This week in Redlands news: The City Council approves another major settlement in a series of police misconduct claims. Redlands Unified grapples with budget pressures, firefighters contain a wildfire in San Timoteo Canyon, and the city prepares to celebrate the 58th annual 4th of July festivities.
CITY HALL
Redlands to pay $1.2 million to settle another sexual misconduct lawsuit by former police employee
The city of Redlands has agreed to pay $1.2 million to settle another sexual misconduct and retaliation lawsuit filed by a former police department employee, marking the latest in a series of harassment claims tied to former Deputy Chief Michael Reiss.
Why it matters: To date, the city has paid out $3.7 million to settle claims connected to Reiss and the city, including allegations of quid pro quo sexual harassment, retaliation and a hostile work environment within the Redlands Police Department.
Details of the settlement: The latest settlement, approved in closed session during a special City Council meeting on June 24, resolves an August 2022 lawsuit brought by former Community Service Officer Julie Alvarado-Salcido against Reiss and the city. In exchange for dismissal of the lawsuit and release of claims, the city will pay Salcido a lump sum of $1.2 million, according to public meeting minutes. The vote passed 3-2, with Mayor Pro Tem Marc Shaw and Council Member Denise Davis opposing the settlement.
Read the full investigation here.
Stephanie Hastings Miranda
EDUCATION
📉 RUSD Budget Reflects State Cuts, Declining Enrollment: Redlands Unified approved its 2025–26 budget last month, projecting $70.7 million in reserves but anticipates deficit spending in the years ahead. State funding deferrals, a drop in enrollment and fewer students qualifying for supplemental services are all contributing to the financial strain. Despite the challenges, the district is meeting its reserve requirement and no budget revisions are expected this summer. Read the full story here.
Kathryne Mccann
PUBLIC SAFETY
🚓 Weekly Crime Report - Teen suspects arrested after shots fired, ghost gun recovered: Two teenage boys accused of attempted murder were arrested after a violent altercation on Lombard Drive, Redlands police reported Thursday. Police also responded to an armed robbery at Verizon, investigated a string of stolen cars, and arrested a DUI suspect whose vehicle got stuck on railroad tracks. Read more here.
Community Forward Redlands
🔥 Wildfire burns 83 acres in San Timoteo Canyon: Fire crews from Redlands, Cal Fire, and Riverside County responded to a fast-moving vegetation fire Saturday afternoon near the 13600 block of San Timoteo Canyon Road. The fire, dubbed the Smiley Fire, grew to 83 acres before forward progress was stopped around 5:20 p.m. No structures were lost and no injuries were reported. Crews remained on scene overnight and continued mop-up efforts into Sunday. View photos of response here.
Stephanie Hastings Miranda
⚽️ Redlands FC vs. SoCal Eagles – Saturday, July 5
July is here, and Redlands FC is making one final push for a playoff spot! The race begins this Saturday at Dodge Stadium as Redlands takes on the SoCal Eagles.
Don’t miss the last two home games of the regular season:
📌 Saturday, July 5 vs. SoCal Eagles
📌 Saturday, July 12 vs. City SC
Kickoff for both matches is at 7 p.m. at Dodge Stadium, Redlands High School.
🎟️ Get your tickets at the gate or online below:
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
🎨 Artist of the Month: Rick Cummings’ Vibrant, Thought-Provoking Art at Redlands Art Association: Redlands-based artist Rick Cummings brings bold color, sculptural textures and powerful social commentary to the Redlands Art Association this July. Known for incorporating found materials and capturing the human condition with empathy and humor, Cummings’ mixed media work explores themes from homelessness to environmental crisis.
Meet the artist at an open house on Saturday, July 12, from 1 to 4 p.m. The show runs July 5–Aug. 1 at 215 E. State Street. Read more here.
Siw Heede
🎒 Help students start school strong: 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
🦜 Jimmy Buffett lives on at the Redlands Bowl: There were no passports, plane tickets, or sandy beaches required — just a warm summer night, a sea of Hawaiian shirts, and the unmistakable echo of steel drums. On Friday, June 27, the Redlands Bowl became a slice of Margaritaville. It was more than a concert. It was a tropical state of mind. Read more from Dave Card here.
Dave Card
HEALTH
🥑 New Study Links Vegetarian Diets to Lower Cancer Risk: A new Loma Linda University study finds that vegetarian diets may significantly reduce the risk of several types of cancer—including less common cancers like stomach and lymphoma. Researchers analyzed data from nearly 80,000 participants and found that vegetarians had a 12% lower overall cancer risk, with even greater reductions for specific cancers. Vegans saw a 25% drop in breast and prostate cancer risk, while pescatarians had the lowest rates of colorectal cancer. Read the full story here.
Community Forward Redlands
SPORTS
⚾ Coaching Shift for REV Baseball: Chris Paterson is stepping down as head baseball coach at Redlands East Valley High School to join the University of Redlands as an assistant coach. Paterson, a former REV player and three-year head coach, led the Wildcats to a Citrus Belt League title this season and a CIF-SS semifinal appearance in 2023. He’ll reunite with fellow REV alum and Bulldogs head coach Aaron Holley. The school has yet to name a replacement.
John Murphy
🥎 Two players from Redlands made an All-CIF-Southern Section softball team: Landing on the All-CIF-SS Division 4 team from Redlands East Valley High was utility player Grace Twente. Making the All-CIF-SS D6 team from Arrowhead Christian Academy was utility player Allie Chavez. Read more here.
John Murphy
⚽ Redlands FC continues playoff push over the next two weeks.
Catch up on all the recent action and what’s ahead:
Caden Henderson
Caden Henderson
EVENTS
The city of Redlands will celebrate Independence Day with a full slate of activities on Friday, July 4, beginning with live entertainment and a morning parade at Sylvan Park and ending with a fireworks spectacular at Moore Middle School.
Festivities kick off at 9 a.m. in Sylvan Park, with performances throughout the day and the annual Fourth of July Parade set to begin at 10:30 a.m.
Evening events move to Moore Middle School, where gates open at 5:15 p.m. and live entertainment starts at 6 p.m.
The fireworks show is scheduled for approximately 9 p.m. Event details here:
Community Forward Redlands
📌 Schedules for outdoor summer concerts and plays in Redlands
ICYMI
In case you missed it... For one of Redlands’ oldest theater companies, the future looks bright—if the 80-year-old nonprofit can secure the funding to match its vision.
Redlands Footlighters Theatre, a community nonprofit, is embarking on an ambitious fundraising campaign to update its aging facilities and create a welcoming, inclusive space for future generations.
Siw Heede
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