Police say $100 penalties fail to deter commercial vehicles from residential areas; new $1,000 fines would target drivers who view current citations as 'cost of doing business'.
This WWI memorial has anchored Riverside's skyline for nearly a century. The Municipal Auditorium, with its distinctive dome and palm-framed facade, stands as a 1920s-era civic landmark at Mission Inn Avenue and Lemon Street. (Rosalyn Anderson) Have a photo that captures the spirit of Riverside? Share it with us and help celebrate the beauty of our community!
Friday Gazette: October 17, 2025
Hello Riverside, and Happy Thursday! Today is National Mammography Day. Here's why it matters: 1 in 8 women in the U.S. will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, but when caught early, the 5-year survival rate is 99%.
Here at The Gazette, we believe in neighbors looking out for neighbors. If you've been putting off your mammogram, consider this your friendly nudge. Regular screenings save lives.
Learn more at breastcancer.org. And if you're current on your screenings, remind a friend about theirs. Together, we keep Riverside strong and healthy.
March Field Air Museum Loses 5 Staff Members in Leadership Dispute
Resignations follow terminations as board members and president disagree over finances at Riverside County's military aviation museum.
Staff departures rock the March Field Air Museum, where longtime employees resigned this week following controversial terminations. (File photo)
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters.
Senior staff at the March Field Air Museum resign following the termination of three employees. The museum's president, Jamil Dada, cites financial difficulties, but board members and former staff dispute this claim.
Driving the news: Jeff Houlihan, director of collections, and security supervisor Mikey Diaz quit in protest after Dada fired three key staff members without board approval.
The 46-year-old museum houses 122 aircraft and 60,000 artifacts.
Why it matters: The terminations may jeopardize the museum's nonprofit status and upcoming accreditation visit from the American Alliance of Museums.
Public documents show the museum had a net profit of $140,000 in the 2023 fiscal year.
The big picture: Houlihan claims Dada wants to shift the museum's focus towards events and away from archives.
This move could potentially eliminate thousands of historical photographs and military logbooks.
What's next: The museum's board of directors, who were reportedly unaware of the firings, may need to address the situation to maintain the institution's integrity and nonprofit status.
The museum has been without an executive director since February.
Gracie Torres Announces Bid for Ward 2 City Council Seat
Water board member becomes third candidate vying for Cervantes' seat.
From left to right: Councilmember Sean Mill, Mayor Patricia Lock-Dawson, Councilmember Steven Robillard, and Councilmember Philip Falcone with Gracie Torres at her event kick-off, Wednesday, October 1, 2025. (Courtesy of gracietorres.com)
Western Municipal Water District Director Gracie Torres officially kicked off her campaign for Riverside City Council Ward 2, securing endorsements from Mayor Patricia Lock-Dawson and several current council members.
Driving the news: Torres, who has represented Ward 2 on the water board since 2018, enters a growing field that includes Budget Engagement Commissioner Aram Ayra and social media entrepreneur Christen Montero.
The winner will replace Clarissa Cervantes, who is now seeking State Assembly District 58.
Why it matters: Torres brings name recognition and a strong track record, having won her water board elections by significant margins in 2018 and 2022.
She emphasizes her experience in fiscal responsibility, transparency, and infrastructure improvement.
The big picture: Torres' priorities include investing in public safety, addressing homelessness, job creation, affordability, and enhancing city services.
She has raised over $50,000, reportedly leading all announced candidates in fundraising.
What's next: With eight months until the June 2026 election, the Ward 2 race is expected to intensify as candidates vie for support in one of the city's most politically engaged districts.
The filing deadline for candidates is in early 2026, leaving open the possibility of additional entrants.
City Proposes Tenfold Increase in Fines for Trucks Using Restricted Streets
Police say $100 penalties fail to deter commercial vehicles from residential areas; new $1,000 fines would target drivers who view current citations as 'cost of doing business'.
A delivery truck and other vehicles navigate the Alessandro Boulevard and Sycamore Canyon Boulevard intersection. (File photo)
The City is moving to increase fines for commercial vehicles operating on restricted residential streets from $100 to $1,000. The Safety, Wellness and Youth Committee unanimously approved an ordinance amendment to create a stronger deterrent against large trucks using neighborhood streets as shortcuts.
Driving the news: Mounting complaints from residents and acknowledgment from truck drivers that current penalties are merely a business expense prompted the proposed change.
The Police Department has received numerous complaints about commercial vehicles violating axle restrictions on residential streets.
Why it matters: Officials hope the increased fine will effectively discourage truck drivers from using restricted streets, improving safety and quality of life in residential areas.
The $1,000 fine is believed to be the maximum allowable penalty under local law.
The challenges: GPS navigation systems often route trucks through restricted areas, leading to unintentional violations by out-of-town drivers.
Councilmember Chuck Conder emphasized the need to work with mapping companies like Waze and Google Maps to address this issue.
What's next: The measure now advances to the full City Council for consideration, with no specific date announced for the vote.
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: Blaze, who was featured in July and was adopted in August, is once again looking for the right fit. Winnie, Woody, Victor, and Hulk have all been adopted. 🎉
Sophie is a 1.5 year old cat who has been waiting over three months to be adopted. She enjoys company but prefers to receive affection on her terms. Sophie’s sweet, shy, and sometimes sassy personality will surely win you over if you give her the chance. In return, you’ll receive a calm, gentle family member who will share her secrets of best sunbathing and napping spots.
Come meet Sophie 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.
See something? Say something. Your tips and ideas are what fuel The Raincross Gazette. If you know of something newsworthy happening in our city, please share it with us.
