🗞️ Riverside News- October 17, 2025

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.

NEWS

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.

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.

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POLITICS

Gracie Torres Announces Bid for Ward 2 City Council Seat

Water board member becomes third candidate vying for Cervantes' seat.

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.

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GOVERNMENT

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'.

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.

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Adoptable Pet of the Week

Meet Sophie!

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.

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.

Noteworthy

Riverside's Incredible Bulk returns Saturday, October 18 with free bulky item and e-waste drop-off from 8 AM to noon at Golden Avenue and the City Corporation Yard on Lincoln Avenue.

Riverside Police Department seeks candy donations for their annual Trunk-or-Treat attracting thousands of children on October 24 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Orange Street Downtown.

This Weekend in Riverside

Friday

• JCPenney Suit-Up Event at OFF Site
• Downtown Riverside Haunted Tours Presented by The Mission Inn Foundation at Tour Starts In front of Eliza Tibbets Statue ($39.19)
• Lil Tecca: The Dopamine Experience Tour at Riverside Municipal Auditorium
• Movies on the Lawn: "The Man Who Could Cheat Death" (1959) at Heritage House
• Rebirth Homes Fall Gala at The Grove Community Church
• Richie Kotzen & John 5 at Fox Performing Arts Center
• Riverside Public Library Foundation Fall Fundraiser: Fall Into A Good Book at SSgt. Salvadore J. Lara Casa Blanca Library ($150)
• You're a Good Man Charlie Brown at The Box Theater ($22- $25)

Saturday

• The Riverside Citrus Classic Bike Ride at Riverside Plaza ($15- $80)
• Women's Cross Country Highlander Invitational at UCR
• Riverside Elks Lodge Annual Hoop Shoot Free Throw Contest at Renck Community Center
• Make A Floral Broom at Riverside Mission Florist
• No Kings demonstration at Downtown Riverside
• Free Christian Art Exhibit: Icons in Transformation at Immanuel Lutheran Church
• ARToberfest at Riverside Art Museum ($45- $50)
• Pink on Parade Breast Cancer Awareness Walk at Ryan Bonaminio Park ($22.20 - $32.80)
• Tragic Endings, Ghostly Meal, & Tour at A Historic (haunted) Victorian mansion in Riverside ($75)
• Victorian Dark Carnival at Heritage House
• The Doors Tribute by Strange Days at The Concert Lounge - Romano's Mission Grove
• Xavier Wulf at Riverside Municipal Auditorium

Sunday

• 48th Annual Mission Inn Run at Downtown Riverside ($54.98 - $97.68)
• Blue Zones Project Riverside - Mission Inn Run Cheer Squad at Mission Inn
• Women's Soccer vs. Cal State Bakersfield at UCR Soccer Stadium
• English Country Dance at First United Methodist Church of Riverside
• RCC Wind Ensemble Concert at Riverside City College
• Los Dareyes De La Sierra at Fox Performing Arts Center ($57.64)

Save the Date 

• October 24: You're a Good Man Charlie Brown at The Box Theater ($22- $25)
• October 25: Aquamotion Aquathon at Shamel Park Pool
• October 25: Friends of the Mission Inn Present: Nosferatu - a Silent Movie at The Mission Inn ($30- $35)
• October 25: Olivewood Memorial Park Historical Cemetery Tour at Olivewood Memorial Park ($20)
• October 26: Free Christian Art Exhibit: Icons in Transformation at Immanuel Lutheran Church
• November 15: NORA's 44th Annual Dinner & Auction Gala at Victoria Club ($175)
• December 6: Home and Story: Growing Up with the Museum at Riverside City College | Salvatore G. Rotella Digital Library and Learning Resource Center ($35- $50)

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