Redlands News: Jan 31, 2025

Lower speed limits proposed, Redlands Unified unions push back, All smiles at new craft deli and RHS Hall of Fame inductees

LATEST

25 mph speed limit sign. kkant1937 from Getty Images Signature

Traffic study recommends lower speed limits across Redlands

The City of Redlands will hold two public workshops to discuss the findings of its 2024 Engineering and Traffic Survey before the City Council decides whether to lower speed limits on several roadways.

Why it matters: The study assessed speed patterns and collision rates across the city and will guide potential changes to posted speed limits.

Context on setting speed limits: These discussions follow previous adjustments in 2022, when state regulations required the city to raise speed limits on numerous roads to comply with the 85th percentile rule. Under this rule, speed limits are generally set at the nearest 5 mph increment of the 85th-percentile speed of free-flowing traffic, as outlined in the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD).

At the time, both public officials and residents raised concerns over “speed creep,” the gradual increase in speed limits due to the reliance on prevailing traffic speeds, despite safety considerations. The City Council reluctantly approved those increases, as failure to do so would have made speed enforcement legally unenforceable.

However, recent legislation—Assembly Bill 43 (AB 43)—allows local authorities to consider additional factors, such as high pedestrian activity and lower speed limits beyond the 85th-percentile standard.

🚦Read more about the 2024 survey and how to be involved in upcoming public meetings on the report here.

Traffic study recommends lower speed limits across Redlands
City of Redlands will hold public meetings to discuss findings of the 2024 Engineering and Traffic Study

CITY HALL

🚆 Transit Village sign rules: The Redlands Planning Commission is giving the thumbs up to changes in the Transit Villages Specific Plan, focusing on sign regulations for multi-tenant centers and murals. The amendment aims to provide more flexibility while maintaining overall sign limits. The proposal and recommendation will go to the City Council for final consideration. Read more here.

Redlands Planning Commission backs updates to sign rules
The amendment to signage rules for the Transit Village Specific Plan will go before City Council for consideration

🚨Redlands Police Report: Police are investigating a series of crimes reported in Redlands over the past week, including armed mail theft, an arson suspect caught shoplifting, and a fatal traffic collision. Read more about the incidents reported in the Redlands Police Department Weekly Update from Jan. 23-30 here.

Redlands Police Report: Armed mail theft, Arson suspect arrested, DUI gun case
Public safety report from Jan. 23 - 30, 2025

EDUCATION

(Photo: Wirestock)

Redlands Unified unions push back against proposed flag and cultural observance restrictions

Unions representing Redlands Unified teachers and professional staff are pushing back against a proposed policy that would limit flag displays and restrict cultural observances in the Redlands Unified School District.

Teachers and staff unions warn the policy would violate state and federal laws, limit classroom discussions, and infringe on bargaining rights.

In a joint letter on Jan. 17, representatives of the Redlands Teachers Association (RTA) and Redlands Education Support Professionals Association (RESPA) demanded the school board cease efforts to adopt Board Policy 6115 in its current form.

Why it matters: The Redlands Unified school board joins a growing number of districts in the Inland Empire and across the United States debating policies related to cultural diversity and partisan issues. According to a recent UC Riverside and UCLA report, such conflicts have cost school districts billions of dollars in legal fees, increased security, and staff time.

Continue reading here.

Redlands Unified unions push back against proposed flag and cultural observance restrictions
Teachers and staff unions warn the policy would violate state and federal laws, limit classroom discussions, and infringe on bargaining rights.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Owners of Happy Mediums (L-R) Shea Montanez, Bonnie Hernandez and Sean Readman (Photo: Siw Heede)

Happy Mediums finds its center in Calimesa

On Jan. 12, Redlands couple Shea Montanez and Bonnie Hernandez, together with Sean Readman, celebrated the deli's grant opening in a cozy strip mall in Calimesa, just 10 minutes from Redlands.

Happy Mediums, a new neighborhood eatery, specializes in unique and classic breakfast and lunch items, with five different sandwiches, two toasts, soup, salads, grain bowls, and something for the sweet tooth.

Continue reading about their journey from home-baking to a storefront in this week's Community Spotlight by contributor Siw Heede here.

