This week, we wrap up the special four-part Year In Review series, highlighting the top news and events in the City of Action, with October through December in focus.
OCTOBER
Detectives with Riverbank Police Services have successfully disrupted a large-scale retail theft operation that had been targeting businesses and communities throughout California. That’s according to officials with the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department, who announced the successful conclusion of a retail theft investigation in early October. Authorities reported that on Sept. 25, deputies served two search warrants and six arrest warrants at two separate locations in Modesto. The coordinated operation resulted in the recovery of thousands of dollars in stolen merchandise, along with a firearm linked to the illegal activity.
A pair of new retail stores opened for business in the Crossroads West shopping center. The ribbon cutting was held by the Riverbank Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, Oct. 9, for both HomeGoods and T.J. Maxx, stores that are owned by the same company, TJX Companies. The company also owns Marshalls stores and a few others. The stores are easy to find, they’re side by side right across a driveway from the east end of the Costco store.
Under sunny skies on Saturday, Oct. 11, crowds of people helped celebrate the 48th version of Riverbank’s annual Cheese & Wine Festival. People came from all over to enjoy the many vendors whose booths lined Santa Fe Street downtown, extending to side streets. There were a number of food vendors, with just about any kind of beverages or food one might crave. There were also loads of information booths, crafts and other products for sale. At the west end of Santa Fe, near Second Street, a stage was set up for musical performances, with lots of chairs available for those who just wanted to sit and listen. Also available was space on the street in front of the stage, where those interested could dance. The actual Cheese & Wine tastings were at the Riverbank Community Center, across from Cardozo Middle School.
Halloween celebrations got an early start, enjoying a morning of a jumble of seasonal activities, collectively called a “Boo Bash” by organizers. Held in the eastern parking lot at the Galaxy Theatres complex on Saturday, Oct. 18 from 9 a.m. to noon, it involved a number of commercial vendors, selling both food and products, community organizations, safety fair participants, and individuals and organizations hosting trunk or treat sites. “Love Riverbank’s Halloween Safety Boo Bash was a huge success, drawing an estimated 1,500 to 2,000 community members for a morning of family fun, safety education, and neighborhood connection,” said Love Riverbank City Leader Sammi Martinez.
It’s typically considered the most important thing about Homecoming – and Riverbank got it right. The varsity football Bruins won their Friday night Mother Lode League contest against the visiting Bret Harte Bullfrogs on Oct. 24, successfully capping a busy and festive Homecoming Week on the Riverbank High School campus. The final score was 21-14, as Riverbank came back from an early deficit to earn the hard-fought victory. Also as part of the Friday night fun, seniors Alejandro Silva and Chanel Bravo were crowned as Homecoming King and Queen. Throughout the week, there were lunchtime activities and a number of ways for students at the various grade levels to earn participation points.
Observing Red Ribbon Week in a special way, Riverbank Language Academy hosted a First Responders Assembly on Wednesday, Oct. 29. The assembly ran from 9 a.m. to roughly 10:30 a.m. on the school campus, 2400 Stanislaus St., Riverbank, and featured a wide variety of agencies. It was hosted as part of the school’s anti-drug educational efforts for Red Ribbon Week. “We were excited to welcome members of the Fire Department, EMT/Paramedics, Sheriff’s Department, Probation Department, and SWAT to celebrate their work and share with our students the importance of making healthy, safe choices,” said RLA Administrative Assistant Aurora Plascencia.
NOVEMBER
Riverbank and area volunteers banded together to help recognize veterans here in the Central Valley, with special events over the course of a week. The first event came on Monday, Nov. 3, when American Veterans First, based here in Riverbank, hosted a ribbon cutting at its new downtown location. American Veterans First is a dedicated organization that focuses on supporting veterans and first responders in their journey of healing. The next Veterans Day activity in the area was the 17th Annual Veterans Luncheon, offered on Saturday, Nov. 8. It was held at the Stanislaus County Veterans Facility on Coffee Road in Modesto. The Royal Neighbors is a Riverbank organization, and they originated the luncheon at the Riverbank Community Center, but the number of veterans and their guests attending outgrew the center. The third local event was held on Monday afternoon this week, Nov. 10, the day before Veterans Day. The Veterans Resource Fair was staged at the Riverbank Community Center, 3600 Santa Fe, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. It was sponsored by Love Riverbank, Mayor Rachel Hernandez, and the Stanislaus County Veterans Services Office.
