> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.raincrossgazette.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # 🍊 Monday Gazette: July 14, 2025 - URL: https://www.raincrossgazette.com/monday-gazette-july-14-2025/ - Published: 2025-07-14T12:00:59.000Z - Updated: 2026-08-09T02:21:18.000Z - Description: National Give Something Away Day, fireworks drones issue 65 citations, and City Council returns with a packed agenda. - Author: Gazette Staff - Tags: Newsletter ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b3/b2/b3b29e3b-298e-485f-86ca-3034c21e3784/content/images/2025/07/IMG_0153-2.jpeg) The Mission Inn glows at twilight as the streetlights flicker on—golden domes, a crescent moon, and palm silhouettes mark the start of another Riverside evening. (Kathy Allavie) Have a photo that captures the spirit of Riverside? [Share it with us](https://goldstandardca.notion.site/13eef165d2ee80fa91c3de069cc9ec29?ref=raincrossgazette.com) and help celebrate the beauty of our community! **Monday Gazette: July 14, 2025** **Hello Riverside, and Happy Monday!** It’s *National Give Something Away Day*—a perfect excuse to bag up those clothes, shoes, or household items you’re no longer using. When the Gazette team tackles a closet purge, two of our favorite donation spots are [Savers](https://stores.savers.com/ca/riverside/savers-thrift-store-1187.html?site=Savers&lang=EN&country=US&ref=raincrossgazette.com)—you’ll get a coupon to shop when you donate, making it a great start to sustainable back-to-school shopping—and [Pink Ribbon Thrift](https://pink.rchf.org/thrift-shop/?ref=raincrossgazette.com). 100% of contributions to Pink Ribbon Thrift help fund no-cost resources through [The Pink Ribbon Place](https://pink.rchf.org/?ref=raincrossgazette.com), which offers counseling, support groups, wigs, and wellness services for those impacted by cancer. See you tomorrow! --- #### [PUBLIC SAFETY](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/tag/public-safety/) ## Drone Crackdown on Illegal Fireworks Yields 65 Citations, $97,500 in Fines New aerial surveillance program shows mixed results across neighborhoods as complaints increase. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b3/b2/b3b29e3b-298e-485f-86ca-3034c21e3784/content/images/2025/07/RG-Feat-Image-Template-91-1.jpg)](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/drone-crackdown-on-illegal-fireworks-yields-65-citations-97-500-in-fines) Drone footage, captured by the Riverside Police Department, shows illegal fireworks erupting over a Riverside neighborhood on July 4, part of evidence that led to 65 citations carrying $1,500 fines each. (Courtesy Riverside Police Department) Riverside's first-ever aerial surveillance program targeting illegal fireworks resulted in 65 citations during the Fourth of July period. The collaborative effort between police, fire, and code enforcement used drones to document violations, with each citation carrying a $1,500 penalty. **Driving the news:** The city deployed small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) with enhanced zoom capabilities to monitor and collect evidence of illegal fireworks activity from June 27 to July 4, 2025. - Fireworks-related calls increased by 15% from last year, with 547 calls to emergency services and 431 complaints to the 311 center. **Why it matters:** Illegal fireworks pose a serious threat to public safety, potentially causing devastating fires and life-changing injuries. - The recent Mandalay Fire, which burned over 83 acres and forced evacuations, is suspected to have been caused by illegal fireworks. **The impact:** Experiences varied across the city, with some neighborhoods reporting significant improvements while others saw little change. - Jane Adams noticed a decrease in fireworks activity, especially in the days following the Fourth of July. **What's next:** The data collected during this year's operation will inform future enforcement strategies. - A presentation detailing the enforcement efforts, including heat maps showing citation concentrations, will be given at the July 15 City Council meeting. [Read and share the complete story...](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/drone-crackdown-on-illegal-fireworks-yields-65-citations-97-500-in-fines) --- Advertisement ([Become an advertiser](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/advertise/)) [![Advertisement](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone_static/169513/image/0?seed=)](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone%5Fstatic/169513/click/0?seed=&ref=raincrossgazette.com) --- #### [GOVERNMENT](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/tag/government/) ## This Week in City Hall: July 14, 2025 After a week off meetings, Council has a full plate revising retail cannabis regulations, $1.53 million in road resurfacing, and reviewing the final report on the City's 2025 Strategic Plan. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b3/b2/b3b29e3b-298e-485f-86ca-3034c21e3784/content/images/2025/07/DSC05316-1.jpeg)](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/this-week-in-city-hall-july-14-2025) (Ken Crawford) Welcome to our weekly digest on public meetings and agenda items worth your attention in the coming week. This guide is part of our mission to provide everyday Riversiders like you with the information to speak up on the issues you care about. ### City Council City Council will meet in closed and open sessions on Tuesday, July 15, at 1 p.m., 3:00 p.m., and 6:15 p.m. ([agenda](https://riversideca.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=1294499&GUID=64786CE9-FD69-4746-9416-710784C0079B&ref=raincrossgazette.com)). The agenda includes: - Considering [awarding a $1.53 million contract](https://riversideca.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=14339131&GUID=E606AA87-7FA8-4C71-AA4D-E9290152A62A&ref=raincrossgazette.com) that would resurface 1.56 miles of streets in Wards 5 and 6 and construct 24 sidewalk ramps citywide, funded primarily through federal Community Development Block Grant funds. - Reviewing the [final report on the Envision Riverside 2025 Strategic Plan](https://riversideca.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=14339133&GUID=39B95DA4-3E1B-482C-8ACC-30295C1439FD&ref=raincrossgazette.com) as the City prepares to transition to goals established under the upcoming General Plan 2050. - Reviewing the City's [third quarter financial projections](https://riversideca.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=14339128&GUID=FD9140D2-FED3-4D5F-A2C7-A331BA177B1B&ref=raincrossgazette.com) that show a projected $211,978 General Fund surplus, with a proposed $500,000 transfer to support the Fairmount Lake Dredging project. - Conducting three required public hearings to approve annual assessments for street lighting and landscape maintenance districts and placing liens on properties with unpaid code enforcement costs, with rates remaining unchanged for citywide street lighting ($31.44), increasing slightly for Sycamore Highlands ($114.69) and Riverwalk ($365.52) landscape districts, and recovering $300,111 in unpaid property cleanup costs through tax liens. - Considering modification of the Hawthorne House City Landmark, a historic Monroe Street home on the California Baptist University campus, designation to [authorize the removal of a eucalyptus tree](https://riversideca.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=14339115&GUID=264EFF63-740D-4673-95E6-2A2BA4F0BFC7&ref=raincrossgazette.com) due to safety concerns. - Considering landmark designations for [City Hall](https://riversideca.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=14339122&GUID=1A0268DD-EBC1-48E7-9585-6F28C167E5B8&ref=raincrossgazette.com) and the [Boyd Residence](https://riversideca.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=14339116&GUID=0948D953-857F-412B-BD42-2E0C594B19D8&ref=raincrossgazette.com) (4649 Ninth St.) that would recognize their architectural significance. - Revisiting [retail cannabis business regulations](https://riversideca.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=14338782&GUID=5F57B945-6D8E-4CB0-963C-5EE1CDD24AC0&ref=raincrossgazette.com) that would prohibit stores in Downtown and Midtown areas and require a 1,000-foot separation between cannabis businesses and parks and schools. ### Board of Public Utilities The Board of Public Utilities meets on Monday, July 14, at 6:30 p.m. ([agenda](https://riversideca.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=1316255&GUID=5FB46716-E08F-46E6-B705-34C192E87C54&ref=raincrossgazette.com)) for a public hearing on the [Utility's 2025 Public Health Goals report](https://riversideca.