November 6, 2024 (Sacramento) – Democratic Congressman Adam Schiff, who led impeachment efforts against Donald Trump, is poised to defeat former baseball player Steve Garvey, a Republican, to represent California in the U.S. Senate.
Shiff has nearly 60% of the votes, with over half of all votes counted statewide, according to the California Secretary of State’s office.
Update: Kamala Harris has congratulated Trump on his win. Republicans have also taken control of the House.
By Miriam Raftery
November 5, 2024 (Washington D.C.) – Former President Donald Trump has won two major battleground states, CNN and AP predict, and is edging closer to victory in the hotly contested presidential race. Currently Trump is projected to have 247 electoral votes while Vice President Kamala Harris has 214. At least 270 electoral college votes are needed to secure a win in the presidential race.
Of the seven battleground states, AP has projected Trump the winner in Georgia and North Carolina. He has leads in all of the other five swing states: Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin with most votes counted, though some states could still flip as votes from large urban areas not yet tallied come in. However the path for a Harris win has narrowed, while Trump retains several paths to victory.
If Trump wins, he will have a Senate majority of his own party. Republicans have flipped control of the Senate by at least one seat to have a 51-seat majority. Senate control means Republicans will have the power to confirm the president’s cabinet and judicial appointees.
November 5, 2024 (El Cajon) – All three incumbent El Cajon City Councilmembers have won reelection. Councilmembers Michelle Metschel and Phil Ortiz ran unopposed. Councilmember Steve Goble has more than twice as many votes as his opponent, Courtney Hall, 69.64% to 30.36%.
November 5, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – All four East County cities had measures on the ballot to raise or extend sale taxes, and three of the four are winning by large margins.
November 5, 2024 (Santee) – Santee Mayor John Minto has won reelection over challenger Kelli O’Brien, with 79.39% of the votes tallied thus far. Councilman Dustin Trotter appears cruising to victory over Padre Dam Water Board member Augie Scalzitti, with 61.85%. Laura Koval has also been reelected, running unopposed.
November 5, 2024 (La Mesa) – Four candidates are vying for two open seats on the La Mesa City Council, and the race is too close to call. With 855, 948 ballots counted out of the county’s 1,983,767 registered voters counted in early returns, Lauren Cazares and Genevieve Suzuki lead with 32.03% and 31.27% respectively, followed closely by former Councilmember Kristine Alessio at 29.47%. Fitness trainer Shawn Townsend trails with 7.23%.
November 5, 2024 (Lemon Grove) – Councilmember Alysson Snow may be poised to oust incumbent Mayor Racquel Vasquez in Lemon Grove, if early election returns hold. With 855, 948 ballots counted out of the county’s 1,983,767 registered voters, Snow has 41.27%, Vasquez 30.34%, and Councilmember Liana LeBaron 28.39%.
November 5, 2024 (San Diego) – All five incumbent Congressional members countywide appear cruising to reelection, including East County representatives Darrell Issa and Sara Jacobs. Below are results for all five San Diego Congressional races with 855, 948 ballots counted out of the county’s 1,983,767 registered voters.
November 5, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – With 844,948 ballots counted out of 1.9 million registered voters in the county, Akilah Weber, a Democrat, appears breezing to a win in the 39th State Senate district with 61.53% of the votes over Republican Bob Divine at 38.47%.
November 5, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – SDG&E warns that high fire risk weather conditions amid a red flag warning may result in public safety power shutoffs to prevent fires starting Wed. Nov. 6 at 4 a.m. through Friday, Nov. 8 at 5 p.m. Communities at risk of power shutoffs are listed below and include 24, 740 customers, or input your address here: https://www.sdge.com/psps-dashboard
By Chuck Westerheide, County of San Diego Communications Office
November 5, 2024 (San Diego) - The National Weather Service in San Diego has issued a Red Flag Warning, which is in effect from 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov 7. The Red Flag Warning has been issued due to strong gusty winds, low humidity and is in effect for the inland valleys and mountains of San Diego County.
November 5, 2024 (San Diego) - It's that time of year again: time to find the perfect gift for that special someone. You can find it at the Holiday Marketplace at Mission Trails on Saturday, November 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
By Tracy DeFore, County of San Diego Communications Office
Photo: John Degenfelder stands next to Degenfelder trail sign.
November 4, 2024 (Ramona) - In a surprise ceremony, a trail at the Luelf Pond County Preserve was named for a nearby and long-time resident who has spent decades championing trails and the community of Ramona.
