The Mission Inn shines during the Festival of Lights. Wrapped palms and thousands of lights illuminate the historic hotel. (Julie Knighton) Have a photo that captures the spirit of Riverside? Share it with us and help celebrate the beauty of our community!
Friday Gazette: December 12, 2025
Hello Riverside, and Happy Friday! A quick update on our third year-end membership support campaign: 53 of you have become supporters this week! With three days left in this campaign, we're 21% toward our goal of 253 new supporters. Thank you!!
Here's something I haven't told basically anyone.
This summer, Lindy (my rad wife) and I invested $35,000—basically all our savings—to keep The Gazette moving forward. We needed to bridge the gap during some lean months while we continue building sustainable revenue.
That $35,000 came straight out of our personal savings account and into the Gazette's checking account. Lindy and I are all in on the Raincross Gazette because we see the brighter future it's creating for Riverside and know that is one worth investing in. "A strong Raincross Gazette means a strong Riverside" isn't just a tagline to us; we genuinely believe that future is worth pursuing with everything we have.
Your $5, $10, or $15 per month matters. It's what makes our reporting possible. It's what keeps The Gazette free for everyone who can't afford to support it. It's what will make this work sustainable for the long run.
We put our money where our mouth is. Will you join us?
Council Strengthens Ethics Defenses for Accused Officials After False Complaints
Board of Ethics must now give equal weight to evidence from both complainants and accused officials during preliminary review.
Riverside's Board of Ethics must now weigh complainants' and officials' evidence equally during pre-hearing reviews — ending a practice that nearly resulted in hearings despite proof council members didn't attend alleged violations.
Why it matters: The unanimous vote Tuesday protects public officials from baseless complaints while preserving accountability, after four council members spent dozens of hours defending themselves against cannabis industry allegations that collapsed when photos proved a staffer attended the event.
What changed:
Board must consider all evidence "in its totality with equal weight" — not assume complaints are true
Whistleblower protections added for good-faith reporters
Vendors and contractors can now file complaints
Driving the news: The reform followed cannabis businesses withdrawing complaints against Chuck Conder, Steven Robillard, Jim Perry and Sean Mill. Attorney Dana Cisneros admitted city photos showed a staffer — not Perry — attended the chamber event central to the allegations.
What they're saying: "It was a kangaroo court," Mill said, describing 10-12 hours of prep work. Perry's sworn statement he wasn't present "was basically given no consideration," while the attorney's mistaken ID "was given full weight."
Yes, but: Board member Dr. Danielle Kilchenstein opposed the change, arguing "not all evidence is equally credible, relevant or material" and warning the requirements create "unnecessary ambiguity."
What's next: The debate exposed deeper questions about volunteer ethics oversight. Mill and residents urged transferring ethics reviews to the new Inspector General — approved by voters in November — who can investigate both officials and staff.
The bottom line: Council members want protection from frivolous complaints while several residents and a board member say the volunteer panel needs either more training or replacement by professional investigators.
Riverside Reports Five Federal Immigration Notifications in First Two Months of Tracking System
City releases bilingual Know Your Rights materials as first monthly report shows zero community-submitted reports through new 311 system.
Ice blocks outside City Hall served as symbolic protest art, representing the melting away of ICE presence. The installation was organized by Spanish Town Heritage Foundation and Latino Network as part of Hispanic Heritage Month observances on Oct. 14, 2025. (File photo)
Riverside received five voluntary federal immigration notifications in October and November — the first data under the City Council's new tracking system.
Why it matters: The tracking system launched after July's controversial ICE operation at the Madison Street Home Depot, giving residents visibility into federal immigration activity in Riverside.
By the numbers:
2 safety notifications in October
3 safety notifications in November
0 community reports submitted through the 311 system
What's happening: The city launched an immigration resources webpage Oct. 23 with a "Report ICE Activity" button. The page includes legal information and news updates on reported incidents.
Yes, but: These numbers rely entirely on voluntary federal reporting — ICE isn't required to notify local police. Actual activity could be higher.
What's next: City staff will provide monthly updates to Council and the Human Relations Commission.
Volunteers Plant 250 Native Trees at Hidden Valley Nature Center
The Dec. 5 restoration project aimed to improve habitat along the Santa Ana River and protect against erosion and flooding.
Volunteers plant native trees at Hidden Valley Nature Center on Dec. 5 to restore habitat along the Santa Ana River. (Courtesy of Trout Unlimited)
Volunteers planted 250 native trees along the Santa Ana River to restore habitat and combat flooding driven by climate change.
Why it matters: These cottonwoods, sycamores and willows will cool river water for fish, stop erosion and filter pollutants from stormwater that flows through Riverside.
What happened: Trout Unlimited and the Arbor Day Foundation organized the Dec. 5 planting at Hidden Valley Nature Center, replacing invasive species with natives.
The big picture: The trees create a riparian buffer that addresses two problems at once — declining biodiversity and increasing flood risks from climate change along the Santa Ana floodplain.
What they're saying: The plantings are "one of the simplest, yet most impactful ways" to make rivers healthier, said Sean Sieler of Trout Unlimited.
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.
Ciabatta and Sourdough are a gorgeous pair of siblings who are as soft and lovely as their names suggest. Just over a year old, they’ve both come a long way from their shy beginnings and are now curious cats who ready for homes of their own. They don’t need to be adopted together — but what’s one more cat when they’re this sweet? With a little patience and space to adjust, Ciabatta and Sourdough will blossom into the gentle, loving companions you’ve been looking for. As part of Empty the Shelters, which runs through Dec. 15th, cats have adoption fees of only $20.
Come meet Ciabatta and Sourdough and all the adoptable pets at the Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center in person. Stop by any day except Tuesdays, from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., or learn more at petsadoption.org.
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