> ## 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. # πŸ—žοΈ Riverside News- April 16, 2026 - URL: https://www.raincrossgazette.com/riverside-news-april-16-2026/ - Published: 2026-04-16T12:00:39.000Z - Updated: 2026-08-09T02:14:27.000Z - Description: City manager leaving for Pasadena; local preserves win awards... - Author: Gazette Staff - Tags: Newsletter ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b3/b2/b3b29e3b-298e-485f-86ca-3034c21e3784/content/images/2026/04/IMG_1718.jpeg) Palm trees and clouds glow orange against the evening sky over downtown Riverside on April 13\. Photographer Rosalyn Anderson β€” who won tickets to Hadestown at the Fox Theater for her beautiful submitted photos β€” was waiting for the doors to open when she snapped this shot. (Rosalyn Anderson) 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! **Thursday Gazette: April 16, 2026** **Hello Riverside, and Happy Thursday!** [The Raincross Gazette's candidate forums](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/the-gazette-is-hosting-its-first-ever-candidate-forums-wards-2-4-and-6/) are almost here. There's something special about being in a room full of neighbors, all there for the same reason: to hear directly from the people who want to represent your ward, ask real questions, and get a sense of who these candidates actually are before June. If you haven't registered yet, there's still time. All three forums are free and open to every Riverside resident. [Grab your spot today](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/the-gazette-is-hosting-its-first-ever-candidate-forums-wards-2-4-and-6/). --- Advertisement ([Become an advertiser](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/advertise/)) [![Advertisement](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone_static/169513/image/0?seed=20260415)](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone%5Fstatic/169513/click/0?seed=20260415&ref=raincrossgazette.com) --- #### [GOVERNMENT](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/tag/government/) ## Riverside City Manager Mike Futrell Leaving for Pasadena Futrell will start as Pasadena city manager May 13 after three years leading Riverside. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b3/b2/b3b29e3b-298e-485f-86ca-3034c21e3784/content/images/2026/04/RG-Feat-Image-Template-4-2.jpg)](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/riverside-city-manager-mike-futrell-leaving-for-pasadena/) Riverside City Manager Mike Futrell has accepted the Pasadena city manager position, with his start date set for May 13\. (Background photo courtesy City of Pasadena) City Manager Mike Futrell is leaving Riverside for the same role in Pasadena, where he'll start May 13. **Why it matters:** Riverside now faces a leadership transition mid-year β€” with council elections, ongoing development projects, and homelessness policy all in play. **Driving the news:** Futrell announced Wednesday he accepted the Pasadena city manager position, replacing outgoing Miguel MΓ‘rquez, who retired. - Futrell has led Riverside since 2023 and will start in Pasadena May 13. **By the numbers:** During Futrell's tenure, the city saw a 35% cumulative crime reduction, 100% police staffing for the first time in 20 years, and more than $4 billion in new investment. **What's next:** Mayor Patricia Lock-Dawson said she's confident in current staff during the interim period while the city searches for a replacement. [Read and share the complete story...](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/riverside-city-manager-mike-futrell-leaving-for-pasadena/) --- Advertisement ([Become an advertiser](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/advertise/)) [![Advertisement](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone_static/169515/image/0?seed=20260415)](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone%5Fstatic/169515/click/0?seed=20260415&ref=raincrossgazette.com) --- #### [BUSINESS](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/tag/business/) ## Inland Empire Marmalade Maker Wins Eight Medals at Prestigious UK Competition Old California Botanicals draws on Riverside's citrus heritage and fruit from the city's Victoria neighborhood to produce its award-winning preserves. