This week in Redlands news:
- Inland Empire institutions are embracing solar energy as federal solar tax credits are set to expire.
- City Council considers new tax measures to fund public safety for the November 2026 ballot.
- Redlands police are investigating a deadly hit-and-run. Anyone with information is urged to contact RPD.
- Federal prosecutors have sued Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) over misused Medi-Cal funds.
- Interested in getting more involved in the community? Fair for a Change will showcase volunteer opportunities around Redlands.
BUSINESS
Solar incentives are vanishing, but Inland Empire institutions already locked in big projects
With federal solar tax credits set to expire after 2025 and California’s net-metering payouts reduced, households may soon find it harder to afford rooftop panels. But in the Inland Empire, many of the region’s largest employers have already secured major solar systems in recent years, underscoring both the benefits and the stakes.
From Loma Linda University Health’s new two-megawatt microgrid to Esri’s campus-wide rooftop arrays and Kaiser Permanente’s solar-plus-storage hospital system in Ontario, institutions are betting on clean energy for predictable costs, resilience and sustainability.
Why it matters: Their investments highlight what’s at risk for smaller adopters as federal and state incentives shrink. With new federal legislation reshaping incentives, projects like these highlight the value of local, reliable power that can cut costs and keep running during emergencies.
Kathryne Mccann
CITY HALL
🍊 Redlands City Council is weighing a possible 2026 ballot measure to boost funding for police and fire services: After debate over fairness and feasibility, councilmembers directed staff to study revisions to the city’s existing paramedic parcel tax rather than pursuing new taxes on warehouses. Read more here.
Kathryne Mccann
🗳️ Redlands voters will keep access to three secure ballot drop boxes through at least 2035: The City Council approved a new agreement with San Bernardino County to continue maintaining drop boxes at City Hall, the City Corporate Yard and the Community Center. Read more here.
Community Forward Redlands
🏗️ Planning Commission meets Sept. 23: Agenda includes a discussion about a parking lot reconfiguration at the Redlands Community Hospital and a resident garage construction project. Click here to view the agenda.
PUBLIC SAFETY
🚗 Redlands police are investigating a deadly hit-and-run that killed a 38-year-old woman early Sept. 17. Witnesses said two cars ran a red light on Alabama Street before striking the victim and fleeing the scene. Investigators are urging anyone with information to contact RPD. Read more here.
Stephanie Hastings Miranda
🚨 Weekly crime update: This week’s Redlands Police report includes a Yucaipa man arrested on hate crime charges after threats against Set Free Church, two juveniles taken into custody for assaulting a school resource officer at Redlands High, and several injury crashes involving cyclists, pedestrians and DUI drivers.
Community Forward Redlands
EDUCATION
📋 Share your input on Redlands schools: Redlands Unified wants your feedback on its long-term Facilities Master Plan, the roadmap for school upgrades funded by the $500 million Measure D bond. The public survey asks families, staff and community members to rank priorities like safety, accessibility, and campus improvements, and allows input for specific school sites. Your responses will help shape how Measure D dollars are invested across the district.
Take the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/rusdcommsurvey
Read more about ongoing Measure D projects in our recent coverage.
Stephanie Hastings Miranda
Matson Waner Wealth Management
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Matson Waner Wealth Management has sponsored a series to highlight nonprofit organizations in Redlands.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
📚 The University of Redlands is launching its 2025–26 community read with Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law by Mary Roach. The kickoff is a public Marathon Reading this Friday, Sept. 19, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Naslund Lounge, Armacost Library, where participants can drop in to read or listen as the book is shared aloud. Funded by the NEA and local partners, the yearlong program will include hikes, lectures, creative workshops, and more — all free and open to the public. Read more here:
Siw Heede
🧡 Looking to get more involved in the community? Fair for a Change debuts Saturday, Oct. 11, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the University of Redlands Casa Loma Room. The free event will feature 20+ local nonprofits, service clubs and foundations offering volunteer, service and board opportunities for all ages. Hosted by the Redlands Community Foundation and partners, the fair is designed to connect residents with ways to give back and strengthen the community. Read more here:
Community Forward Redlands
🚓 The Redlands Police Community Foundation has elected new leadership: Founded in 2017, the nonprofit supports programs like Citizen Volunteers, youth initiatives and the police K-9 unit, and will celebrate its eighth anniversary this October. Read more here.
