Danny Summerhill of L39ion of Los Angeles won Stage 4 of the Redlands Bicycle Classic in a tense 90-minute criterium
The Fount Cycling Guild team took the first two places in the Crafton Hills Road Race on Friday. The Crafton
Federal Cuts Impact Redlands, School Board Debate Heats Up, Officer Remembered, Plus Bike Classic Weekend Guide
Redlands Bicycle Classic Greenlit for 40th Year, RUSD Celebrates Black History Month, City Council Upholds Emotional Support Chicken, and Big Bear’s Eagle Family Grows Amid Snowstorm
REDLANDS, Calif. – The Redlands City Council has approved $127,708.78 in city resources and in-kind support for the Redlands Bicycle Classic, ensuring the longest-running professional stage race in the country will celebrate its 40th year this April.
During Tuesday’s meeting, the council was also recognized for its ongoing support of the event, which has become a staple in the community and a prestigious competition for professional cyclists.
Scott Welsh, media director for the Redlands Bicycle Classic and a longtime volunteer, presented the recognition on behalf of more than 300 current volunteers, an executive board led by Mayor Pro Tem Marc Shaw, and an organizing committee of more than 60 members who work year-round to coordinate the event.
“As hard as it is to believe, we’re celebrating 40 years since the first running of the Classic,” Welsh said. “What started as a brainstorm from a very sharp and visionary mayor in Carole Beswick to help bring attention to a downtown that had seen some decline has turned into a seminal annual event.”
Read more about what to expect at this year's bike classic and bookmark Community Forward Redlands.com for continuing coverage of this year's event.
Stephanie Hastings Miranda
In addition to approving in-kind support for the upcoming Redlands Bicycle Classic, the City Council approve citywide pavement repairs, and a new recycled water pipeline during its March 4 meeting.
Council members also approved $7,944 in city resources and temporary street closures for the Downtown Redlands Artwalk, scheduled for March 30. The event, hosted by the Kid Cures Foundation, will feature local artists and vendors
In other business, the council denied an appeal seeking to rescind approval of a Reasonable Accommodation allowing a resident to keep a single chicken as an emotional support animal at her home on South 4th Street. Read more here.
Stephanie Hastings Miranda
The 16th Annual Community Day of Service, scheduled for March 15, was also announced at the meeting. Since its inception, the initiative has saved the city an estimated $975,000 in labor costs, with approximately 900 volunteers participating each year. “Collectively, that’s about 54,000 men, women, and children who have contributed over the past 15 years,” Mayor Mario Saucedo said Tuesday. Organizers spoke about the event and encouraged residents to participate. Read more and sign up here.
Community Forward Redlands
Read the full meeting recap here.
🏗️ Planning Commission Preview: The Redlands Planning Commission is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, March 11 at 4 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. Revisions to the approved development plans for a 98-unit single-family residential project at East San Bernardino Avenue and Wabash Avenue will be considered. Read more here.
Kathryne Mccann
💸 Volunteers need to monitor sales tax use: The city is accepting applications for the Measure T Oversight Committee in Districts 1, 2, and 4. The deadline is March 26. Read more about the role and how to apply here.
Stephanie Hastings Miranda
🚓 Man injured trying to destroy child sexual abuse evidence: The suspect attempted to drill through a hard drive as Redlands Police executed a search warrant Thursday at his Yucaipa home, uncovering over 100 files of child sexual abuse material. Read more here.
Stephanie Hastings Miranda
⛓️ Redlands church leader sentenced to 175 years to life for child sexual abuse: A former youth leader at La Luz Del Mundo church in Redlands has been sentenced to 175 years to life in prison after being convicted of sexually abusing three children over several years, prosecutors announced late last year. Read more here.
Community Forward Redlands
🚨 Weekly police report: Redlands police made several arrests in connection with violent incidents, DUI-related crashes and weapons charges over the past week, according to a department report. Read more here.
Community Forward Redlands
Event brings together students, families, and community members to honor Black history through performances, guest speakers, and cultural presentations.
The Redlands Unified School District, in partnership with the District African American Parent Advisory Council (DAAPAC), hosted its first-ever Black History Month Celebration on Feb. 27 at Clement Middle School.
