Your locally owned, local news source: Search for Yucaipa baby; Hotel & housing approved; Volunteer policy changes
International designer Thelma Muro will share the art and logistics behind creating immersive attractions such as Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at the Sept. 9 AAUW Redlands meeting.
Hundreds of backpacks, school supplies and free haircuts were given to local students at the start of the school year.
Your locally owned, local news source: Search for Yucaipa baby; Hotel & housing approved; Volunteer policy changes
🚨 Deputies investigate reported kidnapping in Yucaipa – Authorities are searching for a missing 7-month-old boy last seen around 7:47 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 14, in the 34000 block of Yucaipa Boulevard. His mother reported being attacked outside a retail store on Yucaipa Boulevard, according to a statement from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department on Friday morning. K9 scent-tracking dogs were deployed, but the child was not located.
The child weighs about 21 pounds, is approximately 24 inches tall, has brown hair and brown eyes, and is cross-eyed. He was last seen wearing a black Nike onesie.
Anyone with information should immediately call 911 or San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Dispatch at 909-387-8313. This is a developing story, updates will be posted here.
Community Forward Redlands
🏗️ Planning Commission approves housing and veterinary clinic projects – The Redlands Planning Commission unanimously approved several projects at its Aug. 12 meeting, including a new veterinary clinic at Plaza Las Palmas, revisions to a 35-lot single-family development, an 11-lot subdivision on Texas Street and a corner-lot home addition. The approvals support local housing growth, neighborhood amenities and community character. Read more here.
Kathryne Mccann
🚧 Planning Commission approves new hotel, coffee shop and car wash: The Redlands’ Planning Commission approved a five-acre commercial project at 913 California Street, bringing a 90-room hotel, drive-through coffee shop and car wash to the East Valley Corridor. The development is expected to create about 40 local jobs and generate nearly $300,000 in annual surplus revenue for the city. Read more here.
Kathryne Mccann
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🔍 Redlands police search second home in 2023 Redlands missing person case: Detectives investigating the disappearance of Emilio Salem Ghanem served a search warrant Tuesday at a Southern California home tied to a religious group he had left shortly before vanishing. No arrests were made, but evidence was recovered from the Anza property and another Hemet residence searched last week. Read more here:
Community Forward Redlands
🚓 Redlands Police Report: A Highland man was arrested twice in less than 24 hours last week on charges of stalking and violating a domestic violence protective order outside his former girlfriend’s Redlands home, police said. Plus, police are investigating two strong arm robberies that happened over the weekend. Read this week's Redlands Police update here:
Community Forward Redlands
🚔 DUI checkpoint set for Aug. 15: Redlands Police will hold a DUI checkpoint from 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15, to 1 a.m. Saturday at an undisclosed location as part of a monthlong “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign. Extra patrols will run through Labor Day to catch impaired drivers and keep roads safe. First-time DUI convictions can cost up to $13,500 in fines and penalties. Read more here.
Community Forward Redlands
💰 Walmart to pay $5.6M settlement over false advertising in California: The retailer will pay $5.5 million in civil penalties and nearly $140,000 to cover inspection costs following a multi-county investigation. The settlement also requires Walmart to maintain regional compliance associates to ensure price accuracy and prohibits misleading advertising in California stores. Read more here:
Community Forward Redlands
✏️ Redlands Unified tables volunteer policy updates: The RUSD board postponed a vote on changes to its volunteer policy, citing concerns over training and how families would be made aware of the new rules. Proposed updates would require background checks and fingerprint clearance, cap classroom hours at 10 per week and clarify volunteer duties. District staff will return with recommendations for training and implementation before the policy is reconsidered. Read more here:
Stephanie Hastings Miranda
More than 1,200 backpacks stuffed with school supplies, 140 free haircuts, and 500 hot dogs were just some of the highlights from this year’s Back2School Jam, organized by Micah House and city of Redlands to support students and families as they prepare for the new school year.
The annual event, held earlier this month, was Micah House’s largest yet, drawing hundreds of local families for a day of giveaways, community resources, and hands-on fun.
“For many families, the back-to-school season brings real challenges—limited resources, long work hours, and language barriers," said Emma Osterberg de Rodas, executive director of Micah House, in a statement. “Micah House is honored to organize the Back2School Jam to help bridge the gap and set students up for a strong year ahead."
Stephanie Hastings Miranda
⚾ Redlands East Valley High's softball coach set to take over the baseball team: Brandon Ford, who teaches Government and U.S. History at REV, coached softball for 17 years at Redlands High and for five years at REV.
He replaces Chris Paterson, who led the Wildcats to a Citrus Belt League title in the spring, a 20-9 overall record, and a 13-game winning streak.
"I’m excited,” Ford said. “I’ve wanted to do this a long time. I love softball and coached it at both schools (REV and Redlands High). It’s going to be hard to leave (the sport), but I’m excited for this opportunity. REV has a winning baseball tradition, and I want to maybe even take it to another level.”
John Murphy
🏆 Redlands sports roundup: The 2025 Bulldog Bench Hall of Fame class will be celebrated Oct. 17, featuring Jeff Martinez and standout athletes. Hawaii Little League heads to Williamsport for the World Series. Redlands East Valley grad Sahvanna Jaquish competes in the World Games, while local high school teams kick off volleyball, flag football and football seasons. Yucaipa’s Butch Price earns a national coaching award, and University of Redlands hosts its first Bulldog Football Alumni & Friends Day on Aug. 23. Stay up-to-date on everything Redlands sports here:
John Murphy
📌 Fri. Aug. 15: Redlands Bowl Firework Finale. The final Redlands Bowl performance of the summer will be Pictures at an Exhibition: The Paintings of Bob Peak. The show combines iconic paintings and masterful compositions for an unforgettable evening under the stars.
📌 Thurs. Aug. 21: Redlands bartenders to compete at Chamber Cocktail Competition. Read more here.
📌 Fri. Aug. 22: Sparkles & Strings at Redlands Jewelers with the Redlands Symphony. Tickets
📌 Sat. Aug. 23: Bulldog Football Alumni, Family & Friends Day. University of Redlands football invites alumni, families and fans for a day of camaraderie and Bulldog pride. Enjoy a family tailgate and watch practice from 4:30–7 p.m., tour the fitness center and field house at 5:30 p.m. and join the “Inside the Huddle” program from 7–8 p.m.
📌 Sat. Aug. 30: Hot Wheels Monster Truck Live presents Glow-N-Fire. Tickets and info.
📌 Tues. Sept. 9: The Redlands branch of the American Association of University Women will welcome international theme park designer Thelma Muro as guest speaker for its Tuesday, Sept. 9, evening meeting. Read more here.
In case you missed it... the Redlands Footlighters Theatre is celebrating its 80th season, marking a milestone in its rich history. Presenting The Curious Savage, a nod to the company's past and a look toward the future, the theater continues to foster community engagement and theatrical excellence.
The season includes a variety of performances, including Shakespeare, Agatha Christie and a locally written play.
For a look at the theater's history and its upcoming season, read more here.
Siw Heede
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