Receiving a $90,000 grant, the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office will use the money to support its ongoing enforcement and education programs to help reduce the number of serious injuries and deaths on local roads. Officials announced the grant award on Friday, Nov. 14 and said that it came from the California Office of Traffic Safety, OTS. The grant program runs through September 2026. “We are grateful to receive this grant, which will strengthen our traffic enforcement efforts and improve road safety,” Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Matthew Orr said. “Through a combination of education and enforcement efforts, our goal is to reduce dangerous driving behaviors, prevent crashes, and make our roads safer for everyone.”
As the holiday season gets underway, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) reminds motorists that the simplest way to stay safe on the road this Thanksgiving weekend is to buckle up before every trip. The CHP will begin its Thanksgiving Holiday Enforcement Period (HEP) at 6:01 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 26, and continue through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 30. Throughout the enforcement period, CHP officers will be on patrol to help ensure everyone obeys traffic laws, wears a seat belt and drives safely.
The deadline is fast approaching for Riverbank’s City Flag Design Contest, with a final call going out to residents ages 10 and up to get involved. Participants are asked to design a flag that represents the Riverbank community, including its history, culture, landscape, and values. Deadline to submit the design is Monday, Dec. 1 at 5:30 p.m.
DECEMBER
The annual Shop with a Cop effort coordinated through Riverbank Police Services in cooperation with the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department is on the schedule later this month. An effort designed to help local youngsters in need, the shopping spree date is Wednesday, Dec. 10 at 5 p.m. “We will be helping 17 families with 30 children this year,” said Riverbank Police Services Sgt. David Hickman. “There will be an increased deputy presence in Riverbank near the Crossroads Shopping Center.” Deputies and Community Service Officers are paired with kids for the shopping spree, with the youngsters typically able to shop for some clothing essentials, accessories and often new winter outerwear.
A large crowd turned out to enjoy the festivities on a gray, chilly Saturday in Riverbank, with the ‘California Christmas’ event hosted on Dec. 13. It featured both the craft fair and holiday light parade. While craft and merchandise booths were in full swing along Third Street, there was also a varied assortment of food and beverage booths open for business as well, giving attendees plenty to keep them busy prior to the 5:30 p.m. parade time. “The 56th annual Riverbank Christmas Parade was an absolute snowy, cheery, merry Christmas blast,” said Virginia Still of the Riverbank Parks and Rec Department, who served as one of the parade emcees on Saturday evening. “This year’s ‘California Christmas’ theme brought so much sparkle, joy, and holiday cheer down the streets of Riverbank, and we couldn’t have done it without you.” She also noted the efforts of Erika Pena, who coordinated the craft fair, as being key to the day’s success. Serving as parade judges were retired Riverbank Recreation Supervisor Kerrie Webb, local businessman Dano Friedman and Pastor Josh McCay.
It was a festive atmosphere at the Riverbank Community Center on a Saturday morning in December, with a special breakfast and a toy giveaway. The City of Riverbank, Save Mart, Cost Less, and Community Praise Tabernacle, in collaboration with Central Valley Community Resources, CVCR, hosted the event.
California lawmakers approved nearly 800 new laws during the 2025 legislative session, with many scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, 2026. Additional measures will be implemented beginning in July 2026. The California State Library reports that 795 bills were signed into law in 2025, including 476 Assembly bills, 318 Senate bills, and one constitutional amendment related to redistricting. Lawmakers also adopted close to 200 resolutions, which do not carry the force of law.
