Arrest made in antisemitic drive-by; $3.5M for police drones, tech

This week in Redlands news:

• Redlands police arrest suspect in antisemitic drive-by reported last month
• City Council approves multimillion-dollar contracts for police technology and street repairs
• Two separate train-vehicle crashes occur in Redlands in a single day
• Redlands Unified marks 10 years of its inclusive Inspire Music Program
• Downtown Morning Market announces its spring return

CITY HALL

December City Council meetings wrapped up with several consequential decisions that will shape daily life in Redlands, including how police manage evidence and respond to emergencies, updated rules for dangerous dog cases, and long-awaited street repairs. Together, these actions show the range of public safety, infrastructure and enforcement issues the City Council addressed as the city heads into the new year.

👮‍♀️ Redlands approves $3.5 million Axon contract for police body cameras, drones and a digital evidence system.
The five-year deal commits the city to expand its digital policing infrastructure and long-term software and storage services.

Redlands City Council approves $3.5 million Axon contract for police body cameras, drones and digital evidence system

Five-year agreement aims to speed evidence sharing, expand drone response and reduce staff workload

Community Forward Redlands NewsKathryne Mccann

🦮 Redlands strengthens enforcement for dangerous dog cases
Redlands rewrote its dangerous dog ordinance last month, clarifying definitions and strengthening enforcement rules aimed at improving public safety. The update, approved unanimously as Ordinance No. 2988, expands qualifying incidents and sets clearer expectations for owners.

Redlands strengthens enforcement for dangerous dog cases

Council unanimously approves ordinance to modernize definitions, enforcement and owner responsibilities

Community Forward Redlands NewsKathryne Mccann

🚧 $5.6 million street resurfacing contract approved
The Redlands City Council unanimously approved a $5.6 million construction contract with Matich Corporation to resurface about 40 lane miles of streets as part of the city’s 2025 Street Resurfacing Project. The project is expected to be completed within 100 working days once construction starts. For a map of street locations read more here:

Redlands City Council approves $5.6 million street resurfacing contract

The project will resurface about 40 lane miles of city streets and is expected to be completed within 100 working days.

Community Forward Redlands NewsKathryne Mccann

PUBLIC SAFETY

🚨 Police have arrested a 23-year-old Redlands man in connection with an antisemitic drive-by incident targeting a Jewish family last month. Authorities say the suspect fired an airsoft gun while shouting a slur at a home decorated for Hanukkah. No injuries were reported.

Redlands police arrest teen in Nov. 2 shooting

Officers also investigate three break-ins, respond to a residential fire and make arrests in drug and vandalism cases during the week of Nov. 7–13.

Community Forward Redlands NewsCommunity Forward Redlands

🚈 Two train-vehicle crashes in Redlands in one day
A Metrolink commuter train struck an unoccupied sedan near Colton Avenue early Sunday, and a freight train later hit another vehicle stuck on the tracks at San Timoteo Canyon Road, fire officials said.

Two Train-Vehicle Crashes in Redlands in One Day

A Metrolink commuter train hit an unoccupied sedan early Sunday near Colton Avenue, and a freight train struck another vehicle that became stuck on tracks later in the evening, Redlands fire officials said.

Community Forward Redlands NewsStephanie Hastings Miranda

🚓 DUI checkpoint planned Friday night
Redlands police will conduct a DUI checkpoint from 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9, to 1 a.m. Saturday at an undisclosed location. Officials say checkpoint locations are based on impaired-driving crash data, and remind drivers that alcohol, prescription drugs and marijuana can all impair driving. Read more here.

EDUCATION

🎶 Inspire Music Program marks 10 years in Redlands Unified
Redlands Unified celebrated the inclusive music program with a two-night winter concert series featuring Special Education student performers from across the district. Students performed a mix of classic and modern holiday songs, creating an atmosphere that reflected the joy, connection and sense of accomplishment central to the Inspire Music program.

Inspire Music Program Marks 10 Years in Redlands Unified

Redlands Unified celebrates inclusive music program with two-night winter performances

Community Forward Redlands NewsCommunity Forward Redlands

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

🥕 Redlands farmers market to return to downtown this spring
Downtown’s Morning Market will return March 7 after its annual winter hiatus, the city of Redlands announced this week. The city said it will continue evaluating the market’s operations after surveying nearby businesses, and is inviting vendors to apply for the spring season.

Downtown Morning Market to return March 7 in Redlands

The city says Downtown Morning Market returns March 7. A survey found nearby businesses saw mostly neutral or positive impacts.

Community Forward Redlands NewsStephanie Hastings Miranda

📷 Art Majerus’ photography, wood turning at Redlands gallery
The Redlands Art Association’s Featured Artist for January 2026 showcases work across two mediums.

Art Majerus’ photography, wood turning at Redlands gallery

Redlands Art Association Featured Artist January 2026

Community Forward Redlands NewsSiw Heede

EVENTS

📅 This weekend in Redlands

Friday, Jan. 9

• Rise and Shine | 8 a.m. - 9 a.m.
  Monthly Redlands Chamber event highlighting what’s happening around town.
• Friday Flea at Olive Avenue Market | 5–9 p.m.
  Curated vintage and Y2K clothing at OAM.

Saturday, Jan. 10

• Grove School Farmers Market | 8 a.m.–noon (rain or shine)
  Saturday morning community market with local produce and vendors.
• STEM Saturday at San Bernardino County Museum | 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
  Mushrooms and Calendars is the theme of this month’s hands-on science activities for kids and families. More information.
• Monthly Tree Giveaway (TreeStock) | 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
  SURF invites residents to pick up free trees while supplies last at 1310 E. Lugonia Ave. More information.
• New Year’s Night Market at Redlands Public Market | 5–10 p.m.
  Evening market featuring local vendors, food and a social atmosphere.
• Opening night: Beauty and the Beast | 7 p.m.
  The classic musical opens at LifeHouse Theatre. More information

Sunday, Jan. 11

• Sunday Morning Market at Olive Avenue Market | 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
  Weekly market featuring small businesses and makers.

Check out more Redlands events here.

SPORTS

It was a busy holiday break for Redlands-area athletes, with tournament runs, standout performances and a packed schedule heading into league play. Below is this week’s prep sports roundup, including what’s next for soccer, basketball, wrestling and water polo. Read more here

Redlands Area Prep Sports Holiday Roundup

Scores, highlights and league openers for Redlands-area prep teams in soccer, basketball, wrestling and water polo—plus key dates for Jan. 6–14.

Community Forward Redlands NewsCommunity Forward Redlands

Editor’s note: Community Forward Redlands is looking for a freelance sports reporter to help expand our local prep sports coverage. Interested? Email news@communityforwardredlands.com with a short introduction and any clips or writing samples.

ICYMI 👀

In case you missed it... Top Redlands stories of 2025
From downtown openings to major development news, these were the stories Redlands followed most closely last year:

Top Redlands stories of 2025 | Community Forward Redlands

From new openings downtown to major development news, these were the stories Redlands followed most closely this year.

Community Forward Redlands NewsStephanie Hastings Miranda

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