Category: Inland Empire

By Greg Archer | Contributing Columnist A new radiation/oncology center at Redlands Community Hospital is on the receiving end of support from Inland Empire Community Foundation. A recent IECF grant through the James K. Wilden Fund will allow the hospital to funnel resources to what’s being called a “massive” project.  Fundraising efforts began months ago. “Hopefully the groundbreaking is in the next few months,” said Bengt Gustavsson, president of Redlands Community Hospital Foundation. “This will be a brand-new building that houses a new linear accelerator, the PET-CT scanner. I believe there are three reasons why the project’s needed.” The first, Gustavsson said, is because the current linear accelerator is on its “end of life.” Bengt Gustavsson is president of the Redlands Community Hospital Foundation. (Courtesy of Redlands Community Hospital Foundation) “There’s going to be a point here in the next couple of years where there’s no longer manufacturers who will service that, and so we do need a new one,” he said. “Current treatment and the outcomes are still extremely good, but yet we always want to keep up with newer technology to treat our

When it comes to transforming lives, graduates of California Baptist University’s Physician Assistant Studies (PA) program are proving they’re a prescription for success in the mental health field. The Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies at CBU prepares entry-level medical professionals to assist physicians in delivering medical care. A standout feature of the program is its required behavioral medicine rotation, which provides students with hands-on experience in mental health settings. This unique component gives graduates a competitive edge, particularly amid the national shortage of mental health professionals. “Since the pandemic, there has been a heightened spotlight on mental health awareness, opening up new opportunities in this field,” said Dr. Mary Ann Nogaki Stahovich, director of PA admissions and assistant professor of PA studies. “Our program is stepping forward to address healthcare disparities.” CBU PA students gain real-world experience through a series of clinical rotations, which include specialties such as general surgery, pediatrics, emergency medicine, women’s health, and behavioral medicine. The behavioral medicine rotation, in particular, has proven invaluable for graduates entering the mental health field. Pacific Neuropsychiatric Specialists (PNS), based in Orange County, has

The Temecula school board voted to rescind two controversial policies after a state agency said they were participating in unfair labor practices. In a 5-0 vote during closed session Tuesday, Dec. 17, the Temecula Valley Unified School Board rescinded its parent notification policy and flag ban policy after a ruling from the California Public Employment Relations Board said the policies violated the Educational Employment Relations Act. “We didn’t have any choice, we were told by PERB that we had to rescind it because they both violated the teacher’s contracts,” school board member Steve Schwartz said on Dec. 18. The Public Employment Relations Board ruling came Oct. 14. Discussion Tuesday night in closed session ended in a unanimous vote to withdraw both the policies, Schwartz said. A report published by the Public Employment Relations Board, said the district violated employees contracts by putting the policies into play without negotiating things like employee discipline. View this document on Scribd “It was not necessarily illegal but they (policies) have to be negotiated if they affect the contract,” Schwartz said. The two policies were put in place in 2023.

Thirty-five Young Marines units from throughout the country traveled to Hawaii last month to participate in Pearl Harbor remembrance ceremonies. The Chino Valley Young Marines from Chino and the Southland Young Marines from Azusa were among them. The trip provided an opportunity for the groups to learn “outside their usual training environments,” according to a news release from the Young Marines. Events the two Young Marine units participated in while on the trip, included a community service beach clean-up on Marine Corps Base Hawaii at Kaneohe Bay, a wreath-laying ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific “Punchbowl,” a Klipper Ceremony at the Marine Corps Base, and the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade in Honolulu. It was a “significant honor for all the Young Marine units” this year to lead the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade on Dec. 7, in Honolulu, the release says. The Young Marines performed a color guard and carried the banners of the 12 capital ships that were attacked that day 83 years ago. Young Marines from across the United States traveled to Hawaii in early Dec. to participate in Pearl Harbor

