Latest on Metrolink crash lawsuit, Redlands climate plan reviewed, school board policy debates and standout student-athletes
Saturday, May 17th, at 7 PM | Dodge Stadium on the campus of Redlands High School
The Eagles advance to the CIF-SS Division 3 second round after a dominant offensive showing
Latest on Metrolink crash lawsuit, Redlands climate plan reviewed, school board policy debates and standout student-athletes
The city of Redlands says it is not at fault for the April 4, 2023 train collision that killed Heather Woolard and her 11-year-old daughter, Presley, at the Alabama Street crossing.
In a newly filed legal response, the city blames the driver and argues the crossing met all federal safety standards. The response is part of a broader lawsuit that names multiple agencies and contractors.
The legal team for the victims' family alleges that the defendants failed to maintain a safe railroad crossing and created a dangerous condition of public property. The suit argues that the crossing lacked proper coordination between traffic signals and train warnings—particularly significant in a designated Quiet Zone, where trains do not routinely sound their horns.
🏗️ Village Partners strikes new deal to keep Redlands Mall property: The developer behind the State Street Village project has reached a new loan agreement with lender Hankey Capital, ending the foreclosure process and keeping the Redlands Mall site under Village Partners' control. A newly filed deed of trust shows the developer secured a $1.6 million loan as part of the resolution. Read the full story here.
Stephanie Hastings Miranda
🍊 Coming up at City Council: Speed limits, utility spending and air quality rules: The Redlands City Council meets Tuesday, May 20. Key items include proposed speed limit changes, nearly $5 million in utility contracts, and a possible vote on opposing controversial air quality regulations. The meeting begins with a closed session at 5 p.m., following by an open session at 6 p.m. Read our full preview to see what’s on the table — and how to participate.
Stephanie Hastings Miranda
🚲🌱 Redlands releases draft Climate Action Plan 2050: The city has published a new draft of its Climate Action Plan, laying out updated greenhouse gas reduction goals through 2050. The plan calls for major local action—especially in transportation, building energy, and equity—to help Redlands meet California’s carbon neutrality targets. Transportation currently makes up two-thirds of the city’s emissions, and projections show the city will need to cut more than 300,000 metric tons of emissions to stay on track. Learn how to share your feedback here.
Stephanie Hastings Miranda
🚓 Citrus Valley teacher, coach arrested on suspicion of child sex abuse: Elvin Vereau, a 52-year-old temporary Special Academic Instruction teacher at Citrus Valley High School, was arrested Tuesday by Riverside police for alleged sexual abuse of a minor. Redlands Unified immediately placed him on administrative leave and is cooperating with the investigation. Vereau is being held on a $2M bail. Police say abuse occurred over several years and may involve additional victims. Read more here.
Stephanie Hastings Miranda
🚓 Weekly crime report: Burglaries, hit-and-run and swatting hoax: Redlands police responded to a wave of residential break-ins, a theft from a UPS truck, and a hit-and-run involving a motorhome that left a pedestrian injured. Officers also arrested a burglary suspect caught on surveillance and responded to a false shooting report believed to be a swatting hoax. Read more here.
Community Forward Redlands
Redlands FC returns for Season 3
Redlands' own pre-professional soccer team is back under the lights at Dodge Stadium. With a new roster of rising stars and returning fan favorites, Redlands FC is aiming to reclaim its spot at the top of USL League Two. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to the scene, now's the perfect time to catch a game and support local talent.
Click here for the full season preview and ongoing coverage: Redlands FC
Months into a heated debate over school library books and classroom flags, the Redlands Unified School Board again failed to reach consensus Tuesday night, highlighting ongoing divisions over issues of identity, parental rights, and educational freedom.
The nearly six-and-a-half-hour meeting deepened rifts between board members, culminating in a vote to censure board member Melissa Ayala-Quintero and advance controversial policy proposals.
Board President Michele Rendler, along with board members Candy Olson and Jeannette Wilson, voted both to censure Ayala-Quintero and to move forward with a policy restricting classroom flag displays.
Read a recap of the night’s three most contentious discussions here.
Kathryne Mccann
Even with triple-digit heat, families turned out for Redlands Unified’s annual Multicultural Fair at Citrus Valley High School. The event featured cultural booths, student performances, a sensory room, and food — all aimed at honoring the district’s diversity.
Organizers say the fair continues to grow, with new language translations and a student art exhibit planned for next year.
Read more about the community event here.
Student-athletes from 26 Inland Empire high schools — including 8 from Redlands — were honored for athletic excellence, leadership and character at annual ceremony. Read more about the honorees from Monday night's Ken Hubbs banquet here:
John Murphy
⚾ ACA Baseball Advances in CIF Playoffs: Arrowhead Christian Academy is moving on in the CIF-Southern Section Division 3 playoffs after a 7-2 win over Dana Hills on Thursday. They’ll face Warren of Downey in the second round Tuesday at 3:15 p.m. Read more from Thursday's game here.
John Murphy
⚽ Redlands FC season opener Saturday: Redlands FC are set to begin their 3rd campaign in USL2 this Saturday, May 17th, at 7 PM inside of Dodge Stadium on the campus of Redlands High School as they take on Stars FC. Here is everything to know ahead of opening night:
Contributor
📌 Sun. May 18 - 3:00 pm | Redlands Community Orchestra Performs Khachaturian and Shostakovich: Don’t miss the Redlands Community Orchestra’s third concert of the season, featuring Khachaturian’s Adagio from Spartacus and Shostakovich’s powerful Symphony No. 5. The free performance takes place Sunday, May 18 at 3 p.m. in the Clock Auditorium at Redlands High School. Doors open at 2:30. All ages welcome. Read more here.
📌 Wed. May 21 - 4:00 - 9:00 pm | Give Back Night for the Franklin Family to honor the life and legacy of Redlands Police Officer Seth Franklin. The event at the Tartan (24 E Redlands Blvd.) will help raise funds for the family to cover funeral and medical expenses. 100% of the evening’s proceeds will go directly to the Franklin family.
📌 Sun. May 25 - 6am - 6pm | Redlands Firefighters Car Show: Join us for a day of cars, food, and fun for the whole family all for an amazing cause. Show your car, truck, cycle, or special interest vehicle in the heart of beautiful Downtown Redlands while showing your support for our community. Enjoy live music, delicious food and refreshments, and shopping from local vendors.
📌 Sat - Sun, May 24 - 25 | Festival of Arts and Art in the Park + Youth Art Expo: The Redlands Art Association artists will be hanging their masterpieces in Smiley Park for Art in the Park alongside talented artists from across the county participating in the 13th annual Festival of Arts. Opens at 10 am Memorial Day Weekend.
📌 Thurs - Fri, May 29 & 30 | Redlands Students Take Powerful Play to Scotland: The University of Redlands Theatre Department is premiering Acts of Kindness—a moving, interview-based play exploring the aftermath of a mass shooting in El Paso—before taking it to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this summer. Catch the local performances May 29–30 at the Frederick Loewe BlackBox Theatre. Read more here.
📌 Sat - June 7, 10am | Discover Hidden Art Treasures at Smiley Library: Join AAUW Redlands on Saturday, June 7, for a special presentation by local historian and archivist Nathan Gonzales, who will share highlights from the A.K. Smiley Public Library’s rarely seen fine art collection. The free talk begins at 10 a.m. in the Casa Loma Room at the University of Redlands. An optional brunch is available at 9 a.m. with RSVP. Read more here.
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