Tuesday Gazette: September 28, 2026
Hello Riverside, and Happy Tuesday! It's National Coffee Day! There's no shortage of amazing coffee spots in our wonderful city, so we want to know: where's your favorite, and why? Send your pick to newsroom@raincrossgazette.com and we'll shout them out in tomorrow's newsletter.
Here's what else is happening around town:
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2026 ELECTION
Ward 2 and 4 Candidates Clash Over Housing, Campaign Money and Riverside’s Future
The Ward 2 race turned heated over University Terrace and a $1,500 donation, as all four candidates fielded questions on housing, jobs and polarization.
Candidates for City Council seats in Wards 2 and 4 debated political polarization, homelessness, affordability, warehouses and data centers Wednesday at a forum hosted by Temple Beth El.
The races are down to two candidates for each seat: Aram Ayra and Gracie Torres in Ward 2, and Rich Vandenberg and incumbent Chuck Conder in Ward 4. Ward 2 includes the Eastside, Canyon Crest, Mission Grove, Sycamore Canyon and University District neighborhoods. Ward 4 includes Alessandro Heights, Mission Grove, Orangecrest and the Greenbelt.
All four candidates sat together as Rabbi Suzanne Singer posed prepared questions and read questions submitted by the audience. At several points, the discussion turned into direct exchanges between opponents, prompting Singer to remind them of the evening’s opening question: How could they help Riverside residents talk across their differences?
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PUBLIC SAFETY
Riverside Police Say 17 Smoke Shops Shut Down, Nine on Magnolia Corridor
Vice detectives cited drug sales, sales to minors and illegal gambling, and say more shops remain under investigation.
Riverside's smoke shop enforcement has moved from permits and zoning rules to closures — with more shops under investigation.
Why it matters: Police counted nine closures along the Magnolia corridor. They say some shops drew loitering, disturbances and 911 calls that disrupted nearby homes and businesses.
Driving the news: The Vice Unit and City Attorney's Office closed 17shops through legal proceedings, police announced Thursday.
- Detectives alleged shops sold illegal drugs, paraphernalia, kratom, 7-OH products and nitrous oxide sold to get high.
- Police said some sold vapes, THC or nitrous oxide to minors, kept weapons, ran illegal gambling, laundered money or lacked permits.
Yes, but: Police didn't tie specific violations to specific shops.
- The department also didn't say how many arrests, if any, were made — or when the operations happened.
The backstory: The council adopted a moratorium on new tobacco retail permits in September 2025. July zoning rules gave noncompliant existing shops two years to relocate or close.
- New shops must sit at least 1,000 feet from schools, parks, childcare sites, places of worship and other smoke shops.
- A July staff report counted 41 standalone shops, with 24 believed to lack a valid permit or violate permit rules.
What's next: Several more smoke shops remain under active investigation, police said.
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Noteworthy
See the preferred design for Main Street between Third Street and the 60 freeway, including diagonal center parking and bike lanes, at a workshop TONIGHT at 6 p.m. at the Salvation Army, with a $100 gift card raffle.
GoGo Bird at Farm House Collective closed its doors this past weekend, inviting customers in for one last bite and bidding a heartfelt farewell to the community it says it loved being part of.
Walk side by side in support of suicide prevention at the Out of the Darkness Riverside County Walk on Saturday, Oct. 3, at Ryan Bonaminio Park, with free registration, 9 a.m. check-in and complimentary honor beads for every participant.
This Week in Riverside
Today
- ScotSurplus Sale at ScotSurplus Store
- FREE YOGA - Mandala Yoga with Alejandro at Community Yoga Center
- Until Help Arrives Emergency Preparedness Training at Community Room Riverside Main Library
- Karaoke Tuesday Competition at The Hideaway
Tomorrow
- Riverside East Rotary Club at Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern
- Stretch & Dance Class at Janet Goeske Senior Center
- Adult Ballet Class at Riverside Ballet Arts LLC
- First-Time Homebuyers Workshop presented by AP Mortgage at University of California, Riverside
- FREE Reading Assistance Program (RAP) at My Learning Studio
- History on the Rocks - Round Two! at Mission Inn Foundation ($71.21)
- Men's Soccer vs Cal State Fullerton at UCR Soccer Stadium
- Needlefelt Ghosts at Marcy Library
- Riverside Jams at Carbon Nation Brewery
- Riverside Mission Belles at Victoria Presbyterian Church ($25)
- FREE YOGA - Seated Yoga with Kristin Varner at All Saints Episcopal Church
- Sight Unseen Reframed Exhibition at Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern
- Earl Sweatshirt & MIKE: Home on the Range Tour 2026 at Riverside Municipal Auditorium
Save the Date
- Oct 2: FREE YOGA - The Evolution of Ashtanga with Kristin Varner at Community Yoga Center
- Oct 2: Riverside Sunrise Rotary Club Meeting at Zacatecas Café
- Oct 3: Aquamotion Aquathon at Shamel Pool
- Oct 3: FREE YOGA - The Art of Vinyasa with Catherine Murray at Community Yoga Center
- Oct 3: FREE YOGA - Yin Yoga with Kristin Varner at Community Yoga Center
- Oct 4: Riverside Historical Society Local History Book Fair at Villegas Community Center
- Oct 5: FREE YOGA - Moody Mondays with Cherie Amour at Community Yoga Center
- Oct 7: Fifty & Better Health Fair at Janet Goeske Center
- Oct 7: FREE YOGA - Seated Yoga with Kristin Varner at All Saints Episcopal Church
- Oct 10: The Riverside Citrus Classic Bike Ride at Riverside Plaza ($15- $80)
- Oct 17: Spooky Music Organ Concert at First Congregational Church of Riverside ($30.00)
- Oct 22: Experience RUSD, Riverside Unified State of the District at Riverside Municipal Airport
- Oct 24: Vintage Car and Warbird Show at Riverside Airport - Commemorative Air Force Hanger and Museum
- Nov 14: Riverside Veterans Parade - Downtown Riverside/Market St.
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