and City Council to serve as an auditor of the city's spending and operations, has seen a 1-point increase with 64% of the votes counted.
Yes: 42,435 votes
No: 24,179 votes
Measure CC
Measure CC, a $954,000,000 bond measure to fund the Riverside Community College District facility repairs and expansions, holds 56% of the 220,580 votes cast. That percentage must stay above 55% for Measure CC to pass.
Yes: 123,634 votes
No: 96,946 votes
Riverside Unified School District
Incumbent Dale Kinnear holds his lead Karen Coleman for RUSD Trustee Area 2 by 511 votes, commanding 52% of the vote.
Dale Kinnear: 5,493 votes
Karen Coleman: 4,982 votes
Amanda Vickers holds her lead over Chani Beeman in RUSD Trustee Area 2, winning 55% of the votes.
Amanda Vickers: 5,017 votes
Chani Beeman: 4,128 votes
Jesse Tweed holds his lead in RUSD Trustee Area 4 with just under 50% of the 11,539 total votes counted so far.
"I am incredibly honored and grateful to have been elected to the RUSD School Board." Tweed said in a statement to The Gazette, "I'm excited to work together to create an environment where every child can thrive and reach their fullest potential. This journey is just beginning, and I can't wait to make a positive impact alongside each of you."
Jesse Tweed: 5,662 votes
Marcelle Williams: 4,355 votes
B. "Lynna" Gernertt: 902 votes (dropped out of race in September)
Marla A. Matime: 620 votes
Alvord Unified School District
Amanda Vasquez holds her lead over incumbent Lizeth Vega, with all four of Alvord's Trustee Area 2 precincts reporting.
Amanda A. Vasquez: 1,445 votes
Lizeth Vega: 1,159 votes
In the four-way race for Trustee Area 4, Norma Berrellez holds 42% of the votes, with all 4 of Alvord's Trustee Area 4's precincts reporting.
Norma Berrellez: 1,661 votes
Louie M. Perez: 1,037 votes
Joel Ball: 675 votes
Dustin Nguyen: 564 votes
Beyond the City
Riverside County Board of Supervisors District 1
District 1 was redrawn in 2021 and now includes Riverside, Jurupa Valley, and Perris, as well as March Air Reserve Base, Highgrove, and Mead Valley. Former State Senator currently holds 52% of the vote, leading former State Assemblymember Jose Medina by 3,285 votes.
Richard Roth: 46,984 votes
Jose Medina: 43,699 votes
State Assembly 58th District
Sitting Ward 2 Councilmember Clarissa Cervantes trails Leticia Castillo by over 2,500 votes for the State Assembly District 58 seat. Our first reporting on this race showed Clarissa with a lead in Riverside County, but the 58th District includes the City of Grand Terrace, where Castillo has held the lead since the first results we released.
Leticia Castillo: 50,634 votes district-wide
Clarissa Cervantes: 48,086 votes district-wide
California State Senate 31st District
Richard Roth termed out of his seat in the State's 31st Senate district, which encompasses Eastvale, Jurupa Valley, Moreno Valley, Perris, San Jacinto, and parts of Corona, Fontana, Menifee, and Riverside, at the end of the State's last legislative session. Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes has 53% of the 177,129 votes counted so far.
A Salute To Veterans Brings Old Fashioned Parade Downtown
The Saturday event is a throwback to small-town Veteran’s Day parades with classic cars and marching bands.
Vintage Convoy Truck during A Salute to Veterans. (Courtesy of asalutetoveteran.org)
Does anything pique small-town American nostalgia like a Veteran's Day parade? Riverside isn't quite a small town anymore, but the parade route down Market can surely feel like another place and time. The classic holiday parade is emblematic of the best of us. Of course, this parade, The Salute to Veterans Parade & Expo, will honor our nation's veterans with a vibrant celebration on Saturday, November 9th, 2024, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
The Janet Goeske Center Offers Entertainment and Assistance for Riverside Seniors
Local residents over 50 can gain free access to medical insurance experts at the November 13 Medicare Fair.
A busy day at the Janet Goeske Center for Seniors. (Courtesy of The Janet Goeske Center)
The most experienced Riversiders know that The Janet Goeske Center ensures nobody feels lonely or bored. In addition to the center’s daily social and wellness offerings, special events are held throughout the month. These events entertain, inform, and assist Riverside seniors. Most events are free to members and open to the community.
Sports Shorts: Lancers Playing in Final of the WAC Women’s Soccer Tournament
A late comeback victory in the semifinal match against Utah Valley sent them into the championship against long-time foes GCU.
CBU Women’s Soccer celebrates semifinal win. (Courtesy of cbulancers.com)
CBU Women’s Soccer
The Lancers finished their regular season with two losses and a tie. That didn’t stop them from tearing through the first rounds of the WAC Tournament, including a three-goal comeback against number-one seed Utah Valley and landing a Finals bid against long-time rivals Grand Canyon University. CBU and GCU played to a scoreless draw on October 26, and I’m sure the young women are lacing up their shooting boots to try and get the ball in the back of the net. You can find the WAC Tournament Finals on ESPN+. November 9, 12 pm.
Downtown Riverside’s Jailbirds: Peregrine Falcons Nest at the County Jail
Discover the story behind these remarkable raptors, from their hunting feats to their role as an endangered species success story.
A rehabilitated Peregrine Falcon is released above downtown Riverside, ready to rejoin its family at the Robert Presley Detention Center. (Project Wildlife, San Diego)
Riverside is a great city for seeing interesting birds. It’s easy to see White Pelicans at Fairmont Park or Blue Grosbeaks at Hidden Valley at the appropriate time of the year. But you don’t need to go to a managed park or unmanaged wilderness to see some remarkable birds. All you need to do is to go to downtown Riverside (again, in the right season), stand at the northwest corner of Ninth and Orange, and focus your binoculars on the tall building kitty-corner across the street (4000 Orange Street).
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.
Nala is a spirited and active gal who is learning how to be the best girl she can be. She enjoys playtime, going on adventures (car rides are one of her favorite things), and hanging out. Nala is seeking a patient, compassionate adopter who will continue working with her, keeping her mind engaged as she practices new commands and enjoys new experiences. Additionally, regular exercise and structured play sessions will help to channel her energy positively. Nala is two years old, weighs 56 lbs., and has been waiting since February to be adopted. Visit petsadoption.org for more information on Nala and other available pets.
Pet of the Week Update: Petunia (10/25 featured pup) was adopted last week! She was approaching almost two years at the adoption center; everyone is absolutely thrilled for her and her new family.
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This week’s agendas include a Council vote on a 45-day smoke shop moratorium and a $19.7M Chavez Center renovation, plus earthquake prep tips and a water update.
