Chelsey Romano
Special to the Valley News
There may not be fireworks, but there will be a grand celebration as local news program Spirit of Innovation, presented by JDS Creative Academy, is wrapping up its 5th season of the regularly-distributed feature-style newscast for Riverside County with a great lineup. Chock full of informative and impactful segments, Spirit of Innovation is ready to close out the season with a bang, sharing all the good-to-now, need-to-now, and did-you-know local news, events, and information.
Did you know Riverside County is considered a media desert? In 2018, Spirit of Innovation became the first locally distributed TV show to help to improve this scarcity for the County’s 2.5 million residents. While other mainstream local newscasts mainly concentrate on Los Angeles and San Diego Counties, Spirit of Innovation is produced by the Temecula-based award-winning nonprofit JDS Creative Academy and covers local news and information for Southwest Riverside County in a magazine-style monthly broadcast. The award-winning broadcasted and live-streamed television show sets out to inform the public on topics that affect residents and businesses regarding governmental happenings, procedures, and economic concerns, along with heartwarming stories about nonprofits and citizens who make a difference. Spirit of Innovation and its micro-show, SOI Update, bring the news, weather, sports, events, activities, and impactful information which a county of 2.5 million residents needs and expects. The show creates awareness and excitement about the county and shares opportunities the public wants to know about.
JDS Creative Academy not only supplies news and information about Riverside County, but they also use the production of the program as a training vehicle for adults with developmental disabilities, interns, and entry-level professionals in a cross-collaborative fashion; these diverse populations learn video production, multimedia, and how to be a part of an inclusive creative company that gives back to its community and profession.
During the first several seasons, the show had a dedicated host, but this past season Spirit of Innovation began highlighting county stakeholders and having them serve as guest hosts. This has been a positive experience for the show’s viewers and for the stakeholders themselves to gain exposure for their business and service of the region. Spirit of Innovation plans to continue this tradition, as it is important to connect with those who want to make change occur and spread the word about what’s happening in the community.
July’s season closer of Spirit of Innovation will be guest hosted by JDS Creative Academy’s co-founders and Spirit of Innovation’s creators, Diane and Scott Strand. The episode shares segments on the business of nonprofits and includes Dr. Mona Davies, founder of the Community Outreach Ministry and a 2023 Nonprofit of the Year honoree. The show also includes a compelling segment on Riverside County’s Regional Conservation Authority with Aaron Hake, Deputy Executive Director. He talks about how this organization came about and its function. We also hear from Philip Southard, City of Menifee’s Public Information and Legislative Affairs Officer and Jeff Monford, Senior Advisor of Corporate Communications with SoCal Edison in a follow-up story about the cutting-edge energy-saving technology in a new KB Homes community.
Spirit of Innovation will also bring you a new segment from one of JDS Creative Academy’s video production job-training students called Corina’s Corner; it is a good-to-know segment in which Corina Corona shares upcoming local music events. The music culture in Riverside County has blossomed throughout the years and is a staple activity in the warmer months. Moreover, Spirit of Innovation loves to promote access to the arts and music community, sharing fun local events with the county.
The season closer drops on July 20 and will air with current good-to-know and need-to-know information until the 6th season opener drops in September. You can find the newest episode of Spirit of Innovation continually airing and streaming on RivCoTV, Murrieta TV, Temecula TV, and Menifee TV, as well as on Youtube and the Spirit of Innovation website at https://spiritofinnovation.org.
For more about Spirit of Innovation, visit the website, follow SOI_NewsInfo on Instagram, and follow the new Facebook page, Spirit of Innovation Local News. Be in the know and tune in to watch local with Spirit of Innovation.
