🗞️ Riverside News- March 13, 2026

Friday Gazette: March 13, 2026

Hello Riverside, and Happy Friday! If you've been dragging a little this week, you're not alone. Daylight saving time has a way of making that first post-spring-forward week feel longer than it has any right to, and today's the day we finally get to breathe. It also happens to be World Sleep Day, observed annually on the Friday before the spring equinox, a timely reminder from the World Sleep Society that rest isn't a luxury: it's essential. Tonight, when you finally get to turn in, give yourself permission to make it a good one. You've earned it.

Advertisement (Become an advertiser)

HOUSING

City Falls Far Short of State Housing Mandate, Report Shows

Five years into an eight-year housing plan, the City has permitted no new very low-income housing since 2021 and faces a state investigation over a rejected grant.

Riverside has issued no very-low-income housing permits since 2021 — and has met less than 20% of its state-mandated housing obligation with four years left to comply.

Why it matters: The shortfall threatens Riverside's Prohousing Designation, which unlocks state funding for affordable housing and homelessness programs. Lose it, and local taxpayers absorb those costs.

By the numbers: California requires Riverside to permit 18,458 homes between 2021 and 2029.

• Only 3,613 permits have been issued — 19.6% of the total.
• 0% of the very-low-income allocation has been met; above-moderate-income is at 31%.

Driving the news: The annual progress report landed as the City faces state scrutiny over the Council's January rejection of a $20.1 million Homekey+ grant that would have converted the Quality Inn on University Ave. into 114 affordable apartments.

• HCD and a coalition of legal organizations have sent letters to the Council citing potential housing law violations.

What they're saying: "It astounds me that staff presented a report that says 'we're getting an F on affordable housing,'" said Dan Hoxworth of the Inland SoCal Housing Collective, "and the city council had no comment."

What's next: The Council voted unanimously to receive and file the report. State review of Riverside's Prohousing Designation is pending.

Read and share the complete story...

Advertisement (Become an advertiser)

PUBLIC SAFETY

The Night Isn't Over for Downtown Experiment

Community support and commissioner skepticism of outright closure bought the nightclub three more months to work out a deal with the city.

Riverside's Planning Commission delayed a decision on revoking Downtown Experiment's operating permits, giving the downtown nightclub until June to negotiate possible changes.

Why it matters: The club at University Avenue and Orange Street has generated 504 police calls in five years. If you live or work nearby — or are a regular — this pause means the venue stays open at least through the spring while its future gets sorted out.

Driving the news: City staff recommended revoking the club's operating and alcohol permits after years of incidents including a shooting, assaults, sexual assaults, and security guards battering customers.

• Commissioners balked at full revocation, with chair Launa Wilson calling it "too nuclear" and voting to continue the discussion to June 4.

By the numbers: 504 police calls since the club opened five years ago, yielding 99 police reports — plus 7 noise complaints in an 11-day span in late 2024.

Yes, but: Owner Marco McGuire pushed back, arguing many incidents happened outside the club after closing and were attributed to his address by default. He noted no citations were issued in 2025 or 2026, and dozens of community members showed up to vouch for his character and the McGuire family's charitable work.

What's next: The Planning Commission takes up the matter again June 4. Between now and then, McGuire and city staff are expected to negotiate revised conditional use permit terms.

Read and share the complete story...

Advertisement (Become an advertiser)

EVENTS

Firefighters' Pipe & Drum Hits Downtown for 6th Annual St. Paddy's Pub Crawl

The Riverside City Firefighters Association Pipe & Drum Band marks St. Patrick's Day with a three-stop Downtown tour, raising funds for firefighter memorials and band operations.

Downtown's St. Paddy's Day pub crawl returns Tuesday, led by the Riverside City Firefighters Association Pipe & Drum Band for the 6th year.

Why it matters: The free event winds through three Downtown bars in one night — with live music at each stop and proceeds supporting firefighter memorial ceremonies nationwide.

The route:

• 6 p.m. — ProAbition
• 7:15 p.m. — Lake Alice
• 8:30 p.m. — The RIV

Be smart: The band plays a different set at each venue, so the full crawl is worth it. There's also a secret pre-show at an undisclosed location before the official route kicks off.

