> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.raincrossgazette.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # 🗞️ Riverside News- May 29, 2026 - URL: https://www.raincrossgazette.com/riverside-news-may-29-2026/ - Published: 2026-05-29T12:00:31.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-17T09:18:09.000Z - Description: VMT Bank honored, Poly High trades pots for a real garden... - Author: Gazette Staff - Tags: Newsletter ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b3/b2/b3b29e3b-298e-485f-86ca-3034c21e3784/content/images/2026/05/20260511_103836.jpeg) Tall palms stretch skyward along Magnolia Avenue, a quintessential Southern California street scene in the heart of Riverside. (Mike Benton) Have a photo that captures the spirit of Riverside? [Share it with us](https://goldstandardca.notion.site/13eef165d2ee80fa91c3de069cc9ec29?ref=raincrossgazette.com) and help celebrate the beauty of our community! **Friday Gazette: May 29, 2026** **Hello Riverside, and Happy Friday!** The weekend is here, and honestly, that's reason enough to smile. Whatever you've got planned, whether it's exploring somewhere new, catching up with neighbors, or simply slowing down for a bit, we hope it's a good one. Thanks for starting your Friday morning with us. Now go enjoy it! --- Advertisement ([Become an advertiser](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/advertise/)) [![Advertisement](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone_static/169513/image/0?seed=20260529)](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone%5Fstatic/169513/click/0?seed=20260529&ref=raincrossgazette.com) --- --- #### [GOVERNMENT](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/tag/government/) ## Riverside's VMT Bank Earns Regional Sustainability Award The Southern California Association of Governments recognized the city's Vehicle Miles Traveled Mitigation Bank, which lets developers pay a flat fee in lieu of state environmental review. [![red and black traffic light on gray asphalt road](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1610916610082-0145017f3442?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=M3wxMTc3M3wwfDF8c2VhcmNofDE4fHxiaWtlJTIwbGFuZXxlbnwwfHx8fDE3Nzk5OTc5MTh8MA&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=80&w=2000)](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/riversides-vmt-bank-earns-regional-sustainability-award/) ([Denise Jans](https://unsplash.com/@dmjdenise?ref=raincrossgazette.com) / [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/?utm%5Fsource=ghost&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=api-credit)) Riverside's Vehicle Miles Traveled bank program won a regional sustainability award — and could become a statewide model. **Why it matters:** The program streamlines housing approvals and funnels developer fees into local bike infrastructure, potentially accelerating projects and cycling improvements citywide. **Driving the news:** SCAG presented the award May 7, citing the VMT bank as a first-in-county initiative at the lowest known statewide mitigation rate: $98 per VMT reduced. **How it works:** Developers pay the flat fee instead of navigating California Environmental Quality Act review; proceeds fund bike lanes and active transportation projects. - 16 bicycle infrastructure projects have been funded through the program so far. **By the numbers:** Projects up to 79 units can now proceed without VMT analysis — the previous threshold was 11 single-family units. **What they're saying:** Mayor Lock-Dawson called the program "a win-win for developers and our environment." **What's next:** California is finalizing statewide VMT mitigation guidance under AB 130, with rules due July 1. [Read and share the complete story...](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/riversides-vmt-bank-earns-regional-sustainability-award/) --- Advertisement ([Become an advertiser](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/advertise/)) [![Advertisement](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone_static/169515/image/0?seed=20260529)](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone%5Fstatic/169515/click/0?seed=20260529&ref=raincrossgazette.com) --- #### [EDUCATION](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/tag/education/) ## Poly High Dedicates New Campus Garden After Six Years of Plastic Pots and Pavement A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the opening of Riverside Polytechnic High School's first permanent garden, years in the making. