> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.raincrossgazette.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # 🗞️ Riverside News- December 4, 2025 - URL: https://www.raincrossgazette.com/riverside-news-december-4-2025/ - Published: 2025-12-04T13:00:32.000Z - Updated: 2026-08-09T02:16:43.000Z - Description: March Field Museum Names New Director, Council Delegates Gage Canal Voting Power to Staff... - Author: Gazette Staff - Tags: Newsletter ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b3/b2/b3b29e3b-298e-485f-86ca-3034c21e3784/content/images/2025/12/IMG_9145.jpeg) Box Springs Mountain rises above the Two Trees Trail, its slopes green with winter vegetation. (Misty Tshilonda) Have a photo that captures the spirit of Riverside? [Share it with us](https://goldstandardca.notion.site/13eef165d2ee80fa91c3de069cc9ec29?ref=raincrossgazette.com) and help celebrate the beauty of our community! **Thursday Gazette: December 4, 2025** **Hello Riverside, and Happy Thursday!** Yesterday we shared a quick survey to gather your thoughts on Riverside's happenings in 2025 and what you think might be ahead for 2026\. We'd love to hear from you if you have a moment to answer a few questions. [**Take the Year-end Survey (just a few questions!)**](https://p9sjsqot.paperform.co/?ref=raincrossgazette.com) --- #### [NEWS](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/tag/news/) ## March Field Museum Names New Director, Provides Documentation on Staff Cuts Michael D. Ellzey previously led Nixon Library and worked at Sunnylands; board provides documentation, says Executive Committee had authority for personnel decisions. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b3/b2/b3b29e3b-298e-485f-86ca-3034c21e3784/content/images/2025/12/251203-marchfield-1.jpg)](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/https://www.raincrossgazette.com/march-field-museum-names-new-director-provides-documentation-on-staff-cuts) Michael D. Ellzey, new executive director of the March Field Air Museum. (Ellzey photo courtesy March Field Air Museum; aircraft photo by Bob Sirotnik) Retired aerospace executive Michael D. Ellzey will lead March Field Air Museum, ending a nine-month leadership vacuum that triggered staff departures and a governance dispute. **Why it matters:** The museum's Board of Directors approved Ellzey unanimously, attempting to stabilize an institution housing 122 aircraft and 60,000 artifacts amid questions about whether proper procedures were followed in October layoffs. **Driving the news:** Board President Jamil Dada eliminated three positions Oct. 9, prompting two additional resignations. Leaders said the cuts would free budget for a higher executive salary within the museum's $1.3 million annual budget. **Yes, but:** The board provided no meeting minutes showing it formally delegated termination authority to its five-member Executive Committee, as bylaws appear to require. Board Secretary Richard Lemire argues the bylaws don't prohibit the committee from dismissing staff. **What's next:** Ellzey takes over a museum that has suspended artifact donations and archival research "until these activities can be reviewed and brought into alignment with the Museum's mission." **Between the lines:** Ellzey's previous role leading Irvine's Orange County Great Park from 2008-2015 drew scrutiny during a forensic audit examining $200 million+ in spending. He most recently served at Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage and spent nearly a decade at the Nixon Library. [Read and share the complete story...](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/https://www.raincrossgazette.com/march-field-museum-names-new-director-provides-documentation-on-staff-cuts) (3 min. read) --- Advertisement ([Become an advertiser](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/advertise/)) [![Advertisement](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone_static/169513/image/0?seed=20251204)](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone%5Fstatic/169513/click/0?seed=20251204&ref=raincrossgazette.com) --- #### [GOVERNMENT](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/tag/government/) ## Council Delegates Gage Canal Voting Power to Staff Weeks After Judge Allows Lawsuit to Proceed Move delegates voting power to Public Utilities staff for five mutual water companies. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b3/b2/b3b29e3b-298e-485f-86ca-3034c21e3784/content/images/2025/12/251204-gagecanalco-1.jpg)](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/https://www.raincrossgazette.com/council-delegates-gage-canal-voting-power-to-staff-weeks-after-judge-allows-lawsuit-to-proceed) The Gage Canal Company office; City Council voted Dec. 2 to give RPU staff voting control over the City's 61 percent stake in the water company. Riverside City Council delegated its 61% ownership stake in Gage Canal Company to appointed utility managers, removing elected officials from direct control of the water supplier. **Why it matters:** Gage Canal operates 19 of Riverside's groundwater wells and provides roughly a quarter of the city's water — but you'll no longer have elected representatives directly voting on who runs it. **What's new:** Council voted 7-0 Tuesday to give RPU's general manager and assistant general manager proxy authority over the City's shares in Gage Canal and four other mutual water companies. The RPU Board recommended the arrangement in February. **The backstory:** The City has owned 61% of Gage Canal since 1965 and seats three members on its 11-person board. This arrangement predates most current governance structures. **Yes, but:** Jason Hunter, who's suing Gage Canal over transparency, warns the general manager now has "total control" to change bylaws and call special meetings without Council input. He argues the delegation violates California's constitution by surrendering legislative authority. **What's next:** A judge ruled Nov. 21 that Hunter's Brown Act lawsuit can proceed. His claim: Gage Canal should follow open meeting laws because the City effectively controls it. [Read and share the complete story...](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/https://www.raincrossgazette.com/council-delegates-gage-canal-voting-power-to-staff-weeks-after-judge-allows-lawsuit-to-proceed) (2 min. read) --- Advertisement ([Become an advertiser](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/advertise/)) [![Advertisement](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone_static/169515/image/0?seed=20251204)](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone%5Fstatic/169515/click/0?seed=20251204&ref=raincrossgazette.com) --- ## Noteworthy [Holiday shopping ranks as the second-most stressful seasonal activity](https://news.ucr.edu/articles/2025/12/02/shopping-two-stressful?ref=raincrossgazette.com) after family gatherings, according to Riverside psychologist Kate Sweeny, who recommends focusing on thoughtful gestures over perfection to reduce anxiety and enhance joy. [Riverside Police Department received a $496,000 grant](https://www.riversideca.gov/press/office-traffic-safety-awards-496000-grant-riverside-police-department-traffic-enforcement?ref=raincrossgazette.com) from the California Office of Traffic Safety to fund DUI checkpoints, distracted driving enforcement, and bicycle and pedestrian safety operations through September 2026. [La Sierra University received a $1 million grant](https://lasierra.edu/article/la-sierra-university-receives-1-million-grant-for-new-vocational-discernment-center/?ref=raincrossgazette.com) from Lilly Endowment Inc. to establish a Vocational Discernment Center helping students explore career paths through workshops, mentoring, and community engagement aligned with faith and purpose. 📣 ****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](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/contact/). --- Advertisement ([Become an advertiser](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/advertise/)) [ ![Advertisement](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone_static/169514/image/0?seed=20251204) ](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone%5Fstatic/169514/click/0?seed=20251204&ref=raincrossgazette.com) --- ## What's Happening in Riverside ### Today - [Under the Stars with the Riverside Astronomical Society](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/arlington-library-under-the-stars-with-the-riverside-astronomical-society/17325998/2025-12-04T16) at Arlington Library - [Board of Ethics](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/board-of-ethics/17245226/2025-12-04T18) at Riverside City Hall - [Planning Commission](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/planning-commission/17125599/2025-12-04T09) at Riverside City Hall - [Lincoln Park Community Group](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/lincoln-park-community-group/16552274/2025-12-04T18) at Lincoln Park Community Center - [UC Riverside Highlanders Women's