HEALTH
⚖️ DOJ sues IEHP over alleged false Medi-Cal claims: Federal prosecutors have sued Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP), alleging the Rancho Cucamonga-based insurer misused millions in Medi-Cal funds through sham programs and improper payments. IEHP, which covers 1.5 million residents in Riverside and San Bernardino counties, denies the claims and says it will defend its practices in court. The allegations have not yet been proven. Read more here.
Community Forward Redlands
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SPORTS
🏆 Catch up on the latest sports action in Redlands: The University of Redlands football team opened the season with a 10-7 win over George Fox, while area high school teams scored big, including wins for Redlands East Valley, Cajon, Yucaipa and Beaumont. In volleyball, Redlands looks to defend its Citrus Belt League title, and Savannah Banana star Robert Anthony Cruz made a splash on “The Tonight Show.” Local cross-country teams also posted strong results at recent invitational meets. Read more here:
John Murphy
🏐 Redlands High opened the Citrus Belt League volleyball season with a thrilling five-set win over Beaumont. Captains Kameryn Carpenter and Ava Reyes led the Terriers, with Carpenter posting 17 kills and Reyes anchoring the defense. The rivals will meet again Oct. 2 in Redlands.
🏈 In flag football, Cajon beat Redlands East Valley 20-19 in a close game. Senior receiver Janiya Zamora hauled in the game-winning touchdown and finished with two scores, helping Cajon tie REV for second place in the league standings. Read more here.
John Murphy
EVENTS
📌 Fri. Sept. 19 - 5:30 pm: Movies in the Park returns to Martinez Park in Redlands with a ‘Wicked’ sing-along. Learn more here.
📌 Sat. Sept. 20 – 11a.m. – 2 p.m.: The 2025 Day for Kids hosted by the local Boys & Girls Club is a free carnival-style celebration with crafts, games, a bounce house, rock climbing wall, food, entertainment, raffles and more. Learn more here.
📌 Sat. Sept. 20 - 3:00 p.m.: Totally 80s Afternoon: Dust off the neon and headbands—Redlands Symphony is throwing it back with an interactive 80s-themed concert at Escape Craft Brewery’s Barrelhouse. A string quartet will perform bodacious covers of hits from Journey, Michael Jackson, Cher and more, while the audience helps shape the playlist. Tickets ($75 adults, $20 kids) include snacks, a drink and raffle entry, with proceeds supporting the Symphony’s programs. Learn more here.
📌 Wed. Sept. 24– 7 p.m.: Redlands Cinema Classic will be showing Not Alone Anymore. Click here to purchase tickets.
📌 Sat. Sept. 27 – 9 a.m – 1 p.m.: A.K. Smiley Library will host its 22nd Annual Family Day. Celebrate reading at Smiley Park with award-winning author/illustrator duo Lesa Cline-Ransome and James Ransome. The first 150 families to arrive will receive a free hardcover of They Call Me Teach. Attendees can enjoy book giveaways, story read-alouds, a musical petting zoo, soccer, craft stations, a rope bridge and more. Read more here.
📌 Tues. Sept 30 – 6:30-8 p.m.: The first annual Redlands Heritage Club Fair will take place at the Redlands Contemporary Club. Discover longtime clubs, local history groups and more. Read more here.
ICYMI
In case you missed it... The Leadership Redlands Class of 2025 is transforming a vacant lot into a sustainable garden filled with drought-tolerant plants, pollinator habitat, and community gathering space. The project fundraising kicked off this week with a fundraiser at Lappart’s Ice Cream and continues this month with “Pack the House” events at Viva La Boba (Sept. 20), Three Stags (Sept. 23) and Don Orange (Sept. 24). Donations will help the class reach its $25,000 fundraising goal. Read more about the garden plans and how to help here.
Stephanie Hastings Miranda
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