Morning fog blankets Victoria Country Club, with low-lying mist settling over the golf course's water features and fairways. (Judith Glenn) Have a photo that captures the spirit of Riverside? Share it with us and help celebrate the beauty of our community!
Wednesday Gazette: November 19, 2025
Hello Riverside, and Happy Wednesday! Behind every story you read here is a small but mighty team working hard to bring you the hyperlocal news that matters most to our community. As Thanksgiving approaches, we'll be taking some time next week to rest and spend time with our families, so the Gazette will be running lighter than usual. We appreciate your understanding and will be back soon with the community-focused coverage you count on.
Council Approves Inspector General After Resolving Independence Concerns
Council votes 6-1 to establish independent watchdog with power to hire outside counsel
City Council voted 6-1 Tuesday to establish the Office of Inspector General, with Ward 1 Councilmember Philip Falcone casting the lone dissenting vote.
Riverside's new watchdog office can hire outside lawyers independent of City Attorney when investigating conflicts of interest — a key protection against political interference.
Why it matters: The Office of Inspector General will have power to investigate ethics complaints and audit city operations without council blocking access to independent legal counsel. If you've filed ethics complaints or witnessed government waste, this office will handle investigations starting in 2026.
Driving the news: Council voted 6-1 Tuesday to establish the position, resolving concerns that delayed approval in October. Ward 1 Councilmember Philip Falcone — who opposed the measure on the ballot — cast the only no vote.
The independence mechanism:
Inspector General can retain outside counsel up to $25,000 with City Attorney approval
Higher amounts need council approval, which "cannot be withheld unless the proposed budget is excessive"
If 3+ councilmembers are under investigation, City Manager approves spending instead
Yes, but: Councilmember Sean Mill wants to dissolve the Board of Ethics once the Inspector General starts work, calling the overlap redundant.
The bottom line: Voters approved this watchdog position with 65% support in November 2024. Recruitment begins now, though the city provided no timeline for filling the job.
Committee Pushes Ethics Reforms After False Complaints Against Councilmembers
Committee advances equal evidence standards after false complaints advanced to hearings despite sworn testimony proving innocence.
Council committee advanced ethics reforms Tuesday requiring equal weight for accused officials' evidence after cannabis groups withdrew false allegations against four members.
Why it matters: The changes would prevent complaints from advancing based solely on unverified accusations — addressing what members called absurd scenarios where anyone could make baseless claims against elected officials.
What's new: The committee approved Vice Chair Jim Perry's proposal mandating the Board of Ethics consider evidence from both complainants and accused officials equally during initial review.
Driving the news: Perry pushed the changes weeks after cannabis businesses filed complaints alleging he attended a March chamber event — despite his sworn statement and colleague confirmations that he wasn't there. The board advanced those complaints to formal hearings anyway.
Between the lines: Member Chuck Conder illustrated the problem with his "kick the unicorn test" — under current rules, the board must treat even ridiculous accusations as fact during initial review.
Other changes approved:
Expanded who can file complaints to include city vendors and contractors
What's next: City Council votes on final approval. Chair Philip Falcone said ethics oversight may eventually shift to the future Inspector General's office.
Holiday Giving Guide: Ways to Support Neighbors This Season
Organizations throughout the city are gathering donations to help families, children, seniors and pets during the holidays.
A volunteer assembles a Grinch-themed can tree at Feeding America Riverside San Bernardino's Can Tree Wonderland, where local businesses and community groups transform canned goods into festive displays before donating them to families in need. (Courtesy of Feeding America Riverside San Bernardino)
As the holiday season approaches, local organizations are launching drives to support families, children, seniors and pets in need. From food pantries to toy collections, these opportunities allow residents to give back from their abundance and strengthen community bonds through neighborly generosity.
Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease cases are rising across the country and in the Inland Empire, with UCR Health pediatrician Dr. E. Caroline McGowan noting the highly contagious viral illness primarily affects children under 5 and typically resolves within 7-10 days with supportive care.
KTLA featured a viewer video showing ceiling tiles and water pooling at an L.A. Fitness on Arlington Avenue during Sunday's storm that dropped over 1.5 inches of rain on Riverside, with the gym remaining open despite damage.
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