This week in Redlands news:
- The Planning Commission takes up new housing and commercial projects.
- The school board signs off on a controversial book review proposal.
- Redlands Footlighters Theatre launches its 80th season.
- Judges announced for the Chamber’s upcoming Cocktail Competition.
- Girls volleyball and flag football kick off their seasons Saturday.
CITY HALL
🏗️ Redlands Planning Commission to review housing, veterinary clinic and commercial projects: The Planning Commission will meet Tuesday, Aug. 12, to review several development proposals, including new single-family homes, a veterinary clinic and a multi-use project featuring a hotel, drive-thru coffee shop and car wash.
📍 City Council Chambers, 35 Cajon St.
🕓 4 p.m. start | 💻 Zoom option available
👉 View full agenda
Read our breakdown of the agenda here:
Kathryne Mccann
EDUCATION
The Redlands Unified School District board voted Tuesday to approve two revised policies that will shape how books and curriculum materials are reviewed for appropriateness. The changes have stirred months of intense community debate and have come just two days before the start of the new school year.
Calls for Trustee Candy Olson to resign continued after reports of her recent social media activity, which included engagement with an alt-right Instagram account promoting racist, homophobic and antisemitic content.
The board additionally voted to extend Superintendent Juan Cabral’s contract and tabled a decision on an updated school volunteer policy, with some members calling for added training requirements for volunteers.
Read a full recap of Tuesday’s meeting here.
Stephanie Hastings Miranda
🍎 Free meals for all RUSD students this school year: Thanks to California’s Universal Meals Program, every Redlands Unified student will receive free breakfast and lunch daily. Meals will be served before school and during lunch periods, with after-school meals also available. This statewide initiative aims to combat food insecurity and support student well-being and academic success. Learn more here:
Kathryne Mccann
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PUBLIC SAFETY
🚓 This week in Redlands police news: An unlicensed 16-year-old crashed his family’s car near Walgreens, an armed robbery at the Redlands Mall left two victims without their gold chains, police assisted in a dangerous wrong-way motorcycle pursuit, and a convicted felon was arrested after allegedly threatening to shoot a local business employee. Read more here.
Community Forward Redlands
🔍 New leads in 2023 missing person case: Redlands Police are pursuing new leads in the 2023 disappearance of Emilio Salem Ghanem, a Nashville man last seen at a Starbucks on Redlands Boulevard. He had recently cut ties with “His Way Spirit Led Assemblies,” a Hemet-based religious group. Redlands detectives say another member of the same group was reported missing in 2019. Read the latest development here.
Kathryne Mccann
🚨 Police seek help identifying woman found near Citrus Valley High: Redlands Police are asking for the public’s help identifying a woman whose skeletal remains were found in a field near Lugonia Avenue and Tennessee Street last October. She was wearing a Citrus Valley Blackhawks sweatshirt and had a catheter, suggesting she may have required ongoing care. The woman is believed to be between 24 and 45 years old, possibly Hispanic, with medium-length dark hair. Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. Thomas Williams at (909) 335-4777. Read more here.
Stephanie Hastings Miranda
🚨 Pedestrian fatally struck near Redlands Senior Center: A 67-year-old woman died Aug. 4 after being hit by a pickup truck while crossing Lugonia Avenue near the Redlands Senior Center. Police said she was crossing outside the crosswalk when the crash occurred. The driver, a 39-year-old man, was not speeding or impaired. The investigation is ongoing.
Community Forward Redlands
🚧 DUI checkpoint: Redlands police are planning an upcoming DUI checkpoint on Friday, Aug. 8. Read more here.
Community Forward Redlands
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
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
🍸 Meet the 2025 judges behind Redlands' Cocktail Competition: Get to know the nationally recognized judges of this year’s Redlands Chamber Cocktail Competition before the event on Aug. 21. From expert mixologists to industry innovators, these pros will select the 2026 Orange Drop cocktail. Read more about the event and judges here.
Community Forward Redlands
HEALTH
🥗 New Loma Linda University chart ranks food based on health and environmental impact: Researchers developed a first-of-its-kind visual guide showing 30 food groups based on both health benefits and environmental effects. Whole plant foods rank best for people and planet, while red and processed meats score lowest. The chart aims to help consumers make more informed, sustainable food choices. Read more here.
Kathryne Mccann
SPORTS
🏈 High school flag football kicks off Aug. 9 at Redlands High: The second season of Citrus Belt League (CBL) girls flag football begins with the Terrier Touchdown Tournament this Saturday. New rules this year allow blitzing and punting. For a peek at the teams competing this year, keep reading here.
John Murphy
🏐 Girls volleyball eyes four-peat in the CBL: The three-time defending Citrus Belt League champion Terriers are chasing an unprecedented fourth consecutive title — but Yucaipa and Beaumont loom as serious threats. It sets the stage for a competitive season. Full preview here.
John Murphy
EVENTS
📌 Fri. Aug. 8: Footlighters Theatre kicks off its 2025-26 season with The Curious Savage, a whimsical and heartfelt comedy. Ticket information here.
📌 Fri. Aug. 8: Emmy nominee Michael Londra, the voice of Riverdance on Broadway, will perform at the Redlands Bowl. Expect a night filled with Celtic music, dance and breathtaking footage of Ireland.
📌 Tues. Aug. 12: Planning Commission meets at 4 p.m., Redlands City Hall
📌 Tues. Aug. 12: Phat Cat Swinger brings retro big band vibes to the Redlands Bowl. This 11-piece powerhouse mixes original tunes and fresh takes on favorites from Brian Setzer, Michael Bublé, Bruno Mars and more.
📌 Fri. Aug. 15: Meet CASA at the Next DFCC Meeting. Healthy East Valley’s next Drug Free Communities Coalition meeting will spotlight Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and how volunteers support local foster youth. Information will be shared on how trained mentors advocate in court and provide stability for children navigating the system. The meeting takes place from 10–11:30 a.m. at The Hall behind Theron’s Marketplace. Read more here.
📌 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
ICYMI
In case you missed it... Redlands will reduce speed limits on 55 street segments. The change comes after a comprehensive speed study and public input. Now approved, the new limits are currently in effect with a grace period until Sept. 1 for drivers to adjust before enforcement begins. The city will update signage and work with Redlands Police on education campaigns. Read more about the impacted streets here.
Kathryne Mccann
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