This week in Redlands news:
- The RUSD school board approved layoffs affecting 24 certificated employees.
- Redlands police are asking for help locating two teenage girls missing since May 16.
- California’s primary election is Tuesday, June 2. Learn more about what’s on the ballot for Redlands residents.
- More than 140 students from across the Inland Empire showcased artwork during the Youth Art Expo at the Redlands Festival of Arts.
- Redlands FC returns to Dodge Stadium for its home opener against City SC.
EDUCATION
✏️ Redlands Unified School Board voted 4-0 Wednesday to approve certificated layoffs affecting 24 employees across the district. Affected employees include counselors, teachers and other student support staff.
The latest round brings the district’s total confirmed job cuts this month to 43 positions as officials continue addressing ongoing budget challenges ahead of the 2026-27 school year.
Continue reading here:
Kathryne Mccann
PUBLIC SAFETY
🚨 Redlands police are asking for help locating two teenage girls who have been missing since May 16. Investigators say Aurora Brunner, 13, and Lexi Boykin, 14, were last seen leaving a residence with backpacks and that there are currently no new leads in the case.
CFR News Desk
🚔 New Drone as First Responder Program: Redlands Police are increasingly deploying drones during patrol responses, offering residents a glimpse into how the department’s new Drone as First Responder program is being used in the field. Recent incidents included an e-bike pursuit, a mental health crisis call and an investigation involving armed suspects at an apartment complex. Read more here:
CFR News Desk
ELECTION 2026
🗳️ With the June 2 primary election approaching, Community Forward Redlands is expanding its Redlands Votes election guide with new candidate profiles for California’s 23rd and 33rd Congressional Districts.
To help readers compare candidates, Community Forward Redlands invited every declared candidate in both races to complete a questionnaire about their background, priorities and positions on issues affecting Inland Southern California. Candidate profiles below include campaign information, biographical details and questionnaire responses when provided.
CA-23 Congressional Race 2026 | Redlands Votes
CA-33 Congressional Race 2026 | Redlands Votes
The election hub, launched earlier this spring, includes information on congressional, state and county races impacting Redlands-area voters, along with upcoming Redlands City Council and school board elections. Readers can also find voter resources, including registration information, polling locations and key election deadlines.
🔗 Bookmark the guide here — we’ll continue adding election coverage and updates throughout the 2026 election season.
CFR News Desk
🍊 No paywall. Just local news.
We don’t limit access to local news.
Help keep this community service strong by becoming a sustaining subscriber.
Support local journalism for just $7 a month.
⚽ Redlands FC returns to Dodge Stadium this Saturday for its first home game of the season against City SC
After opening the year on the road, the club returns home looking for its first win of the 2026 campaign. Read more about the team and what to expect at Saturday's home opener.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
🧑🎨 Artists from across the country and student creators from Redlands schools were recognized after this year’s Redlands Festival of Arts, with organizers announcing juried art show winners, chalk art champions and youth arts grants during the annual awards dinner in Smiley Park.
CFR News Desk
🎨 Young artists filled the Youth Art Expo tent Saturday at the Redlands Festival of Arts, where more than 140 students from across the Inland Empire showcased paintings, sculptures and even digital artwork. From kindergarten painters to high school illustrators, students proudly viewed their work while organizers announced awards recognizing creativity, imagination and artistic skill.
Siw Heede
🏆 Redlands Educational Partnership honored 35 teachers and classified employees from Redlands Unified School District during its 38th Annual Evening of Appreciation on May 6. The annual event recognized educators and school staff for their contributions to students and the district. Read more here
SPORTS
🥎 Monse Matute, a senior infielder from Citrus Valley High School’s softball team, signed a letter of intent to play softball at perennial NCAA softball powerhouse UCLA and was recently presented the Ken Hubbs Foundation’s award as the area’s female athlete of the year.
Contributing Author
🥎 University of Redlands softball is moving on at the NCAA Division III College World Series after a dramatic 9-7 comeback win over No. 4 Linfield on Thursday in Salem, Virginia. The Bulldogs scored five runs in the seventh inning to erase a late deficit and will now face eighth-seeded Rowan in the next round. Leila Gomez led the offense with four hits while freshman pitcher Caitlynn Griffiths threw a complete game as Redlands improved to 44-6.
Contributing Author
⚾ CSUSB’s postseason run came to an end with a 10-9 extra-inning loss to Point Loma Nazarene in the NCAA Division II West Regional final. Citrus Valley High graduate Keedan Nadeau played a major role in the Coyotes’ playoff surge, delivering big hits and standout performances throughout the postseason.
Contributing Author
🏃 Four local athletes are headed to the CIF State Championships. Redlands East Valley distance standout Elijah Medina, Beaumont seniors Daryl Williams and Kai Johnston, and Yucaipa discus thrower Emmalyne Dowdy all earned state berths with strong performances at the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet. Read more here.
⛳ Redlands’ Kamron Hopson and Yucaipa’s Tyler Price helped lead Cal State San Bernardino to its first NCAA Division II men’s golf match-play appearance since the format was introduced in 2011. Read more here.
⛳ Redlands High finished fifth at the CIF Southern Section Division 3 boys golf finals, led by strong rounds from Johnny Suh and CJ Lorenzo. Read more here.
EVENTS
📅 This weekend in Redlands
Friday, May 29
- Friday Flea at Olive Avenue Market | 5–9 p.m.
Curated vintage and Y2K clothing at OAM.
Saturday, May 30
- Grove School Farmers Market | 8 a.m.–noon
Saturday morning community market with local produce and vendors. Rain or shine. - Downtown's Morning Market | 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
The city of Redlands’ weekly certified farmers market. - STEAM Saturdays: Fantastic Frogs | 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
San Bernardino County Museum invites families to this educational program focused on frogs and amphibians. More information - She's Rare Market Night | 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Rare Market will host local vendors, food and shopping at Redlands Public Market.
Sunday, May 31
- Sunday Morning Market at Olive Avenue Market | 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
Weekly market featuring small businesses and makers.
Check out more Redlands events here.
ICYMI 👀
In case you missed it...City Council voted this month to shift the operating hours of the downtown morning market and begin exploring alternative locations and third-party management options for the weekly event. The market’s hours will soon shift from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. to 7 a.m.–11 a.m. Read more about the discussion here:
Kathryne Mccann
🍊 Want to advertise to our 25,000+ monthly readers while supporting local news? Learn more here.
😄 Thank you to our paid subscribers and sponsors who make Community Forward Redlands news possible!
📩 Missed a newsletter? Catch up here.