Photo, left to right: District 4 candidates Kim Hales and Ivan Andujar, District 2 candidates Robert Lloyd Senior and Suzanne Till
November 2, 2024 (Santee) – Four candidates are vying for two seats on the Padre Dam Municipal Water District. The district provides water, including recycled water, to over 100,000 East County residents and businesses. In division 4, appointed incumbent Ivan Andujar, a facility operations manager at Lions, Tigers and Bears, faces a challenge from biologist Kim Hales. In division 2, incumbent Suzanne Till , a veteran with a PhD in water resources management, is being challenged by business owner Robert “Bob” Loyd, Sr. Key issues include water affordability, accessibility, and reliabilty.
November 2, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – Stephen Houlahan is a former Santee City Councilman and registered nurse who led successful effforts to block a dangerous liquified natural gas pipeline through the 48th Congressional district that he is now running to represent. That seat is currently occupied by Rep. Darrell Issa. The contrast is dramatic—and Houlahan says he’s running to restore freedoms, protect our democracy, and bring home federal dollars to underground power lines that have sparked wildfires and caused insurance rates to skyrocket.
The contrast couldn’t be more clear.
Issa voted against certifying the 2020 election results and opposed efforts to investigate the Capitol insurrection. Houlahan says a peaceful transfer of power is a hallmark of democracy, and has won endorsement from National Security Leaders of America, a bipartisan group of retired military leaders and cabinet officers.
Issa is coauthor of a bill to outlaw abortion nationwide, with no exceptions even to save a mother’s life. Houlahan wants to restore women’s reproductive freedoms taken away when the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.
Issa voted against the bipartisan infrastructure bill. Houlahan wants to fight to bring home infrastructure dollars to improve storm drainage infrastructure, repair the dangerous El Capitan dam, and improve fire safety.
Issa has opposed clean energy investment. Houlahan backs rebuilding the energy grid, including undergrounding power lines to protect our backcountry.
Issa voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Houlahan wants to protect it and expand Medicare to cover those 55 and up, also adding a MediKids program to cover 4 million uninsured children.
Issa, one of the wealthiest members of Congress, has been accused of corruption including most recently failing to timely report hundreds of thousands of dollars in treasury bonds, a potential violation of the Stock Act. Houlahan says he will stand against corruption and for transparency, calling for tougher penalties on insider trading by members of Congress and a need for honest leadership.
In an exclusive interview with East County Magazine also aired on KNSJ radio, Houlahan also shared his views on the economy and inflation, immigration and border security NATO, the Israel-Gaza conflict, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and more.
Local law enforcement assures the public that the safety and well-being of everyone who heads to the polls on Election Day are top priorities.
November 2, 2024 (San Diego) -- Local, state and federal law enforcement agencies in San Diego County are working to ensure Election Day (Tuesday, November 5) is a safe and rewarding experience for all voters.
If you are concerned about a potential Election Day threat or an incident that should be reported to authorities, contact your local law enforcement agency. In the event of an emergency, call 9-1-1. For more information about election security from the San Diego County Registrar of Voters, click here.
November 1, 2024 (San Diego) --The voting public on Tuesday will again weigh in on the housing crisis, as homeless advocates and the real estate industry go head-to- head over a new rent control proposal, Proposition 33. If passed, the measure could change the current housing scenario in California drastically. While the measure does not mandate rent control, it would enable local cities or counties to enact restrictions on rental rates.
CalMatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California’s state Capitol works and why it matters.
November 1, 2024 (Sacramento) -- California voters decided on only one proposition on the March primary ballot — narrowly approving Gov. Gavin Newsom’s mental health measure, Proposition 1. In November, voters will determine the fate of 10 propositions — including whether to borrow a combined $20 billion for climate programs and school construction, whether to approve three amendments to the state constitution and what direction to take on crime, health care and taxes.
The 2024 ballot is still more crowded than in 2022, when there were only seven measures, the fewest in more than a century.
Jump to section, or scroll down to view analysis of all initiatives.
November 1, 2024 (El Cajon) - The San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominations for the 2024 East County Honors. On Saturday, February 22nd, 2025, The East County Chamber will celebrate the 113th anniversary of its annual East County Honors event at Sycuan Casino Resort at 5 p.m. For over a century, the San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce has been a strong voice on business, education, and community issues of interest to the East County Region of San Diego County.
Photo: view from City Heights. Photo credit: Martin Eder
Update 6:45 p.m.-- The #Fairmountfire is 25% contained. Six homes have been damaged. Montezuma Rd will remain closed all night for apparatus access. There are no injuries from the brush fire; a shooting near the SDSU trolley is unrelated to the fire.
Update 4:30 p.m.-- The fire is now called #Fairmount Fire and is 37 acres. Temporary evacuation point is at Allied Gardens Recreation Center.
Update 2:39 p.m.- Hardy Elementary School is being evacuated; students are being taken to Viejas Arena at SDSU, per SDFD. Parents can use Canyon Crest to access the arena; avoid CollegeAve.
East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts
Photo via UCSD HP web cam, view from Mt. Miguel of #MontezumaFire.
