The local coffee brand confirmed it has officially taken possession of the depot space, marking a major step toward transforming the longtime landmark into a new gathering spot for the community.

Once open, Rendezvous Coffee plans to operate seven days a week, offering a full menu that will include specialty coffee drinks along with fresh breakfast and lunch options. The concept aims to blend the building’s historic character with a modern, comfortable café atmosphere.

The Hemet Train Depot, a well-known piece of the city’s history, is expected to provide a unique backdrop for the new business, appealing to both residents interested in local heritage and those simply looking for a place to enjoy a cup of coffee.

The company said its team is currently working to prepare the space, with a grand opening planned for later this year. An official opening date has not yet been announced.

Local supporters and community members are already expressing excitement about the project, which is expected to add a new destination in the heart of Hemet.

The post Rendezvous Coffee Set to Open at Historic Hemet Train Depot appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

Hu is widely recognized in the classical music world, having won the prestigious Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Competition in 2008. She also received the Golden Melody Award for Best Classical Album in 2012. A Steinway Artist, Hu currently serves as artist in residence and a member of the piano faculty at Temple University in Philadelphia.

In addition to her academic role, Hu maintains an active performance schedule, leading master classes and artist residencies at universities and music festivals around the globe.

The concert will take place at the Tahquitz High School Performing Arts Center, located at 4425 Titan Trail in Hemet.

The post Acclaimed Pianist Charlotte Hu to Perform in Hemet This Weekend appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

The county Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) said the changes stem from federal policy updates outlined in H.R. 1 and will make some non-citizens ineligible for food assistance benefits.

Those affected include certain asylees, refugees, parolees, individuals with deportation or removal withheld, conditional entrants and victims of trafficking, according to the department.

“They may be eligible for CalFresh (if) the immigration status changes to Legal Permanent Resident (LPR) and all other eligibility requirements are met,” DPSS said on its website.

The department said residents who are no longer eligible for CalFresh can seek assistance through local food banks, the 211 resource line or the Women, Infants and Children nutrition program.

Additional changes tied to the federal law are expected to take effect June 1, including expanded work requirements for certain adults without dependents and reduced exemptions for some groups.

More information is available through the county at rivcodpss.org/.

The post Thousands Of CalFresh Recipients In Riverside County Facing Benefits Cuts appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

The towering Mount Rubidoux Cross will be the destination of the faithful, led by multiple pastors, who will preside at intervals during the inter-denominational observance.

Nonprofit organizations that regularly take part include the Diocese of San Bernardino, Restored Life Fellowship and Born Again Christian Church.

The services generally draw around 2,000 people, who make the 3-mile trip up to the 1,300-foot peak, where Biblical parables are shared, followed by singing by members of choirs.

The ascending paved trail, accessible via Ryan Bonaminio Park, is rated as moderately difficult, and attendees are always encouraged to dress in appropriate footwear and attire and to bring their own water. No vehicles are permitted on the trail or at the memorial.

The Easter Sunrise Service began in 1909, always attracting large crowds, according to organizers.

As with last year’s service, Sunday’s will be livestreamed via riversideeasterservice.com.

The post 117-Year-Old Annual Tradition Expected To Continue This Weekend In Riverside appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

The crash occurred on the northbound 215 freeway near Eucalyptus Avenue around 7:30 p.m., KABC reported.

The circumstances of what caused the crash were not immediately available, but two adults and two infants were left trapped in the wreck, NBC4 reported. One person died but it was not immediately clear if they were an adult or child, the station reported.

The Riverside Fire Department responded to the scene and took multiple people to the hospital, including one minor to a trauma center, according to KCBS.

First-responders used the jaws of life to free the vehicle’s passengers, according to media reports.

The post Rollover crash with vehicle carrying infants leaves 1 person dead in Riverside appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

Deputies found that George Ortiz, 62, of Corona was experiencing an unspecified medical emergency inside his cell Wednesday when custody staff and jail medical personnel immediately conducted livesaving measures until paramedics arrived a short time later. He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

Investigators from the sheriff’s department and the Riverside County coroner’s bureau assumed the investigation. Authorities determined that there were no signs of foul play.

