The one-year program offers full tuition, a $32,000 stipend, mentorship, and a guaranteed job—training diverse educators to meet urgent staffing needs in local schools.
In yesterday’s story about Perry’s decision not to seek reelection, the Feeding America partnership location was misstated; the correct location is Arlanza Elementary School, not Orrenmaa. In last week’s story about the Gage Canal Company legal battle, the timeframe of confrontations was misstated as January to March 2024; the correct timeframe is January 2024 to March 2025.
This is the 8th and 9th correction in Raincross Gazette’s 211-week history and our first correction since May 22, 2025. We began tracking corrections in January 2025 and placed them at the top of our newsletter to maximize transparency with readers.
Ken takes a bite of a soft, chewy snickerdoodle from Riverside Cookie Shoppe—chewy, cinnamon-kissed, and fresh from the oven.
Wednesday Gazette: May 28, 2025
Hello Riverside, and Happy Wednesday!
Please join me in welcoming Riverside Cookie Shoppe as our newest advertising partner. The Gazette's advertising program is unique because we are specifically looking for as few advertisers as possible, and they make a year-long commitment to advertise through us.
So when you're craving a sweet treat or looking for a tasty gift, keep in mind that Riverside Cookie Shoppe helps keep 100% of our reporting free and accessible to everyone in Riverside. As someone who once graduated from high school, I can personally guarantee that a cookie cake from Riverside Cookie Shoppe is the perfect way to celebrate your favorite grad.
When you stop by this week, please let them know you appreciate their support of local news!
California's Digital Newspaper Archive Faces Shutdown After State Funding Crisis
UC Riverside's collection of 21 million historical newspaper pages could cease operations by June 30 without $300,000 in emergency funding.
The CDNC is housed and administered at the University of California Riverside. (Ken Crawford)
The California Digital Newspaper Collection, a vast archive of historical newspapers, is at risk of closure due to a $300,000 funding deficit. The University of California, Riverside project, which preserves over 21 million pages dating back to 1846, may cease operations by June 30.
Driving the news: State officials unexpectedly withheld previously approved funding for the current fiscal year, leaving the project in financial turmoil.
The annual state appropriation of $430,000 was not received for the 2024-2025 fiscal year.
Why it matters: The collection is a crucial resource for researchers, historians, and communities documenting their past.
About 25% of the materials would become completely inaccessible if the archive shuts down.
The impact: Local libraries and historical organizations rely heavily on the CDNC for hosting digitized archives and conducting research.
The Jewish News of Northern California digitized 125 years of archives through the CDNC in 2022.
What's next: The project's fate may depend on the state legislature and potential alternative funding sources.
State Sen. John Laird, chair of the Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education, has committed to engaging with university administration on the CDNC's future.
Olivewood Cemetery Tour a Unique Way to Hear Riverside's Story
The Mission Inn Foundation's new walking tour invites visitors to discover local history, from pioneers to influential figures across eras and social classes, told directly from the gravesides at the often-overlooked Olivewood Cemetery.
The Jekel Mausolem at Olivewood Cemetery is a highlight of the new tour. (Ken Crawford)
The Mission Inn Foundation is launching a new tour of Olivewood Cemetery next month, offering visitors a unique glimpse into Riverside's history through the stories of those buried there.
Driving the news: The tour will cover over 40 graves in just over an hour, providing a broad overview of Riverside's development from the late 1800s to present day.
Unlike the more visible Evergreen Cemetery, Olivewood often goes unnoticed despite its larger size and rich historical significance.
Why it matters: The tour connects visitors with Riverside's past, featuring stories of citrus barons, politicians, architects, and other influential figures who shaped the city.
Many of the names encountered on the tour are familiar to residents, appearing on street signs and neighborhoods throughout Riverside.
The big picture: Olivewood Cemetery, established in 1888, houses notable figures such as the family of George E. Dole and features unique structures like the Jekel mausoleum and the 1890 Dyer vault.
The cemetery's Jewish section reflects the community that began settling in Riverside in the 1880s.
What's next: A spooky version of the tour is reportedly in development, adding another layer of intrigue for history enthusiasts.
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