San Diego County residents have until Monday, October 21, to register for the upcoming November Presidential General Election if they wish to receive a ballot by mail. Failing to meet this deadline will require voters to visit the Registrar’s office in Kearny Mesa or go to a vote center starting Saturday, October 26, where they can conditionally register and vote provisionally through November 5.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is collaborating with San Diego County public health staff and volunteers to conduct a health assessment in the Tijuana River Valley. This initiative involves interviewing residents about their experiences with sewage pollution in the area.
People experiencing homelessness in the Sweetwater Riverbed area have been given new opportunities for permanent housing. This development comes from a $5.1 million state grant and collaboration between several entities, including the County, the City of Chula Vista, National City, and the California Department of Transportation. These efforts have enhanced outreach to homeless individuals, increased transitions into housing, and provided regular clean-up activities.
San Diego County has commenced construction on a new animal shelter, with Howard the dog ceremonially taking the first dig. The 23,000-square-foot facility in Santee is expected to be completed by early 2026. This new shelter aims to enhance care for long-term animals as they await adoption.
174 California hospitals, including three hospitals in U.S. Rep. Scott Peters' (D-CA-50) district, participate in a federal drug program that enables eligible hospitals and healthcare organizations to purchase outpatient medications at significantly discounted prices.
Dr. Janette J. Gray and her former medical practice, The Center for Health & Wellbeing in San Diego, have agreed to a $3.8 million settlement over allegations of submitting false claims to Medicare and TRICARE. The claims suggest that from 2012 to 2022, Dr. Gray's practice billed these programs for services not covered by misrepresenting the provider or service, "unbundling" procedures, or billing for unnecessary services.
Some of San Diego's largest riverbed encampments are witnessing progress through a collaborative effort by the County, the City of San Diego, the City of Santee, and the California Department of Transportation. This partnership focuses on homeless outreach and providing immediate shelter for those residing in the riverbed area.
San Diego County has released its 2023 annual Crop Report, detailing the economic contributions and trends in local agriculture. The report highlights that nursery and cut flower products account for 71% of the total agricultural value, with bedding plants, color, perennials, cacti, and succulents leading for the third consecutive year. These categories brought in $396,623,341, representing 24% of the county's agricultural production value.
County shelter pets in San Diego are getting into the Halloween spirit early this year, donning costumes as they seek new homes. Costumed animals include a "harey" witch, a lettuce vampire, two jack-o-lanterns, a fairy, King Meow II, a cowboy, and a pirate.
San Diego County is encouraging residents to focus on their mental health with the annual Check Your Mood Day, coinciding with National Depression Screening Day. This event takes place during Mental Illness Awareness Week and aims to promote awareness about mental well-being.
The San Diego County Fiscal Year 2023/24 Annual Report, released Thursday, highlights significant progress in addressing key regional challenges. The report outlines advancements in affordable housing, homelessness, behavioral health, public safety, justice reform, environmental sustainability, healthy communities, and equity.
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors has approved the acceptance of a $12.4 million grant from the state and allocated an additional $8 million to enhance mental health services in the region. This funding will be utilized to establish 16 recuperative beds and renovate a building in National City, transforming it into a new County Substance Use Residential and Treatment Services facility. Additionally, 33 more recuperative care beds will be added at other treatment centers.
Starting Tuesday, October 8, registered voters in San Diego County can return their mail ballots for the November Presidential General Election to any of the 150 official ballot drop boxes available throughout the county. Mail ballots are expected to be delivered this week to the county's 1.9 million registered voters.
San Diego County is investigating its first locally acquired dengue case. The affected resident from Escondido had not traveled to regions where the mosquito-borne illness is prevalent. No other local cases have been reported so far.