Now 5 days away from the november 3rd election and kron 4 is your local election headquarters this election season. With a Record Number of people voting early this election season, there are already concerns tonight about missing ballots in the east bay, dozens of voters reported not receiving confirmation that their ballot was received by the Contra Costa County elections division. Kron fours justine waltman here now with details and whether or not foul play is believed to be involved justine. Well Contra Costa County has 37 drop off ballot boxes. But theres one question tonight, and thats the box thats right outside of Richmond City hall, dozens of voters say they dropped off their ballots there on october 12 and the county has not been able to confirm receipt of those ballots so theyre lost and the county doesnt know where they are tonight. The county is telling us this according to the Contra Costa CountyElections Office the ballot box and Richmond City all has been inspected by the county and they have no reason to believe the box has been tampered with and they did not find any evidence of criminal action by election workers so the Elections Office is now considering installing Surveillance Systems at the drop boxes and officials are saying theyre actually happy that the sort of happened because its showing that the tracking system worked it alerted voters that the ballots were missing gave them time to vote again important to note that the system will not allow people to vote twice. Well have much more on these missing ballots coming up tonight here on kron 4 news in prime time, pam and ken back to you just thank you secretary of state alex the dia says there are many security measures in place now to make sure the next few days leading up to the election goes smoothly after sending a memo to Elections Officials about the laws and the consequences of voter and intimidation and harassment. He says Law Enforcement is on standby, but as a last resort he says so far there have been no concerning incidents with early voting underway. Folks there to observe can not in any way interfere with the administration of elections. It certainly cant cross the line try to harass or intimidate somebody was trying to exercise their right to election supervisors are trained to make sure that the election goes smoothly, havent been trained on how to de escalate maybe some tense situation that there are questions. With about 40 of ballots already returned the dia says those are being stored in locked ultra high security areas, governor Gavin Newsome cast his ballot in sacramento today, he praised the number of ballots that have been sent by a california resident so far saying that he is quote very enthusiastic about the total number of ballots that have been returned and about the eagerness for people to be active at the to support our during this election season. If you have any problems casting your ballot. Let us know and we will investigate you can email us at voting problems at kron 4 dot com Health Officials have been warning of a twindemic since flu season began in tonight. Solano county has confirmed its first case of both the flu and covid19 co infection, citing medical privacy we only know the person is under the age of 65, but as kron fours terisa stasio tells us Health Officials are saying this should be a loud warning for everyone. Medical experts say that this case is someone having co id19 and the seasonal flu at the very same time re emphasizes the importance of getting a flu shot or potentially facing some very serious medical consequences and the risk is that youll have a worse today, they have a worse disease because youre suffering from 2 at the same time its harder to your bodys immune system to fight off both cyrus is simultaneously doctor balan ma cash is the Solano County health officer. He says this first case diagnosed in the county of a person having both covid and the seasonal flu at once has been a concern statewide and nationally ever since covid swept into the country unfortunately that they co occurrence of these 2 diseases and make some unity. Increases the risk of some Severe Health outcome. Now that it is here he says it is vital to ramp up safety precautions. This re emphasizes the importance of getting the flu vaccine, correct does and it really emphasizes the importance of maintaining social distancing all the time. And heres the irony in our county most of our cases are occuring theyre being exposed when they get together with family and friends and they let their guard down theyre not being exposed at work and not being exposed out there and then in the general Public Sector in the community when they go to the store at center. They have the incorrect assumption that family and friends are saints. The doctor says wearing a mask is important but he also has this to add about what type and you might find it educational. Should be we be wearing a mask that surgical masks that we can buy these either from the hospitals where do you weigh in on that. You know its an interesting question because it actually misses the important point. People are using those masks only in the public sphere, not in the persopal sphere, but the personal spears re getting exposed. So if you are nothing more than a bandanna and the personal sphere, most of this disease ago. So you know rather than amplifying protection in the in that rare possibility of incidental exposure at the Grocery Store you should be focusing on a much more likely exposure in your own family, your friends and your family when you get together the doctor also adds