Fire staffing strains, market changes, Redlands FC returns

First Home Game: May 30

This week in Redlands news:

• Special report: Redlands Fire is answering more calls than ever before as frontline staffing levels remain stagnant
• Changes are coming to downtown morning market, again, as council considers new hours and location options.
• RUSD approved an $11.25 million contract with Boys & Girls Club to provide after-school services to seven schools.
• Local veteran reflects on Honor Flight journey to Washington.
• Redlands FC gears up to kick off its fourth season of semi-professional soccer.

SPECIAL REPORT

Redlands fire calls rise as staffing remains largely unchanged

The Redlands Fire Department is responding to more emergency calls than ever before, but staffing levels have remained largely unchanged for more than a two decade.

For the past several weeks, I’ve been examining how rapid growth, increasing medical calls, and expanding wildfire risk are impacting emergency response in Redlands. I rode along with firefighters at Stations 3 and 4, interviewed city officials and firefighters, and reviewed staffing data, response goals and budget plans for future fire stations.

The result is one of the deepest looks yet at how the city is trying to balance growth, infrastructure and public safety, and the challenges firefighters and city leaders are now confronting as Redlands continues to expand.

CITY HALL

🥕 Changes coming to Redlands farmers market
City Council voted Tuesday to shift the operating hours of the downtown morning market and begin exploring alternative locations and third-party management options for the weekly event. The market’s hours will soon shift from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. to 7 a.m.–11 a.m. Read more about the discussion here:

Changes coming to Redlands Downtown Morning Market

Council adjusts the market’s hours and directs staff to seek a third-party operator after discussing parking concerns, costs and downtown business impacts.

Community Forward Redlands NewsKathryne Mccann

EDUCATION

✏️ New contract approved for after-school programming
The RUSD school board approved a three-year, $11.25 million contract with Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Redlands-Riverside to provide Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP) services across seven school sites beginning in the 2026–27 school year. Read more here:

Redlands awards $11.2 million after-school contract to Boys & Girls Club, replacing some YMCA sites

Parents and students raise concerns as the district shifts providers for after-school programming at some campuses.

Community Forward Redlands NewsKathryne Mccann

💧Redlands has extended the application deadline for residents interested in serving on the Municipal Utilities/Public Works Commission. Applications will be accepted through May 29. Read more about the position here.

PUBLIC SAFETY

🚒 Rollover crash injures 3
A rollover crash on westbound Interstate 10 near Orange Street sent three people to the hospital Wednesday morning, according to the Redlands Fire Department. Firefighters extricated two trapped occupants from an overturned vehicle. Read more here:

3 injured in rollover crash on I-10 in Redlands

Firefighters extricated two trapped occupants from an overturned vehicle after a multi-vehicle collision Wednesday morning near Orange Street.

Community Forward Redlands NewsCFR News Desk

🚔 Weekly Police Report
Redlands Police responded to a series of incidents this past week, including an armed confrontation at an apartment complex, an attempted burglary at an industrial site and an arson investigation involving a backpack fire. The department’s new Drone as First Responder program also assisted officers in locating a person experiencing a mental health crisis and helping identify a juvenile suspect in an alleged armed encounter. Read more here.

⚽ Redlands FC opens its 2026 season this weekend with unfinished business

After narrowly missing the playoffs last year by a single point, the club enters its fourth USL League Two campaign looking to reclaim the postseason form that defined its inaugural season.

Here’s a look at the full 2026 schedule, key matchups, playoff implications and standout players to watch this summer at Dodge Stadium. From Big West Midfielder of the Year Jose De La Torre to Swiss youth international Philip Naef, this year’s roster may be one of the club’s most talented yet.

Read the full season preview, see the complete schedule and get ready for kickoff at the first home game May 30 at 7 p.m.

Redlands FC Opens 2026 Season With Unfinished Business

A look at the club’s 2026 USL League Two schedule and key matchups

Community Forward Redlands NewsCFR News Desk

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

🇺🇸 Redlands veteran reflects on Honor Flight journey to Washington
Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Hugh Pickett, 94, of Redlands, recently traveled to Washington, D.C., with Honor Flight Southland — an organization that brings aging veterans to visit the nation’s military memorials. For Pickett, who served during the Korean and Vietnam War eras, the experience was less about sightseeing and more about honoring enlisted troops who returned home without recognition. Read about his military career, his reflections on the trip and the growing mission of Honor Flight:

Redlands veteran reflects on Honor Flight trip to Washington, D.C.

Redlands resident and retired Air Force lieutenant colonel says Honor Flight trip honored enlisted veterans who often returned home without recognition after the Korean and Vietnam wars.