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b3/b2/b3b29e3b-298e-485f-86ca-3034c21e3784/content/images/2026/04/RG-Feat-Image-Template-5-2.jpg)](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/inland-empire-marmalade-maker-wins-eight-medals-at-prestigious-uk-competition/) John P. Beall, founder of Old California Botanicals, with the company's Sweet Orange Marmalade. (Old California Botanicals) A Redlands preserves maker took silver at one of the world's top marmalade competitions β€” using the same orange variety that built Riverside's fortune. **Why it matters:** Old California Botanicals is a regular at the Riverside Citrus Heritage Festival, and its award-winning marmalades are on shelves locally at all Clark's Nutrition locations. **Driving the news:** The company earned eight medals at the 2026 Artisan World Marmalade Awards at Dalemain House in England β€” including a silver for its Redlands Navel Orange marmalade. - The competition drew more than 3,400 entries from over 33 countries. **The backstory:** The Washington Navel orange traces directly to Riverside β€” Eliza Tibbets planted the first trees on Central Avenue in 1873, and the variety helped make Riverside the wealthiest city per capita in the nation by 1895. **What they're saying:** "Some of the best citrus in the world grows in California and in Redlands," founder John P. Beall said. **Go deeper:** Find Old California Botanicals' marmalades at Clark's Nutrition locations or at [oldcaliforniabotanicals.com](http://oldcaliforniabotanicals.com/?ref=raincrossgazette.com). [Read and share the complete story...](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/inland-empire-marmalade-maker-wins-eight-medals-at-prestigious-uk-competition/) --- Advertisement ([Become an advertiser](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/advertise/)) [ ![Advertisement](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone_static/169514/image/0?seed=20260415) ](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone%5Fstatic/169514/click/0?seed=20260415&ref=raincrossgazette.com) --- ## Noteworthy [Two RCC administrators β€” VP of Business Services Elia Blount and Dean of College Equity Lorena Newson β€” were selected](https://www.rcc.edu/about/news/2026-rcc-selected-ccc-foundation.html?ref=raincrossgazette.com) for the competitive 2026 Global Executive Leadership Program, which culminates in a graduation gala in Los Angeles later this year. A [six-run sixth inning powered No. 8 RCC to a 9-6 series-opening win over No. 11 Cypress](https://viewpointsonline.org/2026/04/baseball-series-opener-is-an-rcc-win-over-cypress/?ref=raincrossgazette.com), with freshman Aiden Erlandsen's three-run homer providing the decisive blow as the Tigers improve to 12-4 in Orange Empire Conference play. [UCR entomologist Erin Wilson Rankin led the first quantified study of nest-material theft among Hawaiian forest birds](https://news.ucr.edu/articles/2026/04/15/birds-caught-stealing-their-neighbors?ref=raincrossgazette.com), finding the behavior affected over 200 observed nests and caused roughly 5% to fail β€” a concern for species already threatened by habitat loss and disease. πŸ“£ ****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/). --- ## What's Happening in Riverside ### Today - [Arlington Library| Mini Zine Lab](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/arlington-library-mini-zine-lab/18510036/2026-04-16T16) at Arlington library - [Orange Terrace Library | Earth Day Family Storytime](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/orange-terrace-library-earth-day-family-storytime/18297506/2026-04-16T11) at Orange Terrace Library - [History on the Rocks!](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/history-on-the-rocks-presented-by-the-mission-inn-foundation/18314294/2026-04-16T17) at Mission Inn Foundation ($71.21) - [An Evening With Matisyahu](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/an-evening-with-matisyahu/18078106/2026-04-16T19) at Fox Performing Arts Center ### Tomorrow - [R'Hours at the R'Garden](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/rhours-at-the-rgarden/18094958/2026-04-17T08) at R'Garden - [Rubberband Model Airplane Craft](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/eastside-library-at-lincoln-park-rubberband-model-airplane-craft/18330771/2026-04-17T16) at Eastside Library at Lincoln Park - [**Frozen: The Broadway Musical**](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/frozen-the-broadway-musical/18267129/2026-04-17T19) at