🗞️ Riverside News- April 16, 2026

Thursday Gazette: April 16, 2026

Hello Riverside, and Happy Thursday! The Raincross Gazette's candidate forums 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.

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GOVERNMENT

Riverside City Manager Mike Futrell Leaving for Pasadena

Futrell will start as Pasadena city manager May 13 after three years leading Riverside.

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 — 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 Márquez, 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...

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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.

A Redlands preserves maker took silver at one of the world's top marmalade competitions — 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 — 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 — 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.

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Noteworthy

Two RCC administrators — VP of Business Services Elia Blount and Dean of College Equity Lorena Newson — were selected 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, 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, finding the behavior affected over 200 observed nests and caused roughly 5% to fail — a concern for species already threatened by habitat loss and disease.

What's Happening in Riverside

Today

• Arlington Library| Mini Zine Lab at Arlington library
• Orange Terrace Library | Earth Day Family Storytime at Orange Terrace Library
• History on the Rocks! at Mission Inn Foundation ($71.21)
• An Evening With Matisyahu at Fox Performing Arts Center

Tomorrow

• R'Hours at the R'Garden at R'Garden
• Rubberband Model Airplane Craft at Eastside Library at Lincoln Park
• Frozen: The Broadway Musical at Woodcrest Christian School Royals Pavilion ($15- $20)
• In Conversation with Carlos Mejía Godoy at Culver Center of the Arts
• Into the Breeches! by George Brant at Riverside Community Players ($20- $22.24)
• The Life of Galileo at The Box Riverside ($23)
• Mundanity Band Live at The Barn
• Beer Tasting Speed Dating by Comedy Cupids at Carbon Nation Brewing ($17.85)
• COLORS Presents: R&B ONLY at Riverside Municipal Auditorium
• R&B ONLY LIVE - Riverside, CA at Riverside Municipal Auditorium

Save the Date

• April 17-18, 23-25: Frozen: The Broadway Musical at Woodcrest Christian School Royals Pavilion ($15- $20)
• April 18: Walk with the Animals - Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center at Fairmount Park
• April 18: Blue Zones Project Riverside: Moai Launch Party at North Park
• April 18: Fant-A-She’s at Riverside Municipal Auditorium ($37- $97)
• April 18: MAGIC UNDERGROUND at Back To The Grind ($30- $45)
• April 23: Raincross Gazette: Ward 2 Community Forum at UCR Alumni & Visitors Center
• April 25: 78th Annual Riverside Flower Show and Garden Tour at Riverside Elks Lodge (free - $10)
• April 29: Raincross Gazette: Ward 4 Community Forum at Riverside Citrus State Park - Sunkist Center
• April 30: Raincross Gazette: Ward 6 Community Forum at Altura Credit Union (10725 Magnolia Ave.)
• May 3: "The Sound of Riverside" - The 2026 Riverside Arts Academy Gala at UCR University Theatre ($150- $325)
• May 6: Senior Conference at Janet Goeske Center
• May 17: Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Social at Riverside's Heritage House
• June 1: REEF's 27th Annual Golf Tournament at Canyon Crest Country Club ($140- $175)

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