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b3/b2/b3b29e3b-298e-485f-86ca-3034c21e3784/content/images/2026/05/RG-Feat-Image-Template-8-3.jpg)](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/poly-high-dedicates-new-campus-garden-after-six-years-of-plastic-pots-and-pavement/) Students and staff gather around one of the new raised wooden plant beds at Riverside Polytechnic High School's garden during the ribbon-cutting ceremony May 26\. (Maxen Olvera) Riverside Poly opened its first dedicated garden May 26, capping six years of work by the school's gardening club. **Why it matters:** Students can now grow edible produce and flowers in raised beds for the first time, after six years of planting in plastic pots on heat-absorbing blacktop. **The backstory:** Teacher Glen Bagwell built each raised wooden bed himself and negotiated with RUSD for the space alongside Principal Darel Hansen and district nutrition specialists. - For six years, the club had no permanent ground — only blacktop and plastic pots. **Driving the news:** The May 26 ribbon-cutting featured remarks from Bagwell, Hansen, and student wellness administrator Brittany Richey. - Poly's soccer team — coached by Rusty Bailey, a former Riverside mayor — helped lay the bark groundcover. **What's next:** The club begins planting edible produce and flowers this fall; students and staff also hope to transform the space into a campus arts zone with live music, galleries, and swap meets. [Read and share the complete story...](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/poly-high-dedicates-new-campus-garden-after-six-years-of-plastic-pots-and-pavement/) --- Advertisement ([Become an advertiser](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/advertise/)) [ ![Advertisement](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone_static/169514/image/0?seed=20260529) ](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone%5Fstatic/169514/click/0?seed=20260529&ref=raincrossgazette.com) --- #### [Adoptable Pet of the Week](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/tag//) ## Meet Mango! 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. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b3/b2/b3b29e3b-298e-485f-86ca-3034c21e3784/content/images/2026/05/RG-Feat-Image-Template-9-2.jpg)](https://petsadoption.org/?ref=raincrossgazette.com) Mango is a 6yr old cat who’s been quietly learning that people can be pretty wonderful after all. After struggling to feel comfortable in the shelter environment, Mango moved into a foster home where his transformation has been amazing. With patience and gentle encouragement, he’s grown more trusting each day and now happily accepts affection from his foster family while continuing to show more of his sweet, curious personality. Mango still likes to take introductions at his own pace, but once he feels safe, his softer side really begins to shine. Come meet Mango 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](https://petsadoption.org/?ref=raincrossgazette.com). --- ## Noteworthy A new UCR study found that [soil fungi survived virtually untouched beneath the 2020 Dome Fire's burn scar](https://news.ucr.edu/articles/2026/05/28/megafire-kills-joshua-trees-not-fungi?ref=raincrossgazette.com), suggesting fungal loss is not what's preventing Joshua tree recovery after the 43,000-acre blaze. [La Sierra University is launching a quantum-safe VPN pilot](https://lasierra.edu/article/la-sierra-university-launches-futuristic-quantum-secure-pilot-to-protect-data/?ref=raincrossgazette.com) this June, positioning it among the first U.S. universities to pursue a fully quantum-secure campus network ahead of an anticipated 2030 commercial quantum computing era. 📣 ****See something? Say something.** Your tips and ideas are what fuel The Raincross Gazette. If you know of something newsworthy happening in our city, please [share it with us](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/contact/). --- ## What's Happening in Riverside ### Friday, May 29 - [**Riverside Sunrise Rotary Club Meeting**](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/riverside-sunrise-rotary-club-meeting/18634391/2026-05-29T07) at Zacatecas Café - [Volunteer Interest Hour](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/volunteer-interest-hour/18161070/2026-05-29T09) at Riverside Meals on Wheels - [R'Hours at the R'Garden](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/rhours-at-the-rgarden/18094958/2026-05-29T08) at R'Garden - [Spring Forward 2026: "Stories Awakened"](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/spring-forward-2026-stories-awakened/18864710/2026-05-29T19) at Athletics & Dance Building - [TEDxUCR 2026 Conference](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/tedxucr-2026-conference/18974365/2026-05-29T17) at UCR ARTS ### Saturday, May 30 - [Little LandUse Learners Spring/Summer