Food demand surges; Redlands task force meets

Redlands News Weekly | Feb. 12, 2026

Food demand surges; Redlands task force meets

This week in Redlands news:


CITY HALL

The newly formed Food Security Task Force held its first meeting Jan. 8, bringing together city officials and local community partners to address the growing need for food assistance.

The task force was formed in response to recent cuts to SNAP and CalFresh. Community food providers told city officials they are seeing three to four times as many families and single adults seeking help. 

Read more about their first meeting and future goals here:

Redlands launches Food Security Task Force amid rising need.
City officials and community partners say benefit cuts are driving more families and individuals to seek food assistance.

🍊 Redlands City Council meets Tuesday. The agenda includes a $4 million pipeline contract and a $1.82 million settlement-related property agreement. The City Council will also consider in-kind support for the Downtown Redlands Artwalk and Run Through Redlands event. Read more here:

Redlands City Council agenda: Feb. 17, 2026
Agenda includes a $4M pipeline contract, a $1.82M settlement-related property agreement and event support.

EDUCATION

✏️ RUSD will launch a Spanish Dual Language Immersion program in the 2026-27 school year at McKinley Elementary. District leaders outlined how the program will work, why Spanish was chosen, and how to apply at a recent virtual information session. Read more about the program details here:

Redlands Unified launching Spanish DLI program at McKinley
District officials outlined plans for a new Spanish dual language immersion program at McKinley Elementary starting in 2026–27, detailing enrollment, structure and long-term goals for bilingual education.

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PUBLIC SAFETY

🚨 A woman was struck and killed early Thursday morning while walking on Alabama Street near Orange Avenue, marking the city’s fourth pedestrian fatality in the past six months. Police said the driver remained at the scene and showed no signs of impairment. The crash remains under investigation. Read more here:

Redlands woman killed in Alabama Street crash
Woman struck from behind in dark stretch of Alabama Street; fourth pedestrian death in city in six months.

🚔 Redlands police and California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control agents cited three clerks Jan. 22 for selling alcohol to minors during a compliance check at nine local stores. The operation was funded through a $42,648 state grant aimed at reducing alcohol-related harm. Clerks face fines and community service, and businesses could face license penalties. Read more here:

Redlands police cite 3 in minor decoy alcohol sting
Compliance check targeting underage alcohol sales results in citations at three of nine retail locations.

HEALTH

⚕️San Bernardino County health officials have confirmed the first reported positive case of measles since 2023. The individual is an unvaccinated minor who visited an Ontario Walmart. Read more about the case here:

First measles case confirmed in San Bernardino County
Unvaccinated minor visited Ontario Walmart during infectious period; public health urges vaccination and monitoring for symptoms

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

📚 Award-winning authors and illustrators will headline the 29th annual Charlotte S. Huck Children's Literature Festival. The festival offers professional development for educators and librarians while fueling enthusiasm for children's books. Read more about the festival here:

Huck Children’s Literature Festival returns March 6
Loren Long, Lisa Yee, Jason Chin and Nikki Grimes lead the March 6–7 event at the University of Redlands.

🎨 The Redlands Art Association is encouraging artists to submit work for its 57th Annual Multi-Media Mini Show. The show accepts fine arts in any medium including painting, ceramics, glass, wood, metal, digital art and photography that are no more than 14.5 inches on any side. Read more here:

Redlands Art Association invites artists to mini show
Redlands Art Association invites California artists to submit small-scale works for its 57th annual exhibition

🌱 J.P. Beall, a Redlands farmer, reached the national semifinals of the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Discussion Meet. Beall is also a member of the San Bernardino County Farm Bureau Board of Directors. This achievement marks the highest level of competitive success for the county in the organization’s 108-year history. Read more here.


SPORTS

⚽ Citrus Valley High's girls' soccer team continues to dominate the Citrus Belt League. The Blackhawks captured their seventh-straight league crown, finishing the season undefeated. Read more here:

Citrus Valley Girls Soccer Wins 7th Straight League Title
The Blackhawks finished undefeated in Citrus Belt League play and earned the top qualifying spot for the CIF Southern Section Division 3 playoffs, which begin Thursday.

