Tuesday Gazette: September 1, 2026
Hello Riverside, and Happy Tuesday! September is here, and while the calendar says back to school, apples, and fall recipes, the weather has other plans: we're still solidly in summer mode. So today we'll take the small win of slightly lower temps this week and not complain.
Hope your week is off to a great start!
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COMMUNITY
A Third Match Made All the Difference
A Big Brothers Big Sisters mentor helped rebuild a young woman's confidence and set her sights on college.
For Saidee Acevedo, college once felt impossible. After struggling academically freshman and sophomore years and losing her grandmother during her junior year, Acevedo fell into a period of depression and anxiety, doubtful of what her future would look like.
Eventually, Acevedo reached out to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Inland Empire (BBBS), a non-profit organization dedicated to creating one-on-one mentoring relationships to empower youth through social connections, academic guidance and positive life choices. After two unsuccessful mentor matches, Acevedo matched with her third mentor: Unique.
"When I met Saidee, I saw a lot of myself in her," BBBS mentor Unique Edwards said. "During our first outing, she shared her previous experiences with matches, and it genuinely touched me because I wanted to shift how she felt about the program ensuring she enjoyed it this time around, always feeling wanted. Showing up consistently, meeting her where she was, encouraging her growth, sharing my own experiences, and—most importantly—having fun together helped her see that I was committed to being there."
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ENVIRONMENT
RTA Unveils Hydrogen Fueling Station, First Zero-Emission Buses
The new station and buses mark the start of the agency's shift away from natural gas-powered vehicles toward a fully zero-emission fleet.
Riverside Transit Agency's first hydrogen-powered buses mark a shift from CNG toward a zero-emission fleet.
Why it matters: RTA riders will begin seeing hydrogen buses on local routes as the agency phases out CNG — part of a countywide push to cut vehicle emissions and improve air quality.
Driving the news: RTA unveiled a new hydrogen fueling station and its first hydrogen-powered buses at its Riverside headquarters.
- Clean Energy built the station, chosen for its expertise handling the liquid hydrogen volumes a full bus fleet requires.
By the numbers: RTA secured $4.89 million in competitive federal grants to buy its first five hydrogen fuel cell buses.
What they're saying: RTA Board Chair Jim Steiner, a Corona councilmember, called it a "monumental milestone" for county transit.
The big picture: The shift is part of a wider Riverside County effort to cut vehicle emissions and boost air quality.
- Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson, a state-appointed California Air Resources Board member, attended, along with County Supervisor Jose Medina.
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This Week in Riverside
Today
- Volunteer Orientation at UCR Botanic Gardens
- ScotSurplus Sale at ScotSurplus Store
- City Council at Riverside City Hall
- Karaoke Tuesday Competition at The Hideaway
- Riverside Off-Road & Jeep Nights at D'Elia's Grinders
Tomorrow
- Stretch & Dance Class at Janet Goeske Senior Center
- Men's Soccer vs Life Pacific at UCR Soccer Stadium
- FREE YOGA - Seated Yoga with Kristin Varner at All Saints Episcopal Church
- History on the Rocks - Round Two! Presented by The Mission Inn Foundation at Mission Inn Foundation ($71.21)
- Riverside East Rotary Club at Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern
Save the Date
- Sep 3: Orange Street Mural Unveiling at Main Museum Pedestrian Walkway (Orange Street)
- Sep 4: FREE YOGA - The Evolution of Ashtanga with Kristin Varner at Community Yoga Center
- Sep 4: Riverside Sunrise Rotary Club Meeting at Zacatecas Café
- Sep 5: FREE YOGA - The Art of Vinyasa with Catherine Murray at Community Yoga Center
- Sep 5: FREE YOGA - Yin Yoga with Kristin Varner at Community Yoga Center
- Sep 7: FREE YOGA - Moody Mondays with Cherie Amour at Community Yoga Center
- Sep 9: FREE Beginning Square Dance Lessons with Line Dancing at Cowtown Square Dance Center
- Sep 9: FREE YOGA - Seated Yoga with Kristin Varner at All Saints Episcopal Church
- Sep 13: Welcome Back Party! at First Congregational Church of Riverside
- Sep 18: Open Mic Night at Riverside Baha'i Center
- Sep 25: Moon Festival at Heritage House
- Oct 3: Aquamotion Aquathon at Shamel Pool
- Oct 7: Fifty & Better Health Fair at Janet Goeske Center
- Nov 14: Riverside Veterans Parade - Downtown Riverside/Market St.
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