Local utility upgrades, warehouse referendums, and the No Kings rally in Redlands
Dr. Olufunmilayo Olopade, a MacArthur Fellow and precision oncology leader, will speak at the Redlands Forum Oct. 28
The publisher of Black Voice News and founder of the Inland Empire Journalism Innovation Hub will speak Nov. 1 at the University of Redlands.
Local utility upgrades, warehouse referendums, and the No Kings rally in Redlands
🗳 Yucaipa’s warehouse fight will likely head to voters: A citizens group filed a second referendum Monday with 5,232 signatures to overturn a zoning ordinance tied to the Freeway Corridor Specific Plan. The first petition filed by Yucaipa NOW has already been verified by elections officials, which means the City Council must now either repeal its action or call a citywide vote. City leaders warn that overturning the plan could roll back standards and jeopardize housing goals; organizers say the dual petitions are the only legal lever to curb warehouse expansion along I-10. Read more here:
Stephanie Hastings Miranda
🚚 Redlands is seeking public input on updates to its official truck route map: Residents can join virtual workshops on Nov. 3 and Nov. 6 to review proposed changes and share feedback addressing warehouse-related traffic impacts. The updated route must be approved by City Council before the Jan. 1, 2026, compliance deadline. Read more here:
Stephanie Hastings Miranda
💦 Trio of infrastructure upgrades approved: Redlands City Council approved three major public works contracts aimed at overhauling aging infrastructure at the city’s landfill and wastewater treatment plant. Together, the improvements represent more than $3.6 million in investments to ensure environmental compliance, stabilize critical terrain and modernize testing facilities that safeguard public health. City officials described the upgrades as essential for keeping Redlands’ waste management systems functional, efficient and up to today’s regulatory standards after decades without major updates. Read more here.
Kathryne Mccann
🚰 Redlands seeks applicants for Utilities Advisory Committee: Residents are invited to apply for a position on the city’s Utilities Advisory Committee, which will assist with a six-month Water and Wastewater Rate Study. The committee, made up of Redlands water and wastewater customers, will meet monthly to review rate structures and make recommendations to the City Council.
Members serve two-year terms and must not be city employees or elected officials. Meetings are expected to take place on weekday evenings, typically Wednesdays or Thursdays from 5 to 7 p.m.
Applications are due Nov. 3, 2025, and can be obtained from the City Clerk’s Office at 35 Cajon St., Suite 4, by calling (909) 798-7510, or online at cityofredlands.org.
🪧 No Kings rally in Redlands: Thousands packed downtown Redlands on Saturday for the ‘No Kings’ rally protesting President Donald Trump’s policies. An estimated 3,000 people spilled out of the intersection of Orange Street and Redlands Boulevard, as part of a nationwide protest. Pictures and recap of the event here.
Stephanie Hastings Miranda
📈 The release of California’s September labor data has been delayed due to the ongoing federal government shutdown: The Employment Development Department says it can’t finalize monthly employment figures until federal surveys resume. The report, a key indicator of statewide and local job trends, will be published once normal operations return. Read more here.
Kathryne Mccann
🚨 Redlands Police Weekly Report: A man was arrested after allegedly challenging a student to a fight outside Barbara Phelps County High School and injuring an officer while resisting arrest. In separate incidents, a 17-year-old was arrested after reportedly brandishing a gun and possessing stolen property, and a motorcyclist was hospitalized after swerving to avoid a donkey on San Timoteo Canyon Road. Read more here.
Community Forward Redlands
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🏆 Redlands Unified + 11 RUSD schools named to California Honor Roll: Educational Results Partnership (ERP) has named Redlands Unified School District and 11 RUSD schools to its 2025 California Honor Roll, recognizing higher student achievement and progress in closing achievement gaps, ERP announced earlier this month. ERP’s 11th annual Honor Roll recognized 1,834 schools and 158 school districts statewide – about 21% of California schools and districts.
The analysis draws on CAASPP (Smarter Balanced) results from 2023–2025, highlighting systems that outperform peers and reduce achievement gaps among higher-poverty and historically disadvantaged students. Read more here.
Stephanie Hastings Miranda
📚 Community unites for Literary Liberation Day at University of Redlands: Two grassroots groups, Swap and Meet Redlands and Safe Redlands Schools, joined the University of Redlands to celebrate the freedom to read with a new event, Literary Liberation Day. The evening featured free banned books, a community book swap, and a panel discussion with local educators and authors on censorship and the importance of diverse voices. Read more here.
