City Council will consider a 45-day moratorium on new tobacco retail permits following widespread illegal drug sales at smoke shops and award a $19.7 million contract to renovate the nearly century-old Cesar Chavez Community Center.
This weekās agendas include a Council vote on a 45-day smoke shop moratorium and a $19.7M Chavez Center renovation, plus earthquake prep tips and a water update.
From securing furniture to retrofitting homes and weighing insurance, hereās how Riversiders can prepare for the next big quakeāplus an update on Californiaās latest water bill.
Your ideas wanted for Riverside history coverage, where to donate school supplies before classes start and St. Michaelās Apartments faces ongoing community concerns.
Tuesday Gazette: July 29, 2025
Hello Riverside, and Happy Tuesday! One of the things we love most at the Gazette is sharing Riversideās historyāstories like Sumi Harada, a remarkable woman from Riversideās past, Booker T. Washingtonās 1914 visit, the āHappy Side is Riversideā campaign, Sherman Instituteās championship football team, and even a century-old redwood with ties to Major League Baseball.
Contributors like Glenn Wenzel have helped bring 71 such history articles to life. What chapters of Riversideās story are you curious about? Hit reply and let us know what youād like to see next.
Riverside nonprofits prepare to equip students for success.
A new school year should be exciting, but for many Riverside families, it also brings financial stress. Backpacks, notebooks, pencils and other essentials quickly add up, straining already tight budgets at a time when kids need to feel prepared and confident. With Alvord Unified schools opening Aug. 6 and Riverside Unified following Aug. 11, four local organizations are stepping up to help. From free backpacks and haircuts to writing supplies and food support, these groups are working to make sure no child starts school without the tools they need to succeed. Their efforts highlight the community spirit that helps families face these challenges togetherāand there are plenty of ways you can pitch in too.
Read and Share the Back-to-School Donation Guide...
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Housing committee hears from frustrated neighbors about increased police calls, unregistered vehicles, and quality of life impacts since 50-unit affordable housing project opened in 2023.
Riverside's Housing and Homelessness Committee addressed ongoing issues surrounding St. Michael's Apartments, a 50-unit affordable housing complex in Ward 5 that opened in June 2023. Residents voiced complaints about increased police calls, parking problems, and safety concerns since the complex's opening.
Driving the news: Police calls to the apartment addresses have more than doubled, averaging 16 per month compared to 7 in the surrounding area.
Why it matters: The $17.9 million project, including 24 permanent supportive housing units for formerly homeless individuals, has sparked debate about its impact on the neighborhood.
The big picture: Parking remains the primary concern, with the apartment's construction eliminating most of St. Michael's Church's parking spaces.
What's next: The city plans to schedule safety meetings with apartment residents and explore forming a neighborhood watch group.
Read and share the complete story...
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LA Times features Riverside Gazette contributor Anthony Solorzano's article on the Mucho Gusto Festival, billed as "a celebration of music without borders," which draws thousands for cumbia, reggaeton, and Latin American cultural connection.
More than 315,000 ballots have been mailed for the August 26 special election where Republican Natasha Johnson and Democrat Chris Shoults compete to fill the Assembly District 63 seat vacated by Bill Essayli.
UCR's R'Garden secured one-year bridge funding from the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences after a spring referendum seeking $10 quarterly student fees failed to meet the 20% voter turnout threshold despite 70% support from participating undergraduates.
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This weekās agendas include a Council vote on a 45-day smoke shop moratorium and a $19.7M Chavez Center renovation, plus earthquake prep tips and a water update.
Canvas Pizza rolls out a new food trailer, meet Neighbor of the Week Ernesto Rodriguez, and a Creative Prompt on dryer lint.
91 Freeway-Adams Street interchange project advances with 2028 construction on the horizon, and Riverside TV delivers network-quality sports coverage to the community.
This weekās sports lineup is packed with action. Plus, the Mission Inn Museum launches its Halloween season with a dinner-and-cemetery tour honoring fallen officers.
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