🗞️ Riverside News- January 6, 2026

Monday Gazette: January 6, 2026

Hello Riverside, and Happy Tuesday! Whether you're eager to reclaim your living room or feeling a little wistful about saying goodbye to the shimmer of twinkling lights, National Take Down the Christmas Tree Day has arrived. If you're ready to bid farewell to your tree, we've got you covered: today we share how to properly dispose of your Christmas tree here in Riverside. It's a small way to keep giving back to our community, even after the holidays have ended.

As always, we love hearing from you at newsroom@raincrossgazette.com.

GOVERNMENT

This Week in City Hall: January 5, 2026

Council will consider eminent domain for a quiet zone project stopping train horns sounded 31 times daily at two crossings, award $5.56 million for street resurfacing, and review Riverside Alive Project environmental certification appeals.

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.

City Council

City Council will meet in closed and open sessions on Tuesday, Jan. 5, in afternoon sessions at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. and an evening session at 6:15 p.m. (agenda).

The agenda includes:

• Awarding a $5.56 million Measure Z-funded contract for street resurfacing and sidewalk repairs at locations across five wards, with work including major roads like Chicago Avenue and Canyon Crest Drive.
• Considering a ceremonial renaming of Lime Street between 3rd and 14th Streets to "Captain Tim Strack Parkway" to honor the late fire captain who served 28 years with the Riverside Fire Department.
• Considering eminent domain proceedings to acquire approximately 243 square feet of property needed for a quiet zone project that would stop routine train horn blasts—currently sounded 31 times daily—at the Brockton and Palm Avenue railroad crossings.
• Considering a lease with Thompson Brewing Co. to convert the Armory at Fairmount Park into a restaurant and beer garden, with the City investing $2.5 million in building renovations and the tenant receiving two years of rent credits before beginning payments.
• Considering two appeals challenging certification of an environmental impact report for the Riverside Alive Project, a potential convention center expansion and mixed-use development downtown.

Human Resources Board

The Human Resources Board meets on Mon, Jan. 5, at 5 p.m. (agenda) to consider updates to three City personnel policies that clarify merit raise timing for City Attorney staff, align military leave rules with current federal and state law for the first time since 2011, and add a new health savings account option for city employees starting in 2026.

Governmental Processes Committee

The Governmental Processes Committee (Councilmembers Falcone, Perry, and Conder) meets on Wed, Jan. 7, at 9 a.m. (agenda) to review revisions to a proposed policy governing City-funded ward events that would clarify staff and councilmember roles, restrict events near elections, and require post-event cost and attendance reporting.

Airport Commission

The Airport Commission meets on Thu, Jan. 8, at 3 p.m. (agenda) to receive the Airport Manager's Operations and Activity Report.

Budget Engagement Commission

The Budget Engagement Commission meets on Thu, Jan. 8, at 5 p.m. (agenda) to hear regional economic data showing the Riverside metro area ranks 36th nationally in exports with $5.8 billion in goods trade and review the City's FY 2024/25 year-end financial performance with requests to approve $44.88 million in carryovers.

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EDUCATION

John W. North High School Completes $61.5 Million Campus Renovation

The project added new science and gymnasium buildings to the campus that first opened in 1965.

John W. North High School unveiled a modernized campus Thursday after an eight-year, $61.5 million renovation funded by Measure O bond dollars.

Why it matters: North High students now have access to competitive-level facilities that match other RUSD campuses — including a new science building, regulation gymnasium, and modern HVAC systems throughout the 1965-era campus.

What's new: The Dec. 19 ribbon-cutting ceremony showcased two major additions:

• Eight-classroom science building with modern lab equipment
• 18,327-square-foot competitive gymnasium

The big picture: Seven existing buildings received complete HVAC renovations plus new ceilings, lighting, flooring and paint. The campus also added improved accessibility features and modernized restrooms and entry points.

By the numbers:

• $50 million from Measure O (the 2016 RUSD bond that passed with 70%+ voter approval)
• $11.5 million from federal COVID relief funds covered HVAC and lighting upgrades

What they're saying: "This project is about celebrating our students, our culture, and the legacy of John W. North," Principal Jodi Gonzales said.

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COMMUNITY

Time to Say Goodbye to Your Christmas Tree

City collects trees curbside through Jan. 24, plus a handy refresher on what goes in which bin.

Why it matters: Improperly prepared trees won't be collected, leaving you stuck with a dead tree on your curb. Flocked trees require different disposal than natural trees.

What's required: Remove all stands, ornaments and decorations, cut trees into 4-foot sections, place in green containers or next to them (lids must close).

Yes, but: Flocked trees aren't green waste—cut them into 4-foot sections for brown or gray trash containers instead.

The big picture: Riverside's three-bin system processes different materials. Getting it right keeps collection running smoothly. Blue bins: Plastics 1-7, glass, aluminum, tin, clean paper and cardboard. Green bins: Food scraps, food-soiled paper, yard waste under 4 feet. Brown/gray bins: Clothing, diapers, plastic bags, pet waste.

Be smart: Batteries, electronics, hazardous waste and hot ashes don't belong in any bin—they require special disposal at hazardous waste facilities.

Read and share the full waste guide...

Noteworthy

The City of Riverside's Spring 2026 Activity Guide is arriving in mailboxes soon and available online now, with registration open for classes and activities running January through April.

The Riverside Community Flower Show Committee is awarding $100 grants to 20 Riverside County classrooms to support horticultural projects for the April 25-26, 2026 show, with applications due February 1.

UCR alumna Thy Bui '04 established a scholarship fund to help students afford the UC Washington Center program after her own 2002 internship in D.C. influenced her path to becoming a partner at Maynard Nexsen law firm.

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This Week in Riverside

Today

• City Council at Riverside City Hall
• RCCD Scholarships Workshops at Riverside City College

Tomorrow

• Riverside East Rotary Club at Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern
• Stretch & Dance Class at Janet Goeske Senior Center
• Governmental Processes Committee at Riverside City Hall
• Riverside Mission Belles at Victoria Presbyterian Church
• Riverside Open Mic Music Series at Back to the Grind
• History on the Rocks - Round Two! Presented by The Mission Inn Foundation at Mission Inn Foundation ($60)

Save the Date

• January 17: Woodcrest Market Collective at Woodcrest Public Library
• February 1: On Peace & Friendship - History of the Peace Tower & Friendship Bridge at Riverside Medical Clinic Basement Meeting Room

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