The Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce will honor the longest-serving university president in California at its April event recognizing business leadership.
We just can't get enough of that sunrise on the 9th — here's yet another breathtaking vantage point near Country Club Drive and Shaker Road. Orange and coral clouds sweep across the January sky, creating dramatic streaks of color above the silhouetted hills. (Bob Sirotnik) Have a photo that captures the spirit of Riverside? Share it with us and help celebrate the beauty of our community!
Thursday Gazette: January 15, 2026
Hello Riverside, and Happy Thursday! Some of us are rocking through the week while others are definitely in "will Friday ever get here?" mode. If you're in the latter camp, you might appreciate that some people call Thursday nights "Little Friday." The idea is simple: take a midweek break to reset before the final push to the weekend. Whether that means meeting friends for a cozy coffee date at your favorite spot, splurging on a fancy cocktail out, or cooking a nice meal at home, it's a reminder that we don't have to wait until Friday to take care of ourselves.
However you're spending your Thursday, we hope you find a moment to enjoy it. And if you see something happening around town that other neighbors should know about, send it our way at newsroom@raincrossgazette.com.
Riverside Pro Soccer Hires Former Dodgers Executive as Commercial Advisor
Dave Siegel, who led global partnerships for the Los Angeles Dodgers, will guide sponsorship strategy as the club prepares for its inaugural season.
Dave Siegel joins Riverside Pro Soccer as Commercial Revenue Advisor after leading global partnerships for the Los Angeles Dodgers and serving as CEO of the Los Angeles Sports Council. (Courtesy of Riverside Pro Soccer)
Former LA Dodgers VP Dave Siegel will advise Riverside Pro Soccer on partnerships and revenue as the club builds toward its inaugural season.
Why it matters: Siegel's hiring signals the club is moving from planning to execution—he'll shape corporate partnerships and commercial strategy for both the teams and the planned $200 million sports complex.
What's new: Siegel spent nearly three decades in professional sports, most recently as VP of Global Partnerships for the Dodgers and CEO of the LA Sports Council.
He'll work directly with founding owner Greg Scott on revenue development and commercial strategy.
The big picture: USL announced the Riverside partnership in September after Council approved exclusive negotiations in August for Scott's complex at the former Ab Brown Sports Complex site.
What's next: The club's running a community listening campaign for team branding and identity input.
Fire Chief Warns Department Can't Keep Pace; Seeks 84 Firefighters, 2 New Stations
Staffing has held flat for seven years while calls increased 26% — and the city has no funding identified for the proposed fix.
The Riverside Fire Department has maintained 225 firefighters for seven years while calls for service increased 26% since 2018 and 72% since the last new fire station opened in 2007. (File photo)
Riverside's Fire Department needs 84 firefighters immediately to handle surging call volumes, with response times climbing past 7 minutes and the system in "overload" 26% of the time.
Why it matters: Brain damage from cardiac arrest begins at 4-6 minutes without oxygen, and structure fires double in size every minute—Riverside's average response time is now 7:37, well past the 6-minute goal.
By the numbers: The department operates at crisis levels despite unchanged staffing for seven years.
225 firefighters serve 330,000 residents—0.69 per 1,000 residents, lowest among peer cities
Calls increased 26% since 2018 and 72% since the last new station opened in 2007
System operates in "critical overload" (no immediate response capacity) 2% of the time—projected to hit 6% by 2040
What's happening: Fire Chief Steve McKinster presented a 550-page master plan Tuesday calling for $26.1 million annually in Phase 1 improvements—84 new firefighters, six new or rebuilt stations, and seven apparatus units.
"Fire departments do not fail all at once. They fall behind slowly," McKinster warned Council.
Yes, but: The plan identifies no new funding sources beyond existing General Fund allocations, and Measure Z is fully committed through 2028.
What they're saying: Council members voiced support but acknowledged difficult budget decisions ahead.
"Dedication is not a strategy," said Firefighters Association President Mike DeToy.
What's next: Councilmember Jim Perry asked staff to return to the Public Safety Committee within 60 days with an implementation roadmap.
CBU President Dr. Ronald L. Ellis named 2025 Citizen of the Year
The Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce will honor the longest-serving university president in California at its April event recognizing business leadership.
Dr. Ronald L. Ellis in his office at California Baptist University. (Courtesy of California Baptist University)
Dr. Ronald Ellis, California's longest-serving university president, will receive the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce's 2025 Citizen of the Year award after 31 years leading CBU.
Why it matters: Ellis transformed a small Baptist college into a Division I university that now educates thousands of Inland Empire educators, healthcare providers, and professionals working throughout the region.
By the numbers: CBU's growth under Ellis since 1994:
Enrollment: 808 to 12,500 students (1,450% increase)
Endowment: $3.8 million to $168 million (4,200% growth)
Infrastructure: 224 buildings added through $630 million in investments
The big picture: Ellis expanded CBU from a small college to a comprehensive university offering 150+ undergraduate programs, 40+ master's programs, and 11 doctoral programs.
Nearly 6,000 students have participated in his International Service Projects program.
What's next: The chamber will present the award at its 126th Inaugural Celebration on Wednesday, April 8, where Jennifer Binkley completes her term as board chair and Stephanie Standerfer takes over.
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