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=14331624&GUID=1F8D8687-FAD7-434D-A82C-ACE4D999FFEE&ref=raincrossgazette.com) that identifies seven drinking water constituents exceeding non-enforceable health goals while meeting all regulatory standards and a review of a [greenhouse gas emissions inventory](https://riversideca.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=14331621&GUID=DA333008-5B49-474F-B1A2-20AB9732DC81&ref=raincrossgazette.com) that identifies transportation (57%) and energy usage (38%) as Riverside's primary emission sources to inform the City's 2050 General Plan Update and Climate Action Plan development. ### Safety, Wellness, and Youth Committee The Safety, Wellness, and Youth Committee (Councilmembers Perry, Conder, and Mill) meets on Wednesday, July 16, at 1 p.m. ([agenda](https://riversideca.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=1308404&GUID=B14CB1E4-6742-4BF8-90E5-0A92E1A2353&ref=raincrossgazette.com)) to consider regulations that would [require property owners to pay for emergency response costs](https://riversideca.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=14338639&GUID=94B05116-68E0-4390-966D-DA9E482704F3&ref=raincrossgazette.com) at dangerous buildings and for repeated false alarms. ### Planning Commission The Planning Commission meets on Thursday, July 17, at 9 a.m. ([agenda](https://riversideca.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=1311372&GUID=73BC5280-EF40-4059-B235-82FDDFB84A2A&ref=raincrossgazette.com)) to review a proposal to [expand Woodcrest Christian School](https://riversideca.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=14338953&GUID=7DEC90D3-DEEA-43B2-B03B-A5534DE261BF&ref=raincrossgazette.com) that would add 74,921 square feet of new facilities, increase enrollment capacity by 204 students, and implement traffic circulation improvements to minimize neighborhood impacts. ### Economic Development Committee The Economic Development Committee (Councilmembers Robillard, Cervantes, and Hemenway) meets on Thursday, July 17, at 3 p.m. ([agenda](https://riversideca.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=1308408&GUID=9DD609F3-6B8B-46DA-8FC2-9CA644EF3C24&ref=raincrossgazette.com)) to preview a proposed [Building Plan Check Self-Certification Program](https://riversideca.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=14337745&GUID=2BC66205-E906-4330-8F1B-52CA4DA58E64&ref=raincrossgazette.com) that would allow qualified architects and engineers to certify their own building plans for smaller residential and commercial projects, reducing permit approval times from weeks to days. [Read and share the complete story...](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/this-week-in-city-hall-july-14-2025) --- Advertisement ([Become an advertiser](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/advertise/)) [![Advertisement](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone_static/169515/image/0?seed=)](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone%5Fstatic/169515/click/0?seed=&ref=raincrossgazette.com) --- ## Noteworthy [If you're traveling this summer, TSA's tongue-in-cheek announcement confirms you can now keep your shoes on at security checkpoints](https://www.instagram.com/p/DL8Zgmbsdwh/?ref=raincrossgazette.com), thanks to new technological advancements—though footwear may still need removal if issues are detected. [Riverside residents can receive rebates of $150-$250 per ton when upgrading to energy-efficient air conditioning systems](https://www.riversideca.gov/utilities/residents/rebates/energy-rebates/air-conditioning-incentives?ref=raincrossgazette.com), with higher incentives for units rated 16 SEER or above that can significantly reduce monthly electricity bills. [Riverside property owners must resubmit their trespass authorization letters with notarization to comply with new state requirements](https://www.riversideca.gov/press/important-notice-change-trespass-authorization-law?ref=raincrossgazette.com), as previously filed forms are now invalid for law enforcement to act on trespassing complaints. 📣 ****See something? Say something.