🗞️ Riverside News- December 31, 2025

Wednesday Gazette: December 31, 2025

Hello Riverside, and Happy Wednesday! Tonight, as we gather to welcome 2026, millions will watch the iconic Times Square Ball drop: a tradition that began on New Year's Eve 1907. That first ball was a 700-pound iron and wood sphere covered in 100 light bulbs, created when the city banned fireworks celebrations. Today's crystal ball weighs nearly 12,000 pounds and blazes with over 32,000 LED lights, but the countdown spirit remains unchanged.

Whether you're planning to ring in the New Year at a Downtown restaurant, with family and friends, or from the comfort of your living room, we'd love to hear how you're celebrating. Got photos of your New Year's gathering or a tradition you'd like to share? Send them to newsroom@raincrossgazette.com.

Here's to a bright 2026, Riverside! 🎉

GOVERNMENT

City Manager's Year in Review: $4.3 Billion in Growth Highlights Economic Momentum and Emerging Public Safety Pressures

Futrell highlights manufacturing, teaching hospital plans, and convention center expansion in second annual Chamber address.

Riverside attracted major manufacturers from South Korea and across the U.S. while adding 18,000 jobs and $4.3 billion in construction projects over the past year.

Why it matters: The city's manufacturing momentum—including EV charging equipment and automotive suspension plants—signals Riverside competing nationally for high-tech jobs while expanding healthcare infrastructure and tourism capacity.

What's new: CHAEVI, the Asia Pacific's largest EV charging manufacturer, chose Riverside for its first U.S. plant after a nationwide search. Icon Vehicle Dynamics consolidates six locations into one Riverside facility, bringing 200 manufacturing jobs.

By the numbers: 
• 2,370 new businesses opened in fiscal 2025 (10% increase)
• Crime dropped 25% in 2024, then another 22% in 2025
• Fire calls surged 33% over a decade to 47,000 annually

The tension: Police achieved full staffing for the first time in 20 years, but fire hasn't added firefighters in eight years despite emergency calls every 11 minutes.

What's next: City Council votes Jan. 6 on final approvals for the $350 million Riverside Live convention center expansion. State of the City address Jan. 28, 6 p.m. at the convention center.

The bottom line: City Manager Mike Futrell called the planned UCR Teaching Hospital and convention center expansion "generational game changers" that will reshape Riverside's economy.

Read and share the full story... (4 min. read)

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Noteworthy

Christmas tree disposal runs January 5-24 with regular trash pickup, requiring trees cut into 4-foot sections for green bins while flocked trees go in brown/gray containers.

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What's Happening in Riverside

Wednesday, December 31

• Riverside East Rotary Club at Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern
• Brunch & Beats: NYE 2026 at ProAbition
• Maruchan's Holiday Ramen Cottage Party at Riverside Food Lab at Riverside Food Lab
• 1960s Golden Hollywood Glam NYE at Killer Queens Social House
• All That Glitters: New Year's Eve Gala at The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa
• NYE Party 2026 at The Lobby Cocktail Lounge & Kitchen
• NYE MASQUERADE BALL at The Hideaway Cafe & Lounge
• New Years Celebration at DTE at Downtown Experiment
• Decadent NYE Bash: 2026 at The W at Worthington's
• New Year's Eve 2026 at Mezcal Ultra Lounge
• New Years Eve Party at Club Riv

Thursday, January 1

• Cal Baptist Lancers Women's Basketball vs. Texas Arlington Mavericks at Dale E. and Sarah Ann Fowler Events Center ($70.74)
• UC Riverside Highlanders vs. Hawaii Rainbow Warriors at UC Riverside Student Recreation Center ($70.74)

Saturday, January 3

• Woodcrest Market Collective at Woodcrest Public Library
• Hand Tool Maintenance and Repair at Land Use Learning Center
• Mt. Rubidoux Walking Tour at Mt. Rubidoux Trailhead, a short walk from Ryan Bonaminio Park. ($21.20)
• Animal Kids Camp - Special Sessions: Vet for a Day at Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center ($50)
• Cal Baptist Lancers Women's Basketball vs. Tarleton State Texans at Dale E. and Sarah Ann Fowler Events Center ($70.74)
• Who's Bad - The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience at Fox Performing Arts Center
• 80s Night with Tributes to Duran Duran & Psychedelic Furs! at The Concert Lounge - Romano's Mission Grove

Save the Date

• January 17: Woodcrest Market Collective at Woodcrest Public Library

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