The event brought together families from across the district, along with vendors, community organizations, historically Black sororities and fraternities, alumni, and high school Black Student Unions (BSUs). Attendees had access to informational resources and cultural presentations.
Community Forward Redlands
🔬 Girls STEM conference: Hundreds of 8th grade girls filed into the Memorial Chapel at the University of Redlands the morning of Tuesday, March 4th. They were there to listen to women career professionals within the STEM-field (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) at a conference put on by the Redlands branch of The American Association of University Women (AAUW). Read more about the event that is inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders here.
Siw Heede
Aviation enthusiasts, history buffs, and barbecue lovers won’t want to miss the Redlands Airport Spring Fling on Saturday, April 5, 2025! Hosted at the Redlands Airport Public Lobby (1745 Sessums Drive), this exciting Fly-In and BBQ Lunch will also feature a Historical Aircraft Display Day.
Guests can enjoy a delicious burger or hot dog lunch available for purchase from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (or until the food runs out). Whether you're flying in or driving over, this is a great chance to connect with the local aviation community and admire some classic aircraft.
For more information, contact redlands.airport.association@gmail.com. Hope to see you there! ✈️🍔
Meet our sponsor and read more about the work of the Redlands Airport Association at the link below.
Community Forward Redlands
From a small church stage to a thriving community theater, Scott has spent more than three decades bringing musicals and dramas to life, inspiring thousands with his faith-driven storytelling.
Wayne Scott made a pact with God in his early 20s to serve him through his talents and be a life-affirming source of inspiration for people from all religious denominations.
For 31 years, Scott, now 66, has done that with LifeHouse Theater, a faith-based community theater that presents musicals and dramas eight times a year in Redlands.
Scott writes the majority of musicals and dramas seen by 30,000 people each year in its 210-seat theater housed in the former Redlands Christian Reformed Church.
Read more about this week's neighbor here.
Contributor
Know a Redlands neighbor who should be featured in our Redlands Neighborly series? Email news@communityforwardredlands.com!
REDLANDS – The weather was cold, and the clouds were dark, with only a hint of the sun peeking through.
In other words, it was perfect running weather.
Thousands turned out Sunday in front of the historic post office on Brookside Avenue for the 42nd A Run Through Redlands.
Prior to the 10-kilometer (6.2 miles) run Poison’s “Nothin’ but a Good Time” poured out of the loudspeakers.
“Ain't lookin' for nothin' but a good time
And it don't get better than this.”
Not all would agree, but there were no complaints among the runners as the race began.
Read more about this year's A Run Through Redlands from sports writer John Murphy:
John Murphy
The University of Redlands has a new leader of its athletic department. She is Nikki Ayers, just named vice president for intercollegiate athletics.
Ayers replaces outgoing athletic director Jeff Martinez, who is retiring.
Read more about Ayers and other sports news in this week's Press Row from sport's writer John Murphy:
John Murphy
📌 March 12 - Redlands Forum: Artificial intelligence is often praised as a driver of unlimited opportunity and economic growth, yet some warn of its potential to disrupt industries and societies. A University of Redlands economist will explore both perspectives in an upcoming discussion on the future of AI. Register and read more here.
📌 March 19 - ANCA Resilient Living Series: Pathways to a more sustainable Redlands. Would you like to transform your landscape from turf to a drought-tolerant garden paradise? Accelerate Neighborhood Climate Action (ANCA) is hosting a Resilient Living program on Redlands-friendly landscapes and native plants that can save water, lower costs and reduce maintenance. Read more here.
It’s been a big week for Jackie and Shadow—Big Bear’s beloved bald eagle pair—who welcomed three eaglets into the world!
From the first tiny crack in an eggshell to fluffy eaglets nestled beneath Jackie’s wings, thousands have watched this eagle family grow in real time. Now, high in the mountains, Jackie and Shadow are feeding their hatchlings and keeping them warm through a late-season March snowstorm.
Watch the nest live and cheer on the eaglets at FOBBV’s YouTube channel.
In 2022, Jackie and Shadow successfully hatched an eaglet, later named Spirit through a contest held by Friends of Big Bear Valley.
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