Voters will decide June 2 whether to raise the existing Measure Z sales tax to 1.25 percent and remove its 2036 sunset. Here's what's on the ballot, why it's there, and what each side is arguing.
The council reviewed Futrell's performance in closed session Tuesday but took no action, as the city manager publicly defended himself and his wife against allegations that have roiled City Hall since December.
The Janet Goeske Foundation lobbied Sacramento lawmakers April 29, making the case that its Riverside senior center is a model worth replicating statewide.
Riverside's Citrus Packing Industry, Holiday Window Painting Trio...
Sunday Gazette: December 7, 2025
Hello Riverside, and Happy Sunday!
Today, I'm launching our year-end campaign with a very specific goal: I'm asking 253 of you to become new paid members of The Raincross Gazette. Nearly five years ago, I started this newsroom to restore the local news coverage Riverside deserves. The next five years start with 253 of you.
Why 253? Right now, less than 5% of you support this work financially. Other successful independent newsrooms run at 6-7%. That difference—253 people—is what takes us from making it work to making it last.
Five years of building this newsroom has taught me one thing: what keeps us stable and strong is monthly and annual memberships. Not one-time contributions (and they make a difference). Not advertising alone (though we have great partners). And definitely not contracts that compromise the journalism (more on that later this week).
The Gazette publishes everything for free: I've never put up a paywall. I've never blocked a single story. This is fundamentally different than a traditional newspaper which you have to pay to receive. I believe if I build something of value, Riversiders will support it.
If The Raincross Gazette brings you value—if our coverage helps you understand and love Riverside better—I'm asking you to help us deepen and expand that value. Not just for the 12,481 people reading this, but for all 320,000+ Riversiders.
Let me be direct about what I'm asking:
I know this is the season when everyone is asking for money. I know you get fundraising emails from a dozen organizations. But here's the thing: supporting local news means supporting the entire community. Every week, we're giving away free advertising, writing stories about local organizations and small businesses, promoting community events. A strong Raincross Gazette means a strong Riverside.
Can you be one of the 253?
If you're not ready for a monthly commitment, you can also make a one-time contribution.
From New York businessman to Sunbeam brand founder, Devine shaped local citrus shipping for nearly four decades.
Among the many early Riversiders involved in the citrus industry was Francis B. Devine (sometimes spelled DeVine). Devine was born in Rochester, New York, in 1848. He began his business career in Rochester before relocating to New York City in 1870. In 1887, he married Vinie Collier in Patterson, New Jersey. The couple moved to Southern California in 1884 and settled in Los Angeles. There, he worked as a director for the German Fruit Company.
The German Fruit Company established a branch in Riverside in 1885, and Francis Devine was appointed general manager. Two years later, Devine went out on his own and teamed with John Boyd to form the packing house firm of Boyd and Devine. They built a brick structure on the corner of Eighth and Pachappa Streets. They shipped raisins, oranges, dried fruit, and honey under the "Sunbeam" brand.
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RCC students Jewell, Ariel and Felicity bring hand-painted nostalgia to neighborhood windows.
Three Riverside City College students launched a window painting business after their high school art teacher asked them to transform her home's windows into a Charlie Brown Thanksgiving scene.
Why it matters: Raincross Window Painting offers custom hand-painted holiday designs for Riverside homes and businesses — bringing nostalgic seasonal scenes to neighborhoods across the city.
How it works: Jewell, Ariel and Felicity sketch storyboards showing how characters flow across window panels, then spend about two days painting custom designs. This year's Rudolph project connects Santa, the Yeti, and Misfit Toys across multiple windows into one narrative.
The backstory: Former Poly art teacher Kim Marlowe and her husband Ted Beckwith commissioned the first painting three years ago and requests new holiday themes annually. The trio honed their skills in AP Art class with teacher Mr. Garrett during their senior year.
Beyond holidays: The group plans to expand beyond seasonal work to year-round designs — birthdays, graduations, business displays, and local Riverside themes.
What neighbors say: Residents stop to watch the work in progress. "They tell us they look forward to the new piece every year," Jewell said. "The whole neighborhood is part of it."
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A prompt to encourage your practice of creativity this week from Riversider and local author Larry Burns.
This week’s creative nudge, an ice cube, introduces some time limits to what we create. The ice cube is staple of modernity, yet it is fragile and temperamental. When you think about how important ice is to a thriving human society, it is no surprise to see why many of us have machines in our homes that can generate frozen water on demand to fit inside our cold-but-not-quite-frozen drinks.
I’m pretty dependent on a steady supply of ice cubes to make my life more pleasurable. My first beverage after my morning cups of hot coffee is usually an iced cup of coffee. Then there's the silliness of our dog, who begs for ice cubes as if they were a high-value treat. My daughter conducts "science experiments" in the freezer, exploring the odd distortions and refractions that happen when you play around with ice.
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The Kopatz family brought holiday cheer to national television this week, competing on ABC's "The Great Christmas Light Fight" on Dec. 4.
Alan and Susan Kopatz of Riverside competed against families from across the country on the Dec. 4 episode. While a Phoenix family took home the prize, locals can experience the Kopatz's elaborate display in person.
The couple's home at 134 Gracefield Way in the Mission Grove area features a spectacular light show open to the public nightly. Visitors are welcomed to visit as their Facebook bio states "Open for Everyone 🎅 🤶".
The Gazette is compiling a guide to Riverside's best holiday light displays. Know of an amazing neighborhood show? Submit addresses and contact information to newsroom@raincrossgazette.com to help neighbors find seasonal cheer around the City.
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Goeske Foundation lobbies for expansion funds, More than flowers for Mom...
City Council weighs speed limits, the mayor on how outside partnerships are shaping Riverside's economic future...
Magnolia Avenue's grand design, Dr. Clover's legacy, CBU's theater lineup...
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