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Riverside Independent_4/30/2026

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Average Riverside County gas price rises to highest amount since October 2023

Montclair officials say new housing ordinance complies with state law

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California gubernatorial candidates address affordability in heated debate By City News Service

the war with Iran. Former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra defended the gas tax, adding that if it were rescinded it would impact the state's spending on road repairs, which the tax funds. He noted he would focus on building homes and lowering drug prices. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond explained his plans for supporting homeownership, which he described as "the American Dream." He proposed the creation of

down-payment assistance grants to help new homeowners, and the building of 2 million housing units on surplus property on school district-owned properties. Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa also supported such a program, offering a $25 billion plan. Billionaire investor Tom Steyer and former Rep. Katie Porter backed efforts to streamline permits and creating more housing in order to address the state's

assaults released from custody By City News Service

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Eight candidates for governor in this year's election participated in a lively debate Tuesday at Pomona College — top row from left, Xavier Becera, a Democrat; Republicans Chad Bianco and Steve Hilton; and Democrat Matt Mahan; bottom row from left, Democrats Katie Porter, Tom Steyer, Tony Thurmond and Antonio Villaraigosa. | Photos courtesy of Pomona College

housing crisis. On health care, Becerra criticized President Donald Trump for signing the "One Big Beautiful Bill" which reduced tax credits for health insurance coverage. "Had Trump allowed the premium tax credits under the Affordable Care Act to continue forward, millions of Californians would be able to afford their health care insurance," Becerra said. Becerra took a moment

See Debate Page 08

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County fireman suspected of sexual

51-year-old Riverside County firefighter suspected of perpetrating multiple sexual assaults was out of custody Monday after posting bond. David Renteria III of Placentia was arrested and booked into the Robert Presley Jail Friday on suspicion of forcible rape, false imprisonment, assault with a deadly weapon, sexual penetration by force and related offenses, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

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n a 90-minute debate at Pomona College Tuesday evening, eight gubernatorial candidates shared their plans to address affordability and how they'll support residents to attain the "California Dream." Former Fox News Channel host Steve Hilton opened the debate by making a commitment to make the state "Califordable," with a proposal to decrease utility bills and making it easier to purchase homes. Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, the other Republican on the debate stage, added Democratic Party policies were "destroying California," and blaming them for the housing and homelessness crisis, as well as the rising cost of living. The Democratic candidates said affordability issues have been exacerbated by President Donald Trump and his policies, specifically citing the war with Iran and cuts to federal health care tax credits. San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan said he would sign legislation to temporarily suspend the state's gas tax in response to prices having risen to their highest amounts since 2023 due to

VOL. VOL. 10, 12,

Renteria was able to secure bail, which wasn't specified in jail records, by the start of the weekend, after which he was released from the downtown Riverside detention center. No court has been set, and it was unclear Monday whether the District Attorney's Office had reviewed the case. "Cal Fire demands its employees uphold standards of professional conduct both on- and off-duty," according to an agency statement

See Fireman Page 32

Stagecoach music fest concludes on schedule after dust storm delay

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By City News Service

he Stagecoach Country Music Festival concluded as scheduled Sunday in Indio with Post Malone set to headline the final night, one day after the festival was disrupted by high winds that resulted in a temporary evacuation and suspension before organizers reopened the event at

about 9 p.m. Marshmello had been performing when the evacuation notice was issued Saturday night, with announcements instructing crowds to exit immediately. The disruption pushed back the starting time for sets by Lainey Wilson and Pitbull and forced the removal of Riley Green and

See Stagecoach Page 31

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