This Week in City Hall: August 3, 2026
A citizen panel that could reshape the city charter, a new ranking system for traffic signal requests, and an annual checkup on the city's ethics code.
Opinion: What We're Really Doing About Homelessness
Housing alone won't solve homelessness. It takes safety, partnerships, prevention and investment, the city's four-part approach.
New Magnolia Avenue
How a 1912 fill project connected Riverside's grandest avenue to its downtown core.
Neighbor of the Week: Mauryce A. Kennon
Neighbor of the Week is a series profiling the hidden heroes of Riverside, doing incredible works of service throughout our different neighborhoods.
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Raincross Rundown: The Best of Riverside in August 2026
The heat's still on and backpacks are out, but August isn't slowing down. From walking tours to trivia nights to a fundraiser for young musicians, here's what's worth your time this month.
Jaylen Clark shows Riverside kids success starts before the NBA
NBA guard Jaylen Clark brought his community camp home to Riverside for a fifth year, proving the price of good coaching doesn't have to be steep.
Mikey G's Feeling at Home in Midtown
The Elizabeth Street shop is thriving, and its new bagel line, inherited from the bakery it once shared a kitchen with, has customers coming in for reasons beyond the coffee.
CPRC Extends Racial Profiling Review Committee to 2027
The extension gives the ad hoc committee more time to meet with police staff on stop-data disparities affecting Black residents before recommendations reach City Council.
A Culture Change Could Be the Reset UCR Baseball Needs
Gregg Wallis wants to change how UCR baseball thinks before he changes how it wins.
Riverside's Second Dispensary Opens on University Avenue
Embarc's University Avenue store opened July 13 under the city rule that caps dispensaries at one per council ward, spreading them across the city.
Riverside Fireworks Crackdown Yields 79 Citations, 51 Pounds Seized
Drone surveillance helped enforcement teams document violations across the city before and during the Fourth of July holiday.
Riverside Earns International Accreditation for Economic Development
The city is now one of three in California and fewer than 100 organizations worldwide to hold the AEDO designation.
City Hall
Utility Board Approves $5 Million Battery Storage Rebate Plan
Rebate would offer up to $10,000 per household, with a higher tier for low-income customers, pending City Council approval.
Third-Quarter Budget Update Reports Stable Finances Despite Cannabis Tax, Development Fee Shortfalls
Officials say the city remains financially stable, though cannabis tax revenue and development-related income continue to lag.
Midweek Update: City Hall Moves on Housing, Roads, and Leadership
The city tapped an interim city manager, cleared the way for new housing and road work, and rolled out a rebate program for home energy storage.
City Council Taps Tom Hatch as Interim City Manager
Hatch, who has led interim transitions in four Southern California cities, begins the role July 31.
Housing
Riverside Now Requires 24-Hour Notice Before Dropping Off Unhoused Individuals
New ordinance targets organizations that transport unhoused people into the city without coordinating shelter or services first.
Council Extends Path of Life Shelter Contract Through 2027
Rising costs prompted the funding increase, which will push the total contract value to about $2.32 million.
Planning Commission Approves 10-Home Development on Mary Street
Neighbors in Hawarden Hills raised traffic and density concerns, but commissioners cited the city's need for housing.
Planning Commission Approves 56-Home Subdivision Near La Sierra Hills
Commissioners added a median-opening requirement over staff's objection before unanimously approving the Meritage Homes project.
Culture
Bean There
A prompt to encourage your practice of creativity this week from Riversider and local author Larry Burns.
Museum of Riverside Expands Community Programs Ahead of 2028 Reopening
Heritage House hosts new nature programs, fall events and school tours while the museum's Downtown site awaits renovation.
Museum Board Approves Removal of Victorian Laundry Collection, Bird Specimens
Board unanimously approved removing washing machines, wringers, and other Victorian-era items from Heritage House, along with bird specimens and animal bones no longer suited for the permanent collection.
Trash Novel
A prompt to encourage your practice of creativity this week from Riversider and local author Larry Burns.
Community
Riverside Airport Cafe to Host Private Casino Night Fundraiser for Breast Cancer Patients
The event on August 8 will raise money for The CARE Project's assistance programs for local men and women diagnosed with breast cancer.
Public Forums Set on Renaming Chávez Community Center
Two community forums this weekend will gather feedback following sexual abuse allegations against the late labor union activist.
40 Years On, Project Food's Mission Remains Unfinished
The First Congregational Church program has served weekly meals for over 40 years, but volunteers say the need it addresses hasn't faded.
Riverside Is Filling Backpacks for Back-to-School
From backpacks to school supply wish lists, here's a list of local drives collecting donations before the bell rings.