Subscribe
Share
Share
Embed
Happening in Upland is your weekly rundown of what’s going on around town—local news, community events, public safety updates, new restaurants, development, weather, schools, and the stuff Upland residents actually talk about.
Delivered with humor, honesty, and a very local point of view, this isn’t stiff broadcast news. It’s real, relevant information with personality. If you live in Upland or anywhere nearby in the Inland Empire, this is your weekly shortcut to staying in the loop.
MARK: Welcome to Happening in Upland for Monday, September 21, 2026. Today, we're looking at a state threat to take over local schools and a major housing push near the Metrolink station. I'm Mark.
JOLEEN: And I'm Joleen. We've also got the latest on a new regional homelessness center and why your favorite historic dive bar is turning into condos. Let's get right into the push for regional growth and transit-oriented housing.
MARK: It's the headline that keeps on giving, or taking, depending on how much you enjoy sitting in your car on Euclid Avenue. New reports from the last week highlight that Upland and Ontario are doubling down on these massive projects near the Metrolink. They're calling it the center of regional growth, focusing on affordable housing, jobs, and transit all in one big, crowded basket.
JOLEEN: It makes total sense if you actually want the city to survive the next decade. These projects near the Metrolink are designed to make it so people don't have to rely on a car for every single errand. We're talking about high-density living that actually puts workers near the trains, which is exactly what the state's been screaming for. It's not just about more buildings; it's about creating a lifestyle where you can actually get to a job without losing your mind in traffic.
MARK: That's a nice dream, but the reality is usually just more people with cars who also happen to live near a train they'll never use. The report mentions this regional growth strategy is supposed to bring jobs, but I've yet to see a tech campus pop up next to the tracks. Instead, we get more residential blocks that put even more strain on our already crumbling infrastructure. It's like we're trying to fit a gallon of water into a pint glass and wondering why the floor is wet.
JOLEEN: Oh, stop being so dramatic about the pint glass. The expansion isn't just about sticking people in boxes. It's part of a coordinated effort with Ontario to make the West End a real economic player. If we don't build this housing, the state is going to come in and force us to do it anyway, but with even less local input. At least this way, the city gets to have some say in how the Metrolink area looks and feels.
MARK: Speaking of the state coming in and taking away our toys, have you seen the news about the Upland Unified School District? There's a new report circulating as of September 12th about how California schools can lose local control to the state. It's not just a hypothetical anymore; there's actual law being cited that explains the exact steps for Sacramento to swoop in and start calling the shots if certain standards aren't met.
JOLEEN: It's definitely a wake-up call for the board. The law basically says that if a district is failing to meet academic or financial benchmarks, the state superintendent can appoint an administrator to take over. It's a scary prospect because it means the people we actually vote for here in Upland would be sidelined. But honestly, if things aren't working, can you blame the state for wanting to step in and protect the students' education?
MARK: Yes, I can blame them. The idea that a bureaucrat in Sacramento knows what's best for a kid in Upland better than a local parent or teacher is peak government arrogance. It's a power grab disguised as 'standards.' They set these benchmarks that are often impossible to meet without massive state funding that they don't provide, then they use the failure as an excuse to seize control. It's the ultimate 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help' nightmare.
JOLEEN: I don't think it's a nightmare; it's accountability. We've seen districts across the state struggle with budget mismanagement for years. If the state didn't have a mechanism to intervene, those districts would just spiral until the schools literally couldn't open their doors. It's a safety net, Mark. It's there to make sure that no matter where you live in California, you're getting a baseline level of education that isn't ruined by local political infighting or bad math.
MARK: Local political infighting is a proud Upland tradition, though. If you take that away, what's left? But seriously, the loss of local control is a massive shift. It means our tax dollars would be managed by someone who doesn't have to answer to us at the ballot box. That should worry everyone, regardless of how they feel about the current school board. Once you give that power up, you're never getting it back.
JOLEEN: Well, we'll see if the district can stay on the right side of those benchmarks. Moving on to something that's actually a great example of local cooperation, the West End cities just joined forces on a new Regional Homelessness Center. Upland, Ontario, and Fontana are all putting their heads together for this one. It's a massive move that was just officially announced on September 12th to tackle the issue across city lines instead of just passing the buck.