Basketball vs. UC Irvine Anteaters](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/uc-riverside-highlanders-womens-basketball-vs-uc-irvine-anteaters/16745858/2025-12-04T00) at UC Riverside Student Recreation Center ($61.57) - [First Thursday Public Tours](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/first-thursday-public-tours/17553985/2025-12-04T18) at UCR ARTS - [**FREE ADMISSION - First Thursday of every month during Riverside ArtsWalk**](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/free-admission-first-thursday-of-every-month-during-riverside-artswalk/13230799/2025-12-04T18)at Riverside Art Museum - [Free Tours at FCC Riverside](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/free-tours-at-fcc-riverside/17455066/2025-12-04T18) at First Congregational Church of Riverside - [**Paint Night by L’Expression Creative Studios and the Mission Inn Foundation**](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/paint-night-by-lexpression-creative-studios-and-the-mission-inn-foundation/17270833/2025-12-04T19)at The Mission Inn Foundation Museum & Store ($50) ### Tomorrow - [Skate Park Community Design Workshops](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/skate-park-community-design-workshops/17304392/2025-12-05T17) at Bobby Bonds Park - [Savvy Chic Kids Winter Consignment Sale](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/savvy-chic-kids-winter-consignment-sale/17315166/2025-12-05T09) at Mission Grove Shopping Center - Former KMart (free- $18) - [The Living Nativity](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/the-living-nativity/17445929/2025-12-05T18) at Magnolia Church - [Marisela - Empoderada Tour](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/marisela-empoderada-tour/15334558/2025-12-05T19) at Fox Performing Arts Center - [Noche de Rock En Espanol w/ Tribute to Heroes Del Silencio](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/noche-de-rock-en-espanol-w-tribute-to-heroes-del-silencio/17554016/2025-12-05T21) at The Concert Lounge - Romano's Mission Grove - [Noche de Rock y 80s, Mana vs Rock en Español night!](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/noche-de-rock-y-80s-mana-vs-rock-en-espaol-night/17461680/2025-12-05T21) at The Hideaway Cafe & Lounge - [Silverstein: 25 Years Of Noise](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/silverstein-25-years-of-noise/16360252/2025-12-05T18) at Riverside Municipal Auditorium ### Save the Date - December 6: [Goeske Holiday Festival](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/goeske-holiday-festival/17282022/2025-12-06T10) at Janet Goeske Center - December 6: [Woodcrest Market Collective](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/woodcrest-market-collective/17560258/2025-12-06T13) at Woodcrest Public Library - December 9: [Riverside History Walk Dedication Ceremony](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/riverside-history-walk-dedication-ceremony/17520323/2025-12-09T11) at Riverside City Hall - Veterans Plaza - December 13: [Olivewood Memorial Park Historical Cemetery Tour](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/olivewood-memorial-park-historical-cemetery-tour/17114266/2025-12-13T10) at Olivewood Memorial Park ($20) - December 13: [Walk to the Peace Tower and Friendship Bridge on the 100th Anniversary](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/walk-to-the-peace-tower-and-friendship-bridge-on-the-100th-anniversary/17491229/2025-12-13T14) at Mount Rubidoux - December 13: [Wreaths Across America](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/wreaths-across-america/17260238/2025-12-13T09) at Evergreen Memorial Historic Cemetery - December 16: [Passing on a Wealth of Wisdom - Family Legacy Workshop](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/passing-on-a-wealth-of-wisdom-family-legacy-workshop/17552268/2025-12-16T17) Virtual - December 24: [Christmas Eve Celebration](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/christmas-eve-celebration/17552255/2025-12-24T19) at First Congregational Church of Riverside 🗓️ [See More Events](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/)📝 [Submit Your Event](https://hub.cityspark.com/Event/Submission/Raincross?ref=raincrossgazette.com) 📸 [Submit a photo](http://raincrossgazette.com/submitphoto?ref=raincrossgazette.com) to be featured in our newsletters and social media accounts. 🏆 [Nominate a remarkable Riversider](https://rgnotw.paperform.co/?ref=raincrossgazette.com) as Neighbor of the Week.