Happy Mediums finds its center in Calimesa
After years as a popular pop-up, this Redlands-born eatery has landed a permanent home, serving up house-made sandwiches, scratch-made bread, and a fresh take on classic flavors

🩺 Future of healthcare: For over a century, Redlands Community Hospital (RCH) has been providing medical care to those in Redlands and across the Inland Empire. James Holmes, president and CEO of the not-for-profit facility since 2005, spoke at the Redlands Forum on the Esri campus on Jan. 22, about the evolution of healthcare and its future trajectory. Read more here.

Future of healthcare discussed at Redlands Forum
James Holmes, CEO of Redlands Community Hospital, highlighted the impact of healthcare policy, industry challenges and the hospital plan to expand locally.

🧑‍🍳 Meals on Wheels accepting new clients: The long-standing volunteer program provides nutritious meals to Redlands residents who cannot prepare their own, ensuring both nourishment and well-being with weekday deliveries. Read more about the local program here.

Redlands Meals on Wheels offers daily home-delivered meals for those in need
The long-standing volunteer program provides nutritious meals to Redlands residents who cannot prepare their own, ensuring both nourishment and well-being with weekday deliveries.

SPORTS

The 2025 Redlands High Athletic Hall of Fame class, left to right: Dr. Lauren M. Simon, Jacob Nottingham, Eddie Lucas, Juanita Webster-Freeman, Claire Crowley, Rozanne (Dominguez) DeWeese. (Courtesy photo)

Six honored at Redlands High Athletic Hall of Fame dinner

Redlands High School oozes with tradition.

The school was built in 1891. It is the oldest California public high school still operating on its original site.

Famous 1960s folk singer Joan Baez was a Terrier until her family moved to Palo Alto. Legendary college basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian coached there.   

As one might expect of a school that is more than 130 years old, many amazing athletes have passed through its halls. Friday night at Terrier Hall five former Terriers and a long-time team doctor were inducted into the school’s athletic Hall of Fame.

Read more about this year’s batch from sport's writer John Murphy here.

Six honored at Redlands High Athletic Hall of Fame dinner
Redlands High School oozes with tradition. The school was built in 1891. It is the oldest California public high school still operating on its original site. Famous 1960s folk singer Joan Baez was a Terrier until her family moved to Palo Alto. Legendary college basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian coached there.

🤽Blackhawks splash to title: The scene was wet and wild on a chilly night at Indian Springs High as Citrus Valley High defeated Beaumont 15-13 Wednesday to win the Citrus Belt League girls water polo title.

Coach all wet after Blackhawks splash to title
The scene was wet and wild on a chilly night at Indian Springs High as Citrus Valley High defeated Beaumont 15-13 Wednesday to win the Citrus Belt League girls water polo title. The occasion was the championship game of the CBL Carousel, a post-season tournament for all league

UPCOMING

📌 Fri. Jan. 31 - Vindemia Flea at Olive Ave Market: Shop a wide variety of curated Vintage & Y2K Clothing from some of the Inland Empires best local vintage vendors.

📌 Sat. Feb. 1 - Lincoln Memorial Shrine: Celebrate President Abraham Lincoln’s birthday at the Open House on Saturday, February 1, 11 am-3 pm 

📌 Sat. Feb. 1 - STEAM Saturdays Valentine Marble Painting: Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and we’re celebrating by making homemade valentines from 11 am - 3 pm at the San Bernardino County Museum. More information here.

📌 Sun. Feb. 2 - Museum of Redlands Community Open House from 3-5pm. Register here.

📌 Tues. Feb. 4 - City Council meets at City Hall (35 Cajon St) for a regular meeting with closed session at 5pm and public session beginning at 6pm. View agenda here.

📌 Tues. Feb. 18 - Pianist Sally Rehfeldt and cellist Matt Rehfeldt will reunite for The Spinet’s recital at First Presbyterian Church. The concert, open to the public, begins at 7 p.m. Read more here.

FINALLY

Fae the Firedog goes to City Hall

"Fae the firedog hard at work taking care of your Redlands Firefighters" wrote @redlands_firefighters on Instagram. (Photo by: @2lovely4words, Courtesy Redlands Fire Department)

The Redlands Fire Department has a new four-legged team member: Fae the Fire Dog, a Labrador and certified therapy dog, who will serve as the department’s official Happiness Ambassador.

Fae’s role goes beyond cuddles and tail wags. As a certified therapy dog, she helps reduce stress, boost morale, and support the mental well-being of firefighters and staff. She’ll also make appearances at community events, spreading comfort and joy wherever she goes.

Fae will be formally introduced to the community at the City Council meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 4.

Follow her adventures on Instagram: @fae_thefiredog.


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