"Picture Perfect, Riverside" Looking Northwest to the San Gabriels. (Bob Sirotnik)
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This newsletter was written and scheduled before The Raincross Gazette staff went on holiday break. We will return to regular work and publishing on Monday, January 6.
Monday Gazette: January 6, 2025
Hello Riverside, and Happy Monday!
Our team is back from holiday break and is excited to return to covering this city we love in full force. Today is the last of our newsletters that was "pre-prepared" before our holiday break. You'll find brand-new original reporting and coverage on our website and social media channels starting later today, and Wednesday's newsletter will be fresh and fully loaded with the reporting you've come to expect from us. If there's something that should be on our team's radar, please let us know by sending a note to the newsroom@raincrossgazette.com.
Recognizing the historic run of his 30-year tenure.
Dr. Ronald L. Ellis. (Courtesy of California Baptist University)
For some, securing the title of university president is the acme of a successful, lifelong career. For Dr. Ronald L. Ellis, the sitting and only fifth president of California Baptist University, that’s partially true. He measures success as an ongoing pursuit of one’s growth and commitment. “I look at the life cycle of an organization … similar to that of a person, a human. There's a certain level of excellence and acceptability that [I’m] shooting for​.” With regard to his own life’s journey, one could appreciate his perspective.
The child of staunch educators, Eillis weaved a path marked by his love for academics, a firm belief in the Baptist faith, and a devotion to helping change the lives of others. “In a nutshell, you could say the total responsibility of a person is three things: 1. seek God's will, 2. find God's will, and 3. spend the rest of your life doing God's will. It's pretty simple.” So, when the position to assume the role of CBU (still California Baptist College) president fell into place, he knew the journey wasn’t finished — it had only just begun.
Monarch Butterflies Face Extinction: Local Efforts Aim to Turn the Tide
With western monarch populations at critical lows, local conservationists in Riverside are stepping up with innovative programs and habitat restoration to help save these iconic pollinators.
(Courtesy of Riverside-Corona Resource Conservation District)
Federal wildlife officials have proposed listing the iconic monarch butterfly as an endangered species, citing a staggering 99% chance of extinction for the western population by 2080.
The announcement, made by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on December 10, 2024, underscores the sharp decline of western monarchs, whose numbers have plummeted since the 1980s.
In Inland Southern California, the Riverside-Corona Resource Conservation District (RCRCD) is taking action to protect these at-risk pollinators.
Opinion: Green Tech Revolution Takes Root in Riverside
Riverside is driving sustainable innovation with cutting-edge companies and transformative collaborations.
Riverside is thriving, and business is booming! At the forefront of the clean and green technology revolution, Riverside is no longer just part of the conversation—we are leading it. This success is no accident. Through strategic planning, collaboration, and forward-thinking investments, Riverside is a magnet for groundbreaking companies and transformative opportunities.
In 2021, the California Air Resource Board (CARB) opened its headquarters right here in Riverside. This critical development positioned Riverside as an economic powerhouse and global leader in the clean and green technology space. With this relocation came the promise of quality jobs and attention from companies eager to connect with the CARB facility. These promises have become a reality; green technology companies continue to make Riverside their home, creating a dynamic and sustainable economic ecosystem.
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