A sunny December afternoon at the Mission Inn in Downtown, where twinkling lights await sunset to illuminate the historic landmark. (Titus Pardee) Have a photo that captures the spirit of Riverside? Share it with us and help celebrate the beauty of our community!
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.
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.
(Luke López)
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.
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.
📣
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.
