Green hills and sweeping views greet hikers on the west side of Mount Rubidoux. (Brad Curry) Have a photo that captures the spirit of Riverside? Share it with us and help celebrate the beauty of our community!
Wednesday Gazette: March 4, 2026
Hello Riverside, and Happy Wednesday! We're halfway through the week and that's worth a small celebration. Whether you're powering through a busy stretch or finally catching your breath, we're glad you're starting your midweek morning with us. Check out the community calendar for things to do as the week winds down, and if you have a story, tip, or neighbor worth spotlighting, send it our way at newsroom@raincrossgazette.com.
Council Puts Sales Tax Increase on June Ballot to Fund Fire Staffing
Measure would raise Measure Z from 1% to 1.25%; residents raise concerns over spending accountability.
City Council unanimously voted to ask Riverside voters in June to raise the Measure Z sales tax from 1% to 1.25% — and extend it indefinitely — to fund fire staffing and emergency services.
Why it matters: Riverside firefighters are responding nearly 90 seconds slower than the national standard, and the department needs 84 more firefighters. Your sales tax bill could increase by $0.25 on every $100 purchase if voters approve it June 2.
By the numbers: The fire department currently has 225 firefighters — a ratio of 0.69 per 1,000 residents, against a national standard of 1.35.
Hiring 84 firefighters to meet that standard would cost $26.1 million annually.
Driving the news: Measure Z's current funds are fully committed through 2028, leaving no room to address the fire department's staffing crisis without new revenue.
Average fire response time hit 7 minutes, 38 seconds in 2025 — up 4% from 2024, against a 6-minute goal.
Yes, but: Residents and some councilmembers raised "tax fatigue" concerns, with opponents arguing the city misused Measure Z funds since 2016 on raises, pension bonds, and a library — not emergency services. Critics say only a special tax, not a general one, would guarantee the money reaches fire and police.
What's next: Riverside voters decide on June 2. The measure exempts groceries, gas, prescriptions, and medical devices.
March ArtsWalk Celebrates Mano, Honors Women’s History Month
Riverside Arts Council names Alejandro “Mano” Mirandé its March Artist of the Month as downtown comes alive for the first ArtsWalk of spring.
Flor y Canto" by Alejandro "Mano" Mirandé, on view on 6th Street in Downtown. (Riverside Arts Council/Facebook)
Alejandro "Mano" Mirandé is a muralist, graphic designer, musician, and events promoter who has been putting in the work for over 25 years. The Riverside Arts Council named him its March Artist of the Month, and it is hard to argue with the pick.
His newest mural, "Flor y Canto," is up now on 6th Street in Downtown Riverside. Go see it. It is the kind of piece that stops you in your tracks, full of color and culture and the sort of energy that sets an aspirational vibe for the city. It represents what we think of ourselves on our best day.
March's ArtsWalk falls on Thursday, March 5, and it is a good one. On top of celebrating Mano, venues across Downtown are marking Women's History Month with exhibitions, readings, and live programming.
Legal Firms, Community Urge Council to Reconsider $20.1 Million Homekey Grant
Advocates warn Riverside's rejection of a grant to house 114 homeless residents may violate fair housing law — but the window to reconsider may have closed.
Ward 2 Councilmember Clarissa Cervantes speaks at a press conference outside City Hall on Tuesday, urging the city council to reconsider its January rejection of a $20.1 million Homekey grant that would have housed 114 homeless residents. (Micaela Ricaforte)
Three nonprofit legal firms warned Riverside that its January rejection of a $20.1 million homeless housing grant may violate fair housing laws — and they're pushing to force a revote.
Why it matters: The rejected grant would have converted the Quality Inn on University Avenue into 114 studio apartments, cutting the city's housing waitlist by one-third. That $20.1 million is now expected to return to the state.
Driving the news: The ACLU of Southern California and Inland Counties Legal Services sent letters warning the city its 4-3 January vote may violate Housing Element Law — potentially giving the council legal grounds to reconsider despite a missed reconsideration deadline.
The groups are also in contact with the state's Housing and Community Development Department, which has enforcement authority.
What they're saying: Ward 2 Councilmember Clarissa Cervantes, the grant's chief champion, framed the stakes plainly.
"Over 300 individuals are preapproved and on a waitlist — we would cut our waitlist by one-third," she said.
Yes, but: Councilmember Steve Robillard pushed back in a Gazette op-ed Tuesday, arguing litigation to force the project undermines democratic decision-making.
"Public dollars should be allocated through open debate and transparent votes, not under the pressure of legal threats," he wrote.
What's next: The council will review the Inland Counties Legal Services letter in closed session next month. No date has been set.
HMI Brings Community Together for International Women's Day at Fairmount Park
The Human Migration Institute is hosting a free, family-friendly afternoon of creative activities and cross-cultural connection on March 8.
Participants gather during a past HMI International Women's Day event, holding handmade signs with messages including "Women Rise, We All Rise," "If You Educate a Woman, You Educate a Community" and "Protect All Women." (Courtesy of Human Migration Institute)
The Human Migration Institute hosts its free International Women's Day gathering this Sunday, uniting refugee newcomers and longtime Riverside residents in shared celebration.
Why it matters: This free, family-friendly event is open to all Riverside residents — and it's one of the few public spaces where refugee and established communities intentionally mix.
What's happening: The March 8 event runs noon–2 p.m. at Fairmount Park picnic shelter No. 1, themed "Create. Connect. Celebrate."
Creative stations: bouquet making, embroidery, mini canvas painting, strength bracelets, henna art
Kids' Creativity Zone and appreciation open mic
The backstory: HMI was founded in 2015 when local women taught grassroots ESL classes for Syrian refugee women arriving in Riverside. Today, 83% of HMI's team are women.
What they're saying: "Women have shaped HMI from the very beginning," Communications Director Allison Severns said.
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