Council votes 4-1 to limit dispensaries to one per ward, prohibit locations in Downtown and Midtown areas, and increase distance requirements from parks.
Children in the Riverside Community Sailing Program’s summer camp put their skills to the test Tuesday morning, navigating Lake Evans with growing confidence and wind in their sails. (Gazette Staff)
Wednesday Gazette: July 16, 2025
Hello Riverside, and Happy Wednesday! I would love to get your feedback on our corrections policy. When we make mistakes, we not only issue a correction in the article, but we also announce corrections at the top of our newsletters, like yesterday's edition correcting an incorrect Italian regioni tally in Sunday's review of Benedetto Gelato. Personally, I far prefer to deal with my mistakes by stuffing my face with gelato.
You probably wouldn't be surprised that Americans' trust in media is at its lowest point in five decades, and as a small upstart newsroom with no trained journalists on staff (yet!), it's a given that we will make mistakes. I've designed our current corrections policy to maximize transparency, but we often hear from readers that our top-of-newsletter corrections are overkill or get in the way of the news we're publishing. I am committed that the Gazette will operate with integrity, so if I were to make a change in our policy, I would like to do so with more of your feedback. If you have any thoughts at all about how we handle our mistakes, please reply to this email and share them for our consideration. Thanks!
Aram Ayra, Budget Engagement Commissioner and nonprofit leader, officially announced his campaign for Riverside's Ward 2 City Council seat. The move follows Councilmember Clarissa Cervantes' decision not to seek re-election in 2026.
Driving the news: Ayra's campaign focuses on balanced, results-driven solutions to improve residents' daily lives and strengthen the local economy.
He emphasizes public safety, homelessness, housing options, and fire prevention as key priorities.
Why it matters: If elected, Ayra would become the first Armenian-American to serve on the City Council, potentially bringing fresh perspectives to local governance.
His experience includes roles in city commissions, nonprofit work, and community organizing.
The big picture: Ayra sees Ward 2 as positioned to lead economic transformation, citing institutions like UC Riverside and the California Air Resources Board.
He advocates for diversifying the economy while acknowledging warehouses' current role.
What's next: Ayra plans to focus on development that creates good-paying jobs and reinvestment along the University Avenue corridor.
He aims to better connect UC Riverside's 25,000-strong student population with the city's future.
Spirit Halloween to Open Temporarily in Future High-End Liquor Store Location
Local entrepreneur Jazz Patel plans premium retail concept for Magnolia Avenue space after party store vacates.
The former Alin Party Supply building in Midtown, now without signage, awaits its next chapter. (Ken Crawford)
A former party supply store on Magnolia Avenue is getting a temporary Halloween makeover while entrepreneur Jazz Patel prepares to launch a high-end liquor store concept in the space.
Driving the news: Spirit Halloween has leased the building short-term, bridging the gap until construction begins on Patel's ambitious retail project.
Patel aims to replicate and expand on his successful El Cerrito Liquor formula, which has become a regional destination for premium spirits and craft beers.
Why it matters: The new store represents a growing trend of unique, locally owned businesses in the Midtown/Magnolia Center area, potentially attracting affluent customers from across the Inland Empire.
Plans reportedly include tasting rooms and entertainment lounges alongside the retail operation.
The other side: Some community members have expressed concerns about adding another liquor store to the neighborhood, questioning its necessity and potential impact on existing businesses.
What's next: Construction on the new liquor store will begin after Spirit Halloween's lease expires, with Patel's vision for a premium retail experience taking shape.
Specific details about the store's name, timeline, and buildout plans are yet to be revealed.
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