By Miriam Raftery

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%. 

East County News Service

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.

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alert Service

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

Source:  Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation

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 Miriam Raftery

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.

By East County News Service

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.

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.

• Prop 2 School bond
• Prop 3 Same-sex marriage
• Prop 4 Climate bond
• Prop 5 Voting threshold
• Prop 6 Involuntary servitude
• Prop 32 Minimum wage
• Prop 33 Local rent control
• Prop 34 Patient spending
• Prop 35 Health care tax
• Prop 36 Criminal penalties
• Watch 1-minute videos
  

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.

Photo, right, by Carey Thoza.

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 40^th 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.

East County News Service

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.

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.

By Miriam Raftery

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.

East County News Service

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.

Go to https://business.eastcountychamber.org/events/calendarcatgid/Chamber-Events-6 to see all upcoming events and to register. Below are links for details on the individual events.

East County News Service

October 26, 2024 (Jamul) -- Mary Cheeks, President and General Manager of Jamul Casino, has received the Excellence in Advocacy Award at the 2024 Freedom Fund Dinner on Saturday, Oct. 19. The NAACP San Diego Branch honored Cheeks along with other notable community members for their ongoing engagement with their communities and continued efforts to create a space that offers equality for all.

“Trip to Spain” concert on Nov. 17 will feature music with a Spanish flair

​Source:  Poway Symphony Orchestra

October 26, 2024 (Poway) – The Poway Symphony Orchestra will open its 21st concert season

with “A Trip to Spain with The Romeros,” presenting a program of lively Spanish-inspired music

and featuring the world-renowned Romeros guitar quartet. The concert will take place on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. at the Poway Center for Performing Arts.