NORTH COUNTY: Today is the final day to vote on the $589 million bond issue proposed by Tri-City Healthcare District.

It's the third attempt by the district, which encompasses most of Oceanside, Carlsbad and Vista, to pass bonds for major improvements to Tri-City Medical Center in Oceanside.

Plans call for building two seven-story towers to replace two five-story structures and to improve the emergency and urgent-care sections.

Also, the hospital must meet state-required earthquake-safety standards.

Twice in 2006, about 65 percent of the voters favored bond issues. But then, like now, the measure requires two-thirds approval.

It's a mail ballot this time. However, there's no time left for the mail, as the county registrar of voters must receive ballots by 8 tonight.

Voters can take their ballots to the hospital, 4002 Vista Way, where only registrar employees will handle them, or to the registrar's office at 5201 Ruffin Road, Suite I, San Diego. –L.S.