The Spinet hosts the Paris-trained soloist for an evening concert at First Congregational Church, Oct. 21, as part of his Southern California tour.
Project backed by county, city and local donors aims to boost active play and connection for youth
A series of meetings this month will help shape updated truck routes in unincorporated areas of San Bernardino County under Assembly Bill 98, a state law aimed at steering heavy truck traffic away from homes, schools, and parks while maintaining efficient goods movement.
The city will partner with Larry Jacinto Farming, Inc. to manage 200 acres of historic groves, preserving both local heritage and agricultural health.
REDLANDS, Calif. — The Redlands City Council voted Tuesday to approve a three-year, $2.3 million contract with Larry Jacinto Farming, Inc. for as-needed citrus grove management services. The agreement ensures continued care of the city’s 23 groves, which span about 200 acres.
Why it matters: The city’s citrus groves, which are planted with both Valencia and Navel oranges along with Rio and Ruby Star grapefruit, represent a cornerstone of Redlands’ agricultural and cultural identity.
Maintaining the groves requires year-round management to prevent pest infestations, soil depletion and frost damage. City officials say the program not only preserves open space, but also connects modern residents to Redlands’ historic role in California’s citrus industry.
Details: The contract with Larry Jacinto Farming includes a full range of services, from irrigation repair and frost control to pest treatments targeting threats like the Asian Citrus Psyllid. The company will also handle fertilization, pruning and weed control to keep trees productive and healthy.
Redlands uses a mixed approach to grove maintenance, combining in-house staff with contracted specialists. The citrus program is supported through revenue generated from the sale of harvested fruit.
The discussion also touched on recent pest concerns, with council members referencing the 2024 Oriental fruit fly quarantines that affected citrus groves throughout Southern California. City staff confirmed that if a similar infestation were to threaten Redlands’ groves, the existing contract already includes provisions for monitoring and treatment.
Background: Redlands’ citrus roots stretch back to 1882, when E.J. Waite planted the city’s first orange grove on Center Street. By the early 1900s, Redlands was at the heart of the world’s largest navel orange–producing region, shipping more than one million boxes annually from over 30 packing houses.
Though only one packing house remains today, about 2,500 acres of citrus are still in production. The city began acquiring groves in the 1960s and ’70s to preserve this agricultural legacy, supported by local donations, park taxes and later Measure O, which dedicated funds for open space and citrus preservation. In 1996, the Citrus Preservation Commission was formed to advise the city on maintaining these historic groves for future generations.
Moving forward: With approval secured, Larry Jacinto Farming will provide grove maintenance through 2028.
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