Monday Gazette: January 19, 2026
Hello Riverside, and Happy Monday! Today we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose vision of justice and nonviolent action continues to inspire our community and nation.
Riverside residents can mark this day by joining the 31st Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Walk-a-thon at Bordwell Park Stratton Community Center, or visiting the Civil Rights Institute for their Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration.
Dr. King wrote: "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. The true neighbor will risk his position, his prestige, and even his life for the welfare of others."
Here at The Gazette, we're always looking for ways to support neighbors, love neighbors, and tell their stories. If you know someone making a difference in our community, let us know and nominate them for Neighbor of the Week.
See you tomorrow!
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GOVERNMENT
This Week in City Hall: January 19, 2026
City Council does not meet this week. The Economic Development Committee will consider billboard rule changes allowing digital displays in exchange for revenue sharing, and the Safety Committee is reviewing a shopping cart tracking pilot program.
Welcome to our weekly digest of public meetings and agenda items worth your attention for this coming week. This guide is part of our mission to provide everyday Riversiders like you with the information to speak up on the issues you care about.
Safety, Wellness, and Youth Committee
The Safety, Wellness, and Youth Committee (Councilmembers Perry, Conder, and Mill) meets on Wed, Jan. 21, at 1 p.m. (agenda) to review results from a three-month pilot program that tracked over 1,300 abandoned shopping carts citywide in a transition from an outsourced service to an in-house operation operated by the Public Works Department.
Economic Development Committee
The Economic Development Committee (Councilmembers Robillard, Cervantes, and Hemenway) meets on Thu, Jan 22, at 3 p.m. (agenda) to consider whether to change City rules that currently ban new billboards, after an advertising company offered to replace 10 older signs with digital displays and share revenue with the City.
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GARDNER GAUGE
Opinion: SAWPA Marks Half-Century of Regional Water Stewardship
Joint powers authority celebrates 50 years protecting Santa Ana River watershed resources.
The Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority marks its 50th anniversary protecting water resources for 5 million Inland Empire and Orange County residents.
Why it matters: SAWPA owns the pipeline that keeps industrial waste out of your drinking water and groundwater, and operates programs that directly impact water quality in the Santa Ana River and local supplies.
What SAWPA does:
- Brine Line: Pipes salty industrial waste from Inland Empire utilities to Orange County for ocean discharge, protecting local groundwater
- Desalters: Built the Arlington and Chino desalters that now provide potable water to local utilities
- Grant administration: Manages state funding for water quality studies and environmental projects
By the numbers: SAWPA represents 5 member water agencies formed through a 1969 court decision establishing Santa Ana River water rights.
Recent projects:
- Studied homeless encampment impacts on river water quality (minimal effect on quality, major debris and fire damage)
- Eradicating Arundo donax, an invasive bamboo that drains water and increases fire risk
- Terminated cloud seeding study after one year — climate proved unsuitable
What's next: SAWPA unveils a commemorative video and book Wednesday, Jan. 22.
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This Week in Riverside
Today
- 31st Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Walk-a-thon at Bordwell Park Stratton Community Center
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day at Civil Rights Institute Inland Southern California
Tomorrow
- MLK Brunch with Keynote Speaker Dr. Edward C. Bush at Riverside City College
- Inland Empire Chorus Rehearsal at Temple Beth El Synagogue
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.