By the numbers: This is the crawl's 6th year — and organizers say they turn away more venue requests than they can accept annually.

What's next: The crawl runs Tuesday, March 17, 6–10 p.m., starting at ProAbition in downtown. Attendance is free; merchandise and donations benefit the RCFA Firefighter Foundation.

Read and share the complete story...

Adoptable Pet of the Week

Meet Opal!

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

Chances are, you learned about fire safety from him — Sparky the Fire Dog is turning 75, and the NFPA's beloved mascot is still teaching kids the same life-saving lessons he has for three generations.

Riverside Transit Agency's "Youth Ride Free" promotion lets anyone 18 or younger board RTA buses at no cost through December 31, 2026, with a valid school ID or proof of age.

This Weekend in Riverside

Friday, March 13

• Fourth Annual Victoria Woods Neighborhood Garage Sale at Victoria Woods Neighborhood
• Volunteer Interest Hour at Riverside Meals on Wheels
• Courthouse, Murals and Heroes Walking Tour at Mission Inn Foundation ($23.18)
• Elefante 30 Years Tour at Fox Performing Arts Center
• Family Storytime at Ameal Moore Nature Center
• Koffin Kats! w/ Left Alone! at The Concert Lounge - Romano's Mission Grove ($25.35)
• Oddly Manors Nu Metal Night at The Raincross District ($12.51)

Saturday, March 14

• Permaculture Design Training and Certificate at Land Use Learning Center
• Truck-A-Palooza at Downtown Riverside
• Mt. Rubidoux Walking Tour at Mt. Rubidoux Trailhead, a short walk from Ryan Bonaminio Park. ($21.20)
• Learn about Native Birds and How to Monitor Bluebirds at Land Use Learning Center
• A Victorian Naturalist: Riverside's Butterfly Man - Exhibition Opening at Heritage House
• Cinderella Ballet Audition at Inland Empire Contemporary Ballet
• Goeske Bingo at Janet Goeske Center ($20- $100)
• For All The Ghosts Artist Talk at Culver Center of the Arts
• Olivewood Cemetery Tour at Olivewood Cemetery ($21.20)
• Painting Pi Day, a Comedy Paint and Sip at Back to the Grind
• Riverside Sunrise Rotary 22nd Annual Black Tie Bingo at Riverside Convention Center ($130- $250)
• Spotlight Series Staged Reading: The Rimers of Eldritch by Lanford Wilson at Riverside Community Players
• Bingo Loco (21+) at Riverside Municipal Auditorium

Sunday, March 15

• Prayers and Public Information Meeting at Riverside Baha'i Center
• Gardening Tool Preparation at UCR Botanic Gardens
• Plant Pop-up Shop at UCR Botanic Gardens
• Orange Terrace Library | Shamrock Wands (Take and Make) at Orange Terrace Library
• Panda Day Craft at Marcy Library
• BrincosDieras - El Desmadre Continua Tour(18+) at Fox Performing Arts Center

Save the Date

• March 19: Empowered Leadership: Cultivating Influence and Impact at Work Well ($165)
• March 21: LiTEArature: A Fairy-Themed Afternoon Tea - SOLD OUT at Heritage House ($25)
• March 26: She Built This City: Women and the Making of Riverside at Riverside Main Library
• March 28: Goeske Spring Festival at Janet Goeske Center
• March 30: Sip with a Scientist at Bar Ni Modo
• April 5: Easter Celebration at First Congregational Church of Riverside
• April 11: Olivewood Cemetery Tour at Olivewood Cemetery ($21.20)
• April 12: The Expeditions of Juan Bautista de Anza through Riverside County at Riverside Medical Clinic Basement Meeting Room
• April 17: Frozen: The Broadway Musical at Woodcrest Christian School Royals Pavilion ($15- $20)

🗓️ See More Events     📝 Submit Your Event

📸 Submit a photo to be featured in our newsletters and social media accounts.

🏆 Nominate a remarkable Riversider as Neighbor of the Week.