Woodcrest Christian School Royals Pavilion ($15- $20) - [In Conversation with Carlos MejΓ­a Godoy](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/in-conversation-with-carlos-meja-godoy/18543112/2026-04-17T19) at Culver Center of the Arts - [Into the Breeches! by George Brant](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/into-the-breeches-by-george-brant-at-riverside-community-players/18450344/2026-04-17T19) at Riverside Community Players ($20- $22.24) - [The Life of Galileo](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/the-life-of-galileo/18331308/2026-04-17T19) at The Box Riverside ($23) - [Mundanity Band Live](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/mundanity-band-live/18094935/2026-04-17T19) at The Barn - [Beer Tasting Speed Dating by Comedy Cupids](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/beer-tasting-speed-dating-by-comedy-cupids/18450282/2026-04-17T19) at Carbon Nation Brewing ($17.85) - [COLORS Presents: R&B ONLY](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/colors-presents-rb-only/18312112/2026-04-17T20) at Riverside Municipal Auditorium - [R&B ONLY LIVE - Riverside, CA](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/rb-only-live-riverside-ca/18464014/2026-04-17T20) at Riverside Municipal Auditorium ## Save the Date - April 17-18, 23-25: [Frozen: The Broadway Musical](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/frozen-the-broadway-musical/18267129/2026-04-17T19) at Woodcrest Christian School Royals Pavilion ($15- $20) - April 18: [Walk with the Animals - Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/walk-with-the-animals-mary-s-roberts-pet-adoption-center/17926667/2026-04-18T09) at Fairmount Park - April 18: [Blue Zones Project Riverside: Moai Launch Party](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/blue-zones-project-riverside-moai-launch-party/18380677/2026-04-18T10) at North Park - April 18: [Fant-A-She’s](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/fantashes/18337803/2026-04-18T20) at Riverside Municipal Auditorium ($37- $97) - April 18: [MAGIC UNDERGROUND](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/magic-underground/18337412/2026-04-18T19) at Back To The Grind ($30- $45) - April 23: [Raincross Gazette: Ward 2 Community Forum](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/raincross-gazette-ward-2-community-forum/18495178/2026-04-23T18) at UCR Alumni & Visitors Center - April 25: [78th Annual Riverside Flower Show and Garden Tour](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/78th-annual-riverside-flower-show-and-garden-tour/18520936/2026-04-25T09) at Riverside Elks Lodge (free - $10) - April 29: [Raincross Gazette: Ward 4 Community Forum](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/raincross-gazette-ward-4-community-forum/18495206/2026-04-29T18) at Riverside Citrus State Park - Sunkist Center - April 30: [Raincross Gazette: Ward 6 Community Forum](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/raincross-gazette-ward-6-community-forum/18495207/2026-04-30T18) at Altura Credit Union (10725 Magnolia Ave.) - May 3: ["The Sound of Riverside" - The 2026 Riverside Arts Academy Gala](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/the-sound-of-riverside-the-2026-riverside-arts-academy-gala/18503772/2026-05-03T17) at UCR University Theatre ($150- $325) - May 6: [Senior Conference](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/senior-conference/18498792/2026-05-06T10) at Janet Goeske Center - May 17: [Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Social](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/oldfashioned-ice-cream-social/18378314/2026-05-17T12) at Riverside's Heritage House - June 1: [REEF's 27th Annual Golf Tournament](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/reefs-27th-annual-golf-tournament/18542190/2026-06-01T07) at Canyon Crest Country Club ($140- $175) πŸ—“οΈ [See More Events](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/)πŸ“ [Submit Your Event](https://hub.cityspark.com/Event/Submission/Raincross?ref=raincrossgazette.com) πŸ“Έ [Submit a photo](http://raincrossgazette.com/submitphoto?ref=raincrossgazette.com) to be featured in our newsletters and social media accounts. πŸ† [Nominate a remarkable Riversider](https://rgnotw.paperform.co/?ref=raincrossgazette.com) as Neighbor of the Week.