🗞️ Riverside News- January 7, 2026

Wednesday Gazette: January 7, 2026

Hello Riverside, and Happy Wednesday! Today's sunny 62-degree weather is perfect for a midweek stroll through the County of Riverside Certified Farmers' Market at the Riverside County Administration Center (4080 Lemon St., corner of Tenth St. & Lemon St.). Open from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., you'll find fresh produce, eggs, flowers, honey and baked goods from local vendors.

Have a favorite market vendor or recipe using local ingredients? Send your story to newsroom@raincrossgazette.com.

GOVERNMENT

Downtown Street to Get Honorary Name for Late Fire Captain Tim Strack

Captain Tim Strack Parkway" will appear on signs along Lime Street but won't change addresses.

An 11-block stretch of Lime Street will be ceremonially renamed Captain Tim Strack Parkway, honoring the 28-year firefighter and union leader who died in 2023.

Why it matters: The honorary designation recognizes Strack's influence on Riverside's fire service and labor leadership — addresses and postal service remain unchanged.

Driving the news: Council voted unanimously Tuesday to rename Lime Street between 3rd and 14th Streets, centered on Fire Station 1 where Strack served. Strack died of a heart attack in April 2023 at age 53 after leading the firefighters union for 21 years.

What they're saying: "Firefighters across the country knew Riverside because of Captain Tim Strack," Councilmember Sean Mill said.

Yes, but: Two residents questioned whether the honor was appropriate since Strack didn't die on duty, and raised concerns about firefighter union campaign contributions. Falcone noted Council followed identical procedures used for previous ceremonial renamings like Veterans Memorial Highway.

The backstory: This is Strack's second city honor — El Dorado Park was renamed Tim Strack Park in 2023 and opened in November.

Read and share the full story...

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GOVERNMENT

New State Laws Affect Riverside Renters, Shoppers, Patients

Dozens of new California laws taking effect this week impact housing, insulin costs, food delivery and schools.

Landlords must provide refrigerators and stoves to renters, shoppers will no longer get plastic bags at checkout, and residents with diabetes will pay less for insulin under dozens of new California laws taking effect this week.

The laws, signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2025, address housing, health care, consumer protection and education.

Whether you're signing a new lease, heading to the grocery store, or picking up insulin at the pharmacy, you're already noticing some changes around Riverside.

Learn what Riverside residents need to know about new state laws...

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GOVERNMENT

Civil Rights Institute Receives Riverside Hero Award from Chamber

The honor recognizes CRIISC's work preserving local civil rights history and offering educational programming across Riverside County.

The Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce will honor the Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California with the 2026 Riverside Hero Award on Jan. 28.

Why it matters: CRIISC has elevated Riverside's civil rights legacy nationally through exhibitions like "Building Our Region's Korean Communities" — which spotlighted Riverside as home to America's first Koreatown — and "Homegrown Heroes," featuring 25 local civil rights leaders.

What's new: The award recognizes organizations that promote Riverside at the state or national level through significant contributions.

• CRIISC earned recognition for preserving regional civil rights history and offering year-round educational programming across diverse communities.

The big picture: The institute connects residents to local civil rights history through exhibitions, oral histories and community programming that spans race, ethnicity, gender identity, disability rights and immigrant advocacy.

What's next: Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson will present the award during her "Leveling Up" State of the City Address at the Riverside Convention Center on Thursday, Jan. 28.

Read and share the full story...

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What's Happening in Riverside

Today

• Riverside East Rotary Club at Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern
• Stretch & Dance Class at Janet Goeske Senior Center
• RCCD Scholarships Workshops at Riverside City College
• Arlington Library| Propagation Station: Plant Swap at Arlington Library
• Governmental Processes Committee at Riverside City Hall
• Glenwood Tavern Wine Tasting at The Mission Inn Hotel and Spa
• Inland Empire Chorus Rehearsal at Temple Beth El Synagogue
• Inlandia Writing Workshops at Riverside ($50)
• 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)

Tomorrow

• Neighbors of the Wood Streets at Eden Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall
• Cal Baptist Lancers vs. Utah Tech Trailblazers at Dale E. and Sarah Ann Fowler Events Center
• UC Riverside Highlanders Women's Basketball vs. CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners at UC Riverside Student Recreation Center
• Dungeons & Dragons: "Masquerade of Winter" at Nevermore Game Club

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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