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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 back to another episode of Happening in Upland, the only podcast that understands why you're currently screaming at a red light on Mountain Avenue. It's Monday, April 13, 2026. I'm Mark, your resident voice of reason, though my wife would probably tell you I'm more of a voice of seasoned disappointment.
JOLEEN: And I'm Joleen. I'm the one who's actually upbeat about this city, mainly because I've lowered my standards so much they're currently being inspected for a foundation permit. We've got a lot of ground to cover today, so if you're listening while driving, please try not to hit any of the millions of orange cones currently breeding on our streets. It's a miracle we haven't officially changed the city mascot to a reflective plastic pylon.
MARK: Seriously, the cone population is out of control. But before we get into the literal road rage, let's talk about the metaphorical road rage happening at City Hall. Our top headline today is the budget. The city's looking at some fun financial gymnastics. Apparently, there's a projected 1.6 million dollar drop in sales tax revenue. That's a hell of a lot of missed impulse buys at Target, Joleen.
JOLEEN: It's because nobody's buying cars or gas like they used to, Mark. Everyone's either working from home in their underwear or they're too broke from their 12 dollar coffees to afford a new Camry. The city's trying to close a 1.1 million dollar gap by cutting about 500,000 dollars across all departments. They're calling it 'fiscal responsibility,' which is a fancy way of saying 'sorry, we're not buying any new staplers this year.'
MARK: They're even looking at cutting things like National Night Out and the Summer Family Campout. You know, the things that actually make people like living here. If they cut the campout, where am I supposed to pretend I enjoy sleeping on the ground once a year just to prove to my kids I'm not entirely soft?
JOLEEN: You'll just have to pitch a tent in your driveway and have the neighbors throw gravel at you to simulate the authentic Upland experience. But hey, it's not all bad news. Assistant City Manager Stephen Parker says they've offset some of the loss with interest income and grants. They've snagged nearly 12 million in extra funding since 2022. They're basically that one friend who's always broke but somehow always has a new pair of shoes.
MARK: Except the shoes are 13 million dollar road projects. Speaking of things that cost money and cause headaches, let's look at the crime report. We had a pretty serious incident last Friday, April 10. The Upland Police Department responded to the 9100 block of North Benson Avenue. The coroner's report was out this morning, and while details are still filtering through, it's a reminder that even the nice parts of town have their moments.
JOLEEN: Yeah, and don't get me started on the car thefts. The latest data shows a 1 in 47 chance of becoming a victim of crime in Upland. If you're looking at your car right now, just know there's a 1 in 385 chance someone else is going to be driving it by tomorrow morning. It's like a involuntary car-sharing program that nobody signed up for. Upland has one of the highest motor vehicle theft rates in the country. It's truly an elite accomplishment.
MARK: It's a niche market, Joleen. We're very good at giving people things they didn't ask for. Like a stolen catalytic converter. If you're in the 91786 zip code, you've probably noticed it feels a bit more, shall we say, spicy lately. The police are doing what they can, but when the budget is tight, it's hard to put a cop on every corner. Especially when the corners are currently blocked off by construction.
JOLEEN: Maybe we can train the construction workers to be deputies. They're already wearing the vests. Transitioning from the streets to the schools, there's some mixed vibes over at the Upland Unified School District. On one hand, Upland High was just named a 2026 California Distinguished School. That's a huge deal. It means our kids are actually learning something between the TikTok breaks.
MARK: It's a testament to the teachers, honestly. They're out here closing achievement gaps while the state is playing shell games with the money. Governor Newsom's 2026 budget is looking to 'delay' about 5.6 billion in payments to schools. In adult terms, that's a loan he's taking from our kids' futures to cover his own ass. It's like your dad taking your birthday money to pay the light bill.
JOLEEN: Exactly. And yet, the district's pushing forward. They've got the Wednesday Webinars going on for family engagement, and summer program enrollment is open right now. If you want your kid in the Summer Bridge program or those arts classes, you'd better sign up fast. It's like trying to get Coachella tickets but with more paperwork and less glitter.
MARK: I'd take the summer school over Coachella any day. At least at summer school, you might learn how to do taxes instead of learning how to survive on a diet of dust and overpriced water. Let's move to something much more appetizing. For our restaurant review this week, I decided to go back to a classic. I'm talking about The Deli on 2nd Avenue. Have you been there lately, Joleen?
JOLEEN: I'm a sucker for their pastrami, Mark. It's the kind of sandwich that makes you want to take a nap and re-evaluate your life choices at the same time. The Deli is such an Upland staple. It's got that old-school vibe where the people behind the counter actually recognize you, or at least they pretend to because they're polite. It's a nice change from the soul-crushing efficiency of a drive-thru.
MARK: That's exactly it. I went in last Thursday and had the 'Old School' sub. The bread was so fresh I thought it might've been baked five minutes ago. It's not fancy. There's no micro-greens or foam or whatever the hell kids are eating these days. It's just meat, cheese, and enough vinegar to strip paint. It's glorious. It's the kind of food that reminds you that Upland used to be a place where things were simple.
JOLEEN: It's a hidden gem that isn't really hidden because everyone knows about it, but we still like to feel special for going there. It's perfect for a quick lunch before you get stuck in Foothill traffic again. Speaking of moving fast--or trying to--let's check in on local sports. The Upland High baseball team had a bit of a rough go on April 9th. They lost to Chino Hills 5 to 3. It was a close one, but Chino Hills just had more gas in the tank.
