Pink blossoms at Riverside Plaza, where this winter's warm, sunny weather is bringing early blooms. (Rosalyn Anderson) Have a photo that captures the spirit of Riverside? Share it with us and help celebrate the beauty of our community!
Thursday Gazette: February 5, 2026
Hello Riverside, and Happy Thursday! Our annual Reader Survey remains open with 222 responses so far—just 178 away from our 400-response goal. Your feedback will help us chart a course to better serve you in 2026, and your anonymous demographic information helps us tell advertisers the kind of Riversiders reading The Gazette.
Each subscriber who completes the survey will be entered to win prizes from My Learning Studio, Riverside Art Museum, Bar Ni Modo, Mission Inn Museum Foundation, and Old Riverside Foundation.
Super Bowl Sunday: Where to Watch & What to Eat in Riverside
The Seahawks take on the Patriots Feb. 8, 2026, with a 3:30 p.m. kickoff. Local forecast: 78° and sunny – perfect for outdoor viewing!
Game day fuel: Taco Station's fish tacos, Smoke and Fire Social Eatery's chicken tenders, and Zacatecas Cafe's party platter. (Courtesy of Taco Station, Smoke and Fire Social Eatery and Zacatecas Cafe)
The big game is this Sunday, and Riverside's restaurants and bars are rolling out the red carpet for football fans. Whether you're looking for a 142-inch screen with craft beer, an outdoor patio perfect for 78-degree weather, or a spot with 30+ TVs where every table gets a prime view, we've found options for every type of fan.
Not hosting but want to bring the best spread? We've tracked down everything from authentic Mexican party platters to premium smoked meats that'll make you the MVP of any gathering. Plus, we've got UCR researchers' science-backed secrets for perfect guacamole – because even food scientists have strong opinions about game day dips.
From bowling alleys streaming the action to outdoor bars serving up drink specials, here's your complete guide to catching Seahawks vs. Patriots while supporting local Riverside businesses.
Fire Department Unveils Water-Saving Pump Pod for Training Exercises
The new equipment will save approximately 4.5 million gallons annually by recirculating water during firefighter drills.
Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson cuts the ribbon on the new pump pod Tuesday at the City's Emergency Operations Center, joined by Fire Chief Steve McKinster and representatives from Riverside Public Utilities and regional water agencies. The water-saving training device will save up to 4.5 million gallons annually. (Courtesy of the City of Riverside)
Riverside Fire Department is California's first city agency to receive a pump pod through a state grant program, saving up to 4.5 million gallons annually during training exercises.
Why it matters: The device means firefighters can train under real-world conditions without draining water supplies — equivalent to saving seven Olympic pools worth of water each year.
How it works: The closed system contains 2,000 gallons that recirculate continuously during training evolutions, rather than letting water run off into drains.
Driving the news: Officials unveiled the equipment Tuesday at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Emergency Operations Center.
The project took two and a half years and involved collaboration between RFD, Riverside Public Utilities, Western Municipal Water District, and Metropolitan Water District.
The big picture: Combined with RPU's other conservation programs, the city will save over 9 million gallons annually while improving firefighter training operations.
What they're saying: "It gives our crews ability to train exactly how they would during real world emergencies, while saving thousands of gallons of water every single training evolution," Fire Chief Steve McKinster said.
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