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Happy New Year Friends and Second District Residents!

As we enter January, I wish you and your loved ones a prosperous, healthy, and joyful 2025. The new year is a time for fresh starts, renewed goals, and opportunities to work together to make the Second District an even better place to live, work, and thrive.

This month’s newsletter contains essential updates, helpful resources, and valuable information for all residents. You’ll also find various community events to mark your calendar at the end of this issue—a great way to kick off the new year by staying informed and involved.

As we begin 2025, we observe several significant events and awareness campaigns highlighting our community's diverse needs, achievements, and values. Here are some key observances this month:

World Braille Day (January 4): World Braille Day emphasizes the importance of accessibility and inclusion for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Riverside County remains dedicated to serving all residents through the Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) and the Office on Aging, which provide resources and support for residents with disabilities. Let us recognize the value of accessible communication and the importance of breaking barriers to ensure everyone can thrive. To learn more about what RivCo DPSS can do for you, visit https://rivcodpss.org/seniors-disabled-adults.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 20): On this day, we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who dedicated his life to justice, equality, and service. Riverside County celebrates Dr. King’s vision through our commitment to creating inclusive, equitable opportunities for all residents. I encourage everyone to observe this day by engaging in acts of service that uplift and strengthen our community.

Chinese New Year (January 29): The Chinese New Year marks the beginning of the lunar calendar and is celebrated by many residents across Riverside County. As we enter the Year of the Snake, we honor the wisdom, resilience, and adaptability values that resonate throughout our community. This is a time to reflect, reunite with family, and share in traditions that connect generations.

Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month: Human trafficking continues to be a devastating issue impacting communities across the nation, including Riverside County. Our Department of Public Social Services, law enforcement agencies, and community partners remain on the front lines, offering support, education, and prevention programs. This month is a vital opportunity to educate ourselves and others about the signs of trafficking and how to take action. Together, we can work to end exploitation and provide hope for survivors. To learn more about RivCoDPSS, please visit https://rivcodpss.org/.

As we move forward into 2025, I encourage you to participate in our community events, stay informed about vital programs, and engage with your local government. Our Second District is stronger when we work together, celebrate our diversity, and support one another.

Wishing you a fantastic January and a happy, healthy start to the new year.

Warmly,

County Launches Community Budget Priorities Survey

The County of Riverside is enhancing opportunities for community participation in its annual budget process with the launch of a budget priorities survey.

Residents are invited to provide input into how county taxpayer dollars are spent across county departments and services for the upcoming fiscal year.

The survey is part of an expanded effort to give Riverside County residents more opportunities to voice their opinions earlier in the budget development process.

“The goal is to make our budget process more inclusive and responsive to the needs of our diverse communities,” said Board Chair Chuck Washington, Third District Supervisor. “I’m excited to invite the community to help guide decisions that will impact the future of our region.”

The survey is available online in both English and Spanish. Participants can identify services of greater need in their areas, as well as indicate categories of spending to receive more or less funding. The County encourages all to participate.

To further enhance public engagement, the County will also host five budget workshops throughout the county in early 2025. This ensures accessibility for residents across the vast geographic area of Riverside County.

These workshops, will provide an opportunity for residents to learn about the budget process, share their perspectives, and offer input ahead of the annual budget hearings in June.  More details on the workshops will be posted in early 2025.

“Engaging the community earlier in our budget planning is critical to ensuring that we are addressing the needs and priorities of our residents,” said Riverside County Executive Officer Jeff Van Wagenen. “This survey is a demonstration of the County's commitment to transparency and accountability. Community feedback will be used during the budget process to improve quality of life across the county. This is an important step, and we look forward to hearing from our community.”

Residents are encouraged to access the survey and provide their feedback in either English and Spanish. The survey will remain open until March 2025. The results will help inform decisions on the County’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which starts July 1.

Access the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Rivconeeds.

 Riverside County Votes: November Election Recap

In November, Riverside County residents showed up to the polls in impressive numbers, proving once again that every vote truly matters. With key decisions impacting our local economy, schools, and infrastructure on the ballot, the election has set the stage for a transformative year ahead.

By the Numbers

• Turnout: 1,372,289 registered voters cast their ballots, reflecting a community deeply engaged in shaping its future.
• Early Voting: A record number of residents utilized early voting options, with over 788,661 ballots returned via mail or drop-off locations.
• Polling Places: Riverside County ensured smooth voting with 150 polling stations and a robust team of poll workers.

