> ## 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- February 17, 2026 - URL: https://www.raincrossgazette.com/riverside-news-february-16-2026-2/ - Published: 2026-02-17T13:00:11.000Z - Updated: 2026-08-09T02:15:29.000Z - Description: Budget Commission update... - Author: Gazette Staff - Tags: Newsletter ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b3/b2/b3b29e3b-298e-485f-86ca-3034c21e3784/content/images/2026/02/IMG_1061.jpeg) A row of trees reflects in the still waters of Lake Evans at Fairmount Park on a clear morning. (Osvaldo Vazquez) 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! **Tuesday Gazette: February 17, 2026** **Hello Riverside, and Happy Tuesday!** Today marks the start of Chinese New Year, ushering in the Year of the Fire Horse. In the Chinese zodiac, the Horse represents speed, freedom, and innovation, with this year's fire element adding energy, passion, and dynamic transformation. The celebrations traditionally last 16 days, culminating in the Lantern Festival on March 3rd. Families gather for reunion dinners, exchange red envelopes for good luck, and welcome the new year with hopes for prosperity and happiness. To those celebrating: Happy New Year! See you tomorrow! --- Advertisement ([Become an advertiser](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/advertise/)) [![Advertisement](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone_static/169513/image/0?seed=20260217)](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone%5Fstatic/169513/click/0?seed=20260217&ref=raincrossgazette.com) --- #### [GOVERNMENT](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/tag/government/) ## Budget Commission Questions Its Role as Measure Z Locked Through 2028 Nonprofits seeking city support face three-year funding freeze as council prepares June tax vote. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b3/b2/b3b29e3b-298e-485f-86ca-3034c21e3784/content/images/2026/02/_DSC4113-1.jpg)](https://theraincrossgazette.com/budget-commission-questions-its-authority-as-measure-z-locked-through-2028?ref=raincrossgazette.com) (Titus Pardee) Riverside's Budget Engagement Commission discovered it cannot recommend funding for nonprofits or new programs—all Measure Z money is committed through 2028. **Why it matters:** The commission chartered to help allocate $81 million-$86 million annually has no actual authority to direct those dollars for the next three years. **Driving the news:** Commissioner Pete Benavidez questioned the commission's purpose after learning nonprofits seeking city funding are being turned away. - "We have very little authority to make such recommendations to council," he said at Wednesday's meeting. **The gap:** Measure Z, approved by voters in 2016 to "prevent cutting police, firefighters, paramedics," currently funds 164 public safety positions but has no money available for Fire Department's identified $26.1 million staffing shortage. - The department operates with 225 firefighters—half the national standard ratio. **What they're saying:** "I think we need some guidance...so that we can bring people into this building where they can make a recommendation on what they feel is needed with their taxpayer dollars," Benavidez said. **What's next:** Council decides Feb. 24 which tax measures—possibly extending Measure Z or adding a quarter-cent sales tax—to place on the June ballot. County filing deadline is March 6. [Read and share the complete story...](https://theraincrossgazette.com/budget-commission-questions-its-authority-as-measure-z-locked-through-2028?ref=raincrossgazette.com) --- Advertisement ([Become an advertiser](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/advertise/)) [ ![Advertisement](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone_static/169514/image/0?seed=20260217) ](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone%5Fstatic/169514/click/0?seed=20260217&ref=raincrossgazette.com) --- ## Noteworthy [UCR plant ecologist Loralee Larios reports California's wildflower superbloom is arriving a month early](https://news.ucr.edu/articles/2026/02/12/superbloom-ahead-schedule?ref=raincrossgazette.com)—with desert sand verbena and evening primrose already displaying and California poppies expected soon in Antelope Valley—due to unusual rainfall timing this year. [La Sierra University launched a one-page strategic plan](https://lasierra.edu/article/universitys-one-page-strategic-plan-launches-la-sierra-forward/?ref=raincrossgazette.com) targeting 3,000 students by 2035 after experiencing a 26% surge in new freshmen and 5% overall enrollment increase, implementing corporate Scaling Up methodology with quarterly accountability processes. 📣 ****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/169515/image/0?seed=20260217)](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone%5Fstatic/169515/click/0?seed=20260217&ref=raincrossgazette.com) --- ## This Week in Riverside ### Today - [ScotSurplus Public Sale](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/scotsurplus-public-sale/17279943/2026-02-17T11) at ScotSurplus, UCR Corporation Yard - [Inland Empire Chorus Rehearsal](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/inland-empire-chorus-rehearsal/17785176/2026-02-17T18) at Temple Beth El Synagogue - [Celebrating David Bowie](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/celebrating-david-bowie/17660579/2026-02-17T19) at Fox Performing Arts Center ### Tomorrow - [Stretch & Dance Class](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/stretch-dance-class/17541755/2026-02-18T09) at Janet Goeske Senior Center - [Riverside East Rotary Club](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/riverside-east-rotary-club/13565436/2026-02-18T07) at Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern - [Ash Wednesday Service](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/ash-wednesday-service/17981840/2026-02-18T12) at First Congregational Church of Riverside - [Safety, Wellness, and Youth Committee](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/safety-wellness-and-youth-committee/17874049/2026-02-18T13) at Riverside City Hall - [Cal Baptist Lancers Women's Basketball vs. Utah Valley Wolverines](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/cal-baptist-lancers-womens-basketball-vs-utah-valley-wolverines/16745925/2026-02-18T18) at Dale E. and Sarah Ann Fowler Events Center - [Promise Program - Information Session](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/promise-program-information-session/17976565/2026-02-18T17) at Riverside City College - [Reading Assistance Program](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/reading-assistance-program/17973404/2026-02-18T15) at My Learning Studio - [Riverside Mission Belles](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/riverside-mission-belles/16691431/2026-02-18T09) at Victoria Presbyterian Church - [History on the Rocks - Round Two! Presented by The Mission Inn Foundation](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/history-on-the-rocks-round-two-presented-by-the-mission-inn-foundation/17900986/2026-02-18T17) at Mission Inn Foundation ($60) - [Riverside Open Mic Music Series](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/riverside-open-mic-music-series/15529475/2026-02-18T17) at Back to the Grind ## Save the Date - February 19: [Empowered Leadership: Cultivating Influence and Impact](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/empowered-leadership-cultivating-influence-and-impact/17934420/2026-02-19T08) at Work Well ($165) - February 21: [Woodcrest Market Collective](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/woodcrest-market-collective/17560258/2026-02-21T13) at Woodcrest Public Library - February 23: [Sip with a Scientist](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/sip-with-a-scientist/17942951/2026-02-23T17) at Bar Ni Modo - March 9: [REEF's Best Event Ever! Take 9!](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/reefs-best-event-ever-take-9/17943705/2026-03-09T18) at Fox Performing Arts Center ($10- $75) 🗓️ [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.