Law enforcement officers showing support for doctors, nurses and other hospital staff — that’s what this week’s Operation Holiday Cheer parades outside hospitals in Riverside and San Bernardino counties were all about. “With lights and sirens activated, law enforcement officers hope to spread cheer” to front-line hospital workers “who have worked around the clock to keep the community safe — a mission law enforcement shares,” a news release from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department says. Operation Holiday Cheer — in its fourth year — kicked off in the Inland Empire counties Tuesday, Dec. 17, and parades continued through the day Wednesday, Dec. 18. The coordinated effort of more 29 county, local, state and federal law enforcement agencies was expected to travel more than 300 miles. Agencies in each county planned to “work their way around until every registered hospital” could be visited, the release says. Related Articles Local News | 12 sexy Christmas movies to stream this ho-ho-holiday season Local News | Controversial Christmas songs: classic and contemporary tunes that spark Holiday debate Local News | Frumpy Mom: How to make it through the

Just in time for your last-minute holiday shopping, The Raincross Gazette is launching a limited edition “Happy Side” merch collection. Driven by our commitment to increasing the spirit of neighborliness in Riverside, RG greets its readers each morning with a “Happy Day” message. This standard inspired our resident historian, Glenn Wenzel, to tell the story of Riverside’s 1974  The Happy Side Is Riverside  marketing campaign designed to showcase the city’s charm, boost community pride, and attract visitors despite some local controversy (a Riverside tradition). This truly limited collection, with only 24 pieces available, features a recreation of the original Happy Side illustration on a green crewneck with RG’s signature raincross embroidered in yellow and a heavyweight white tee printed in forest green.

Riverside Ballet Arts will perform David Allan’s version of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker at the Moreno Valley Performing Arts Center on December 21st and 22nd. This is a new venue for the community and the sixty-year-old troupe. Traditionally, they have performed the popular Christmas ballet at the Landis Performing Arts Center at RCC. The Nutcracker was first performed in 1892 in St. Petersburg, Russia. The two-part Ballet gained popularity in the United States in the middle of the 20th Century. It has been performed thousands of times, in total and in part, by the best dancers on the biggest stages as well as local troupes in tiny theaters. The Nutcracker is part of our holiday lexicon, and the images and sounds of the Ballet are deeply entrenched in our Christmas traditions. Let me state that I hold no ill will toward Live Nation, the FOX Theatre, Inland Pacific Ballet, its dancers, or the guest performers who joined the troupe for this season’s Nutcracker campaign. The Fox is a destination venue, and the capital provided by the deal between Riverside and Live Nation saved the FOX theater. It

Smiles lit up the halls of Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) on Tuesday morning as Santa Claus, escorted by Colton Police officers, delivered more than 300 gifts to children undergoing treatment and their loved ones. For the 13th consecutive year, “Operation Giving” brought warmth, joy, and a bit of holiday magic to young patients and their families during an otherwise challenging time. Santa, played by Colton Joint Unified School District Board Member Israel Fuentes, posed for photos in the hospital’s main lobby before leading a heartfelt procession through the hospital, stopping in rooms on every floor — including the newborn and NICU units — to personally deliver gifts. SWAT trucks and other police vehicles parked at the entrance served as a powerful symbol of community unity and support. “This is about bringing hope and smiles to children who need it most,” said Colton PD Public Information Officer Sgt. Mike Sandoval. “Seeing Santa walk into their room, gifts in hand, lights up their faces in a way that words can’t describe. It’s a tough time for so many of our families, and we’re here to show

The countdown is on for Redlands’ one-of-a-kind Orange Drop, a free New Year’s Eve celebration on Dec. 31 that promises an unforgettable evening filled with food, entertainment, and community spirit. Hosted by the Redlands Chamber of Commerce, the event draws thousands to three blocks of downtown Redlands, offering families and friends a vibrant way to ring in 2025 while boosting local businesses. Running from 6 to 9 p.m. and featuring the iconic drop of a glowing orange at 9 p.m., this unique event let’s attendees celebrate early — and keep the night going however they choose. “The Orange Drop is for everyone,” said Evan Sanford, Executive Director of the Redlands Chamber of Commerce. “It’s perfectly timed. Whether you want to head home by midnight, grab dinner at a downtown restaurant, hit a bar, or start your own house party, this event is the perfect segue to the rest of your night.” This year’s Orange Drop is bigger and better, tripling its food vendors to 10 booths, offering mouth watering options like Shake Shack’s frozen custard and lemonade, Viva La Boba’s hot chocolate, Ember Woodfired Pizza