Looking Ahead

The November election results are only the beginning. As Riverside County gears up for the changes ahead, residents are encouraged to stay involved by attending local meetings, voicing concerns, and keeping an eye on new policies being implemented.

Stay tuned for updates on how these decisions will shape our county’s future. For more information on the November 5, 2024 election, please visit https://voteinfo.net/november-5-2024-election.

Celebrating the Holiday Season Across the Second District

The holiday season is a time for connection, celebration, and community, and this year was no exception! Supervisor Spiegel and the Second District team had a wonderful time celebrating with our incredible residents throughout the district.

From festive gatherings in Lake Elsinore and Corona to community events in Lakeland Village and Temescal Valley, we cherished every opportunity to spend time with you. These moments of joy and togetherness remind us why the Second District is a special place to call home.

Thank you for making this holiday season so memorable. Your kindness and holiday spirit were truly inspiring. We are excited to carry this energy and optimism into the year ahead. Here's to 2025—may it be filled with new opportunities, continued growth, and strong community bonds!

Riverside County Chanukah Festival Celebrates Light and Resilience The Riverside County Chanukah Festival, held at the Historic Riverside Courthouse, brought the community together for an evening of celebration, reflection, and unity. Read more...

Cowboys 4 A Cause Spreads Holiday Cheer at 16th Annual "The Magic of Christmas" Event The 16th Annual "The Magic of Christmas" event, hosted by Cowboys 4 A Cause at Whiskey River in Norco, brought together the community to celebrate the holiday season with joy and generosity. Read more...

Corona Post Office Honors President Jimmy Carter with Special Tribute The Corona Post Office hosted a heartfelt ceremony to honor President Jimmy Carter's legacy. A beautifully crafted plaque commemorating his lifelong dedication to public service, humanitarian efforts, and advocacy for peace was unveiled during the event. Read more...

Jurupa Valley Welcomes New and Re-Elected Leaders Supervisor Spiegel attended the Jurupa Valley City Council Meeting to celebrate significant milestones in local leadership. Read more...

T-NOW Annual Holiday Luncheon Celebrates Community Impact and Creativity Supervisor Spiegel enjoyed attending the T-NOW Annual Holiday Luncheon, an event hosted by the Riverside Transit Agency to celebrate the accomplishments of T-NOW chapters. Read more...

District Two Team Honors Fallen Officers at Annual Blue Light Ceremony The District Two team had the honor of attending the Annual Blue Light Ceremony hosted by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office. Read more...

Supervisor Spiegel Partners with American Legion and VFW Posts to Support Facility Improvements The Supervisor was proud to support all American Legion and VFW posts within the Second District, including the American Legion Department of California, to allocate ARPA CID Funds for upcoming projects and facility improvements. Read more...

Celebrating CNUSD Leaders Who Inspire and Shape the Future of Education Supervisor Spiegel attended the CNUSD Swearing-In Ceremony, an event honoring the leaders who will shape the future of education in the community. Read more...

Volunteers Unite to Build Bicycles and Brighten the Holidays for Local Kids Supervisor Spiegel was honored to take part in the annual Bicycles for Children build event, where over 800 volunteers came together to assemble bicycles for kids in Corona, Norco, Eastvale, Lake Elsinore, and nearby communities. Read more...

“Deck the Y Halls” Brings Holiday Cheer to the Corona-Norco YMCA ‘Tis the season to celebrate community! Supervisor Spiegel had the pleasure of attending the Deck the Y Halls Open House at the Corona-Norco Family YMCA, hosted by the YMCA Board of Directors and CEO. Read more...

First Bank Celebrates Grand Opening in Jurupa Valley The Jurupa Valley Chamber of Commerce hosted a Ribbon ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the grand opening of First Bank on Limonite Avenue, a significant milestone for the city's economic growth and community development. Read more...

Cub Scouts Tour County Board Chambers, Inspiring Future Leaders The County Board Chambers recently welcomed a group of enthusiastic Cub Scouts for an engaging and educational tour. Read more...

Amazon Fresh Celebrates Grand Opening in Corona The Corona Chamber of Commerce hosted the grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the brand-new Amazon Fresh store, marking an exciting addition to the community. Read more...