that if you start having flu like symptoms you should isolate. Get tested and stay isolated until you get the results. He says that you may not ever get very sick, but you could infect someone else even to the point of a hospitalization or dash and you want to want to have that on your shoulders. Terry says stasio kron 4 news. Lets talk about halloween normally, San Francisco is all in on the party, but not this year officials are worried about a rise in covid cases and they say they dont want to see the city back sliding out of the yellow tear kron fours Maureen Kelly talked to the mayor about her perspective. It seemed like it was going to be an epic halloween this year, its on a saturday. Theres a full moon here in a city where people love to dress up and have fun but now we have the specter of coronavirus looming over us and the citys mayor is concerned that people are going to think just because were in the yellow tier we can get a little loose, but she says thats not the case. Were in the yellows here now but that can change at a moments notice. The mayor visited businesses today out the excelsior some with their halloween decorations up but was scaring the mayors that were starting to see a spike shes concerned about the rise in hospitalizations and the number of new cases and and so what im concerned about right now is that as we go into the whole halloween weekend and people may feel good that San Franciscos in a good place but were not and its going to put us in a situation where we may have to make some adjustments and. As much as halloween is like my favorite holiday ever to celebrate even i have to take a step back from what i traditionally would want to do to do what is in the best interest of the people of the city because if wed all and were talking about future holidays where we wont be able to celebrate in the ways that we enjoy the supervisor of the Castro District is also warning people not to come here and party like in years past and that suits. Those we talked to in the neighborhood. Just find the castor is a really fun place. I love living here, but im all about safety first so personally im going to be staying home this year and im glad theyre encouraging people to stay home. I hope other people listen to what theyre saying the city says go ahead and decorate your house theyre encouraging people to still dress up in costumes but theyre discouraging of course large gatherings and theyre also discouraging trick or treating. Now the citys Public Health department does have a list on their website of ideas on how to still have fun on the holiday. But also stay safe during the pandemic you can find a link on our website kron 4 dot com. Maureen kelly kron 4 news. And continuing our covid coverage doctor Anthony Fauci the nations top Infectious Disease experts said the u. S. Covid numbers are quote stunning with infection rates rising in multiple parts of the nation and hospitals in some areas overwhelmed with patients. During an interview yesterday doctor fauci said the country needs a mask mandate to combat the coronavirus now it is very urgent and thats the reason why i have been urgently saying every single day. That weve got to do things that have not been done uniformly and consistently throughout the country. The numbers that you put up our stunning. This is going to get worse because were going more into a cold this season. As we get through the fall and into the winter with the Holiday Season going weve got to do something different. Doctor fauci added if the federal government does not make the decision on a National Level he hopes that governors and mayors would implement mask mandates locally. The race for a covid19 vaccine continues but Health Experts say dont expect to get one any time soon. After initially suggesting one could be ready by election day. The president is now telling followers. Its right around the corner today doctor fauci also said we wont know until december at the earliest if theres a safe and effective vaccine. While a handful of companies are working on vaccines. 2 of them had put a pause on their trials to investigate safety issues thats why Infectious Disease specialist at ucsf say they believe that timeline is overly optimistic. They maybe did string that this effort to cnn vaccine by the end of this calendar year. But in terms of someone sticking their arm out to get the vaccine probably not until spring of 2021. Ucsf Infectious Disease specialist doctor, peter chan, hong says spring is a more realistic timeline for high risk populations, Health Care Workers and seniors because of the trial delays reviews of those trials of the complications involved in distributing a vaccine, but as for the rest of us experts at ucsf say we likely wont have access to one until summer or even fall. Coming up on kron 4 news tonight at a with only days remaining to shore up any last minute support President Trump and joe biden held dueling rallies in an important battleground state. And arming arrest after a traffic stop turns up drugs cash and a loaded weapon. And plus a rapid rise in crime in one east bay city this summer why police say the covid19 pandemic has a lot to do with it. And weve got clear skies out there right now weve got a Holiday Weekend halloween just around the corner, well talk about that forecast coming up. A dramatic spike in gun violence in the city of alameda, its a disturbing trend. The Police Department is trying to control kron fours the lead to go all talked with city leaders who believe that the pandemic has played a role. It alarming since june first 14 shootings have