Wednesday Gazette: July 15, 2026
Hello Riverside, and Happy Wednesday! Back in the day, kids didn't head to school until after Labor Day. That's not the case anymore: back to school season kicks off in early August, and stores are already stocked with everything students could need and want.
We're putting together a guide to organizations running back to school supply drives and distribution events, and we need your help. If you're organizing one, know of one, or have seen info on one, please reply to this newsletter or reach out to newsroom@raincrossgazette.com. We'd love to add it to our guide.
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INDIGENOUS HISTORY
The River In Riverside: An Unseen Inheritance
From Wanish and Qota'inat to a symbol of wealth and control, the Santa Ana River's history is also Riverside's own.
I find it curious when I hear "people in Riverside don't know we have a river." After all, it is the largest riparian ecosystem in Southern California, flowing nearly 100 miles beginning in the San Bernardino Mountains to the ocean at Newport Beach. Winding its way through 2/3rds of the state's population under bridges and alongside freeways. For those paying attention, the river is a sustainer of life. An ecology that has been at the mercy of the dominant culture for over two centuries. This begs the questions; what does it mean to live alongside a river, what is our role in its caretaking and how do we balance infrastructure with restoration?
Before the Spanish expedition of 1769 led by Gaspar de Portolá, when the first known recording of the river was made in writing, before Rio de Santa Ana became the familiar name, and before it was used to support colonial ambitions, the river had a different name to local tribes. Serrano people near Highland, California know it as Qota'inat. Cahuilla people near Riverside call it Wanish. As a child, the river and the mountain were a big part of my life. I know the river well. As does my mom, and her mom knew it and her mom before her knew it and so on and so forth for generations. We inherited its existence before the establishment of the city of Riverside because our ancestors had a relationship with the land and the water. A reciprocity that sustained their lifeways. Its use did not involve massive extraction, exploitation, or monetary gain. However, to the Spanish, water meant wealth and power. For them to maintain legitimacy in their territorial claims, they needed people living in California. Those people became the Native population.
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UTILITIES
Board of Public Utilities Votes to Close Agricultural Water Rate to New Applicants
The 6-1 vote follows a 2025 staff decision to freeze new enrollment as the program nears its $684,000 subsidy cap.
The city's discounted agricultural water rate will close to new customers, capping a program approaching its funding limit.
Why it matters: If you're not enrolled in WA-12, you won't get the discount — the program can't take new customers, though current participants keep their rate.
Driving the news: The Board of Public Utilities voted 6-1 Monday to recommend the City Council formally close WA-12 to new applicants, following a September 2025 staff decision to stop new enrollment.
- The program serves 245 customers — 206 residential, 39 commercial — with $597,000 of its $684,000 annual cap already committed as of May 31.
Yes, but: Vice Chair Peter Wohlgemuth cast the lone dissenting vote, arguing the city should expand the program rather than cap it.
- Staff estimate roughly 12,800 parcels in Riverside's sphere of influence could potentially qualify for the discount.
In other action: The board unanimously recommended a five-year, $1.72 million contract with Ontaris USA for emissions testing and environmental compliance at Riverside's three power plants.
- The no-bid deal, covering nine generating units, runs July 2027 through June 2032 and continues a 20-plus-year relationship staff say has avoided insurance claims.
What's next: Both recommendations head to the City Council for final consideration. No hearing date has been set.
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Riverside Earns International Accreditation for Economic Development
The city is now one of three in California and fewer than 100 organizations worldwide to hold the AEDO designation.
Riverside just joined an elite group of internationally accredited economic development organizations, boosting its pitch to businesses.
Why it matters: The AEDO credential gives Riverside an internationally vetted stamp of approval to court companies weighing relocation or expansion — meaning a stronger shot at new jobs and investment.
By the numbers: Riverside is one of fewer than 100 IEDC-accredited organizations worldwide and just one of three in California.
- Evaluators graded the city across 18 performance areas, from business retention to strategic planning and partnerships.
What they're saying: Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson called Riverside "a premier destination for innovation," crediting the city's economic development team.
Between the lines: Community and Economic Development Director Miranda Evans led the accreditation application after being named to the role in June.
- Evans previously helped recruit six international companies to Riverside, adding more than 700 jobs and $142 million in investment.
What's next: The International Economic Development Council formally recognizes Riverside at its Annual Conference in October.
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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
- Volunteer Interest Hour at Riverside Meals on Wheels
- Animal Kids Camp - Summer Sessions at Mary S. Roberts pet Adoption Center ($240)
- River Camp with IE Kids Outdoors at Martha McLean Park ($235)
- Cultural Heritage Board at Riverside City Hall
- About Writing at Janet Goeske Center
- Summer Seed Exchange at Marcy Library
- Writing Skills at My Learning Studio ($57.00)
- Essay Writing 8th+ at My Learning Studio ($42)
- FREE ASHTANGA VINYASA YOGA at Community Yoga Center
Tomorrow
- World Snake Day at Heritage House
- Planning Commission at Riverside City Hall
- The Art of Reading & Writing at My Learning Studio ($57)
- Study Skills- Test Taking at My Learning Studio ($57)
- Reading Comprehension Group at My Learning Studio ($57.00)
- RPG 1-shot: "Pathfinder: Absalom" (GM Christian) at Nevermore Game Club ($5- $10)
- The Chemistry Lab: Speed Dating| Singles 39-51 at El Patrón Downtown Riverside ($45)
- Good Surf Vibrations - Paint and Sip at Packinghouse Brewing Company ($49.87)
- History on the Rocks! Presented by The Mission Inn Foundation at Mission Inn Foundation ($65.50 - $71.21)
Save the Date
- July 17: FREE ASHTANGA VINYASA YOGA at Community Yoga Center
- July 17: Riverside Sunrise Rotary Club Meeting at Zacatecas Café
- July 20: Camp Riverside with IE Kids Outdoors at California State Citrus Heritage Park ($200)
- July 27: Sip with a Scientist at Bar Ni Modo
- October 7: Fifty & Better Health Fair at Janet Goeske Center
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