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 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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Correction Thurs. May 14, 1:45 p.m. 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.