Siw Heede
🩺 A wave of Redlands residents turning 65 brings new Medicare questions
With the largest year of the baby boomer generation turning 65 in 2025, more Redlands residents than ever are navigating Medicare for the first time. Welsh Insurance Services is helping seniors make sense of their options — and keep their trusted doctors through partnerships with local providers.
👉 Read how this Redlands-based agency is guiding residents through open enrollment and partnering with Community Alliance Medical Group to keep care close to home.
Stephanie Hastings Miranda
🇯🇵 Celebrate the grand opening of the Redlands Japanese Cultural Center: The event, taking place on Saturday, Oct. 25, from noon to 4 p.m. at 542 E. Stuart Ave, will feature live performances, martial arts demonstrations, food, drinks and special guests including Karate Kid actor Ron Thomas. Founded by Sabro Foster and Kevin Seishiro Suzuki, the new center aims to honor Japanese heritage and build cultural connections in the Redlands community. Read more here.
Community Forward Redlands
🧶 Redlands’ Hands on Knitting Center reopens after renovation: After a colorful remodel, Hands On Knitting Center has reopened with brighter lighting, a fresh layout and more space for creativity. The local fiber arts hub will host its annual Artisan Faire this Saturday, Oct. 25, featuring local makers and a book signing by knitting designer Nancy Bates. The shop’s team of ten partners will also appear at the SoCal Fiber Fair in Pomona next month. Read more here.
Siw Heede
🎃 Redlands is embracing the season: Families can celebrate Halloween at Plane or Treat at the Municipal Airport (Oct. 26) and the Olive Avenue Halloween Extravaganza downtown (Oct. 31). Follow that up with Día de los Muertos celebrations at A.K. Smiley Library (Nov. 1). After the fun, smash your pumpkins at the eco-friendly Pumpkin Smash on Nov. 4! Read more here.
Community Forward Redlands
🏆 The University of Redlands Bulldogs celebrated a thrilling 16–14 homecoming victory over Pomona-Pitzer: The win was sealed by a last-minute interception from Enrique Ybanez. Redlands’ record is now boosted to 4–2 as the team prepares to face No. 25 California Lutheran in its next SCIAC matchup. Read more here:
John Murphy
🏈 Cajon and Citrus Valley secured big wins in Citrus Belt League football last week: Both teams delivered dominant performances on the field. As league play continues, local teams are battling for momentum and playoff positioning heading into the final stretch of the season. Read more here:
John Murphy
🏃♀️Cross Country Roundup: Redlands East Valley’s Elijah Medina and Citrus Valley’s Alyssa Castaneda shined at the Citrus Belt League’s second cross-country meet, with Medina finishing just 0.3 seconds behind the boys’ winner and Castaneda placing fifth in the girls’ race. Arrowhead Christian Academy’s Leah and Micah Slagter also led strong performances in the Small Schools League, while University of Redlands runner Stian Asper set a new school record at the UC Riverside Invitational. Read more here:
Contributing Author
📌 Sun. Oct. 26 – Lace up and leash up! The Redlands Chamber of Commerce hosts its 7th Annual Dog Jog in Downtown Redlands. More details and link to register here.
📌 Sun. Oct. 26 — 3 - 6 p.m.: Plane or Treat at Redlands Municipal Airport. Read more here.
📌 Tues. Oct. 28 – 5:30 - 6:30 pm: Redlands Forum hosts Dr. Olufunmilayo Olopade, internationally recognized leader in breast cancer research and precision oncology, to reimagine a future where breast cancer is no longer a life-threatening disease. Read more here.
📌 Fri. Oct. 31– 4 - 7 p.m.: Olive Avenue Halloween Extravaganza. Read more here.
📌 Sat. Nov. 1 – 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.: The A.K. Smiley Public Library Día de los Muertos. Read more here.
📌 Sat. Nov. 1 – 10 am: AAUW hosts Dr. Paulette Brown-Hinds, a leading voice for community-centered journalism and media equity. Brown-Hinds will discuss the importance of supporting local news as a public good and the need to invest in diversity within media. The program begins at 10 a.m. in the Casa Loma Room at the University of Redlands and is open to the public at no cost. Read more here.
📌 Tues. Nov. 4 – 6-9 p.m.: The Redlands City Council will meet.
In case you missed it... Redlands legend Dave Farmer will be inducted into the CIF-Southern Section Hall of Fame. Believed to be the nation's oldest active high school referee, Farmer is being recognized for nearly seven decades of dedication to athletics and community service. Read more here.
John Murphy
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