From Altadena’s Christmas Tree Lane to Canyon Crest Park, the Deodar Cedar has shaped Redlands’ landscape for more than a century. Their future now hangs in the balance.
Help shape local policy: Redlands seeks residents for key commissions
City commissions serve as a direct link between residents and local government, giving volunteers a chance to analyze issues, make recommendations and elevate community concerns before they reach the City Council.
From traffic calming and parking strategies to public art, airport operations and long-range planning, many policy decisions begin in commission meetings. Service on a board is one of the most accessible ways for residents to influence how the city grows and invests.
The city is currently recruiting volunteers for the Traffic and Parking Commission, the Cultural Arts Commission and the Airport Advisory Board.
Applications are due Jan. 7, offering residents a direct way to influence local decision-making. Read more here:
📚 Redlands seeks applicants for A.K. Smiley Library Board of Trustees: The city is recruiting a new volunteer trustee to help guide operations of the historic A.K. Smiley Library, the Lincoln Memorial Shrine and the Museum of Redlands. The three-year appointment is open to local residents, with applications due Dec. 16. Read more here:
📌 City Council meets Tuesday: The final regular meeting of the year is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 16 and the newly posted agenda is packed. Council is set to consider $14M in construction contracts for the new City Hall, along with proposed revisions to the city’s truck route map. Several land-use and budget items are also on the docket. A full breakdown of the agenda will be published separately.Find the agenda here.
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Redlands school board overturns committee ruling; removes Push, restricts The Bluest Eye
In its first major test of a new book-challenge policy, the Redlands Unified board voted 3–2 to pull Push from school libraries and unanimously approved tighter age and parental-consent limits for The Bluest Eye.
The decision sets a precedent for how the district will evaluate future challenges. Read more here:
💸 Community invited to help shape Redlands Unified’s school funding priorities: The district is inviting students, families and community members to share feedback on how state education funds should be spent. The online survey is open through Dec. 17.Read more here:
🚚 Stolen merchandise recovered; police report DUI arrests: Redlands police recovered more than $100,000 in stolen merchandise from a semi-truck parked near Texas Street and Domestic Avenue and reported multiple DUI arrests and crashes during the week of Dec. 4–11, according to the department’s latest report. Read more here:
🚓 Redlands police add DUI patrols for holiday “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign: Extra officers will be out Dec. 12 to curb impaired driving, part of a national effort to reduce crashes during one of the year’s most dangerous travel months. Read more here:
🚨 Police investigate alleged kidnapping, sexual assault of teen runaway: Redlands police are investigating reports of a kidnapping, threats and sexual assault involving a teen runaway who met two adult men in a city park before traveling to Los Angeles. Police said she escaped, returned to Redlands and filed a report. Read more here:
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🎁 Cadets and pilots fuel record-setting holiday toy drive at Redlands Airport: Redlands Airport Association volunteers and Civil Air Patrol cadets collected more than 1,700 toys for local families during this year’s “Stuff a Plane” drive, the airport’s most successful event yet. Gifts will be distributed by the Salvation Army on Dec. 19, supporting roughly 400 families in need. Read more here:
The story of Redlands’ Deodars and what we stand to lose
Redlands’ towering Deodar Cedars have roots stretching back more than a century, and their future is increasingly uncertain. In this special op-ed, historian and botanist JP Beall traces the remarkable journey of these rare Himalayan trees, their deep ties to Redlands’ identity, and why preserving the last remaining rows matters now more than ever. Read more here:
🏐 Redlands High volleyball caps record-breaking season with 31 wins and a return to the State stage: The Terriers swept the Citrus Belt League, reached the CIF-SS Division 2 quarterfinals and advanced to the CIF State Southern Regional Tournament for the first time in 30 years, becoming the first Redlands team ever to win a State-level set. Led by Co-MVPs Ava Reyes and Kameryn Carpenter, the 31–7 squad delivered one of the strongest seasons in program history. Read more here:
Sat., Dec. 13 • 10 a.m.–12 p.m. Gonzales Community Center, 111 W. Lugonia Ave. The City of Redlands Recreation Division and the Redlands Police Department bring back a 20-year community tradition with this festive family block party. Kids and families can enjoy crafts, live entertainment, a climbing wall, bounce house, video game truck, carnival games, food, a petting zoo and free photos with Santa.
🎄 Christmas Night Market at Redlands Public Market
Sat., Dec. 13 • 5 p.m.–10 p.m. Redlands Public Market, 330 3rd St., Redlands, CA 92374 Shop small this weekend at the outdoor holiday market on the RPM patio, hosted by @theraremarkett. Local makers and vendors will offer gifts, crafts and seasonal goods.
🎭 The Night Before the Night Before Christmas
Dec. 5–21, 2025 Redlands Footlighters Theatre Join Lou as he tries to escape the holiday chaos in this hilarious holiday comedy, only to be stranded in an airport by a freak snowstorm. Will a few unexpected characters help him rediscover the true Christmas spirit just in time? Tickets here.
🎭 Scrooge! - A Christmas Classic
Dec. 12–28, 2025 LifeHouse Theatre Dickens’ classic “A Christmas Carol” comes to life in this powerful family production. Music, comedy and the powerful redemption of Ebenezer Scrooge combine with the sights and sounds of the season for an unforgettable presentation of the true Christmas Spirit. Tickets here.
In case you missed it... New eco-arts residency announced: The Artlands Creative has launched a new residency offering $2,800 stipends for artists and writers to create community projects on local environmental issues. Applications are open through Dec. 14, 2025.Read more here:
A former local TV news producer, Stephanie launched CFR in 2023. Originally from Michigan, she’s made Redlands home with her husband and three kids. When she’s not reporting, she’s problem-solving at the climbing gym or trying new local restaurants.
Kathryne is a journalist and creative writer who has contributed to CFR since 2023. When she isn't reporting, she can be found curled up with a thick fantasy book.
Stephanie Hastings Miranda
Community Forward Redlands
Community Forward Redlands
Kathryne Mccann
Stephanie Hastings Miranda
Community Forward Redlands
Community Forward Redlands
Stephanie Hastings Miranda
Stephanie Hastings Miranda
Opinion
Contributing Author
Community Forward Redlands
Contributing Author
Stephanie Hastings Miranda
