Ian Crawford is throwing big for the Gage Gators this weekend in Discus and Shot Put. (Ken Crawford)
Friday Gazette: April 25, 2025
Hello Riverside, and Happy Friday!
It’s a great weekend to be a Riversider. We have the Tamale Festival, the Flower Show, the Philharmonic, the Insect Fair, the Villegas Park 116th Cinco de Mayo celebration, the CBU Student Photography Show, the Mary S. Roberts Walk with the Animals, and the Flabob 100th Anniversary celebrations. That doesn’t even include the most important event around my house: the Riverside Unified School District Middle School Track Meet at Ramona High School on Saturday, where my son Ian will be representing the Gage Gators in the discus and shot put events.
Please find something to do—Riverside’s community is strong, and the weather should be perfect!
Sports Shorts: Poly Takes Ivy League Volleyball Title
Arlington Lions are the kings of Ivy League Baseball.
Riverside Schools Prepare for Volleyball Playoffs
Four Riverside area schools have qualified for the upcoming spring volleyball playoffs. Poly has claimed the Ivy League championship with their 3-0 victory over the Hillcrest Trojans. The Bears and Trojans ended with identical 9-1 league records, each losing to the other for their only defeats. Poly won the league on a ‘Sets Won’ statistical tiebreak.
The Ramona Rams have secured the River Valley League title, and Woodcrest Christian took first place in the Ambassador League. Hillcrest finished second in the Ivy League. Playoff brackets will be drawn this Saturday, April 26 at 10 a.m., setting the stage for these teams to begin their playoff journeys later next week.
Orange Grove Housing Plan Pulled from Council Agenda
State warns Riverside officials that rejecting Victoria Avenue development could violate housing laws.
Orange groves at Victoria and La Sierra avenues are the site of a controversial 49-home development proposal withdrawn from Tuesday's City Council agenda amid state warnings to Riverside about housing law compliance.
Warmington Residential abruptly pulled its proposal to build 49 homes on a Victoria Avenue orange grove from Tuesday's City Council agenda. The move follows discussions with Ward 5 Councilmember Sean Mill, despite warnings from state housing officials about potential legal consequences.
Driving the news: The developer requested to withdraw its own appeal after talks with Mill, who cited concerns about state housing laws potentially overriding local control.
The project would transform a nearly 10-acre orange grove into 49 single-family homes, including three affordable units.
Why it matters: California housing laws significantly restrict cities' ability to reject compliant housing projects with affordable units, putting Riverside in a difficult position.
The state's Housing and Community Development Department warned that rejecting the project could violate California law and trigger intervention from the Attorney General's office.
The big picture: The proposal's postponement leaves its future uncertain, with Mill advising Warmington to engage in more robust community outreach.
Residents and former officials expressed frustration with the process and skepticism about the developer's motives.
What's next: The item is officially continued to "a date not certain," meaning it will likely return for consideration in the future.
The delay provides an opportunity for the developer to address community concerns and potentially revise the project.
Council Amends Sunshine Ordinance to Streamline Advisory Body Meetings
Change from 12 days to three business days aims to boost efficiency while preserving public access.
The City Council has approved changes to the city's Sunshine Ordinance, reducing agenda notice requirements for advisory bodies from 12 days to three business days.
Driving the news: The amendments aim to improve efficiency while maintaining transparency, creating a distinction between policy-making bodies and advisory bodies in how open meeting rules apply.
The changes address administrative challenges that have emerged since the ordinance was last updated in 2017.
Why it matters: The revised ordinance affects 12 of the city's 16 boards and commissions, which hold approximately 80 meetings annually.
Policy-making bodies like the City Council and Planning Commission will maintain the 12-day notice requirement.
The details: The amendments also clarify exceptions to the ordinance, exempting ceremonial presentations and items affected by software or hardware impairments from requiring a two-thirds vote to waive the Sunshine Ordinance.
Closed session matters authorized under the Brown Act will be exempt from the 12-day notice requirement while maintaining the 72-hour notice requirement.
What's next: The council unanimously approved the amendments, which include a six-month review to assess their effectiveness and determine if further changes are needed.
Meet this week’s featured furry friend from the Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center. Dedicated to eliminating pet homelessness, the center provides compassionate care and facilitates adoptions for animals in need of loving homes. Find your new companion and help support their mission of humane care and responsible pet ownership.
Zoey might be the playful companion you’ve been looking for. This two-year-old beauty can make fun out of just about any situation. She loves going for walks, splashing in kiddie pools, chasing toys, zooming around, and exploring her surroundings. Once she’s burned off some energy, Zoey is all about affection—she’ll happily soak it up and might even try to curl up in your lap, especially if nose kisses are involved. Zoey has been waiting patiently since February. Come meet her today!
Come meet Zoey and all the adoptable pets at Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center in person. Stop by any day except Tuesdays, from 12 p.m. – 7 p.m., or learn more at petsadoption.org.
Riverside's historic Casa Blanca neighborhood will host its 116th annual Cinco de Mayo celebration on Saturday, April 26, from noon to 8 PM at Villegas Park, featuring live entertainment, food vendors, and family activities that showcase one of California's oldest Latino communities.
Riverside Community Players' first Shakespeare performance in 25 years delivers laughs through a talented cast despite the traditional Elizabethan setting of "A Midsummer Night's Dream."
The Riverside Insect Fair this Saturday will showcase the region's 500 native bee species alongside honey bees, highlighting how these essential pollinators contribute over $15 billion annually to U.S. agriculture despite facing threats from habitat loss, pesticides, and climate stress.
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