Council subcommittee approves Inspector General framework, CBU women defend WAC title as UCR men energize home opener and August rains bring Riverside’s own tumbleweed species.
Council subcommittee approves Inspector General framework, CBU women defend WAC title as UCR men energize home opener and August rains bring Riverside’s own tumbleweed species.
Riverside’s Summer Postcards – Day 2: John Hagmann’s summer getaway on the Colorado River included time on Lake Mohave, just north of Cabinsite Cove.
Wednesday Gazette: August 13, 2025
Hello Riverside, and Happy Wednesday! Did you know you don’t have to wait for the City’s regular schedule to get your street tree trimmed? Through the Tree Care Program, Residents can request extra care any time — just call 311 for an inspection. If your tree qualifies, you’ll get a form with the services and cost and once payment’s in, crews will be out within 30 days. Trees must be in the public right-of-way and meet Urban Forestry guidelines. Learn more at RiversideCA.gov/PublicWorks/Urban-Forestry.🌳
See you tomorrow!
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Meliia’s GoFundMe Update: So far, $375 has been raised to help 9-year-old Meliia and her family visit Disneyland. Every contribution brings her closer to making this dream come true! You can still help here: Support Meliia’s Dream.
Subcommittee Advances Inspector General Framework to City Council
New oversight position would replace Internal Audit Division with expanded duties including ethics oversight and operational efficiency reviews.
A City Council subcommittee unanimously recommended establishing an Office of Inspector General with a $210,886 annual salary, moving forward a voter-approved initiative for independent city oversight.
Driving the news: The three-member subcommittee approved the framework for the new office, which would replace the Internal Audit Division and expand oversight responsibilities.
The full City Council is set to vote on the proposal on Oct. 21.
Why it matters: The Inspector General position, approved by 65% of voters in March 2024, aims to enhance transparency and accountability in city operations.
The office would conduct investigations, audits, and performance evaluations with operational independence.
By the numbers: The proposed annual budget for the new office is $765,211, about $100,000 more than the current Internal Audit Division's budget.
What's next: If approved, recruitment for the Inspector General position could begin immediately, with the process expected to take three to four months.
Minimum qualifications likely include a bachelor's degree and 8-10 years of relevant experience.
The bottom line: Despite criticism over limited transparency in developing the proposal, the subcommittee declined to schedule additional public meetings before the October council vote.
CBU women defend WAC title while UCR men bring home opener energy after tough UCLA battle.
CBU Women’s soccer showing off the hardware. (Mariah Rodriguez/Courtesy of CBU Athletics)
California Baptist University and UC Riverside showcase why the city has become a legitimate NCAA sports destination. Both programs enter the new season with championship aspirations and the talent to back them up.
Driving the news: CBU's women's soccer team, the defending WAC Tournament champions, kicks off their 2024 campaign against Cal State Bakersfield on August 14.
Senior defender Summer Allen, named WAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, anchors the Lancers' formidable backline.
Why it matters: The Lancers' home opener represents more than just a fresh start; it's a chance to build on their proven championship mettle.
CBU hasn't faced Bakersfield since 2019, when they secured a 3-1 victory.
Meanwhile: UCR's men's soccer team hosts Cal State Los Angeles on August 15, seeking redemption after a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to UCLA.
The Highlanders' home opener offers an opportunity to turn disappointment into motivation and prove they're Riverside's top college soccer team.
The big picture: Riverside's dual Division I programs create a unique sports landscape, offering fans high-level collegiate competition throughout the season.
If Riverside has a monsoon season, it is in August. Typically, a tropical storm will slide up the Gulf of California and hit the continent about where Baja California and Sonora meet. If the storm is big enough, like a hurricane, it will plow into the Imperial Valley and then the Coachella Valley, spinning off huge chunks that flood arroyos in the lower desert as the eye continues into the Mojave. Other chunks go west, sending thunderstorms through the Banning Pass and over the Badlands into our Inland Valleys. For a few days, a monsoonal system pushes temperatures down and humidity up. Soon after, things return to normal. Almost.
Just as April showers bring May flowers, August rains bring a glow of green to local hills that lasts a month or more. In areas with native vegetation, leaves sprout from shrubs. More commonly in Riverside, with empty lots and invasive Mediterranean grasses, the green comes from summer annuals waiting for the chance to bloom. Much of that glow is composed of tumbleweeds.
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Back-to-school routines return with safety reminders, young entrepreneur’s lemonade stand inspires community and committee moves to limit Council debate and public comment.
Beloved local dentist named Neighbor of the Week, artists turn junk into social commentary at Division 9, and a creative prompt about your favorite brush, comb, or pick.
Heat advisory shifts weekend plans, charter review appointments delayed, Casa Blanca STEM school opens, fall football guide and one overlooked pup still waits for a home.
