This week in Redlands news:
- One teen wounded, another arrested after Sunday's shooting at Mountain Grove/Citrus Plaza.
- The first candidates emerge in this year's Redlands City Council races as the official filing window approaches.
- Stater Bros. Charities donates $5,000 to help provide soccer cleats for local youth through Redlands FC.
- Burgeson celebrates 60 years in Redlands.
- 🇺🇸 Fourth of July celebrations: Where to watch fireworks, parades and family events.
Where to celebrate the Fourth of July in and around Redlands
Whether you're looking to spend the holiday close to home or venture into the mountains, there's no shortage of ways to celebrate Independence Day this weekend.
Redlands' annual festivities begin Friday night with the Redlands Bowl's beloved Patriotic Pops concert before continuing Saturday with a full day of Fourth of July celebrations, including the parade, family festival and evening fireworks show at Moore Middle School.
Friday, July 3
🎵 Redlands Bowl Patriotic Pops – 8 p.m.
The free concert features the Redlands Bowl Festival Orchestra and Inland Master Chorale performing patriotic favorites beneath the stars. This year's program also includes the premiere of a commissioned work honoring Abraham Lincoln and Redlands' Lincoln Memorial Shrine.
Saturday, July 4
🇺🇸 Redlands Fourth of July Celebration
- 9 a.m. – Festival opens at Sylvan Park
- 10:30 a.m. – Parade begins
- Afternoon – Live music, food vendors, games and family activities
- 5:15 p.m. – Gates open for the ticketed fireworks celebration at Moore Middle School
- Evening – Skydivers, airplane flyovers, live music by Pulp Vixen Band and a fireworks spectacular
Looking for more ways to celebrate? We've also rounded up celebrations in Crestline, Highland, Yucaipa, Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear, including Friday night fireworks at Lake Gregory and mountain festivities throughout the holiday weekend.
ELECTION 2026
🗳️ The field is beginning to take shape for this fall's Redlands City Council races. Although the official filing period doesn't open until July 13, early campaign paperwork offers the first look at who's signaled an intention to run, which incumbents have yet to draw challengers and what it takes to get on the ballot. Read more here.
Stephanie Hastings Miranda
PUBLIC SAFETY
🚨A 17-year-old was arrested after allegedly shooting a 16-year-old during an altercation Sunday evening at the Mountain Grove/Citrus Plaza shopping center. The victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries, and investigators later recovered the firearm believed to have been used in the shooting. Read more here:
CFR News Desk
🚔 A 38-year-old woman was killed after being struck by a utility trailer while walking along Orange Street Thursday night. The crash marks Redlands' fifth pedestrian fatality in the past 11 months. Police said the driver remained at the scene and showed no signs of impairment. The crash remains under investigation. Read more here:
CFR News Desk
CFR News Desk
EDUCATION
📑 A Redlands Unified parent has filed a lawsuit alleging the district failed to protect her two Black children from repeated racial harassment. The lawsuit seeks damages and court-ordered reforms, while district officials say they have strengthened training, reporting procedures and student support systems. Read more here:
Stephanie Hastings Miranda
🎨 Federal funding supports Head Start in Redlands: Two Redlands Head Start centers are among the county programs benefiting from a new $66.4 million federal grant announced this week by Rep. Pete Aguilar. The funding will help provide preschool, health services and family support to more than 2,000 children across San Bernardino County.
CFR News Desk
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
Cancer care closer to home
When Redlands Community Hospital employee Evalyn Velazquez was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer at age 30, she found herself on the other side of the care team she worked alongside every day. Her experience highlights the reality facing thousands of Inland Empire families each year as the hospital expands local treatment options with the new Jack and Laura Dangermond Center for Radiation Therapy.
The new radiation therapy center builds on the hospital's broader approach to cancer care, which combines advanced treatment with support services designed to help patients and families navigate the challenges that come with a cancer diagnosis.
⚽ Stater Bros. Charities donated $5,000 to the Redlands FC Fund to provide soccer cleats for children participating in the club's free Boys & Girls Club summer clinic. The donation will help remove financial barriers so more local youth can learn the game and take the field with confidence. Read more here:
CFR News Desk
🍊 Dianne Burgeson is marking 60 years with Redlands-based Burgeson’s Heating and Air Conditioning, rising from receptionist in 1966 to CEO of the family business founded in 1949. The company recently honored her milestone with a ceremonial first pitch at an Inland Empire 66ers game. Read more here:
Siw Heede
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SPORTS
🏊 Local swimmers earned some of the Inland Empire's highest postseason honors after standout seasons in the pool. Redlands High's Elisha deVera and Maddison Miner were named to the All-Inland first team alongside Arrowhead Christian Academy's Juliette Early, while Redlands High's Maksim Kutsner and Redlands East Valley's William Dahnke received second-team recognition.
Contributing Author
⚾ Several local baseball standouts are earning postseason recognition after impressive 2026 campaigns. Citrus Belt League champion Cajon placed Steven Rubio and Gavin Garcia on the All-CIF Southern Section Division 3 first team, while Yucaipa's Landyn Von Kaenel joined the pair as an All-Inland Empire first-team selection.
Contributing Author
⚽ Including today's match, Redlands FC has three regular-season games left and remains in control of its playoff chances. Today's match against Capo FC is an important step, with a win keeping the club on track for a possible Southwest Division title. Read more of our Redlands FC coverage here:
Caden Henderson
EVENTS
📅 This weekend in Redlands
Friday, July 3
- Friday Flea at Olive Avenue Market | 5–9 p.m.
Curated vintage and Y2K clothing at OAM. - A Star-Spangled Evening of Patriotic Pops| 8 p.m.
The free concert features the Redlands Bowl Festival Orchestra and Inland Master Chorale performing patriotic favorites beneath the stars.
Saturday, July 4
- Grove School Farmers Market | 8 a.m.–noon
Saturday morning community market with local produce and vendors. Rain or shine. - Redlands' Fourth of July Festival | 9 a.m.
The city is hosting a full day of activities at Sylvan Park with live music, food vendors, games, community booths and a flag raising ceremony. - Fourth of July Parade | 10:30 a.m.
The Redlands parade begins at Franklin Elementary School and will work its way around Sylvan Park. - Redlands' Fireworks Celebration | 5:15 p.m.
The day-long celebrations will conclude with a ticketed fireworks show at Moore Middle School. The program features skydivers, airplane flyovers, live music and a fireworks display.
Sunday, July 5
- 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.
ICYMI 👀
In case you missed it... Redlands City Council just approved the city's two-year budget, including an $85 million financing package to fund a new police station, the relocation of Fire Station 264 and HVAC improvements at the A.K. Smiley Public Library. Read more here:
Stephanie Hastings Miranda
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