Wednesday Gazette: October 22, 2025

Hello Riverside, and Happy Wednesday! Today is National Make a Dog's Day, the perfect time to spoil your pup with extra treats and belly rubs. While you're celebrating your furry friend, remember those still waiting for homes at Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center. Browse their available dogs at petsadoption.org, where your new best friend might be just a click away.

Don't forget to check back every Friday for our featured adoptable pet right here in newsletters.

GOVERNMENT

Inspector General Approval Delayed Nearly Year After Voter Mandate, Council Cites Independence Language

Four council members vote to push decision to mid-November, citing need to strengthen language about independent legal counsel.

Riverside's City Council postponed approving the Inspector General position in a 4-3 vote, nearly a year after voters supported creating the independent watchdog. The decision is now pushed to November 18 to clarify language protecting the office's independence from council influence.

Driving the news: The delay centers on concerns about when the Inspector General can retain outside legal counsel independent of the City Attorney's office.

• Critics worry the proposed structure undermines the watchdog's independence.

Why it matters: The Inspector General office is meant to provide independent oversight, replacing the existing Internal Audit Division with expanded responsibilities.

• The office would manage ethics complaints and conduct operational efficiency reviews.

The opposition: Some council members criticized the delay, arguing the item should move forward immediately to honor voters' wishes.

• Councilmember Philip Falcone called the continuance "very disingenuous."

What's next: When the item returns on November 18, the council will consider creating the Inspector General classification with an annual salary range of $161,000 to $217,000.

• The proposal includes adopting an ordinance establishing the office as an administrative department and transferring the Internal Audit Division budget and staff.

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EVENTS

Doors Open Riverside Returns Oct. 25 With Free Tours of 14 Historic Sites

Eighth annual event provides rare public access to Harada House, Trujillo Adobe and other architectural landmarks.

The City of Riverside will offer free public tours of 14 historic buildings and cultural sites during the eighth annual Doors Open Riverside event on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 1 to 5 p.m.

Driving the news: The event provides special access to architectural landmarks and cultural sites throughout the city, including the nationally significant Harada House, the Victorian-era Peter J. Weber House, and the 1862 Trujillo Adobe.

• Last year's event drew more than 1,000 visitors.

Why it matters: Doors Open events aim to increase awareness of historic architecture and communities' collective heritage, originating in France over 30 years ago.

• The Riverside event earned the 2019 Governor's Historic Preservation Award, California's highest recognition for historic preservation efforts.

The details: Most sites offer docent-led tours from 1 to 5 p.m., with some exceptions:

• Calvary Presbyterian Church requires pre-registration for a single tour at 2 p.m.
• The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture opens only at 5:15 p.m.

What's next: Visitors can stop by the information center at the Mission Inn Foundation & Museum to claim a collectible Doors Open pin while supplies last.

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Noteworthy

Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson chairs the inaugural C13 Summit today in San Francisco, uniting California's 13 largest city mayors representing 11 million residents to develop unified solutions for homelessness, housing, and economic development.

March Field Air Museum unveiled an F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jet after volunteers spent 1,100 hours restoring the aircraft transported from Arizona's Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, ABC7 reports.

UC Riverside researchers discovered that inhaling Salton Sea dust rapidly alters lung microbiomes in healthy mice, triggering up to 60% immune cell inflammation and marking the first observed environmental—not disease—cause of such changes.

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What's Happening in Riverside

Today

• Stretch & Dance Class at Janet Goeske Senior Center
• Bordwell Park Advisory Committee at Stratton Community Center
• Community Police Review Commission at Riverside City Hall
• Inland Empire Archives Fair 2025 at Rivera Library
• Latin Heritage Soccer Game at UCR Soccer Stadium
• Men's Soccer vs. Cal Poly at UCR Soccer Stadium
• Riverside College and Career Fair at Galleria At Tyler
• Riverside East Rotary Club at Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern
• Riverside Mission Belles at Victoria Presbyterian Church
• Riverside Open Mic Music Series at Back to the Grind

Tomorrow

• Economic Development Committee at Riverside City Hall
• Planning Commission at Riverside City Hall
• Guitar Ensembles Concert at Riverside City College
• History on the Rocks! Presented by The Mission Inn Foundation at The Mission Inn Foundation ($49.87)
• Downtown Riverside Haunted Tours Presented by The Mission Inn Foundation at Tour Starts In front of Eliza Tibbets Statue ($39.19)
• UC Riverside Highlanders Women's Volleyball vs. Cal Poly Mustangs at UC Riverside Student Recreation Center
• Women's Volleyball vs. Cal Poly at SRC Arena

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: Boos in the Night at First United Methodist Church of Riverside
• 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
• October 26: Raincross Master Chorale presents: "Sing Joyfully" at Calvary Presbyterian Church ($10- $20)
• November 5: Medicare EXPO at Janet Goeske Foundation
• November 15: NORA's 44th Annual Dinner & Auction Galaat Victoria Club ($175)
• November 16: "On Peace & Friendship" - Opening Exhibit Reception at Mission Inn Foundation/Museum
• 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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