Category: Riverside

Cheech Marin, the legendary actor, comedian, and champion of Chicano art, unveiled a bronze statue in his likeness on November 19 outside The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture in downtown Riverside. The sculpture, titled “Meet Me at The Cheech, 2024,” was created by renowned artist Ignacio Gomez and stands as a tribute to Marin’s lifelong dedication to elevating Chicano art on a global stage. Marin, never one to miss a chance for humor, shared a lighthearted exchange he had with his oldest friend, Kenny, about the statue. “My friends were f**king flabbergasted when they found out I was getting a bronze statue. Kenny said, ‘Bronze statue, huh? Are you going to have hair or no hair?’ And I told him, ‘Since it’s art, I’m going to have hair down to my a**.’” The crowd erupted in laughter, reflecting the camaraderie and charm that Marin is known for. On a more serious note, Marin expressed his gratitude and vision for the center’s future. “This has been an incredible journey. This collection has such a connection to the community and now to the world.

Two Riverside County residents who were born in New York and served in the United States military during the Korean War and Vietnam War, were presented with high school diplomas decades after forgoing their education to serve their country. William Daniels of Lake Elsinore and Stephen Tomanelli of Poppet Flats donned graduation caps and tassels as the latest graduates of the Operation Recognition Program on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at the Riverside County Office of Education. “Today’s event offers a profound opportunity to recognize and honor two individuals who have shown sacrifice and unwavering patriotism, and who answered the call to duty when our nation needed them the most,” said Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Gomez, when addressing Mr. Tomanelli and Mr. Daniels at the ceremony. “This event is a way for us to express our gratitude for your service to our nation, for your selflessness, and for your courage.” The ceremony included performances by the Rubidoux High School Chamber Choir from Rubidoux High School in the Jurupa Unified School District, and the Navy Junior Reserves Officers’ Training Corps (NJROTC) from Martin Luther

On Saturday, November 2, 2024, at around 5:40 a.m., the City of Riverside’s Public Safety Communications Center received calls of a traffic collision that just occurred on Wood Road, north of Van Buren Boulevard, with a vehicle on fire. Riverside Police Officers responded, along with Paramedic/Firefighters with the Riverside Fire Department and discovered one of the involved vehicles on fire.  After the fire was extinguished, two people were located inside deceased. The Riverside Police Department’s Major Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T.) responded and assumed the traffic collision investigation. They are being assisted by the Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office.  Preliminary investigation revealed that a gray Lexus sedan was traveling north on Wood Road at a high rate of speed when the driver ran a red light at Van Buren Boulevard. A blue Scion was traveling west on Van Buren Boulevard on a green light and collided with the Lexus in the intersection. After the impact, the Lexus continued northbound, striking a cement light pole, a wooden electrical pole, and a tree before coming to a stop and igniting in flames. The adult male driver and sole occupant