Clear skies and lush green hills frame the view from Mount Rubidoux, where December and January rains have brought vibrant color to the landscape. (Luke López) Have a photo that captures the spirit of Riverside? Share it with us and help celebrate the beauty of our community!
Friday Gazette: January 16, 2026
Hello Riverside, and Happy Friday! Today is National Good Teen Day, a reminder that while teenagehood can sometimes be awkward, confusing and intimidating (for teens and parents alike), teenagers are amazing and do amazing things. If you know a teen who's making Riverside stronger, kinder or more vibrant, please nominate them for Neighbor of the Week.
Ward 4 Challengers Break With Incumbent on Homeless Housing Vote at First Candidate Forum
First of three neighborhood forums draws 13 candidates across Wards 2, 4, and 6.
Ward 4 incumbent Chuck Conder speaks at Tuesday's candidate forum at Orange Terrace Community Center, where he defended his vote against a homeless housing project.
All three Ward 4 City Council candidates took positions Tuesday on the Council's controversial rejection of a $20 million state homeless housing grant.
Why it matters: The divide reveals how candidates would vote on future homeless housing projects in Riverside — a key issue as the city faces growing pressure to address homelessness while neighbors resist new facilities.
Where they stand: Challengers Jessica Qattawi and Rich Vandenberg said they would have approved converting the Quality Inn on University Avenue into housing for seniors and veterans.
Incumbent Chuck Conder defended his "no" vote, saying University Avenue's commercial corridor "is not the place to put it."
Driving the news: The forum at Orange Terrace Community Center drew 13 of 16 candidates across three wards ahead of the June 2 primary election.
Tuesday's Council meeting — where the grant was rejected 4-3 — sparked heated debate about housing location and community input.
What they're saying: "The idea that this isn't the right place, what is the right place?" Vandenberg asked. "We're all NIMBYs."
Yes, but: Conder accused the project of being "rushed through by a certain individual" — an apparent reference to Councilmember Clarissa Cervantes, who's running for State Assembly.
The big picture: Candidates across all three wards split on the issue, with some questioning whether Housing First models work without treatment services.
What's next: The next forum is Wednesday, Jan. 21 at La Sierra Senior Center, 5215 La Sierra Ave., 6:30-8:45 p.m., focusing on Ward 6 and the Riverside Transmission Reliability Project.
Olive Crest, Crest Community Church Break Ground on Foster Youth Housing
"Crest Cottages” pairs nonprofit services with congregational support to address isolation facing aged-out youth.
Olive Crest and Crest Community Church leaders, joined by city officials and project partners, break ground Thursday on Crest Cottages, an 11-home development for foster youth and struggling families.
A decade after Mayor Rusty Bailey challenged Riverside's faith community, Olive Crest and Crest Community Church broke ground Thursday on 11 homes serving foster youth and at-risk single mothers.
Why it matters: The project offers a proven alternative to homelessness—60% of teens aging out of foster care become homeless within a year, and 60% of sex-trafficked children come from the child welfare system.
What's different: Residents get case management and life skills training from Olive Crest, plus what organizers call "living support"—church volunteers providing tutoring, childcare, carpooling and community connection.
A missionary couple will live on-site to build trust with residents who may be slow to open up.
The model works: Grove Community Church has operated Grove Village since 2018 with no issues related to drugs, vagrancy or crime, officials told planning commissioners.
What's required: Residents must maintain employment, pursue education, build savings and engage with support services.
By the numbers:
$2 million raised toward construction
20-year ground lease with options to 45 years
1.2 million children and families Olive Crest aims to serve by 2030
What they're saying: "Underneath the housing crisis was a more fundamental problem—a crisis of community," Pastor John Dixon said.
The bottom line: The project treats homelessness as a relationship problem, not just a housing problem, surrounding vulnerable families with community instead of leaving them isolated.
Meet this week’s featured furry friend from the Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center. Dedicated to eliminating pet homelessness, the center provides compassionate care and facilitates adoptions for animals in need of loving homes. Find your new companion and help support their mission of humane care and responsible pet ownership.
Left: Meet Ileane, a beautiful one-year-old pup with a spunky, sparkling personality that’s sure to win you over. She walks nicely on leash, loves playing with every toy she can get her paws on, and is always up for some fun. When playtime is over, Ileane is just as happy to cuddle up and soak in all the attention. Come meet Ileane and all the adoptable pets at the Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center in person. Stop by any day except Tuesdays, from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., or learn more at petsadoption.org. Alumni Updates: Sonic was adopted! 🎉
Noteworthy
The California Medicine Scholars Program has enrolled 399 students across four regional hubs since 2022 to create a community college-to-medical school pathway addressing California's physician shortage, with UCR's School of Medicine leading the Inland Empire hub in a region that has just 41 doctors per 100,000 people.
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