One year after Riverside’s largest fire, part one of this two-part series looks at what happened—and how the city is working to prevent it from happening again.
Hello Riverside, and Happy Wednesday! We’re just five days away from our Toast to 10,000 Subscribers on Monday, June 30 at 6:00 p.m. at Bar Ni Modo—and we’d love to see you there! RSVP here for your free drink ticket and come celebrate with fellow readers and the Gazette team.
We’re deeply grateful for the support we receive from this community. One reader recently said, “Without a doubt, the Gazette leads in reporting the happenings of local government in Riverside!”—a sentiment that humbles and motivates us every day.
Drew Oberjuerge Leaves Riverside Art Museum for Maloof Foundation Role
Executive director's 13-year tenure transformed RAM into nationally recognized institution with opening of The Cheech.
(Courtesy of Riverside Art Museum)
Drew Oberjuerge will leave her role as executive director of the Riverside Art Museum on Aug. 15 to lead the Sam and Alfreda Maloof Foundation. Her 13-year tenure elevated RAM to national prominence, culminating in the opening of The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art and Culture.
Driving the news: Oberjuerge's leadership brought RAM national recognition, including the 2023 National Medal for Museum and Library Service.
The Cheech, a partnership with Cheech Marin, has welcomed over 130,000 visitors since opening in 2022.
Why it matters: Oberjuerge's collaborative approach fostered community engagement and supported local artists.
She maintained an inclusive strategy that treated RAM as part of Riverside's broader cultural ecosystem.
The impact: Under Oberjuerge's guidance, RAM transformed from a regionally respected institution to one with international reach.
Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson praised Oberjuerge for elevating RAM to "a powerhouse with a national and international reach."
What's next: Oberjuerge will oversee the historic residence and woodshop of renowned furniture maker Sam Maloof at the Maloof Foundation.
The RAM board has begun searching for her replacement while appointing an interim director.
Riverside Utility Board Recommends $1.7M Electric Truck Purchase from Local Manufacturer
Board unanimously backs recommendation for City Council to approve 10 Voltu 3 trucks, supporting fleet electrification and new Riverside-based company.
The Voltu Super Duty is an electric retrofit of an F-350. (Courtesy of the City of Riverside)
The Riverside Board of Public Utilities unanimously recommended the City Council approve purchasing 10 electric trucks from Voltu Motor Inc. for $1.74 million. This move marks a significant step in the city's fleet electrification efforts while supporting a new local manufacturer.
Driving the news: The Voltu 3 electric trucks will replace aging diesel vehicles used by Riverside Public Utilities field operations, with a net cost of $906,398 after applying replacement funding.
The purchase aligns with California's Advanced Clean Fleet regulation, requiring 50% of new heavy-duty vehicle purchases to be zero-emission through 2027.
Why it matters: The electric trucks offer substantial environmental and economic benefits, with operating costs of 7.5 cents per mile compared to 62 cents for gas-powered vehicles.
Maintenance costs are expected to drop 30-40% annually due to fewer moving parts.
The big picture: Voltu selected Riverside as its U.S. headquarters and manufacturing facility in October 2024, supporting local economic development.
The Voltu 3 is the first heavy-duty all-electric pickup truck in the U.S. that isn't a cabover design.
What's next: The recommendation moves to the City Council for final approval, with delivery planned for January 2026.
The purchase requires no upfront payment, with the city paying only upon vehicle delivery and Voltu's Riverside facility becoming operational.
Magnolia Center Post Office to Reopen Monday After 20-Month Fire Closure
Riverside location resumes service June 30 following November 2022 fire damage.
(Courtesy of the United States Postal Service)
The Magnolia Center Post Office in Riverside is set to reopen on June 30, ending nearly two years of detours for local residents.
Driving the news: A fire in November 2022 forced the closure of the Sunnyside Drive location, redirecting customers to the Downtown Post Office for mail services.
The reopening ceremony is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on June 30.
Why it matters: Residents will regain convenient access to postal services in their neighborhood, eliminating the need for extended travel to the downtown area.
The reopening restores a vital community service point for Magnolia Center residents.
The details: PO Box customers can continue collecting mail from the Downtown Post Office until 11 a.m. on June 28.
Mail will be transferred back to Magnolia Center for pickup starting at 9:30 a.m. on June 30.
What's next: The Magnolia Center Post Office will resume its regular hours of operation:
• Monday-Friday: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. • Saturday: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. • Sunday: Closed
Tips on what to plant, when to pick, and what to watch out for in your home garden.
Homegrown Tomato Season is Here
Now what do you do with them all? Here is a list of some of Kim's favorite things to make with a tomato bounty. Eating them right off the vine is a favorite, but tossing them in a salad, sandwich or as a side with eggs in the morning is also always amazing. But there is bruschetta, salsa, spaghetti sauce, pico de gallo, stewed tomatoes and much, much more!
See something? Say something. Your tips and ideas are what fuel The Raincross Gazette. If you know of something newsworthy happening in our city, please share it with us.
