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)
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.
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...
Advertisement (Become an advertiser)
Noteworthy
UCR plant ecologist Loralee Larios reports California's wildflower superbloom is arriving a month early—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 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.
Advertisement (Become an advertiser)
This Week in Riverside
Today
- ScotSurplus Public Sale at ScotSurplus, UCR Corporation Yard
- Inland Empire Chorus Rehearsal at Temple Beth El Synagogue
- Celebrating David Bowie at Fox Performing Arts Center
Tomorrow
- Stretch & Dance Class at Janet Goeske Senior Center
- Riverside East Rotary Club at Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern
- Ash Wednesday Service at First Congregational Church of Riverside
- Safety, Wellness, and Youth Committee at Riverside City Hall
- Cal Baptist Lancers Women's Basketball vs. Utah Valley Wolverines at Dale E. and Sarah Ann Fowler Events Center
- Promise Program - Information Session at Riverside City College
- Reading Assistance Program at My Learning Studio
- Riverside Mission Belles at Victoria Presbyterian Church
- History on the Rocks - Round Two! Presented by The Mission Inn Foundation at Mission Inn Foundation ($60)
- Riverside Open Mic Music Series at Back to the Grind
Save the Date
- February 19: Empowered Leadership: Cultivating Influence and Impact at Work Well ($165)
- February 21: Woodcrest Market Collective at Woodcrest Public Library
- February 23: Sip with a Scientist at Bar Ni Modo
- March 9: REEF's Best Event Ever! Take 9! at Fox Performing Arts Center ($10- $75)
🗓️ See More Events 📝 Submit Your Event
📸 Submit a photo to be featured in our newsletters and social media accounts.
🏆 Nominate a remarkable Riversider as Neighbor of the Week.