Community Forward Redlands NewsContributing Author

🎨 RUSD Art Show Returns
Elementary students across Redlands Unified proudly showed off their creativity last weekend as the district revived its juried elementary art show for the first time since the pandemic. Hundreds of colorful student works filled Smiley Elementary’s multipurpose room, where families gathered to celebrate young artists and the return of arts education in local schools. Read more here:

Elementary art show returns to Redlands Unified

Students once again experienced the excitement of seeing their work displayed in a juried art show.

Community Forward Redlands NewsSiw Heede

SPORTS

⚾️ Yucaipa baseball is headed to the CIF Southern Section Division 2 quarterfinals after extending its winning streak to 12 games with playoff victories over Paraclete and Royal High. The Thunderbirds exploded for 17 runs in the second round behind a huge performance from Zach Scribner and now host Foothill on Friday with another CIF title run in sight. Meanwhile, Cajon and Citrus Valley both saw their postseason runs end in the second round. Read more here.

🥎 The University of Redlands softball team swept through NCAA Division III regional play in Iowa with three straight wins. Redlands opened the super regional Thursday against top-seeded Texas Lutheran but dropped the first game of the best-of-three series. The Bulldogs now face a potential elimination game Friday with a trip to the NCAA Elite Eight still on the line. Read more here:

U of R softball sweeps NCAA regional, heads to Texas for super regional

Bulldogs improve to 41-5 and advance to best-of-three series against top-seeded Texas Lutheran

Community Forward Redlands NewsContributing Author

🏊‍♀️ Swimming: Former Redlands-area high school swimmers helped Riverside City College make a major splash at the California Community College Athletic Association state championships in Costa Mesa. Read more here.

🏃 Track and Field: Redlands-area athletes delivered several top-eight finishes at the California Community College Athletic Association state track and field championships at Mt. SAC. Sara and Stephanie Brittin of Redlands both placed sixth in their specialty events, while former Cajon hurdler Kirsten Marpaung earned fourth in the 100-meter hurdles. Read more here.

EVENTS

📅 This weekend in Redlands

Friday, May 22

• Friday Flea at Olive Avenue Market | 5–9 p.m.
  Curated vintage and Y2K clothing at OAM.
• I Love Someone Rare Benefit Concert | 7–9 p.m.
  The Kalama Brothers will perform at the University of Redlands Memorial Chapel. All proceeds support gene therapy research through IDefine, a nonprofit started by a Redlands family in honor of their 8-year-old daughter, Eleanor, who lives with Kleefstra syndrome — a rare genetic condition that affects speech, development and neurological function. Buy Tickets

Saturday, May 23

• Grove School Farmers Market | 8 a.m.–noon
  Saturday morning community market with local produce and vendors. Rain or shine.
• Downtown's Morning Market  | 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
  The city of Redlands’ weekly certified farmers market.
• Redlands Festival of Arts | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  A free, annual celebration of local artists featuring booths filled with paintings, pottery, glasswork, photography, woodcrafts and jewelry. Hosted by the Redlands Art Association, the event transforms Smiley Park with artist displays. Read more here.
• STEAM Saturdays: Fantastic Frogs | 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
  San Bernardino County Museum invites families to this educational program focused on frogs and amphibians. More information

Sunday, May 24

• Sunday Morning Market at Olive Avenue Market | 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
  Weekly market featuring small businesses and makers.
• Redlands Firefighter Car Show | 5 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  The Redlands Professional Firefighters are hosting a day of cars, food and fun for the whole family. All proceeds benefit the Redlands Professional Firefighters Benevolent Fund. More information.
• Redlands Festival of Arts | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  A free, annual celebration of local artists featuring booths filled with paintings, pottery, glasswork, photography, woodcrafts and jewelry. Hosted by the Redlands Art Association, the event transforms Smiley Park with artist displays. Read more here.
• Redlands Community Orchestra Concert | 3 p.m.
  A free concert celebrating America 250 and the music of Aaron Copland. Doors open at 2:30 p.m. and will close for the start of the performance. Redlands High School’s Clock Auditorium, 840 E. Citrus Ave. Read more here.

Check out more Redlands events here.

ICYMI 👀

In case you missed it... Redlands marmalade maker earns international honors. Redlands citrus grower John P. Beall is bringing international attention back to the city’s citrus roots after Old California Botanicals earned eight medals at the 2026 Artisan World Marmalade Awards in England. Read more here:

Redlands marmalade maker earns international honors in UK competition

Old California Botanicals earns international honors while spotlighting Redlands’ citrus heritage on a global stage

Community Forward Redlands NewsCFR News Desk

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