Canyon Lake City Council Welcomes New Leadership at Reorganization Meeting The City of Canyon Lake recently held its City Council Reorganization meeting, which celebrated key milestones and recognized exceptional leaders for their service to the community. Read more...

Community Comes Together for Kids & Cops Toy Drive The Corona Chamber Foundation and Cars and Coffee Corona partnered with the Corona Police Department to host the annual Kids & Cops Toy Drive, bringing the community together to spread holiday cheer to children in need. Read more...

Board Recognizes The Unforgettables Foundation During "December to Remember" Supervisor Spiegel and her colleagues proudly recognized The Unforgettables Foundation for their extraordinary work in the community as part of "December to Remember." Read more...

Second District Team Participates in Lake Elsinore Winterfest  The Second District staff and Youth Advisory Council members enjoyed participating in the Lake Elsinore Winterfest 2024 festivities. Read more...

Supervisor Spiegel Welcomes Premier ACE Hardware at Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Supervisor Spiegel was delighted to join the Corona Chamber of Commerce for the Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony celebrating the grand opening of Premier ACE Hardware. Read more...

Second District’s Lakeland Village Advisory Council Strengthens Community Ties and Shares Updates The Second District Team is always pleased to host the Lakeland Village Community Advisory Council meeting. This gathering serves as a vital opportunity for residents to come together, engage in meaningful discussions, and stay informed about updates from Riverside County. Read more...

Pearl Harbor Commemorative Ceremony Honors Legacy of Service and Sacrifice Supervisor Spiegel attended the 18th Annual Pearl Harbor Commemorative Ceremony hosted by the Lake Norconian Club Foundation at the George A. Ingalls Veterans Memorial Plaza. Read more...

Shaping Riverside County’s Future Through Insights from the 2024 Economic Summit Supervisor Spiegel attended the 2024 Riverside County Economic Summit, where experts provided valuable insights into the county's economic forecast, housing market trends, and transportation infrastructure. Read more...

Celebrating Transportation Innovation at the Mobility 21 Holiday Reception Supervisor Spiegel joined leaders from across Southern California at the Mobility 21 Holiday Reception, where the California Transportation Commission was honored for its commitment to improving mobility and transportation infrastructure. Read more...

Woodcrest Park Construction Moves Forward, Promising New Outdoor Spaces for the Community Exciting progress is underway in Woodcrest! Supervisor Spiegel joined the Office of Economic Development to inspect the ongoing construction of Phase One of the highly anticipated Woodcrest Park, located next to the Woodcrest Library. Read more...

Waste Management Art Awards Celebrate Sustainability and Student Talent Supervisor Spiegel attended the inspiring Waste Management Art Awards, where she had the honor of presenting awards to talented students whose artwork beautifully reflected the themes of sustainability and environmental stewardship. Read more...

Riverside County Workforce Development Board Hosts Annual Year-End Meeting to Strengthen Regional Employment The Second District Team attended the Riverside County Workforce Development Board’s Annual Year-End Meeting, where community leaders gathered to reflect on progress in strengthening the workforce and preparing for the future of employment in the region. Read more...

Speakeasy BBQ Celebrates Re-Brand and Grand Opening with Community Support Our Second District team joined the Norco Chamber of Commerce in celebrating the re-brand and grand opening of Speakeasy BBQ. This milestone event marks an exciting new chapter for the local business. Read more...

Eastvale Honors Heroes at 3rd Annual Fire and Police Appreciation Luncheon Our team proudly attended the 3rd Annual Fire and Police Appreciation Luncheon hosted by the City of Eastvale and the Eastvale Chamber of Commerce. Read more...

2024 David Goldware Friend of the Veteran Awards Presented The 2024 David Goldware Friend of the Veteran Awards were presented at a Board Meeting in December. They recognized extraordinary individuals and organizations committed to serving veterans and their families. Read more...

Annual Festival of Trees Raises Nearly $800,000 for Riverside University Health System's Pediatric Intensive Care Unit The spirit of the season was alive and well at this year’s Annual Festival of Trees, where Supervisor Karen Spiegel and her team joined a community united in generosity and hope. Read more...

George Ruiz - City of Jurupa Valley

George Ruiz moved to Jurupa Valley (Rubidoux) in March 1962. He graduated from Rubidoux High School in 1972 and continued his education at Riverside Community College and the University of California, Riverside with an emphasis on engineering. He also owned and operated a successful landscape company from 1970 to 2005. George Ruiz has a heart for local government, not only as a career but also in his volunteerism. He is a man of integrity and truly strives to do what's best for his community.