I frequently drive down 14th Street, which is the “back way” to so many places. It’s a Riversider shortcut from downtown to UCR or Canyon Crest, and a way to bypass the 91/60/215 interchange when heading east to Moreno Valley, Palm Springs, or south to San Diego. I’ve driven down 14th Street thousands of times but can’t remember ever stopping and getting out of the car. I’ve lived along Victoria Avenue and never stopped at the gas station on 14th. My kid had soccer training at Bordwell, and I parked on Ottawa. I have no aversion to it, nor have I had a reason to stop. A couple of months ago, Buenos Días Cafe opened on the corner of 14th and Grove, between Park and Victoria. I watched it evolve over several weeks. It started with fresh paint. White cinder blocks are typical of the austere marketing of other local coffee shops. Then splashes of color, a concha, then “el que madruga, Dios lo ayuda” (God helps those who wake up early) painted on the side, then a portrait of Frida Kahlo. This wasn’t another

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has enacted emergency powers, typically reserved for disasters, to speed up the hiring and firing of probation officers and allow for the deployment of potentially hundreds of county employees from other departments to bolster staffing at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall, which remains open in defiance of state law. The emergency proclamation, passed by a 4-1 vote Tuesday, Dec. 17, will activate “disaster service workers” from around the county to temporarily take over the civilian duties of probation officers. “We have sworn staff that are not on the line, and what I mean by that is they are handling administrative duties, personnel, budget, contracting, etc,” said Fesia Davenport, the county’s chief executive officer, during a press conference Tuesday. “The strategy here is to bring in folks from other departments who are trained in those areas, who can handle those functions, and thereby free up the sworn folks to then go to Los Padrinos.” Probation Chief Guillermo Viera Rosa indicated the need to add “200 to 300 staff at Los Padrinos to shore up” the facility, according to Davenport. That

Cal Poly Pomona and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo students are putting the final touches on “Nessie’s Lakeside Laughs,” their float for this year’s Rose Parade. Show Caption 1 of 12 Expand It will be seen worldwide the 136th Rose Parade — themed “The Best Day Ever” — on Wednesday, Jan. 1. The 55-foot long float made of plant life and animatronics stands at 21 feet and depicts an animated lakeside party featuring puffins sliding down the fin of Scotland’s mythical creature Nessie, beavers crafting with driftwood, a Scottish terrier riding a paddleboat on the loch and a smiling Highland cow spinning in an innertube. Related Articles Education | They sound Italian, are electric-powered and will scoot at the Rose Parade​. Meet the Motocompactos Education | Rose Parade 2025: In a parade of float drivers, this husband-and-wife team are fueled by tradition Education | How law enforcement plans to keep visitors safe at Pasadena’s Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Education | Rose Parade 2025: Want to decorate a float, or just be a looky-loo? Here’s how Education | Mammoth 605 All-Star Band debuts at ‘test-drive’

The Inland Empire’s food bank tried a creative way to collect canned goods. It invited the community to build “Christmas trees” out of stacked cans of soup, vegetables and other items during a festive event Saturday, Dec. 14. Volunteers Porsche Lechner, left, and Berenice Lechner decorate a tree made of canned goods Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, during Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino’s fourth annual Can Tree Wonderland fundraiser in Riverside. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Guests examine trees made of canned goods during a contest at Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino’s fourth annual Can Tree Wonderland fundraiser in Riverside on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Ana Lopez poses for a photo with the Grinch during Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino’s fourth annual Can Tree Wonderland fundraiser in Riverside on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Sonali Raju, 9, meets the Grinch on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, during Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino’s fourth annual Can Tree Wonderland fundraiser in Riverside. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) More than 25 trees made

