California grew by 332,000 people between July 1, 2012, and July 1, 2013, to total more than 38.2 million, according to official population estimates the California Department of Finance released. The growth rate of 0.9 percent and the 332,000 numeric gain are the largest for California since the pre-recession year of 2003-04. Riverside County’s population…

Are you passionate about volunteering in your community to assist the first responders before, during or after a man-made or natural disaster or emergency? Join Riverside County Fire-Office of Emergency Services Disaster Corps Volunteer Program.

Last week, Riverside County Supervisor Jeff Stone (3rd District) proposed that Riverside and possibly several other counties split from California to form a new state. The state budget enacted and signed by Gov. Jerry Brown last week was the final straw in Stone’s exasperation with California’s state government, according to Verne Lauritzen, Stone’s chief of…

Editor’s note: Three names will appear on the ballot for the Assembly District 71 race. However, Leo Hamel has withdrawn from the race, but not in time to have his name removed. Centrist Republican Tony Teora repeats his run for Assembly District 71, this time against Santee Mayor Randy Voepel. Voepel, a conservative, is favored…