Redlands News | Sept. 17, 2026

This week in Redlands news:

Redlands Police Chief Rachel Tolber will retire at the end of the year, concluding a 28-year career with the department.
Redlands Votes 2026: Meet the candidates running for Redlands Unified school board in Trustee Areas 1 and Area 2.
Redlands Unified trustees continue to debate how the district should provide “balanced” viewpoints in school libraries.
The Redlands Symphony prepares to open its 75th season.
After 26 years in the making, the Museum of Redlands will open its doors to the public next month.

🚓 Redlands Police Chief Rachel Tolber will retire at the end of the year, concluding a 28-year career with the department. Tolber has led RPD since 2023, taking over during a period of turmoil within the department. Her tenure included national recognition for leadership and the start of construction on Redlands’ long-awaited new police headquarters. The city says the process to select her successor is underway.

ELECTION 2026

🗳️ Redlands Votes 2026: Meet the school board candidates

With Election Day less than seven weeks away, our Redlands Votes 2026 election guide is growing.

This week, we’re publishing our first candidate profiles, starting with the two contested races for the Redlands Unified School District Board of Education.

In Trustee Area 1, incumbent Patty Holohan faces challenger Dale Broome. In Trustee Area 2, voters will choose among Ryan Schavrien, Tiara Richardson and Maria Montes.

We asked every candidate the same questions about why they’re running, the challenges facing Redlands Unified, student achievement and attendance, district budget priorities and controversial issues that have come before the school board.

Our profiles bring their answers together with information about each candidate’s background, endorsements and campaign finances so voters can compare the candidates and learn more before casting their ballots.

→ Meet the Area 1 candidates

→ Meet the Area 2 candidates

And bookmark Redlands Votes 2026 for our latest candidate profiles, election reporting, voting information and resources for the Nov. 3 election. We’ll continue updating the guide through Election Day.

Redlands Election Guide 2026 | Community Forward Redlands

Your guide to the local, regional and statewide races shaping the 2026 election for Redlands-area voters.

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PUBLIC SAFETY

🚨 School safety update: Police activity near Redlands High School prompted a law enforcement helicopter to circle the campus Tuesday morning after a scooter rider fled from a traffic stop. A second, unrelated incident led to an adult man being detained on drug charges. Police said no students were involved and neither incident posed a threat to students. Read more here.

🚓 The Redlands Police Department will conduct a DUI checkpoint from 6 p.m. to midnight Friday, Sept. 25, at an undisclosed location in the city. Police said the checkpoint location will be selected based on data showing where impaired-driving crashes have occurred.

💵 Beaumont City Treasurer AJ Patel faces six felony charges following a public corruption investigation into his private business activities. Read more here.

EDUCATION

📚 School library policies: Redlands Unified trustees are still working through what it means to provide “balanced” viewpoints in school libraries. A Sept. 8 discussion raised questions about which books should be considered controversial, when an opposing viewpoint is appropriate and who should make those decisions. Trustees agreed on revisions to proposed policy language but took no vote, with the changes expected to return at a future meeting.

🧮 California schools will test all kindergartners, first- and second-graders in basic math skills and provide tutoring to students who need it, under a bill on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk. Read more from CalMatter's reporter Carolyn Jones.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

🌲 Finding common ground: Redlands climate volunteer Rain Mendoza traveled to Washington, D.C., this summer to advocate for Forest Service funding and energy policy. Mendoza returned encouraged by the bipartisan support they encountered, including during a meeting with Rep. Jay Obernolte’s office.

🚗 Community giving: Bill and Lori Hatfield, owners of Hatfield Buick GMC, donated funding for a new vehicle to Family Service Association of Redlands. The vehicle will help staff provide housing and social services across the region as the nonprofit continues to grow, serving more than 10,000 people last year.

EVENTS

🎻 Redlands Symphony opens 75th season: The Redlands Symphony will launch its 75th anniversary season Oct. 3 with “Shostakovich’s Fifth,” featuring works by Derrick Skye, Mélanie Bonis and Dmitri Shostakovich. The concert will be held at Clock Auditorium at Redlands High School as the Symphony temporarily moves from Memorial Chapel due to unscheduled maintenance.

🍊 Museum of Redlands opening: After 26 years of planning, fundraising and construction, the Museum of Redlands will open to the public Oct. 24. The free museum inside the former Redlands Daily Facts building will debut with 13 exhibits exploring local history, including Redlands’ citrus industry, Chinatown, firefighting and film connections, plus an interactive flight simulator.

📖 Redlands author to launch new memoir Oct. 1: Redlands author Jen Thompson will discuss her new memoir, Wild Pivot: Notes from a Political Life Rewritten, in conversation with University of Redlands President Krista Newkirk. The former congressional lawyer and political strategist writes about walking away from a successful career in Washington and the personal and ideological transformation that followed. The free event includes a book signing, wine and appetizers. More information.

🌎 Climate and community: ANCA Redlands will kick off its 2026-27 Speakers Series Sept. 23 with “Our Climate Stories,” a free event exploring the personal and emotional impacts of climate change and how stronger neighborhood connections can help build resilience. The event runs from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Flores Community Center. Walk-ins are welcome. More information.

📅 This weekend in Redlands

Friday, Sept. 18

Friday Flea at Olive Avenue Market | 5–9 p.m.
Curated vintage and Y2K clothing at OAM.

Saturday, Sept. 19

Grove School Farmers Market | 8 a.m.–noon
Saturday morning community market with local produce and vendors. Rain or shine.
Downtown's Morning Market | 7 a.m.–11 a.m.
The city of Redlands’ weekly certified farmers market.
STEAM Saturdays: Dino-Topia | 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
September in STEAM, travel back in time with Dino-Topia, a month of simple, hands-on dinosaur crafts designed especially for young learners and their families. Learn more.

Sunday, Sept. 20

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... The Manhattan Short Film Festival returns this fall, with the Redlands Art Association hosting two screenings featuring 10 short films from around the world. Tickets must be purchased by Sept. 24. Read more about the two-day film festival and the final Redlands Cinema Classic screening this month:

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Redlands police chief to retire; Meet the school board candidates

Here’s who’s running for Redlands Unified school board Area 2

Here’s who’s running for Redlands Unified school board Area 1

Stephanie Hastings Miranda

Kathryne Mccann

Siw Heede