🗞️ Riverside News- April 8, 2026

Wednesday Gazette: April 8, 2026

Hello Riverside, and Happy Wednesday! If you noticed yesterday morning's newsletter arrived at 7:15 instead of its usual 5:00 a.m., here's why: overnight, the Gazette crossed 15,000 subscribers — and our sending platform wouldn't let us deliver another edition until we upgraded to the next level. I will happily pay for that upgrade every single time.

Fifteen thousand is a big number, but here's the math that really gets me: every morning, the Gazette reaches 1 in every 16 adults in Riverside! These are our neighbors who have made the choice to invite us into their inbox each day. That fills me with so much joy!! I launched the Gazette because I believed Riverside deserved it because this city needed it; I’m so happy that our efforts are resonating with this city we love.

This milestone feels like another great moment to thank the 659 Riversiders who go a step further as paid supporters. You are the financial backbone of this operation. Thank you!

We're not there yet, but you better believe we'll be celebrating at 20,000. Our next big target is 24,500, when the Gazette will be reaching 1 in every 10 adults in Riverside every morning. If you know a neighbor, a coworker, anyone who loves this city and isn't reading the Gazette yet, please send them this newsletter and encourage them to subscribe — it's free!

We're just getting started. Thank you for joining us on this ride.

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SPORTS

Rick Croy Leaves CBU as a Legend and the Future Looks Bright

After thirteen years, Rick Croy leaves CBU with a WAC title, a tournament appearance, and a program built to last.

Rick Croy has accepted the associate head coaching position at Arizona State University, ending a thirteen-year tenure at California Baptist University that transformed the Lancers from a transitional Division II program into a Division I tournament participant.

Croy's departure reunites him with Randy Bennett, the mentor under whom he served at Saint Mary's before taking the CBU job in 2013, and puts him on the sideline alongside his son, JRob, who flipped his Saint Mary's commitment to follow Bennett to Tempe. This is dream job material, he will be missed, but the move makes a lot of sense.

He leaves having just delivered the best season in CBU Division I history. The Lancers went 25-9, won the program's first WAC Tournament championship, and made their first appearance in the NCAA Tournament, falling to Kansas 68-60 in the Round of 64. Lancer Nation traveled to San Diego for that game. It was the ending a thirteen-year story deserved.

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GOVERNMENT

Council Shrinks Budget Commission Again to Stop Meeting Cancellations

The city cut the advisory body from 13 to 10 seats Tuesday, with a further reduction to nine planned, after chronic quorum failures canceled 10 meetings since 2023.

Riverside's Budget Engagement Commission is shrinking from 13 to 10 seats — and eventually nine — after canceled meetings repeatedly stalled its work on city spending oversight.

Why it matters: The commission advises the council on the general fund and Measure Z revenue. Ten canceled meetings since 2023 have delayed public input on both — and frustrated commissioners who arranged childcare or travel only to find meetings called off.

Driving the news: Council voted Tuesday to approve the reduction, the second cut in six months after trimming the commission from 18 to 13 seats in October 2025.

• The Brown Act requires a physical quorum of more than half the full membership, so vacancies compound the cancellation problem — fewer seats means a lower threshold to meet.

By the numbers: Each canceled meeting costs roughly $1,250 in direct labor and materials for staff alone, not counting time to prepare materials or attend.

• The commission has canceled 10 meetings since 2023 and carried three vacant seats as of March 1.

What's next: The new 10-seat structure keeps seven ward-based seats and two mayoral citywide appointments. A further reduction to nine is planned as vacancies occur naturally.

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GOVERNMENT

Council Bans Nitrous Oxide, Kratom Sales Citywide

The ordinances carry penalties of up to $1,000, six months in jail or loss of a tobacco retail permit.

Riverside now prohibits retail sales of nitrous oxide and kratom, targeting products police found openly stocked at smoke shops and gas stations citywide.

Why it matters: If you buy kratom products — including kratom energy drinks — or nitrous oxide at local smoke shops or convenience stores, those sales are now illegal. Violators face fines up to $1,000 or six months in jail.

Driving the news: City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve both bans, following a Safety, Wellness, and Youth Committee recommendation in February.

