Angel Sanchez Jr. brings experience in inclusive employment practices and manufacturing innovation to statewide role advising governor on workforce policy.
Golden hour casts long shadows over Citrus Heights Drive in this radiant Riverside sunset. (Noall Knighton)
Thursday Gazette: June 19, 2025
Hello Riverside, and Happy Thursday! As we honor Juneteenth today, it’s also a perfect time to recognize that June is African American Music Appreciation Month—a celebration of the rhythms, voices, and sounds that have shaped generations of American music. First proclaimed by President Jimmy Carter in 1979, the month shines a spotlight on the lasting impact of Black artists across every genre. You can explore the roots and evolution of this celebration through a feature from the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
City Council Rejects Cannabis Location Restrictions in Split Vote
Council deadlock preserves current cannabis zones; Downtown, Midtown remain open to dispensaries.
The Riverside City Council failed to pass new cannabis restrictions Tuesday night, leaving current regulations unchanged. The proposed amendments would have banned dispensaries from downtown and Midtown neighborhoods and increased the distance between cannabis shops and parks.
Driving the news: A 3-3 vote deadlocked the council, falling short of the four votes needed to approve changes to the city's cannabis ordinance.
The proposed restrictions emerged from concerns about cannabis business compatibility and concentration in key revitalization areas.
Why it matters: The failed vote maintains the status quo for cannabis businesses in California's 12th-largest city, which only recently opened its doors to retail sales and other commercial cannabis uses in 2023.
Cultivation remains prohibited in Riverside.
The debate: Councilmembers clashed over whether non-retail cannabis businesses, such as testing laboratories, should face the same restrictions as retail storefronts.
Councilmember Sean Mill suggested separating non-retail cannabis businesses from retail restrictions, arguing they have different community impacts.
What's next: The council did not indicate when or if they might revisit the amendments, leaving the current cannabis regulations in place without the proposed geographic restrictions or increased distance requirements.
RCCD Board Unanimously Terminates RCC President Dr. Claire Oliveros
RCCD Board Unanimously Terminates RCC President Claire Oliveros.
The Riverside Community College District Board of Trustees has made significant changes to its leadership, terminating one college president and appointing another.
Driving the news: Dr. Claire Oliveros' employment as president of Riverside City College was unanimously terminated, effective immediately.
The decision was made during a closed session of the board's regular meeting on Tuesday.
New leadership: Rudy Besikoff has been approved as the new president of Moreno Valley College, starting July 1 with an annual salary of $294,813.
The appointment faced criticism from community member Irma Flores, who questioned why interim president Dr. FeRita Carter wasn't interviewed for the position.
Why it matters: The leadership changes come as the district prepares for the new academic year, potentially impacting the direction and management of its colleges.
Trustee Mary Figueroa acknowledged Carter's contributions, praising her for bringing "life back to the Moreno Valley community."
What's next: The board will meet again in August to start the new academic year, where further developments may unfold.
Riverside CEO Appointed to State Workforce Development Board
Angel Sanchez Jr. brings experience in inclusive employment practices and manufacturing innovation to statewide role advising governor on workforce policy.
Angel Sanchez Jr., CEO of Phenix Technology Inc., joins the California State Workforce Development Board. Gov. Gavin Newsom tapped Sanchez to advise on building a resilient, equitable labor force for the state.
Driving the news: Sanchez's appointment recognizes his two decades of leadership in inclusive hiring and manufacturing innovation at Riverside-based Phenix Technology.
The company, which produces American-made fire helmets, has become a national model for inclusive employment.
Why it matters: California seeks to modernize workforce systems and expand career pathways for underserved populations.
Sanchez will help align training with economic demand, expand employer partnerships, and ensure access to quality careers for all Californians.
The big picture: Phenix Technology has received national recognition for its workplace culture and inclusive practices.
Over 30% of the company's workforce identifies as neurodiverse or has faced significant barriers to employment.
What's next: Sanchez aims to strengthen and modernize California's workforce systems to benefit every region, industry, and individual.
His experience with initiatives like the Governor's Master Plan for Career Education and the Launch Apprenticeship Network will inform his advisory role.
Souls of Mischief to Perform at Farm House Collective
Oakland hip-hop group brings golden age sound to converted Riverside motel venue.
Left to Right: A-Plus, Tajai, Opio and Phesto. (Souls of Mischief/Facebook)
Oakland's Souls of Mischief brings their "backpack rap" sound to Riverside's Farm House Collective tonight at 8 p.m. The show marks a significant moment for fans of alternative West Coast hip-hop, connecting back to the group's 1993 debut single "93 'til Infinity."
Driving the news: The performance comes three months after the venue's opening in the renovated 1953 Farm House Motel on University Avenue.
The Farm House Collective focuses on booking acts that prioritize artistic integrity.
Why it matters: Souls of Mischief helped define "backpack rap," valuing lyrical skill over street credibility and offering an alternative to the dominant gangsta rap scene of the early 1990s.
Their jazz-influenced sound and laid-back delivery resonated with skateboard culture.
The big picture: The group's debut album "93 'til Infinity" introduced millions to alternative West Coast hip-hop, though they never again matched its commercial success.
Souls of Mischief has maintained a devoted underground following for three decades.
What's next: The show offers both casual fans and serious listeners a chance to experience the group's authentic voice and consistent artistry.
Riverside Parks invites residents to the Fairmount Forward visioning workshop on June 26 from 5-8 p.m. at the Armory to help shape the future of the city's most visited historic park through interactive planning activities.
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