October 31, 2024 (San Diego) -- Evacuations are underway in the SDSU college area due to the #MontezumaFire, which has burned 10-15 acres n both sides of Montezuma east of Fairmont.
Evacuations are in progress along Lila Drive, Collwood Way, Lucille Drive, 49th St. and neighborhoods along Yerba Santa Dr., per Watch Duty. Deputies are going door to door. Structures are threatened; fire is burning at a critical rate of spread, per the Watch Duty App.
Cal Fire reports Montezuma Road is closed in both directions and Aldine is also shut down.
The donation from the San Diego Division of the American Heart Association gives residents the opportunity to improve their blood pressure.
Source: American Heart Association
October 31, 2024 (La Mesa) - East County residents who live in the Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD) can now check out blood pressure monitors from the Health & Wellness Library in La Mesa. The new self-measured blood pressure program is being done in collaboration with the American Heart Association, a global force for healthier lives for all.
District earns Partnership of the Decade Award; leaders honored
Source: Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District
October 31, 2024 (El Cajon) - On Friday, October 25, the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District was honored with a Partnership of the Decade Award from the East County Economic Development Council at their 40th Anniversary Gala. The event celebrated the accomplishments of the East County EDC, as well as their valued partners. The East County EDC recognized the most impactful partnerships over the past decade, and honored organizations that have played a crucial role in driving economic development in East County.
Photo: Lorena Gonzalez, president of the California Labor Foundation, AFL-CIO, speaks while flanked by Democratic and Republican local leaders.
October 31, 2024 (San Diego) - Saying he lacks ethics and integrity, local elected officials and community leaders gathered in Scripps Ranch Wednesday to offer an “anti-endorsement” of far-right Republican candidate and AM radio personality Carl DeMaio, a former San Diego City Council member and two-time congressional candidate.
October 28, 2024 (Lakeside) -- San Diego County Medical Examiner’s investigators are asking for the public’s help to identify a man hit by a car on Mapleview Street in Lakeside back on August 30. They want to notify his family of his death. The decedent appears to be a Caucasian or Hispanic male approximately 55 years of age. He was 5’8 and 205 lbs. with brown hair and brown eyes. He also had a linear scar on the back of his left hand.
October 27, 2024 (Campo) – The San Sheriff's Search and Rescue (SAR) volunteers have found and rescued a woman who was lost in San Diego's backcountry for almost two days.
By Tracy DeFore, County of San Diego Communications Office
October 27, 2024 (San Diego)-- You don’t have to wait until Election Day to vote in person. Voters can take advantage of early voting at 39 vote centers that opened Oct. 26 and will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. around the county until Election Day, November 5.
On Saturday, Nov. 2, over 200 vote centers will also be open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Nov. 4. On the final day of voting, Nov. 5, all vote centers will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
October 27, 2024 (Borrego Springs) – The Borrego Springs Film Institute is offering a series of free film showings at the Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center.
The next showing is the classic film “Casablanca” on November 6 at 7 p.m. The1942 film, starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, features a cynical expatriate American cafe owner who struggles to decide whether or not to help his former lover and her fugitive husband escape the Nazis in French Morocco.
October 27, 2024 (Ramona) – Notable November events are coming up –including the Ramona Art and Wine Fest, Valor Awards for Veterans, La Mesa’s Holiday in the Village, East County Magazine’s Roaring ‘20s party at La Mesa Wine Works, the Romeros Spanish guitar concert, comedy night at Sycuan, Santee’s tree lighting and sledding, North Pole Limited train rides in Campo, a country tree lighting in Julian, and Holiday Lights on Main in El Cajon.
October 27, 2024 (San Diego)—Four members of East County Magazine’s journalism team won awards at the San Diego Press Club’s Excellence in Journalism Awards presented on October 22. Their coverage encompassed public safety issues in La Mesa, the future of the Water Conservation Garden, international migrants in Jacumba, and La Mesa's ban on public comments after anti-Semitic rants.
October 27,2024 (San Diego's East County) --The East County Regional Chamber of Commerce has several events coming up including First Friday breakfasts, business after hours mixers, coffee connect, a veterans’ awards luncheon, and holiday mixers.
East County News Service
By Miriam Raftery
East County News Service
By Miriam Raftery
By Miriam Raftery
East County News Service
East County News Service
By Chuck Westerheide, County of San Diego Communications Office
Source: Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation
By 
Source: East County Chamber of Commerce
Photo: 
s are going door to door. Structures are threatened; fire is burning at a critical rate of spread, per the Watch Duty App.
The donation from the San Diego Division of the American Heart Association gives residents the opportunity to improve their blood pressure. 
District earns Partnership of the Decade Award; leaders honored
By Brooke Binkowski, 
East County News Service
Source: San Diego Sheriff’s Department
East County News Service
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