Riverside Daily Local Headlines: Fire staffing funding, police discipline, and a state champ
Riverside, CA – March 2, 2026 – City Hall weighs fire staffing funding options, RPD discipline news, and a North High wrestler’s state title.
Here are today’s biggest local headlines for Riverside, with city decisions, public-safety developments, and a bright spot from local sports.
1) City Hall: Fire staffing funding and traffic safety on the agenda
A key set of public meetings this week could shape how Riverside pays for core services. City Council is set to consider whether to put new revenue measures before voters for the June ballot, aimed at supporting fire department staffing and other city needs.
- Extending the city’s existing Measure Z sales tax beyond its current 2036 sunset
- Adding a quarter-cent sales tax
- Raising the hotel tax from 13% to 14%
Separately, the Transportation Board is expected to discuss a citywide approach to lower speed limits and a request for speed humps on Lurin Avenue. The Board of Ethics is also scheduled to review its standing rules.
2) Police discipline case draws attention to veteran plate rules
The police chief is moving to fire three patrol officers after the department found disabled veteran license plates on their personal vehicles. A report on the dispute says the officers were rated 100% disabled by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, which is part of what made them eligible for the DMV-issued plates, while the department points to an internal policy limiting how those plates may be used. The officers’ attorney disputes that they did anything wrong, and the issue is playing out publicly alongside an ongoing legal fight.
3) Schools & sports: North High wrestler repeats as CIF state champion
Riverside Unified highlighted a standout weekend result: John W. North High School senior Coby Merrill won his second CIF state title at the 2026 state wrestling championships in Bakersfield. It’s the kind of achievement that puts a local program on the map and gives the city a well-earned bragging right.
Sources
https://www.raincrossgazette.com/this-week-in-city-hall-march-2/
https://www.lawofficer.com/veteran-license-plates/
https://www.riversideunified.org/our-district/rusd-news