🚲 SERVPRO of South Redlands/Yucaipa, a locally owned restoration company, has been named the presenting sponsor of the 2026 Redlands Bicycle Classic. Race organizers said the sponsorship reflects a shared focus on community engagement and local support. The Redlands Bicycle Classic returns April 8-12. Read more here:

SERVPRO named presenting sponsor of 2026 Redlands Bicycle Classic
Local restoration company takes top sponsorship role as iconic race prepares for 2026 event

EVENTS

Breakaway Femmes, a documentary about the pioneering women of professional cycling in the Tour de France during the 1980s, will be screened at the Finkelstein Performing Arts Center Auditorium. The screening will be introduced by Redlands' athlete Patty Peoples, a member of the 1984 U.S. Women’s Tour de France team and a featured athlete in the documentary. Read more about the event here:

Breakaway Femmes Film Screening in Yucaipa – March 8
Documentary screening March 8 in Yucaipa will feature former U.S. Tour de France cyclist Patty Peoples and a post-film discussion.

♻️ ANCA Redlands is hosting a panel and community conversation focused on the intersection of local farming, climate change and economic health. The discussion, featuring local experts, will highlight how organic practices benefit the climate and how a robust local food economy reduces our carbon footprint. Read more here:

Community Forum on Food Systems for Climate Resilience
Presented by ANCA Redlands; February 18 | 6:30-8:00 pm

🎭 In its upcoming production of Into the Woods, the University of Redlands School of Performing Arts is focused not only on the musical itself, but also on environmentally friendly production methods. The production aims to reduce carbon emissions through environmentally responsible design and operational practices. Learn more here:

Sustainable ‘Into the Woods’ at University of Redlands
Tony-winning musical blends dark fairy tales with greener stage practices

📅 This weekend in Redlands

Friday, Feb. 13

  • Friday Flea at Olive Avenue Market | 5–9 p.m.
    Curated vintage and Y2K clothing at OAM.
  • Trivia Night at the Museum - Valentine's Edition | 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
    A special after-hours evening designed for couples, friends, and anyone who loves a good challenge at the SB County Museum. Trivia begins at 6:30 p.m.
    More information
  • Aria's Opening Night at Redlands Footlighters Theatre | 7:30 pm
    Aria’s is a warm and tender comedy that explores how change affects our lives. More information
  • Beauty and the Beast at LifeHouse Theatre | 7 p.m.
    Final weekend for the classic musical. More information
  • Valentine's Day Night Market by The Rare Market | 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.
    Karaoke, valentine exchange for kids, 80+ vendors and cookie giveaway at 9920 - 10080 Alabama Street, Redlands. More information

Saturday, Feb. 14 💕

  • Grove School Farmers Market | 8 a.m.–noon (rain or shine)
    Saturday morning community market with local produce and vendors at 11126 Iowa Street, Redlands. 
    More information.
  • STEM Saturday at San Bernardino County Museum | 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
    Love Birds is the theme of this month’s hands-on science activities for kids and families. More information.
  • Night Market at Redlands Public Market | 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.
    Market Night by the Rare Market features 10+ vendors in the RPM patio (330 3rd Street, Redlands). More information.
  • Aria's at Redlands Footlighters Theatre | 7:30 pm
    Aria’s is a warm and tender comedy that explores how change affects our lives. More information
  • Beauty and the Beast at LifeHouse Theatre  | 2 p.m. & 7 p.m.
    Final weekend for the classic musical. More information

Sunday, Feb. 15

  • Sunday Morning Market at Olive Avenue Market | 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
    Weekly market featuring small businesses and makers.
  • Aria's at Redlands Footlighters Theatre | 2 p.m.
    Aria’s is a warm and tender comedy that explores how change affects our lives. More information
  • Beauty and the Beast at LifeHouse Theatre  | 2 p.m.
    Final weekend for the classic musical. More information

Check out more Redlands events here.


ICYMI 👀

In case you missed it... Redlands residents in most single-family neighborhoods will now be allowed to keep hens. The proposal, which was approved by City Council, sets limits based on lot size, prohibits slaughtering chickens on residential properties and allows incidental egg sales. Read more here:

Redlands City Council OKs Backyard Hen Ordinance
Redlands council voted 5-0 to expand rules allowing hens in most neighborhoods, with limits based on lot size and new coop standards.

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