George was employed at the Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District for 48 years before he retired in 2021. Along with his lifelong career in Public Service, he served on the City of Jurupa Valley Planning Commission for 8 years. As Chair of the Planning Commission, he represented the City at the American Planning Association Annual Conference. During his tenure the City was recognized for developing and adopting the Environmental Justice Element, only the second in the State at that time. George currently serves on the Community Development Advisory Committee and provides recommendations to the City Council in regards to community grant programs in the City. The time given to these two appointments total more than 500 hours of volunteerism. George is truly dedicated to making Jurupa Valley a better place to live, work and play.

George has two children, two step children and six grandchildren. He and his wife, Araceli have been married for 15 years. In 2018, a life changing event presented both of them with an unexpected challenge. George was diagnosed with a very rare type of Lymphoma, Mantle Cell Lymphoma. Initially, physicians gave George two to three weeks to live. However, through some amazing medical care, the support of his family, his Flood Control family and the unwavering support and care of his wife, he is here today.

Family Service Association

Family Service Association (FSA) was founded in the early 1950s by the Junior League and local faith-based organizations in Riverside to address military families' challenges. Over the past 70 years, FSA has become one of the Inland Empire’s most trusted multi-service nonprofits, providing vital resources to underserved communities and families. Guided by their motto, Family Strength Is Community Strength, FSA addresses poverty, hunger, and health needs across all ages, serving over 13,000 individuals annually. Their services include early education, trauma-informed mental health care, affordable senior housing, and nutritious meals for seniors. Learn more...

Riverside County Department of Environmental Health The Riverside County Department of Environmental Health is committed to safeguarding the health of residents and the environment throughout Riverside County. Through effective and efficient programs, the department strives to enhance the quality of life by promoting public health, safety, and environmental protection. For more information about the department's various initiatives, visit https://rivcoeh.org/.

Riverside County Library System The Riverside County Library System (RCLS) serves as a vital educational and cultural resource for the diverse population of 1.4 million residents across Riverside County’s 7,303 square miles. With 34 locations, four Library Connect Vans, two museums, and a Creation Station, RCLS provides welcoming spaces, trusted information, and enriching experiences. Guided by its mission and vision, RCLS is dedicated to building an informed, engaged, and connected community. To learn more about the Riverside County Library System, please visit https://rivlib.info/.

Riverside County Office on Aging The Riverside County Office on Aging (OOA) serves as the designated Area Agency on Aging for Riverside County, authorized by the Older Americans Act and the Older Californians Act. As one of 52 county departments, OOA provides leadership in creating a comprehensive system of care for vulnerable older adults and individuals with disabilities. To learn more about the Office on Aging, please visit https://rcaging.org/.

NOW RECRUITING: Boards, Committees & Commissions Interested in getting involved with local Boards, Committees & Commissions within the Second District? Now accepting applications for: Behavioral Health Commission Children and Families Advisory Committee Fair Board For more information, please visit https://rivcodistrict2.org/boards-committees-commissions

Board of Supervisors Meetings:

• January 7 - 9:30 a.m. at 4080 Lemon St., 1st Floor, Riverside, CA 92501. Learn more...
• January 14 - 9:30 a.m. at 4080 Lemon St., 1st Floor, Riverside, CA 92501. Learn more...
• January 21 - NO MEETING
• January 28 - 9:30 a.m. at 4080 Lemon St., 1st Floor, Riverside, CA 92501. Learn more...

Municipal/Community Advisory Council Meetings:

• Temescal Valley MAC - January 8 at 6:30 p.m. at The Terrace Club at Terramor at 11750 Temescal Hills Drive, Temescal Valley, CA 92883. Learn more...
• Woodcrest MAC - January 9 at 6:00 p.m. at The Woodcrest Library at 16625 Krameria Ave., Riverside, CA 92504. Learn more...
• Lakeland Village CAC - NO MEETING. Learn more...

New Year’s Day - January 1 World Braille Day - January 4 International Mentoring Day - January 17 Martin Luther King Day - January 20 Día Internacional del Mariachi - January 21 International Day of Education - January 24 Chinese New Year - January 29 National School Choice Week - January 21-24 Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month Eligibility Technician Recognition Month National Mentoring Month

Click Here for the latest news and updates in the 2nd District

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