Programming](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/little-landuse-learners-springsummer-programming/18501508/2026-05-30T10) at LandUse Learning Center - [Anime Riverside 2026](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/anime-riverside-2026/18337705/2026-05-30T00) at Riverside Convention Center - [Riverside’s Inland Empire Pride Festival 2026](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/stonewall-lives-riversides-inland-empire-pride-returns-for-its-fourth-annual-festival/) at White Park - [Barking Bunco](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/barking-bunco/18490092/2026-05-30T18) at Packinghouse Brewing Co ($35) - [One Book, One Coast: Adult Book Discussion](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/one-book-one-coast-adult-book-discussion/18755977/2026-05-30T13) at Main Library - [Tripoli: A Tale of Three Cities](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/tripoli-a-tale-of-three-cities/18864685/2026-05-30T15) at Culver Center of the Arts - [The Zonta Club of Riverside presents Join me for a Cup of Coffee or Tea](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/the-zonta-club-of-riverside-presents-join-me-for-a-cup-of-coffee-or-tea/18928506/2026-05-30T14) at SSgt Salvador J. Lara Casa Blanca Library - [K-POP ANIME Live Signing presented by Music Saves Lives](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/kpop-anime-live-signing-presented-by-music-saves-lives/18841994/2026-05-30T12) at (free - $199) - [Learn Lifesaving Skills: Stop the Bleed Event](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/learn-lifesaving-skills-stop-the-bleed-event/18940043/2026-05-30T09) at Riverside Community Hospital - DeAnza Center - [Twilight Carillon Recital](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/twilight-carillon-recital/18168623/2026-05-30T18) at UCR Bell Tower - [UCR Chamber Singers, Chorale, and Orchestra](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/ucr-chamber-singers-chorale-and-orchestra/18168624/2026-05-30T20) at University Theatre ### Sunday, May 31 - [Prayers and Public Information Meeting](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/prayers-and-public-information-meeting/16726617/2026-05-31T11) at Riverside Baha'i Center - [Anime Riverside 2026](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/anime-riverside-2026/18337705/2026-05-31T00) at Riverside Convention Center - [No Question Riverside Stand Up show](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/no-question-riverside-stand-up-show/18842006/2026-05-31T20) at The Hideaway Cafe & Lounge ($15) - [**Oscars, Tonys & Grammys**](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/oscars-tonys-grammys/18797026/2026-05-31T16) at Calvary Presbyterian Church ($10- $20) - [UCR Choirs & Orchestra: Dona Nobis Pacem](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/ucr-choirs-orchestra-dona-nobis-pacem/19004389/2026-05-31T15) at University Theatre, University of California, Riverside ($6- $10) ## Save the Date - May 31: [Oscars, Tonys & Grammys](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/oscars-tonys-grammys/18797026/2026-05-31T16) at Calvary Presbyterian Church ($10- $20) - June 1: [REEF's 27th Annual Golf Tournament](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/reefs-27th-annual-golf-tournament/18542190/2026-06-01T07) at Canyon Crest Country Club ($140- $175) - June 3: [Paint. Sip. Spark Kindness](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/paint-sip-spark-kindness/18886391/2026-06-03T18) at HRBC Insurance ($75) - June 5: [Riverside Sunrise Rotary Club Meeting](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/riverside-sunrise-rotary-club-meeting/18634391/2026-06-05T07) at Zacatecas Café - June 7: [Riverside Historical Society June Meeting](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/riverside-historical-society-june-meeting/18976350/2026-06-07T13) at Riverside Medical Clinic - Basement Conference Room 🗓️ [See More Events](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/)📝 [Submit Your Event](https://hub.cityspark.com/Event/Submission/Raincross?ref=raincrossgazette.com) 📸 [Submit a photo](http://raincrossgazette.com/submitphoto?ref=raincrossgazette.com) to be featured in our newsletters and social media accounts. 🏆 [Nominate a remarkable Riversider](https://rgnotw.paperform.co/?ref=raincrossgazette.com) as Neighbor of the Week. **Correction.**An earlier version of "Riverside Billed Water Ratepayers Illegally for Years, Judge Rules," published Wed. May 13, incorrectly stated that Judge Hopp's ruling striking down the Measure C election stood. In fact, the city appealed and an appellate court overruled Hopp, finding the election was regularly scheduled. The story has been updated.