Anyone with information regarding Ortiz or his death was asked to contact Investigator Art Rodriguez at 951-955-6950.

The post Corona Inmate Dies After Suffering Medical Emergency In Banning Jail Facility appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

The fatality occurred shortly before 8 a.m. Wednesday on University Avenue, just west of Victoria Avenue, according to the Riverside Police Department.

Sgt. Ryan Hodge said the victim, whose identity was not immediately released, was attempting to cross University amid traffic and stepped off the sidewalk into westbound lanes as a 2011 BMW sedan approached at an unconfirmed speed.

The driver was unable to stop or swerve in time and plowed into the man, Hodge said.

The driver was unable to stop or swerve in time and plowed into the man, Hodge said.

The motorist, who wasn’t injured and whose identity wasn’t disclosed, stopped to wait for first responders.

Hodge said paramedics arrived in minutes to find the victim unconscious and gravely injured. He was taken to Riverside Community Hospital, where he died less than an hour later.

Officers questioned the driver, who was determined not to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. He was not arrested.

The westbound side of University was shut down for several hours while a preliminary investigation was conducted.

The four-lane corridor has a pedestrian crossing at Victoria, where there’s a motel, gas station, liquor store and fast-food restaurant. But the point of impact wasn’t at the intersection, according to Hodge.

He asked anyone with information relevant to the investigation to contact Traffic Bureau detectives at 951-828-8720.

The post Man Fatally Struck By Car While Crossing Street In RivCo appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

According to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) filed with San Bernardino County on February 10, approximately 248 employees at the Frito-Lay warehouse located on Archibald Avenue will be laid off as part of a permanent closure.

The final day of operations for affected workers is expected to be June 6, 2026.

In a statement, PepsiCo Foods, the parent company of Frito-Lay, said it plans to support employees during the transition. The company stated that impacted workers will receive pay and benefits continuation based on their length of service, along with access to career transition resources and job placement assistance.

Company officials indicated that distribution operations from the Rancho Cucamonga site will be relocated to a new facility within the local area. However, specific details about the new location have not yet been disclosed.

The closure marks another shift in Inland Empire logistics operations, a region that has long served as a key hub for warehousing and distribution throughout Southern California.

The post Frito-Lay to Close Rancho Cucamonga Warehouse, Nearly 250 Workers Affected appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, crews were dispatched around 10:44 a.m. to Fire Road West after air operations units located a mountain biker in a hard-to-reach area. 

Aeromedics were lowered by hoist from a helicopter and began advanced life-saving efforts on the roughly 50-year-old man, who was in severe medical distress and undergoing CPR.

Additional firefighters hiked toward the scene while others used a four-wheel-drive vehicle to try to reach the patient from the ground. The Burbank Fire Department also responded, sending crews in a side-by-side utility vehicle to assist.

By about 11:38 a.m., LAFD said the man could not be revived despite extensive efforts. 

Aeromedics completed the protocol for a determination of death, and the scene was set to be turned over to law enforcement.

No further details about what caused the medical emergency were immediately released.

The post Hiker dies after remote rescue attempt in Shadow Hills appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

And Inland Empire Girl Scouts are ready.

They picked up boxes to sell during Mega Drop events across the region on Saturday, Jan. 24.

Hundreds of volunteers gathered at four sites — in Riverside, Lake Elsinore, Apple Valley and Palm Desert — to sort and distribute more than a million boxes of cookies, a news release states.

The Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio Council hosts the event each year to launch the cookie sales season.

Across the Inland Empire, 326 troops signed up to sell nearly 900,000 packets of cookies — nearly 73,000 cases, according to the council.

The sales helps girls learn entrepreneurial skills, how to manage money and business ethics, the release states.

For information on buying Girl Scout Cookies, click here.

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