Tuesday, July 21, 2026
"The Riverside County Courthouse at dusk, captured during a fleeting moment of ethereal light. The dramatic illumination transforms this 1904 Beaux-Arts building. (Hal Robert Myers) Have a photo that captures the spirit of Riverside? Share it with us and help celebrate the beauty of our community!

Friday Gazette: November 7, 2025

Hello Riverside, and Happy Friday! Yesterday we published a guide to local food assistance resources as SNAP benefits end for 46,000 Riverside households. Whether you need help or want to give back, our article lists organizations providing support throughout our city.

We know our list isn't complete. If you know of organizations we missed, please email newsroom@raincrossgazette.com. Together, we can ensure no one in our community goes hungry.

See you Sunday!

GOVERNMENT

Cannabis Businesses Drop Ethics Complaints Against Four Councilmembers

Attorney admits sworn declaration incorrectly identified Perry at Chamber event, undermining Brown Act allegations.

Councilmembers Chuck Conder, Sean Mill, Steven Robillard, and Jim Perry faced ethics complaints that were withdrawn Tuesday after the attorney who filed them acknowledged misidentifying Perry at a March 2025 chamber event. Clockwise from top left: Conder, Mill, Robillard, and Perry. (File photos)

Cannabis businesses withdraw ethics complaints against four Riverside City Councilmembers after their attorney admits to misidentifying a staffer as Councilmember Jim Perry at a March chamber event that formed the basis of the allegations.

Driving the news: Attorney Dana Cisneros notifies the city clerk's office that her clients are withdrawing complaints against Councilmembers Chuck Conder, Sean Mill, Jim Perry, and Steven Robillard, citing a critical misidentification error and procedural issues with the Board of Ethics process.

  • City-provided photographs show Frank Arreola, a staffer in Conder's office, attended the March 13 "Good Morning Riverside" breakfast event—not Perry.

The fallout: Attorney Damian Martin, who filed the original complaints based on the misidentification, is now under investigation by the California State Bar for submitting false testimony under oath.

  • The State Bar's Office of Chief Trial Counsel forwards Mill's complaint against Martin for further investigation in late October.

Why it matters: Without Perry's presence, only three councilmembers attended the chamber event—eliminating the quorum necessary for the alleged Brown Act violation that formed the basis of the complaints.

What they're saying: Mill characterizes the complaints as "simply a weak effort to harass and intimidate myself and my colleagues because they didn't like the outcome of the Council vote on dispensaries."

  • Both Mill and Robillard criticize the Board of Ethics for advancing the complaints despite overwhelming evidence against the allegations, including Perry's sworn statement.

The bigger picture: The ethics complaints emerge from a broader dispute over the city's cannabis licensing process, with Cisneros's clients remaining in active litigation with the city over licensing issues.

Read and share the complete story...

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EVENTS

Native Women Lead History Hike at Mt. Rubidoux Nov. 16

Event highlights Cahuilla people's enduring connection to local mountain.

Participants hold traditional baskets during a hike at Mt. Rubidoux earlier this year. The Nov. 16 event will similarly explore the Cahuilla people's connection to the mountain. (Courtesy of Rosy Aranda)

Driving the news: The 11 a.m. event will focus on Cahuilla village history and the importance of the mountain, river and plant life that sustained the Cahuilla people who have called Riverside home "since time immemorial."

  • Organizers include Rosy Aranda (Cahuilla/Serrano descendant), Blossom Maciel (Fort Sill Chiricahua Apache/Mountain Cahuilla descendant), Dr. Daisy Ocampo Diaz (Caxcan), and Lorene Sisquoc (Fort Sill Apache/Mountain Cahuilla descendant).

Why it matters: "Everyone knows the story of colonization," Aranda says. "This is meant to uplift local Native voices and inform the general public that we are a thriving community that should not be discussed in past tense."

The big picture: The Inland Empire includes 13 federally recognized tribes, with 12 in Riverside County. Nine of those are Cahuilla tribes.

What's next: Following their documentary screening, the organizers have seen increased opportunities for involvement in City projects and consultation with local tribes.

  • "Because of the overwhelmingly positive response to our short film, we have been able to be a part of many projects around the city and more importantly the local tribes of Riverside County have been approached to consult as well," Aranda says.

The details: The self-guided hike begins at 11 a.m. Nov. 16 at Mt. Rubidoux Park, 4706 Mt. Rubidoux Drive. Participants should be comfortable hiking up the mountain. The documentary is available on YouTube.

Read and share the complete story...

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GOVERNMENT

Mayor Lock Dawson Chairs California Big City Mayors at Historic San Francisco Summit

Coalition Pushes for Sustained State Support on Homelessness, Housing.

Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson and San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie at the inaugural California Big City Mayors C13 Summit at San Francisco City Hall on October 22. Lock Dawson, as chair of the coalition, led the gathering of California's 13 largest cities to address homelessness, housing and economic development. (Courtesy of Office of Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson)

Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson chairs the inaugural C13 Summit in San Francisco, uniting California's 13 largest cities representing more than 11 million residents to address homelessness, housing affordability and economic development.

Driving the news: As chair of the bipartisan California Big City Mayors Coalition, Lock Dawson convenes the summit with mayors from Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose and other major cities to demand sustained state funding and coordinate local solutions.

  • "When 13 mayors representing more than 11 million Californians stand united, we send a powerful message," Lock Dawson says at a press conference outside San Francisco City Hall.

Riverside's progress: Lock Dawson highlights the city's achievement of functional zero for youth homelessness, meaning Riverside has the capacity to meet housing needs for every young person aged 18 to 24. She also showcases the city's economic transformation in green technology manufacturing.

The big ask: Mayors call for restored funding to the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) program, which cities have used to add more than 17,700 shelter and housing beds statewide and serve over 152,000 individuals experiencing homelessness.

  • Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass says the funding was "cut in half" this year, warning that "lives are at risk" without consistent state support.

What's next: The coalition releases its first-ever Big City Mayors Action Agenda, outlining legislative and local priorities as a bipartisan commitment to demand bold action in Sacramento while delivering results in local communities.

  • "As mayors, we don't have the luxury of waiting for solutions to emerge," Lock Dawson says.

Read and share the complete story...

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Adoptable Pet of the Week

Meet Balto!

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.

🐾 Alumni Update: Button was adopted! 🥳

Balto's smile says it all. This sweet 3-year-old boy is playful, friendly, and loving. He enjoys going for walks, playing in water, and learning (especially if you have delicious treats). Balto is a smart, curious, and adventurous dog, making him a great companion for road trips, vacations, or exploring new places. He's been waiting over two months to meet his match.

From now through 11/10, adult pets have an adoption fee of only $30, and Balto qualifies!

Come meet Balto 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.

Noteworthy

Beverly Wingate Maloof, who helped save Riverside's Mission Inn from demolition and founded the Riverside Land Conservancy, died November 6 at age 94, leaving a legacy of historic preservation and environmental protection.

The Inland Empire hosts California's first nonpartisan gubernatorial health forum today, Nov. 7 at 1:30 PM, featuring candidates Xavier Becerra, Tony Thurmond, Antonio Villaraigosa, and Betty Yee addressing community health priorities with NBC4 and Telemundo 52 broadcasting statewide.

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