Friday Gazette: July 3, 2026
Hello Riverside, and Happy Friday! Blue Zones Project Riverside is in the middle of its 12 Days of Summer Giving, running through July 31, with 27 well-being prizes still up for grabs. Think gift cards to Blue Zones Project approved restaurants and markets, natural movement experiences, and a grand prize they promise is worth the wait. Follow their page, tag a friend who loves summer wellness, and check back on giveaway days for your next shot.
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CITY HALL
City Council Approves New Distance Rules for Smoke Shops
Existing stores get two years to relocate or close under ordinance rejecting a longer compliance window.
Smoke shops now need 1,000 feet from schools, parks and homes, or two years to relocate.
Why it matters: If you run one of the city's 41 standalone smoke shops, you could face relocation within two years — longer if you qualify for a hardship extension.
Driving the news: Council approved staff's zoning plan Tuesday after rejecting a competing three-year compliance proposal.
- New standalone smoke shops must sit 1,000 feet from parks, K-12 schools, childcare facilities, places of worship and other smoke shops, and 100 feet from homes.
By the numbers:
- 214 tobacco retailers operate citywide, including 41 standalone smoke shops.
- 24 are believed to be operating without a valid permit.
- Staff estimate up to 35 existing shops could eventually need to relocate.
Yes, but: Some council members warned the rules could hurt long-established, family-owned shops, particularly along Magnolia Avenue.
- Councilmember Hernandez pushed to extend compliance to three years and drop the hardship extension; that motion failed, opposed by Conder, Falcone and Robillard.
What's next: Existing noncompliant shops have two years to relocate or close, with a possible one-year hardship extension. City staff plan to work with the Economic Development Division and Blue Zones Project Riverside to help owners transition to other retail models.
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PUBLIC SAFETY
Riverside Fireworks Crackdown Yields 79 Citations, 51 Pounds Seized
Drone surveillance helped enforcement teams document violations across the city before and during the Fourth of July holiday.
The City issued 79 illegal fireworks citations this July 4th, up 22% from last year, aided by drone surveillance.
Why it matters: Hot, dry conditions make illegal fireworks a wildfire risk — officials say one spark can threaten an entire neighborhood.
Driving the news: Police, fire and code enforcement flew drones for the first time to catch violators before and on July 4th.
- Five enforcement teams targeted known hot spots and locations flagged through dispatch and 311 complaints.
By the numbers:
- 79 citations issued at $1,500 each, up from 65 in 2025
- 51 pounds of fireworks seized across 62 extra patrols
- 911 fireworks calls fell to 452, from 547 in 2025, while 311 complaints rose to 450
What they're saying: Fire Chief Steve Mckinster urged residents to "make safety their top priority" this summer.
What's next: The city plans to keep pairing drones with ground patrols and community reporting. Fireworks stay illegal in Riverside year-round.
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ARTS
Riverside Artists Among 54 to Win State Arts Fellowships
The California Arts Council awarded $560,000 total to artists across Riverside, San Bernardino and Orange counties this year.
Nineteen Riverside County artists just won 2026 California Arts Council fellowships worth up to $50,000 apiece.
Why it matters: The awards hand local artists unrestricted money to support their own practice — no strings, no project proposal required.
Driving the news: The California Arts Council announced the fellowships July 13, picking recipients from 328 applicants across Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
- The three-county region, known as Region 7, received $560,000 total.
By the numbers: Fellowships come in three tiers — Emerging ($5,000), Established ($10,000) and Legacy ($50,000).
- Riverside County's Loriann Hernandez won the county's sole Legacy fellowship; muralist Andrea Lopez, known for "Hija del Maíz" ("Daughter of Corn"), is among the county's eight Established fellows.
The backstory: Peer panels of artists, administrators and funders reviewed applications submitted between April 2 and May 15, finishing selections June 19.
- The Riverside Arts Council handled local outreach alongside Arts Orange County and Arts Connection in San Bernardino County.
The full list — Riverside County: Legacy: Loriann Hernandez. Established: Allyson Allen, Patrick Barwinski, Maryam Crogman, Cherie Hill, Andrea Lopez, Alejandro Mirandé, Juan Navarro, Carlos Puma. Emerging: Matthew Balane, James Coats, Denise Cortes, Caroline Espinoza, Lenore Hamel, Wendi Johnson, Isabella Madrigal, Sophia Madrigal, Sarah Wilson, STUDIO X.
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Adoptable Pet of the Week
Meet Maui!
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.
Noteworthy
Riverside Public Utilities is urging residents to set thermostats to 78 degrees or higher and conserve energy during Flex Alerts, which can trigger up to hour-long rotating outages if the state's grid operator declares an emergency.
Police are seeking surveillance footage and tips after a fatal Sunday morning shooting in the Riverside Poly High School parking lot, urging anyone with information to contact detectives or submit an anonymous tip.
What's Happening in Riverside
Friday, July 17
- Riverside Sunrise Rotary Club Meeting at Zacatecas Café
- Multiplication Madness (MM) at My Learning Studio ($57)
- Reading Assistance Program (RAP) at My Learning Studio ($57)
- Creative Arts at My Learning Studio ($57)
- Eastside Library at Lincoln Park | Flower Origami Craft at SPC Jesus S. Duran Eastside Library
- Courthouse, Murals and Heroes Walking Tour at Mission Inn Foundation ($23.18)
- Footloose at Landis Performing Arts Center
Saturday, July 18
- Miracles and Dreams Foundation Back-to-School Kickoff and Community Fair at Downtown Riverside Main Library
- Low-Cost Vaccination Clinic at Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center's Spay-Neuter Clinic ($10- $28)
- Mt. Rubidoux Walking Tour at Mt. Rubidoux Trailhead, a short walk from Ryan Bonaminio Park. ($21.20)
- Reading Foundational Skills (RFS) at My Learning Studio ($196)
- Plant-themed Scavenger Hunt at Marcy Library
- Goeske Bingo at Janet Goeske Center ($20- $100)
- CHRISTMAS IN JULY TOY DRIVE at EVERGREEN MASONIC TEMPLE
- Losgothsco. Presents Gothicumbia (21+) at Riverside Municipal Auditorium
- Olivewood Cemetery Tour at Olivewood Cemetery ($21.20)
- Twilight Tours at UCR Botanic Gardens ($15- $20)
- Van Halen Tribute by The Atomic Punks! at The Concert Lounge - Romano's Mission Grove ($20.23)
- MAGIC UNDERGROUND at Back to the Grind ($30- $45)
- Botanic Gardens- Twilight Tour at Botanic Gardens
Sunday, July 19
- Prayers and Public Information Meeting at Riverside Baha'i Center
- Dancing for Fun at Janet Goeske Center
- Architectural Walking Tour of Downtown Riverside at Mission Inn Foundation & Visitor Center ($21.20)
- FREE ASHTANGA VINYASA YOGA at Community Yoga Center
- Gardening for Butterflies at UCR Botanic Gardens
- Summer Zine Workshop Series with Brookes Reeder at Riverside Art Museum
- Sunday Experiment After Dark at Downtown Experiment
Save the Date
- July 20: Camp Riverside with IE Kids Outdoors at California State Citrus Heritage Park ($200)
- July 20: FREE ASHTANGA VINYASA YOGA at Community Yoga Center
- July 24: Riverside Sunrise Rotary Club Meeting at Zacatecas Café
- July 27: Sip with a Scientist at Bar Ni Modo
- October 7: Fifty & Better Health Fair at Janet Goeske Center
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