This week in Redlands news: City Council adopts a new Climate Action Plan that hinges on electric vehicles; Redlands Unified passes a flag policy and tables a parental notification proposal; police investigate an $18K scam targeting a senior; and weekend events in Redlands.
CITY HALL
Redlands’ climate plan relies heavily on EV chargers as federal support wanes
Redlands City Council voted unanimously during its July 1 meeting to adopt the Climate Action Plan 2050, a comprehensive update outlining the city’s path toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving carbon neutrality.
Why it matters: Without action, emissions are projected to rise, with estimates forecasting a 13% increase in annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. The updated Climate Action Plan (CAP) serves as a roadmap to address the local impacts of climate change and reduce Redlands’ contribution to global emissions.
While climate change is a global issue, cities like Redlands are increasingly responsible for implementing local strategies, such as transportation, building standards and energy efficiency, that collectively influence regional and national outcomes.
The city’s ambitious target hinges heavily on the widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). According to the plan, 77% of projected GHG reductions would come from EV infrastructure, including the installation of 3,300 chargers citywide by 2050.
But Redlands’ strategy already faces challenges. At the national level, federal EV tax credits are set to expire in 2025, and recent actions by Congress have undercut California’s authority to phase out gas-powered vehicles, including heavy-duty diesel trucks, a significant source of emissions.
Kathryne Mccann
🍊 City Council agenda: The Redlands City Council will meet Tuesday, July 15, with a full agenda that includes a vote to adopt new zoning rules, designate wildfire risk zones and place unpaid service bills on the tax roll. Here's how the meeting breaks down.
Kathryne Mccann
PUBLIC SAFETY
🚨 Truck fraud, stolen Kias, and $18K scam targeting senior: Redlands police recovered a truck purchased with a fake ID, pursued suspects in two stolen Kias, and are investigating a scam in which an 82-year-old man lost $18,000 in cash and gift cards. Read more here
Community Forward Redlands
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EDUCATION
📚🎒 School board update: Flag ban policy passed, book policy tabled, parent notification pulled
At a packed July 8 meeting that stretched past midnight, the Redlands Unified School Board approved a new flag display policy in a 3–2 vote, delayed action on proposed changes to the library book review procedures and pulled a controversial parent notification policy from the agenda.
At the start of the meeting, Superintendent Juan Cabral said the notification policy — known as BP/AR 5010 — and the district’s nondiscrimination policy, AR 5145.3, are under review by the California Attorney General’s Office.
District spokesperson Christine Stephens further explained in a July 9 email to Community Forward Redlands: “Because RUSD is under the DOJ stipulated judgment, the Office of the Attorney General monitors the district’s compliance with all state and federal laws as it specifically relates to the judgment."
Stephens said the district reached out to the OAG “to make certain AR/BP 5010 are not in conflict with current district administrative regulation or board policy.” She added that “in an abundance of precaution, the board opted to pull the proposals pending feedback from the OAG,” and that there is currently no deadline for the review.
Tuesday’s contentious board meeting continued into the early hours of Wednesday morning, with 235 comment cards submitted by attendees hoping to speak for 45 seconds each.
Additional coverage on the flag vote, board debate and book policy will be posted at www.CommunityForwardRedlands.com/education
📝 Read more about what’s in the draft notification policy and what’s next:
Stephanie Hastings Miranda
📚 Beyond test scores: how performance is measured at RUSD: Redlands Unified School District shared its annual local indicators report during the June 24 school board meeting. Local indicators data, which is a California School Dashboard state requirement, provides a look into school life outside of test scores. Read more about how the district is meeting the state's five benchmarks and earning positive reviews from staff, parents and students, according to a presentation shared. Read more here.
Kathryne Mccann
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
🎭 Behind the curtain at Redlands Theatre Festival: At RTF, volunteers do more than just take the stage — they build it, too. From actors learning backstage roles to pros like set designer Alex White donating his skills, it’s a full community effort. See how this summer’s five rotating productions come together, one set piece at a time. Read more from community journalist Siw Heede:
Siw Heede
🎶 Redlands Bowl kicks off July 4 festivities with Patriotic Pops: Thousands gathered at the Redlands Bowl for “A Star-Spangled Evening of Patriotic Pops,” a heartfelt celebration of music, community and country. The free concert featured classic American tunes, tributes to veterans and performances by local chorales and soloists—all part of the Bowl’s beloved summer tradition. Free shows continue every Tuesday and Friday at 8 p.m. Read more here.