• Health officials linked synthetic kratom to fatal overdoses and nitrous oxide abuse to nerve damage, cognitive impairment, and increased DUI incidents.

Yes, but: Several residents urged the council to regulate rather than ban kratom outright, arguing natural whole-leaf kratom differs from synthetic products. One resident said it helps him manage chronic pain.

• The council had the option to adopt rules mirroring Riverside County's October 2025 regulations — which allow low-potency kratom for adults 21+ — but chose the stricter path.

The backstory: California's AB 1088, which would have set statewide kratom regulations, stalled in the legislature in 2025 without reaching a final Senate vote.

What's next: The bans carve out exceptions for nitrous oxide in medical, dental, pharmacy, wholesale, food preparation, and vehicle performance contexts. No exceptions apply to kratom.

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SPONSORED

The Riverside Art Market Is Back at White Park This Saturday With 100 Artists and Free Admission

A free, all-day market brings 100 artists to White Park this Saturday — with live music, food, kids' activities, and the chance to take home something made right here in Riverside.

One hundred artists descend on White Park this Saturday for the Riverside Art Alliance's free annual Art Market — the biggest edition yet of an event that started with six.

Why it matters: Admission is free and artists keep 100% of sales, meaning your dollars go directly to makers. Proceeds benefit the Riverside Art Museum's children's programs, classroom instruction, and student scholarships.

What's new: For the first time, the Art Alliance will run its own booth featuring member work, with all proceeds benefiting the museum.

• Live oil and acrylic demonstrations, a silent auction, Ballet Folklorico, and choirs from Stokoe Elementary and Promenade round out the program.

For families: The Children's Pavilion offers free rock painting, wood ornament painting, sidewalk chalk, and face painting.

What they're saying: Painter Yolanda Terrell, a 20-year market veteran, captures the appeal galleries can't match.

• "I have people that come and they're so — 'I couldn't wait to see your new collection,'" she said. "That's the key to selling in the art market."

What's next: Saturday, April 11, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. at White Park, 3936 Chestnut St. Free admission. Rain or shine. More info at riversideartmuseum.org.

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Noteworthy

CA Citrus State Historic Park is seeking photographer submissions for its spring newsletter, with entries accepted via DM through April 13 and the winner announced April 17.

Riverside Public Utilities' Shade Tree Campaign runs through June 30, offering eligible customers one free shade tree valued up to $40, reserved online and claimed at a participating nursery.

Riverside's Earth Month 2026 kicks off in April with a lineup of family-friendly events — from the annual Insect Fair to library story times and neighborhood cleanups — organized by the city's Office of Sustainability.

What's Happening in Riverside

Today

• Riverside East Rotary Club at Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern
• Stretch & Dance Class at Janet Goeske Senior Center
• Reading Assistance Program at My Learning Studio
• Slap Bracelets at Marcy Library
• Becoming Neighbors: A Community Conversation on Resettlement and Belonging at Cellar Door Bookstore
• History on the Rocks - Round Two! Presented by The Mission Inn Foundation at Mission Inn Foundation ($71.21)
• Riverside Mission Belles at Victoria Presbyterian Church
• Riverside Open Mic Music Series at Back to the Grind

Tomorrow

• Family Storytime at Lincoln Park
• History on the Rocks! Presented by The Mission Inn Foundation at Mission Inn Foundation ($71.21)
• Movie Bingo: Demon Slaying K-Pop Edition at Thompson Brewing Co. ($23.18)

Save the Date

• April 11: 11th Annual Riverside Art Market at White Park
• April 11: Olivewood Cemetery Tour at Olivewood Cemetery ($21.20)
• April 12: The Expeditions of Juan Bautista de Anza through Riverside County at Riverside Medical Clinic Basement Meeting Room
• April 17-18, 23-25: Frozen: The Broadway Musical at Woodcrest Christian School Royals Pavilion ($15- $20)
• 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 23: Raincross Gazette: Ward 2 Community Forum at UCR Alumni & Visitors Center
• April 29: Raincross Gazette: Ward 4 Community Forum at Riverside Citrus State Park - Sunkist Center
• May 6: Senior Conference at Janet Goeske Center
• May 17: Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Social at Riverside's Heritage House

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