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.
See you Friday!
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SPORTS
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.
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.
Read and share the complete story...
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GOVERNMENT
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.
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.
Read and share the complete story... (4 min. read)
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HIGHER EDUCATION
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 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.
Read and share the complete story... (2 min. read)
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What's Happening in Riverside
Today
- Mobility and Infrastructure Committee at Riverside City Hall
- 80's Music Bingo at Thompson Brewing Co.
- Haunt Me at Riverside Municipal Auditorium- Garden Room
- History on the Rocks! Presented by The Mission Inn Foundation at Mission Inn Foundation Store ($60)
- Cal Baptist Lancers Women's Basketball vs. Abilene Christian Wildcats at Dale E. and Sarah Ann Fowler Events Center
- Women's Basketball vs Long Beach State at SRC Arena
Tomorrow
- New Certified Farmers Market at Farm House Collective
- Noche de Cumbia at Palenque kitchen by Mezcal
- Antibalas at Farm House Collective at Farm House Collective
Save the Date
- January 26: Community Devotional at Riverside Baha'i Center
- February 1: On Peace & Friendship - History of the Peace Tower & Friendship Bridge at Riverside Medical Clinic Basement Meeting Room
- February 7: Woodcrest Market Collective at Woodcrest Public Library
- February 11: Galentine's Women's Health Event at Janet Goeske Center
🗓️ 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.
