Friday Gazette: April 24, 2026
Hello Riverside, and Happy Friday! Last night, the Raincross Gazette hosted its first-ever candidate forum, and the Ward 2 race took center stage. We are so proud to have brought this to our community, and we are just getting started. Forums for Ward 4 and Ward 6 are still ahead, and if your ward is on that list, now is the time to grab your spot. Both are free and open to all Riverside residents. Register today and come ready to hear directly from the candidates who want to represent your neighborhood.
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HOUSING
City Council Approves $3 Million in Loans to Keep Mulberry Gardens on Track
Loans will help cover construction delays at the 25-unit senior and 9-unit family affordable housing project on Mulberry Street.
Riverside's City Council unanimously approved nearly $3 million in loans to keep an affordable senior and family housing project on Mulberry Street on track after construction delays.
Why it matters: With Riverside permitted on less than 20% of its state-mandated housing target, every affordable unit counts — and these 34 units serve seniors at risk of homelessness and low-income families.
Driving the news: Council approved a $2,025,365 loan for the senior phase at 2520 Mulberry Street and a $971,108 loan for the family phase at 2560 Mulberry Street.
- Delays stemmed from a state fire marshal permitting lag and ongoing firestopping issues found during inspections.
By the numbers: Mulberry Gardens will add 25 restricted senior units and nine restricted family units to Riverside's affordable housing stock.
The backstory: Riverside's housing shortfall is severe — nearly all permitted homes since 2021 have been above-moderate-income, with no new very-low-income units approved since then and no low- or moderate-income units since 2023.
What's next: The senior phase is expected to receive a temporary certificate of occupancy in November 2026; the family phase follows in November 2027.
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GOVERNMENT
Riverside's Police Review Commission Delays Recommendations on Racial Disparities in Stops
The Community Police Review Commission voted unanimously to delay recommendations on 2024 RIPA data showing Black residents were stopped at more than twice their share of the population.
Riverside's Community Police Review Commission postponed its racial disparity recommendations for a second time, pushing a final vote to May 27.
Why it matters: The delay affects a report examining why Black residents — about 6.6% of Riverside's population — accounted for roughly 15% of more than 21,000 police stops in 2024, more than double their population share.
Driving the news: Commissioners voted unanimously April 22 to hold off, saying the current draft identifies concerns but doesn't yet specify concrete actions or accountability measures.
- "I think there are some additional edits that we do need to make," Commissioner Eileen Teichert said.
The backstory: The California Racial and Identity Profiling Act requires agencies to collect and analyze stop data. The commission has been reviewing Riverside's latest RIPA report since last year, following a 71% spike in police stops — from roughly 15,000 in 2023 to more than 21,000 in 2024.
Yes, but: Hispanic residents made up about 55% of stops in 2024, roughly proportionate to their share of the population.
What's next: The commission targets a May 27 vote. Commissioners are also weighing whether to set citywide goals for reducing disproportionate stops of Black residents and issue a formal racial profiling finding.
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COMMUNITY
Local Food Bank Warns State Funding Cut Could Spike Hunger in Inland Region
Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino says a 90% drop in CalFood money would come as federal food aid faces separate rollbacks.
A state program supplying Inland SoCal food banks with locally grown produce faces a roughly 90% funding cut if California lawmakers don't act before it lapses.
Why it matters: Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino already serves more than 5 million people annually in the region — and with federal CalFresh benefit reductions expected through 2026 and 2027, demand is likely to climb just as resources shrink.
By the numbers: CalFood is currently funded at $60 million annually; without renewal, it reverts to an $8 million baseline.
- The program serves 6 million Californians per month statewide.
The backstory: FARSB served 1.5 million people at the height of the pandemic in 2020. By 2025, that number had grown to more than 5 million — roughly 1 in 5 households in the region now faces food insecurity.
What they're saying: "Other funding has already decreased," Interim CEO Joanna Solorio said, warning food banks are "expected to do more with less."
What's next: Residents can act before the end of April — submit a sign-on letter supporting CalFood renewal, donate, organize a food drive, or volunteer for a warehouse sorting shift at feedingamericaie.org.
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Adoptable Pet of the Week
Meet Fawn!
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.
What's Happening in Riverside
Friday, April 24
- Riverside Sunrise Rotary Club Meeting at Zacatecas Café
- R'Hours at the R'Garden at R'Garden
- Volunteer Interest Hour at Riverside Meals on Wheels
- Bioblitz at the LandUse Learning Center at LandUse Learning Center
- Chris Rinne Invitational at UC Riverside
- Courthouse, Murals and Heroes Walking Tour at Mission Inn Foundation ($23.18)
- The Fake Actors Guild: Bob's Burgers Table Read for PRIDE! at The Raincross District ($12.51)
- Frozen: The Broadway Musical at Woodcrest Christian School Royals Pavilion ($15- $20)
- Into the Breeches! by George Brant at Riverside Community Players at Riverside Community Players ($20- $22.24)
- Jose Maria Napoleon - Hasta Siempre. Tour de Despedida at Fox Performing Arts Center
- Murder Mystery Co. Dinner Theater Show at The Old Spaghetti Factory at The Old Spaghetti Factory ($69)
- Noche de Cumbia at The Hideaway Cafe & Lounge ($12.51)
- Out in the I.E. at Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern
Saturday, April 25
- 78th Annual Riverside Flower Show and Garden Tour at Riverside Elks Lodge (free- $10)
- Frozen: The Broadway Musical at Woodcrest Christian School Royals Pavilion ($15- $20)
- Riverside Insect Fair Celebrating Earth Day at Riverside Main Library
- Habitat Garden Tours at Ryan Bonaminio Park
- Greatest American Cleanup at Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce
- Little LandUse Learners Spring/Summer Programming at LandUse Learning Center
- Historic Churches of Downtown Riverside at Mission Inn Foundation ($21.20)
- Goeske Bingo at Janet Goeske Center ($20- $100)
- ALT Rock Tribute Night w/ Tributes to DEFTONES & BUSH! at The Concert Lounge - Romano's Mission Grove ($20.23)
- Black Veil Brides: North American Tour 2026 at Riverside Municipal Auditorium
- Riverside Children's Theater - Disney's Little Mermaid Junior at JW North High School ($15)
- Riverside "Greatest American Cleanup" with the IE Alumni Network at University Avenue between Iowa Ave. and Canyon Crest Drive
- VELZY Tribute Band (THE STROKES, ARCTIC MONKEYS & CAGE THE ELEPHANT) 04/25 at The Hideaway Cafe & Lounge ($12.51)
Sunday, April 26
- Prayers and Public Information Meeting at Riverside Baha'i Center
- Heart Centered Alignment: A Soundbath Experience at SALT STUDIOS : A DANCE STUDIO FOR ADULTS ($28.52)
- The Juicy Story, Series Two - FREE Citrus Heritage Presentation at Citrus State Park - Sunkist Center
- Out in the I.E. Poetry Night at Civil Rights Institute Inland Southern California
Save the Date
- April 27: Sip with a Scientist at Bar Ni Modo
- 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 1: Riverside Sunrise Rotary Club Meeting at Zacatecas Café
- 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 13: Level Up Your Network: The Pick Group 2026 Membership Summit at Killer Queens Social House
- 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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