MARK: Passing the buck is usually the only thing cities do well together. But I'll admit, a regional center is better than the current strategy of 'hope they wander into the next zip code.' The report says they're looking at a site that can provide real services, not just a temporary cot. It's a step toward actual management of the situation, but I'm curious to see which city is going to end up hosting the bulk of the facility and how the neighbors are going to react.
JOLEEN: The whole point of the regional approach is to share that burden so one neighborhood doesn't feel like they're taking the entire hit. They're looking at sites that make sense for transit and access to healthcare. It's about getting people off the streets and into a system that can actually help them long-term. This isn't just about a shelter; it's a navigation center that coordinates housing, mental health, and job training. It's the kind of adulting I like to see from our local leaders.
MARK: We'll see how long that 'adulting' lasts when the first budget overruns happen. But hey, if it keeps people from setting up camp in the middle of the bike path, it's a win. Speaking of things being moved or replaced, the saga of the Buffalo Inn has taken a very predictable turn. Recent photos from last week show the site is being prepped to be replaced by housing. The legendary burger spot is officially a memory now.
JOLEEN: It's so sad to see it go, but we knew this was coming. That spot has so much history, but the reality is that the land is worth more as apartments than as a place to get a buffalo burger. The latest updates show the project is moving forward, and while it's a bummer for the local culture, we do need the housing. I just hope they put something in the new development that pays homage to the Inn, like a plaque or maybe just a really good burger joint on the ground floor.
MARK: A plaque? Nothing says 'we killed a piece of your soul' like a bronze square on a stucco wall. The Buffalo Inn was one of those places that made Upland feel like a real town with a history, not just another cookie-cutter suburb. Now it's going to be another block of 'luxury' apartments that look exactly like the ones in Irvine or Rancho. We're trading character for density, and I'm not convinced it's a fair trade.
JOLEEN: Character doesn't pay the bills, Mark. The city is facing a million-dollar budget gap, as we've talked about before. We need more taxpayers and more residents to support the local economy. And speaking of the budget, there's been more talk this week about that massive road repair backlog. We're still looking at over two hundred million dollars in needed repairs while the city's treasurer is basically saying we're still broke.
MARK: I love that honesty. 'We're still broke' should be the city's official motto. It's refreshing. But it's also terrifying when you're driving down Foothill and feel like you're in an off-road rally. The report from the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin confirms that even with some of these grants coming in, the hole we're in is so deep we can't even see the bottom. We're basically just patching the patches at this point.
JOLEEN: It's a frustrating cycle. We have to wait for state or federal grants just to do basic maintenance because the local tax base isn't covering it. That's why those housing projects you hate so much are actually important. They bring in the revenue that eventually, hopefully, pays for a paving machine. It's a long game, and right now we're just in the painful middle part where everything is under construction and the money is tight.
MARK: The 'painful middle part' seems to be a permanent state of existence here. If you're looking for a way to forget about the potholes, there's a new spot over in Rancho that Uplanders are starting to flock to. It's called The Brewmill on Arrow Route. It just opened recently, and the reports are saying it's becoming a major hub for people who want a good craft beer and a place that actually feels like a community hangout.
JOLEEN: I've heard great things about The Brewmill! They've got all this merchandise, cool glassware, and they're really leaning into that industrial-chic vibe. It's exactly the kind of place we need more of in the area. Even if it's technically across the border in Rancho, it's close enough for an Upland night out. It's great to see a new business actually opening and thriving instead of just reading about things closing down.
MARK: It's a brewery, Joleen. They aren't exactly reinventing the wheel. But it's better than another empty storefront. They've got a decent selection, and it's supposedly a good spot for families too, which is the new trend for breweries. Because nothing says 'responsible parenting' like bringing your toddler to a place that specializes in eight-percent stouts.
JOLEEN: Don't be a dickhead, Mark. It's a community space. People like having a place where they can bring their dogs and kids and just relax. It's about the atmosphere. And if you're not into the brewery scene, there's always the Warzone Boxing Club in Upland. They've been in the news lately because of veterans like Raul Molina who use it for fitness and community. It's a reminder that there's a lot of good stuff happening in the city that isn't just about developers and budget gaps.