MARK: Yeah, but they're playing Rancho Cucamonga today, Monday the 13th. I'm hoping for a bounce back. The Highlanders have been solid this season, but the league is a meat grinder. On the flip side, the softball team is absolutely terrorizing people. They crushed Rancho Cucamonga 14 to 2 a few days ago. 14 to 2! That's not a game, that's a crime scene. I almost feel bad for Rancho. Almost.
JOLEEN: Don't feel bad for them, Mark. They've got Victoria Gardens; they've had enough wins. Let our girls have this. It's great to see the Highlanders dominating. If you want to catch some live action, the athletics calendar is packed this week. Just make sure you bring a jacket, because even though it's mid-April, the weather is being a real dickhead lately.
MARK: You aren't lying. Let's look at the forecast for the week of April 13 to April 20. Today and tomorrow we're looking at highs in the mid-70s, which is lovely, but don't get comfortable. By Wednesday, it's going to get breezy as hell. AccuWeather says we'll see some gusts that'll probably knock over your trash cans and send your neighbor's trampoline into your yard.
JOLEEN: I love 'trampoline season.' It's like a free upgrade for your backyard. The rest of the week stays in that 'mildly cool' range, highs in the low 70s, lows in the 50s. It's that classic Southern California indecision where you need a hoodie in the morning and you're sweating by noon. It's the reason my backseat looks like a Goodwill donation bin with all the discarded layers.
MARK: It's the perfect weather for the community events we've got coming up. If you're into fitness, or just like looking at expensive shoes you'll never actually run in, 'A Snail's Pace' running shop is doing a Hoka Mach 7 demo tonight at 6 PM. You can go out there, try on some shoes that look like clouds, and pretend you're going to start a marathon training program.
JOLEEN: I'll stick to the Dungeons and Dragons group at the library this Saturday, April 18th. Much less cardio, much more magic. Plus, it's at 3 PM, so you can hit the Farmers Market in the morning, grab some fresh honey and bread, and then go slay some goblins in the afternoon. That sounds like a peak Upland Saturday to me.
MARK: There's also a basketball clinic on Sunday, April 19th at the Pacific Community Center. It's for 2nd through 12th graders. If you think your kid is the next LeBron, or if you just want them out of the house for a few hours so you can drink your coffee in peace, it's a solid option. It's 9 AM, so it's early, but worth it for the silence at home.
JOLEEN: Silence is a luxury in this town. Especially if you live anywhere near Foothill Boulevard. We've got to talk about the road construction. The 13.2 million dollar project from Benson to Euclid is still in full swing. They're doing the water pipelines and the full asphalt reconstruction. They say it'll be done by August, but let's be real, August 2026 feels like a optimistic fairy tale at this point.
MARK: They're doing some of the work at night to 'minimize impact,' which just means you get to hear the sweet, sweet sound of a jackhammer at 2 AM instead of being stuck behind a steamroller at 2 PM. It's a real 'choose your own adventure' of misery. But hey, it's for the Route 66 Centennial. We've got to look good for the anniversary, even if it kills us all in the process.
JOLEEN: If we survive the traffic, we still have to deal with the real estate market. The latest stats for April 2026 are out, and it's still a seller's market. The median list price in Upland is hovering around 743,000 dollars. That's actually down a bit from last year, but don't get excited. A 1,500 square foot 'fixer-upper' on Amber Court just sold for 755,000. It's basically paying three-quarters of a million dollars for the privilege of owning a house that needs 100 grand in work.
MARK: It's insane. If you want a single-story home in North Upland, you're looking at 875,000 easy. And if you're fancy enough for San Antonio Heights? Forget it. You're into the 1.3 million range. I remember when a million dollars got you a mansion, now it gets you a nice ranch-style home and a view of your neighbor's fence. But people are still buying. 213 homes sold in March alone.
JOLEEN: It's because where else are you going to go? Rancho? No thanks. Ontario? Please. Upland has that charm, even if the charm is currently covered in construction dust and costs more than a small island. It's a great city, truly. I love being able to walk--or let's be honest, drive--to downtown and see actual history. Even if that history is just me remembering when gas was under four dollars.
MARK: Those were the days. Well, that's the news for this Monday. We've talked about the city's empty pockets, the car thieves, our 'distinguished' kids, and the sandwiches that keep us sane. It's a lot to process, so maybe just go sit in your car on Foothill and think about it for forty-five minutes. You'll have the time.
JOLEEN: Before we go, do the thing, Mark. You know the one.
MARK: Right. If you haven't already, make sure you like, subscribe, and leave a comment. Tell us what you think about the budget cuts or which pothole on 11th Street is your favorite. If you've got a tip or just want to tell us we're assholes, email us at upland@thehappeningnetwork.com. We actually read those, mostly for the entertainment value.
JOLEEN: Mostly to see who's more offended this week. Stay safe out there, Upland. Keep your car locked, your sandwiches heavy, and your patience high. We'll be back on Thursday to do this all over again, assuming the city doesn't cut the podcasting budget next.
MARK: Don't give them any ideas, Joleen. See you guys later.