A Riverside Superior Court judge denied the legal bid March 30, leaving the Ward 2 candidate's ballot designation intact heading into the June primary.
'Hadestown' actor Nickolaus Colón on why the ancient myth of Hades still moves modern audiences — and why two nights at The Fox are worth clearing your calendar for.
Morning light illuminates Mount Rubidoux's rocky terrain and native vegetation, with views of Riverside spreading across the valley below. (Luke López) Have a photo that captures the spirit of Riverside? Share it with us and help celebrate the beauty of our community!
Thursday Gazette: February 12, 2026
Hello Riverside, and Happy Thursday! This Saturday, February 14, the 46th annual Black History Parade & Expo takes over Downtown, one of Southern California's longest-running celebrations of its kind. The parade kicks off at 10 a.m. at Terracina Drive and Magnolia Avenue, featuring drill teams, dance crews, classic cars and live performances before ending at the Historic Riverside Courthouse. The Expo runs until 5 p.m. at the Main Street Pedestrian Mall with food, vendors, and community exhibits. Get full details and add it to your calendar.
City Council Faces Lawsuits as Deadline Passes for $20.1 Million Housing Project
Legal threats mount as ACLU, property seller warn of lawsuits over Jan. 13 vote that rejected conversion of Quality Inn into 114 affordable units.
Resident and Ward 6 candidate Barry Dawes speaks during public comment at Tuesday's City Council meeting, urging councilmembers to reconsider the rejected University Terrace homeless housing project. (Luke López)
Riverside faces two potential lawsuits after council rejected $20.1 million to house 114 homeless residents, with the Feb. 10 reconsideration deadline now passed.
Why it matters: The rejection could violate state housing laws and leave the city liable for discrimination claims — while the Quality Inn property may now become weekly rentals with increased police calls, as the seller's representative warned.
Driving the news: Council voted 4-3 on Jan. 13 against converting the University Avenue Quality Inn into permanent supportive housing.
ACLU and property seller threaten lawsuits over fair housing violations and interference with the sale.
State housing officials will investigate for potential Housing Element Law violations.
What they're saying: Councilmember Clarissa Cervantes plans to bring the matter back to closed session.
"These groups and HCD are giving us an opportunity to correct our course and we should take it," she said.
Yes, but: Councilmember Philip Falcone says businesses and residents in his ward weren't properly notified, and the tenant population shifted from seniors to mixed groups without warning.
By the numbers:
$20.1 million grant would return to the state
114 units — the city's largest permanent supportive housing project
15% of Riverside's unhoused population could have been housed
What's next: Cervantes will ask the city attorney and mayor to schedule a closed session on potential legal exposure.
UCR Welcomes Chancellor Dr. Shixin Jack Hu in Ceremonial Inauguration
The February 5 celebration at University Theatre featured bagpipes, speeches from university leaders, and a community fair highlighting Hu's vision for social mobility and research excellence.
Chancellor Dr. Shixin Jack Hu delivers his inaugural address at University Theatre on February 5, outlining his vision for UCR as a model for inclusive, innovation-driven public research where excellence and social mobility advance together. (Stan Lim/ UC Riverside)
Dr. Shixin Jack Hu was formally installed as UCR's 10th chancellor Thursday, bringing decades of research leadership and a bold vision for the university's future.
Why it matters: Hu's five-point plan commits to expanding UCR Health, deepening partnerships across Inland Southern California, and maintaining UCR's national ranking as the #1 university for social mobility.
Driving the news: UC President James Milliken installed Hu during a 90-minute ceremony at University Theatre attended by students, faculty, staff and community members.
Hu arrived at UCR last July after serving as provost at the University of Georgia and vice president for research at University of Michigan.
What's new: Hu's vision statement positions UCR as "the nation's model for an inclusive, innovation-driven public research university where excellence and social mobility advance together."
His five commitments:
Deepen student success and social mobility
Accelerate mission-driven research and innovation
Expand UCR Health
Power Inland Southern California's economic and cultural future through partnerships
Support students, faculty, staff and community
The big picture: UCR has ranked #1 nationally for social mobility five times since U.S. News created the category seven years ago.
Blue Zones Project Riverside workshop helps residents navigate the question that defines a meaningful life: Why do you get out of bed every morning?
Executive Director Erin Edwards leads a Blue Zones Project Riverside "Purpose Workshop" in late January, guiding participants through exercises designed to help them clarify their life's meaning and direction. (Erik Chen)
As the country becomes ever increasingly fragmented, many find themselves lost in the whirlwind of daily headlines. The continuous cycle of pursuing what is happening right now often abandons questions of meaning and purpose on the curbside.
As of late, this issue has increasingly pervaded our society. In fact, a research study by Larissa Rainey in 2014 found that 90 percent of people in the United States experience "purpose anxiety" - the stressful fear and insecurity that arises from being unable to define one's own purpose in life.
That sense of uncertainty was at the center of a Blue Zones Project Riverside "Purpose Workshop" held in late January 2026, where residents of different ages gathered together to reflect on what gives their lives meaning. Led by Executive Director and former City Councilmember Erin Edwards, the workshop combined guided discussions with thought-provoking exercises designed to help participants clarify their trajectory in life.
Lane and ramp closures on State Route 91 from Tyler Street to Madison Street will cause delays through Thursday morning as part of Caltrans' $31 million pavement project running through summer 2027.
📣
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.