Dave Card
HEALTH
🧬 Medical milestone: Loma Linda University Health has become the first facility on the West Coast to treat a sickle cell disease patient using lovo-cel, a newly FDA-approved gene therapy. The cutting-edge treatment uses the patient’s own genetically corrected stem cells to restore healthy hemoglobin and potentially cure the disease — offering new hope to the 100,000 Americans affected, many of whom are from historically underserved communities. Read more here.
Community Forward Redlands
SPORTS
💪 Aussie coach inspires on and off the field: Michael Crossland, coach of the visiting Aussie Expos, has overcome stage 4 cancer, a near-fatal drug trial and lifelong health struggles to become a best-selling author, humanitarian and motivational speaker. Now coaching youth baseball in Redlands, Crossland shares a powerful message: “It’s not adversity that defines us, it’s how we deal with adversity.” Read more here.
John Murphy
⚾ Aussie team tops Redlands 5–0 to even series: The Aussie Expos defeated the Redlands 909ers on Monday, holding them scoreless and limiting them to just four hits. With the series now tied 1–1, the teams will meet again in a doubleheader Wednesday at Arrowhead Christian Academy. Read more here.
John Murphy
⚽ Redlands FC face must-win season finale – and need a little help: Redlands FC close out their 2025 regular season this Saturday at Dodge Stadium with a playoff spot still technically within reach. To get there, they’ll need a win over City SC and an upset from Stars FC over Tucson on Sunday.
With playoff hopes hanging in the balance, all eyes will be on keeper Miguel Hernandez, whose standout performance last week kept Redlands in the hunt.
📍 Kickoff vs. City SC is Saturday night @7pm
🎟️ Get your tickets here.
🔗 Full preview at Community Forward.
Caden Henderson
Catch up on the previous match here
EVENTS
📌 Fri. July 11, Redlands Bowl CATAPULT, 8pm: CATAPULT has captivated audiences worldwide since taking America's Got Talent by storm in 2013. Through shadow illusion dance, you will be transported in fantastical worlds made from light, shadow, and the human body. Learn more here.
📌 Sat. July 12, Artist of the Month Redlands Art Association,: Meet artist Rick Cummings at the open house event on Saturday, July 12 from 1 to 4 p.m. His featured art show at Redlands Art Association runs from July 5 to August 1. Learn more here.
📌 Sat. July 12, Broadway hit "The Music Man" will make its LifeHouse Theater premier: This Broadway favorite will open at 7:00 p.m. on July 12 and run weekends through Aug. 17. If interested in attending the show, click here to purchase tickets.
📌 Sat. July 12, Redlands FC will challenge City SC: The match is set to start at 7:00 p.m. at the Redlands High School field. Click here to buy tickets or to watch live.
📌 Thurs. July 17, The Redlands Chamber of Commerce will host their monthly mixer: From 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Fred Astaire Dance Studio, mingle and network with other local businesses. Ticket information.
📌 Thurs. July 17, Vintage and Artisan Market @ Redlands Public Market: Every Thursday from 5:00–10:00 p.m., shop a variety of vintage finds, handmade goods, and eco-friendly treasures from local vendors at the outdoor market put on by Rust Vintage Denim and Ixchel Triangle at the Redlands Public Market.
📌 July 19, ANCA Summer Mini Film Series - No Impact Man: In the documentary Colin Beavan tells the extraordinary story of his attempt to find some answers - by living for one year in New York City (with his wife and young daughter) without leaving any net impact on the environment. 5:45 - 9:00 pm at the University of Redlands. Register here.
📌 Aug. 8, Footlighters Theatre kicks off its 2025-26 season with The Curious Savage, a whimsical and heartfelt comedy. Ticket information here.
ICYMI
In case you missed it... This summer, Micah House is collecting backpacks and school supplies for local kids in need — and they need your help! Drop off donations at Trinity Church (1551 Reservoir Rd.) by July 25, or donate online and their team will handle the shopping for you.
Families are invited to join the free Back2School Jam on Sunday, Aug. 3 from 5–7 p.m. at Sylvan Park for a family-friendly celebration. Students must be present to receive a backpack. Read more here.
Stephanie Hastings Miranda
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