Mediterranean fast-casual favorite CAVA celebrated the grand opening of its new Rialto location Friday, offering fresh, customizable dining options while raising funds to fight hunger in the Inland Empire. Known for its Mediterranean-inspired bowls, pitas, and signature dips, CAVA offers a fresh, vibrant alternative for diners seeking health-conscious meals. Its emphasis on hospitality, quality ingredients, and community engagement has cultivated a devoted following nationwide, making each new opening a cause for celebration. The restaurant, located at 1135 W. Renaissance Parkway, Suite 600 in the Renaissance Marketplace, drew excitement from local residents and highlighted CAVA’s commitment to the community. As part of its Community Day program, the company matched donations to Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino, a nonprofit that distributes over 2.7 million pounds of food each month to families across the region. “Our mission is to bring heart, health, and humanity to food,” said Hannah Mathews, CAVA’s regional director. “We’re thrilled to join the vibrant Rialto community and to serve our neighbors through meaningful partnerships like this.” CAVA’s vibrant Mediterranean bowl features fresh ingredients like grilled chicken, fire-roasted corn, cucumber, tomato, cabbage, spinach, and

By Lucas Cuny, Media Professional and SBVC Professor “I am the danger!”—an iconic line delivered by Bryan Cranston as Walter White, also known as Heisenberg, in the groundbreaking AMC series Breaking Bad. Many recognize that line, but few may know that the series was originally intended to be set in Riverside County, right here in the Inland Empire (IE). However, as Riverside County hesitated over tax credits, Albuquerque, New Mexico, seized the opportunity, offering the production enticing incentives. The result? Albuquerque became a hub for production, now home to Netflix and other major studios. As a film professor in the IE, this missed opportunity frustrates me to no end. While our Governor is actively working to bring production back to California, it’s maddening to think we could have had Netflix—or other major studios—right here. How is it that an area just an hour east of Los Angeles lacks significant studios or any robust presence in the film industry? Yes, we have a fantastic PBS affiliate in KVCR and various affiliates stations in the Coachella Valley/Palm Springs area, but that’s about it. How does this happen?

By Christopher Salazar On Tuesday, Dec. 10, the Rialto City Council voted 3-1 to interview candidates to fill Mayor Joe Baca Sr.’s vacant council seat after the Nov. 5 election results.  Mayor Pro Tem Andy Carrizales and Councilmembers Ed Scott and Karla Perez voted yes. Mayor Baca voted no.  Baca was elected to the council in 2022, with his term set to run through 2026. However, following his successful 2024 mayoral campaign, the council is required by state law to fill his vacancy within 60 days, either by appointment or special election. Ana Gonzalez, a longtime Rialto resident who ran for city council, was favored by community members to fill the vacant seat. She was the runner-up with 7,209 votes.  “I think the voters have already spoken on the third seat, you have a little over 7,000 votes,” said Frank Montes, chairman of the Hispanic Coalition of Small Businesses. “If that seat would have been available when the election was going on, Miss Gonzalez would be sitting there already.” Ulises Mora, a Rialto resident, accused the council of wanting to appoint outgoing Councilmember Rafael Trujillo

Welcome to our weekly digest on public meetings and agenda items worthy of your attention in the next week. This guide is part of our mission to provide everyday Riversiders like you with the information to speak up on the issues you care about. City Council City Council will meet in closed and open sessions on Tuesday, December 17, in afternoon sessions at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. and an evening session at 6:15 p.m. (agenda). The agenda includes: A review of the City’s 2023/24 fiscal year-end financial results and considering $43.74 million in budget carryovers to continue previously approved projects and services. (Item 6) Considering recommendations to enhance efforts in reducing illegal fireworks use with drones and by amending the Municipal Code to include Social Host Liability. (Item 7) The possible adoption of a Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) Mitigation Bank Pilot Program to allow real estate developers to purchase credits from a bank of pre-selected bike, pedestrian, and transit projects to mitigate significant traffic impact new projects. (Item 15) Approving the City’s 2025-2026 Legislative Platform with priorities including addressing California’s property insurance marketplace, homelessness, and housing, connecting Riverside to the