New Bike Path, Fentanyl Arrest, Redlands Muralist’s Legacy & REV’s New Football Coach
Redlands City Council approves Run Through Redlands support, security contracts, and trail project
The approved segment on Orange Street is part of a larger plan to connect the cities of Highland and Redlands.
New Bike Path, Fentanyl Arrest, Redlands Muralist’s Legacy & REV’s New Football Coach
The move comes as many Redlands residents have voiced concerns about the environmental impact that diesel trucks have on the community.
California officials announced on Jan. 14 the decision to abandon a groundbreaking regulation to phase out diesel trucks, along with three other clean-air rules, ahead of the Trump administration taking office.
Why it matters: The Inland Empire struggles with severe air quality concerns, with the majority of particle pollution coming from diesel truck exhaust. The warehouses that employ these trucks have become a hot-button topic in Redlands due to the damaging health impacts of trucks that pass through daily.
Details: The Biden administration recently approved the California Air Resources Board’s mandate phasing out new gas-powered cars by 2035, but four other diesel vehicle standards remained in limbo. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), however, failed to approve the new standards in time.
Read more about the decision to withdraw and what it could mean for greenhouse gas reduction in Redlands here.
Kathryne Mccann
🚴🏼♀️ New pedestrian and bike path move forward: Pedestrians and cyclists will soon have a safer way to travel on Orange Street in north Redlands following the City Council's approval on Feb. 4 of a segment of the Redlands Regional Connector South Pedestrian and Bike Trail Project. Read more here.
Stephanie Hastings Miranda
🍊 City Council recap: The Redlands City Council on Feb. 4 approved several key measures, including city support for an upcoming community race, security services for Redlands Passenger Rail stations, and a multimillion-dollar pedestrian and bike trail project. The City Council also presented a proclamation declaring February as Black History Month to Black Student Union representatives from each district high school. Read more here.
Community Forward Redlands
👮 Redlands Police reassure community: Amid growing protests in response to recent immigration raids and deportations, the Redlands Police Department released a statement clarifying its role in public safety, stating that it does not participate in immigration enforcement and remains focused on building community trust “regardless of national origin or immigration status." Read more here.
Kathryne Mccann
🚔 Man arrested in fentanyl death: A 24-year-old Redlands man was arrested Jan. 31 in connection with the 2022 fentanyl-related death of an 18-year-old, authorities said in a news release on Feb. 6. Read more here.
Stephanie Hastings Miranda
🛍️ 11 arrested for retail theft: Redlands police arrested 11 people and recovered $7,600 worth of stolen merchandise during a retail theft operation at Mountain Grove and Citrus Plaza shopping centers on Jan. 30, authorities said. Read more here.
Stephanie Hastings Miranda
🍸🚨 Weekend DUI checkpoint: The Redlands Police Department will conduct a DUI checkpoint on Friday, Feb. 7, from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday at an undisclosed location, officials announced. Read more here.
Community Forward Redlands
Redlands Unified School District has launched a 1:1 Chromebook pilot program at Beattie Middle School, equipping each student with a personal device to enhance digital learning both in and out of the classroom.
The initiative is a key step toward the district’s RUSD 2025 Vision of providing "enhanced learning through innovation," ensuring students have consistent and reliable access to technology to better prepare them for college and career readiness, district spokesperson Christine Stephens said in a Feb. 3 press release.
Read more about the pilot program here.
Community Forward Redlands
🎼 REV students hit high notes at All-State performances: Redlands East Valley High School’s performing arts department has recently represented San Bernardino County in two areas, sending two students to the state level for choir and band. Read more from community reporter Shantell Sunderman here.
Shantell Sunderman
Larry Dierdorff, 78, has painted more than 200 murals across the Inland Empire, transforming blank walls into detailed works of art.
His latest project, commissioned by Bud Feldkamp, adds a touch of whimsy to downtown Redlands.
“Bud said to me, ‘I want you to paint a rock wall,’” Dierdorff recalled. “So I did.” But his imagination didn’t stop there. He added a tree with roses and butterflies, a cat emerging from a hole in one of the rocks, and a dog and a rabbit standing on a ledge. He even included a pumpkin for Halloween and Santa for Christmas.
“This wall will be ongoing,” said Dierdorff, who moved to Redlands in 1964.
Read more about Dierdoff's art work around Redlands from reporter Julie Farren here. It's a part of our new series, Redlands Neighborly, highlighting members of our community who help make our city thrive.
Contributor
🇺🇸 84th Lincoln Pilgrimage Parade and Lincoln Memorial Shrine open house: The Lincoln Memorial Shrine marked Abraham Lincoln’s birthday on Saturday, Feb. 1, by hosting the 84th annual Lincoln Pilgrimage youth parade and its annual open house at Smiley Park. This year, more than 300 Boy Scouts from San Bernardino and Riverside counties participated, honoring Lincoln’s legacy. Read more and see pictures from the event from Dave Card here.
Dave Card
REV edges CV to claim boys' title
It was a mighty struggle at the Redlands East Valley stadium. And when the final seconds elapsed in the Citrus Valley High girls’ soccer team’s 3-2 title-winning victory against REV, the celebration was on for the Blackhawks.
The players dissolved into a mosh pit at midfield. Two players tumbled over each on the ground like playful kittens. Coach Cassondra Delgado was doused with the inevitable water bucket. Then someone whipped out a Bose speaker and the Blackhawks rejoiced to “Throw Your Hands in the Air.”
REV (8-10-3 overall, 5-2-3 league) watched in frustration as Citrus Valley (7-10-3, 7-1-2) commemorated its sixth consecutive Citrus Belt League title. Read more here.
John Murphy
⚽ REV eyes title after tie with Beaumont: Before victory Tuesday against Citrus Valley, REV tied with Beaumont. Catch up here.
John Murphy
Kristian King, 31, has been chosen as the new Redlands East Valley High football coach, King said.
The hiring was revealed in a district letter to REV students, families, and staff. High Desert educator Chris Fore first reported the hiring on X.
“I’m a Wildcat through and through,” King said. “I was a Wildcat at 8 years old playing Junior All-American (youth football). This is something that’s needed at the school and I want to bring back the glory days.”
King played at REV, graduating in 2011. He received a scholarship to Western New Mexico University where he played defensive back and inside linebacker. He also made the Academic All-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference team.
Read more from sport's reporter John Murphy here.
John Murphy
📌 Sat. Feb. 8 - Black History Month Parade: Riverside to Celebrate Black History with Annual Parade and Expo
📌 Tues. Feb. 11 - Redlands Forum: Redlands Forum to host classical guitar performance by Laurel Harned
📌 Wed. Feb. 19 - Parable Project Presents: Sci-Fi star Nalo Hopkinson to discuss Octavia Butler’s legacy in Redlands
📌 Wed. Feb. 19 - ANCA Community Workshop: Event to highlight home electrification benefits in Redlands
📌 Thurs. Feb. 20 - Symphony recital series: Redlands Symphony launches intimate recital series
🍊 Explore more community events by clicking below:
February is Black History Month. To mark the occasion, the Redlands City Council invited Black Student Union representatives from each high schools in the Redlands Unified School District to attend and receive copies of a proclamation declaring February as Black History Month.
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