been reported in the city of alameda criminals shouldnt. The better armed and our police what troubles interim police chief randy fan is that number accounts for the total number of shootings all year long there were 9 for the first 5 months of the year we had 3 shootings in 2019 just 7 in 2018. Here we are again towards end of october weve got this many arrests have been made in 5 of the 14 shootings investigations. Though these cases have resulted in an increased workload for a department that is also trying to adapt to the pandemic watching whats happening with more folks not being in jail when theyre arrested because of covid people being released because of covid criminal Justice Reform is just so many factors were taking a look at mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft understands residents and Business Owners are concerned about the violent trend Domestic Violence cases are facing rising one of the things i would like to see i think the police would to is this return to community policing. Where we have officers out and about walking in our downtown districts. And in our just you know getting to know what the situation is disability and not just always responding at someones worst moment that really an area a neighborhood Business District more those the kinds of things that. I think can help make our Community SaferCity Attorneys Office says prosecuting any violent or gunrelated crime is a priority. I believe all kron 4 news. Also the east bay, a 26 yearold oakland man was arrested after a traffic stop turned up a large amount of drugs cash and as you can see a loaded gun. This happened at 7th and potter Streets Police say the suspect who are they not they are not identifying at this time was driving on a suspended license. It had several bottles of promethazine which can be used as a sedative he also had more than a 1000 cash is arrested on a number of different charges. In the north bay Sonoma City Councilmember and former mayor david cook has been arrested on child molestation charges. The alleged assault was reported on monday cook was arrested tuesday night and released on bail wednesday morning. He has served on the Sonoma City Council says 2012 and air in 2015 current mayor logan harvey sent kron 4 a statement about cooks arrest that reads quote crimes of this nature are disturbing it is the primary duty of all communities to protect children due to the overwhelmingly sensitive nature of the investigation i ask everyone to show compassion for the victim and families involved in the case and respect their privacy as due process plays out. And the south bay, San Jose City leaders partner with the community to raise black lives matter batters, a city hall today, mayor sam liccardo was joined by members of the Community Organization called youth hype to celebrate the unveiling of the new banners. The city hopes the banners will be seen as a symbol of Civic Engagement and a way to acknowledge all of the important work that still needs to be done. On the peninsula popular hiking trails and south San Francisco are still closed after that fouralarm fire that broke out almost 2 weeks ago. You may recall back on october 16th that wildfire raced across sign hill burning part of the famous south San FranciscoIndustrial City sign. While it only caused minor damage to city says the trails need repairs and until thats done. The area will remain closed off there is no estimate as to when that work will finish. 2 teenagers confessed to starting that fire. Lets check on the 4 zone forecast a live look outside at the bay bridge toll plaza which is pretty empty tonight and also looks pretty clear our chief meteorologist Lawrence Karnow standing by with. The warmer weather ahead. Yeah, looking good as we head in toward the halloween weekend lot of sunshine, sometimes this time of year well be tracking some storms but not this year looks like its going to be very nice out there now you see nice clear skies and thats whats going to say most of the night and most of year the exception along the coast line and just inside the bay. Actually going to see some thick fog making its way on shore so air quality kind of suffering a bit tonight again as weve seen some of the smoke from the creek fire. In this year that of work its way back into the bay area so a lot of under yellow right now that is moderate amounts of foods outside that was that hes skies as you saw there today and the beautiful sunset with all the colors winds not much you got on a win in San Francisco out of the west 3 and oakland right now and 7 in benicia temperature wise not bad outside right now the numbers drop off in a hurry though, as we head in toward the midnight hour 62 degrees in hayward right now 57 a lot to and 58 degrees in santa rosa at this hour. All right speaking of that fog here comes is going to roll in along the coastline. Its going to be a dense fog out there tonight and that will start to fill in just inside the bay tomorrow morning. That is going to give way to a lot of sunshine temperatures going to be just slightly cooler i think as we head toward the afternoon overnight lows, 40s and some 50s around the bay area for the most part by day tomorrow. Yeah, you get some sunshine coming your way again in the afternoon and temperatures pop and well into the 70s inland. Lot of 70s around the bay and that some 60s along the coastline. Next couple days as we take you into the halloween weekend of course dont forget this kind of the weekend to get an extra hour of sleep so make sure you enjoy that looks like itll be sunny and bright most parts of the