City Council does not meet this week. Other agendas include a review of smoke shop regulations after police seized illegal products at 13 locations and a pilot program connecting Deaf residents to sign language interpreters via QR codes.
Morning fog cascades down Mount Rubidoux as a lone walker navigates the mountain road, with distant peaks visible beyond the mist. (Luke López) Have a photo that captures the spirit of Riverside? Share it with us and help celebrate the beauty of our community!
Monday Gazette: November 10, 2025
Hello Riverside, and Happy Monday! Rain is in the forecast for later this week – something nice to look forward to after all these dry days. Our gardens will love it, and there's nothing quite like the smell of rain in Riverside. Until then, enjoy the sunshine while it lasts!
City Council does not meet this week. Other agendas include a review of smoke shop regulations after police seized illegal products at 13 locations and a pilot program connecting Deaf residents to sign language interpreters via QR codes.
Welcome to our weekly digest on public meetings and agenda items worth your attention in the coming week. This guide is part of our mission to provide everyday Riversiders like you with the information to speak up on the issues you care about.
Land Use Committee
The Land Use Committee (Councilmembers Mill, Falcone, and Cervantes) meets on Monday, Nov. 10, at 9 a.m. (agenda) to review retail regulations for smoke shops under a moratorium on new permits extended in October through August 2026, with options ranging from maintaining current rules to establishing distance requirements from schools and parks or phasing out tobacco sales entirely, following police seizures of nearly 5,000 cannabis units and 80,000 illegal tobacco products at 13 shops during the first eight months of 2025.
Board of Library Trustees
The Board of Library Trustees meets on Monday, Nov. 10, at 5 p.m. (agenda) to receive a presentation about the library system that highlights recent service expansions, including digital platforms and an electric mobile library, ongoing facility improvements, and upcoming initiatives like a Tool Lending Library launch.
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee (Councilmembers Hemenway, Robillard, and Falcone) meets on Wednesday, Nov. 12, at 3 p.m. (agenda) for an annual update on the City's Risk Management Division, showing insurance costs reached $9.3 million (up 7% from last year and 164% over five years).
Commission of the Deaf
The Commission of the Deaf meets on Wednesday, Nov. 12, at 5:30 p.m. (agenda) for a presentation from Convo Access seeking to launch a pilot program in Riverside that would provide Deaf residents instant connection to sign language interpreters via QR codes at City facilities, aiming to improve accessibility while potentially reducing interpreter scheduling costs and administrative time.
Airport Commission
The Airport Commission meets on Thursday, Nov. 13, at 3 p.m. (agenda) to hear the monthly operations report for Riverside Municipal Airport and ongoing brand refresh efforts, including a potential name change from Riverside Municipal Airport to Riverside Airport.
Peace Tower's 100th Anniversary Sparks Exhibit, Commemorative Walk
The Mission Inn Foundation will host a new exhibit opening Nov. 16, with a commemorative walk up the mountain scheduled for Dec. 13.
The Peace Tower stands at the summit of Mount Rubidoux in Riverside, marking 100 years since its 1924 dedication to Frank A. Miller's vision of international friendship. (Luke López)
Two Riverside organizations are partnering to celebrate the centennial of the Frank A. Miller Testimonial Peace Tower and Friendship Bridge on Mt. Rubidoux. The Friends of Mt. Rubidoux and the Mission Inn Foundation/Museum have planned a series of events honoring the historic landmarks.
Driving the news: The Peace Tower, dedicated in 1924, stands as a testament to Frank Miller's vision of international friendship and peace. The commemorative events offer residents a chance to learn about structures that have welcomed hikers for a century.
The exhibit: "On Peace and Friendship" opens Nov. 16 at the Mission Inn Foundation's new location at 3598 Main Street. An opening reception runs from 1 to 4 p.m.
Nancy Wenzel, who brings 23 years of museum experience, curated the exhibit featuring historic and contemporary photographs and artwork showcasing the Peace Tower's history and Frank Miller's legacy.
What's available: The Friends of Mt. Rubidoux will debut a companion book at the opening, also titled "On Peace and Friendship." Glenn Wenzel, the organization's president and local historian, compiled the book.
Visitors can purchase notecards and coffee mugs featuring Martin Tobias' drawing of the Peace Tower.
The anniversary walk: On Dec. 13, the actual 100th anniversary of the Peace Tower dedication, the Friends will lead a commemorative walk up Mt. Rubidoux at 2 p.m.
Participants will gather where the roads meet on the mountain's east side, near the Huntington Rock displaying the John Muir quote. The walk includes a brief ceremony with reenactments of portions of the original 1924 dedication.
CBU Mens’s Soccer hosts WAC tournament, earns first round bye.
Graduate Guard Miles Daniels elevates over University of South Carolina-Upstate during CBUs 87-75 victory. (Ken Crawford)
Poly's girls flag football team claimed the CIF Southern Section Division 4 championship with a 27-18 win over West Ranch on Saturday. Five of six Riverside boys football CIF playoff teams advanced to the second round: Norte Vista, CSDR, Hillcrest, Poly and Ramona all still around to compete this Friday. CBU women's soccer won their second consecutive WAC tournament championship, defeating top-seeded Utah Valley on penalty kicks 4-3 after a 2-2 draw, earning an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. CBU men's soccer won the WAC regular season championship and will host the conference tournament semifinals at CBU Soccer Stadium in their final season before joining the Big West next year.
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