MARK: I'll stick to the beer, thanks. Boxing sounds like a lot of work. But it's cool that the club is getting some recognition. It's a local gym that's actually making a difference for people. Now, let's talk about the weather, which is predictably trying to kill us again. We had that brief moment of sanity, but the National Weather Service is telling us to buckle up for some rising heat this week.
JOLEEN: It's not that bad yet! Today is actually quite pleasant with a high near 80. It's perfect. But you're right, the numbers are going up. Tomorrow we're looking at 84, and by Wednesday it hits 89. It's a steady climb, so if you have outdoor plans, do them now before the real heat kicks in later this week.
MARK: The real heat is an understatement. Thursday hits 91, Friday stays at 90, and then Saturday is the real kicker with a high of 96. It's like summer forgot to leave and decided to throw a rager on the weekend. If you're planning on doing anything outside on Saturday, you're either very brave or you don't have air conditioning at home and you're desperate.
JOLEEN: Saturday is definitely going to be a scorcher. But the good news is Sunday drops back down to 85, so we get a little bit of a break. The nights are staying pretty cool, though, mostly in the low to mid-60s. So at least you can open the windows at night and pretend it's not going to be a furnace the next afternoon. Just watch out for those 20-mile-an-hour gusts today and tonight.
MARK: The wind is just there to blow the dust from the construction sites into your eyes. It's a full-service city. While you're dodging the heat this weekend, there are actually a few things you can do that don't involve sitting in front of a fan. The 'Garage Rods for a Cure' car show is coming up soon, and there's a bunch of smaller events happening throughout the week if you're looking to get out of the house.
JOLEEN: The Garage Rods show is actually a bit further out, but they're already promoting it because it's such a big deal for the American Cancer Society. But for this week, if you're a book nerd, there's an ACOTAR 6 study party on Tuesday at the New Model Colony. I don't even know what that is, but it sounds intense. And there's a Fall Meet and Greet on Tuesday morning if you're looking to network with other locals.
MARK: An ACOTAR study party. I'm assuming that's for people who take their fantasy novels way too seriously. It's at the New Model Colony, which is part of that Ontario-Upland growth area we were talking about earlier. It's funny how the new developments are already hosting these niche events. It's a sign that the demographics are shifting, probably toward people who have time to 'study' fiction.
JOLEEN: Hey, it's community! Whether it's a car show, a boxing gym, or a book club, it's what keeps the town interesting. We've got a lot of changes coming with the housing projects and the potential state interference in the schools, but the local spirit is still there. We just have to navigate the traffic and the potholes to find it.
MARK: And the 96-degree heat. Don't forget that. It's been a busy week of news for such a small slice of the Inland Empire. From the Buffalo Inn's demise to the state breathing down the school district's neck, there's never a dull moment if you're paying attention. Just make sure you're paying attention to your speedometer on Foothill, because the cops are definitely out there.
JOLEEN: They're always out there, Mark. That's how they're trying to close that budget gap, one speeding ticket at a time. But seriously, it's good to stay informed. There's a lot of moving parts right now with the regional homelessness center and the Metrolink development. It feels like Upland is finally deciding what it wants to be when it grows up, even if the growing pains are a total bitch.
MARK: Growing up is overrated. I preferred when we just had buffalo burgers and fewer people. But progress waits for no one, especially not a cynical guy with a microphone. We'll be keeping an eye on how that school district situation develops. If the state actually makes a move, it's going to be a massive story that affects every family in the city.
JOLEEN: We'll definitely be on top of that. In the meantime, enjoy the 80-degree weather today while it lasts. Get those errands done, maybe check out The Brewmill if you're feeling thirsty, and try not to lose your temper in the construction zones. There's always next week to complain about the heat.
MARK: Oh, I'll find something to complain about before then, don't worry. That's a wrap for this episode. Make sure you follow or subscribe so you don't miss the next round of Upland nonsense. If you've got a tip or just want to tell us how wrong we are about the Buffalo Inn, email us at upland at the happening network dot com.
JOLEEN: We love the feedback, even the grumpy stuff. Thanks for listening to Happening in Upland. We'll be back next week with more news, more banter, and hopefully fewer potholes. Have a great week, Upland.