Wednesday Gazette: June 3, 2026
Hello Riverside, and Happy Wednesday! The ballots have been cast, but if you're refreshing results this morning, you may be in for a wait. California is known for its slow vote count, and this election is no exception. Because every registered voter receives a mail-in ballot and those postmarked by Tuesday have up to seven days to arrive, county officials still have a lot of counting ahead of them. A new state law now gives counties 13 days to finish tallying most ballots, down from 30, but elections officials say some of the harder-to-process ballots, like those from same-day registrants or where signatures need review, can still take weeks to resolve. We'll be updating results daily as numbers come in, so stay tuned.
See you tomorrow!
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2026 ELECTION
Riverside Election Results June 2026 Primary: Wards 2, 4, 6 and Measure Z
Early returns are in from Riverside's June 2 primary. Here's what the first results show for Wards 2, 4 and 6 and Measure Z.
Riverside's proposed fire-funding sales tax is losing badly in initial returns, while three council races head toward likely November runoffs.
Why it matters: If you voted, live in Wards 2, 4, or 6, or pay attention to city services, last tonight's numbers are a starting point — not a final answer. The county continues counting through June 9.
Driving the news: With a fraction of votes tallied, Measure Z — which would have raised the sales tax from 1% to 1.25% to fund fire staffing and stations — is losing 59%-41%.
By the numbers: Ward vote tallies are early — as of 2 a.m.
- Ward 2: Gracie Torres leads (37%) over Aram Ayra (32%) and Mike Vahl (27%), but Vahl publicly predicted he'd land in the top two
- Ward 4: Incumbent Chuck Conder leads at 48% — just shy of the 50%+ needed to avoid a runoff
- Ward 6: Luis Hernandez leads at 47% over Oz Puerta (28%) and Norma Berrellez (26%)
What's next: Ballot counting continues through June 9. Any Ward 2, 4, or 6 race where no candidate clears 50% sends the top two to a Nov. 3 runoff. The Gazette will follow with full race-by-race coverage as counts update.
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NEWS
Plumbing Work Sparked University Riverside Gardens Fire that Displaced 150 Residents
The accidental blaze burned undetected through the attic for hours before breaking through the roof of the Iowa Avenue complex.
A plumbing contractor accidentally ignited a three-alarm fire at University Riverside Gardens on May 29, destroying 50 apartments and displacing more than 150 residents.
Why it matters: If you live near the 3996 Iowa Ave. complex — or know UCR students who do — dozens of displaced residents are still locked out with no return date set.
Driving the news: Hot material from a contractor's tools ignited insulation inside a wall cavity around 11:13 a.m. Flames spread unseen into the attic for hours before breaking through the roof.
- Neither the contractor nor residents knew the building was burning — smoke alarms in living spaces never triggered.
By the numbers: 50 units destroyed; 65 units salvaged but currently uninhabitable; roughly 150 residents displaced, including UCR students living near campus.
Between the lines: The hidden spread is what made this so destructive. Division Chief Greg White told the Gazette the fire "had to have been burning in the attic space for some time" before anyone detected it — by then, crews had to evacuate the contractor themselves.
What's next: The building remains uninhabitable and no timeline has been set for residents to return. Riverside Police are connecting displaced residents to resources.
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ART & ENTERTAINMENT
June ArtsWalk Is Packed. Wear Comfortable Shoes.
Having to make hard decisions can be a good thing. The quality of events at this month's ArtsWalk is exceptional.
From Lime St to the library, and from the breezeway to the bookstore, the June edition of Artswalk covers a lot of ground. The new collection at the Cheech is a must see and the Oof Way event at Fifth and Main is packed with amazing music. This is a perfect way to start summer vacation, bring the family, support local artists, get your steps in.submission; no award timeline has been announced.
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COMMUNITY
City to Host Free Drone Shows at La Sierra, Fairmount Parks This Summer
The aerial light performances on June 17 and July 1 are part of the city's Summer Concert Series and America's 250th Anniversary celebrations.
The city is hosting two free drone light shows — at La Sierra Park on June 17 and Fairmount Park on July 1 — as part of the Summer Concert Series.
Why it matters: Both events are free, family-friendly, and open to everyone, with live music, food vendors, and a beer garden starting at 6 p.m. before the drone shows launch at 9 p.m.
Driving the news: The shows are part of the city's broader summer programming, with the July 1 Fairmount event tied to America 250, the national commemoration of the country's 250th anniversary.
What's next: Mark your calendars — and plan to arrive early. The city is expecting crowds and warns parking will be limited at both locations.
- June 17 — La Sierra Park (part of the Local Vibes Initiative with Councilmember Steve Hemenway)
- July 1 — Fairmount Park (America 250 tie-in)
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Noteworthy
Riverside Transit Agency is offering 25-cent rides on all fixed-route and GoMicro buses from June 1 through August 31, with youth 18 and under and students from participating colleges continuing to ride free.
What's Happening in Riverside
Today
- Riverside East Rotary Club at Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern
- Transportation Board at Riverside City Hall
- History on the Rocks - Round Two! Presented by The Mission Inn Foundation at Mission Inn Foundation ($71.21)
- Paint. Sip. Spark Kindness at HRBC Insurance ($75)
- Stretch & Dance Class at Janet Goeske Senior Center
- UCR Wind Ensemble at University Theatre
Tomorrow
- Board of Ethics at Riverside City Hall
- Lincoln Park Community Group at Lincoln Park Community Center
- Planning Commission at Riverside City Hall
- FREE ADMISSION - First Thursday of every month during Riverside ArtsWalk at Riverside Art Museum
- History on the Rocks! Presented by The Mission Inn Foundation at Mission Inn Foundation ($71.21)
- Inlandia's Indie Author Fair @ Arts Walk! at Riverside Main Library-Community Room
- Palabra at The Cheech at The Cheech Center for Chicano Art & Culture
- Pour Decisions a Comedy Wine Tasting Summer Edition at Canyon Crest Winery ($39.19)
- UCR Jazz Ensembles at Culver Center of the Arts
- Whose Live Anyway? at Fox Performing Arts Center
Save the Date
- June 5: FREE ASHTANGA VINYASA YOGA at Riverside
- June 5: Riverside Sunrise Rotary Club Meeting at Zacatecas Café
- June 7: Riverside Historical Society June Meetingat Riverside Medical Clinic - Basement Conference Room
- June 8: Vacation Bible School: Snowball Mountain Challenge at First United Methodist Church ($15- $25)
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