** Your tips and ideas are what fuel The Raincross Gazette. If you know of something newsworthy happening in our city, please [share it with us](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/contact/). --- Advertisement ([Become an advertiser](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/advertise/)) [ ![Advertisement](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone_static/169514/image/0?seed=) ](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone%5Fstatic/169514/click/0?seed=&ref=raincrossgazette.com) --- ## What's Happening in Riverside ### Today - [Volunteer Interest Hour](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/volunteer-interest-hour/14995048/2025-07-14T09) at Riverside Meals on Wheels, Inc - [Assistance League Thrift Shop Accepting Donations](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/assistance-league-thrift-shop-accepting-donations/16238026/2025-07-14T09) at Assistance League Riverside Thrift Shop - [Bingo at the Janet Goeske Center](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/bingo-at-the-janet-goeske-center/16155655/2025-07-14T12) at Janet Goeske Center ($20- $100) - [Board of Library Trustees](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/board-of-library-trustees/15769581/2025-07-14T17) at Riverside City Hall - [Board of Public Utilities](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/board-of-public-utilities/14693457/2025-07-14T18) at Riverside City Hall - [Day Camp](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/day-camp/16152613/2025-07-14T09) at Trinity Lutheran Church ($25- $50) - [CBU Jr. High Theatre Camp](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/cbu-jr-high-theatre-camp/15805613/2025-07-14T08) at The Wallace Theatre at California Baptist University ($220) - [CAVAD Summer Academy 2025](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/cavad-summer-academy-2025/15649782/2025-07-14T09) at CBU - Copenbarger Room ($100- $400) - [Future Vets, Helping Pets! Summer Animal Kids Camp, Week 5](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/future-vets-helping-pets-summer-animal-kids-camp-week-5/15801732/2025-07-14T08) at Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center ($200- $240) - [Notre Dame Summer Camp: Football](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/notre-dame-summer-camp-football/16052189/2025-07-14T09) at Notre Dame High School ($300) - [Notre Dame Summer Camp: Volleyball](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/notre-dame-summer-camp-volleyball/16052204/2025-07-14T12) at Notre Dame High School ($150) - [Adult Ballet Classes all levels](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/adult-ballet-classes-all-levels/16054816/2025-07-14T19) at Riverside Ballet Arts ($25- $144) ### Tomorrow - [City Council](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/city-council/16086102/2025-07-15T13) at Riverside City Hall - [Reading Assistance Program](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/reading-assistance-program/15991328/2025-07-15T15) at My Learning Studio ($79- $85) - [Teaching Creative Writing: A Conversation](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/teaching-creative-writing-a-conversation/16185017/2025-07-15T18) at Inlandia Institute ($10- $50) - [Civil Engineering and Construction Management Summer Camp](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/cbu-civil-engineering-and-construction-management-summer-camp/15939701/2025-07-15T09) at CBU ($200) - [Inland Empire Chorus Rehearsal](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/inland-empire-chorus-rehearsal/14934551/2025-07-15T18) at Temple Beth El Synagogue - [Tuesday Karaoke](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/tuesday-karaoke/12771587/2025-07-15T19) at The Hideaway ### Save The Date - July 21: [Bingo at the Janet Goeske Center](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/bingo-at-the-janet-goeske-center/16155655/2025-07-21T12) at Janet Goeske Center ($20- $100) - July 26: [Bye Bye Summer Bash](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/bye-bye-summer-bash/16227478/2025-07-26T09) at First United Methodist Church of Riverside - October 18: [The Riverside Citrus Classic Bike Ride](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/the-riverside-citrus-classic-bike-ride/16132674/2025-10-18T06) at Riverside Plaza ($15- $80) 🗓️ [See More Events](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/)📝 [Submit Your Event](https://hub.cityspark.com/Event/Submission/Raincross?ref=raincrossgazette.com) 📸 [Submit a photo](http://raincrossgazette.com/submitphoto?ref=raincrossgazette.com) to be featured in our newsletters and social media accounts. 🏆 [Nominate a remarkable Riversider](https://rgnotw.paperform.co/?ref=raincrossgazette.com) as Neighbor of the Week.