SOLANA BEACH — Residents and business owners are urged to register for the city’s e-mail information system, known as eBlast, to automatically receive electronic news and updates.

The site recently underwent a format change and now offers an emergency notification category to alert subscribers to natural disasters and other urgent situations such as fires and, more recently, the shark attack at Fletcher Cove Beach.

Although everyone registered will automatically receive emergency notifications, it is recommended that people visit the site to review and update their options. Other categories are special news and information, City Council agendas and employment news. Subscribers can decline or register for any combination of one or all four categories.

Information, which will be sent from staff, will include news about city events including street closures and community activities such as Concert in the Cove updates.

“The eBlast service cannot be used for any kind of political activity on behalf of any outside entities or council members,” Steve Didier, senior management analyst, said.

“It has to be solely for the use of active city business,” Didier said.

The city will not sell e-mail addresses to any outside parties. No one other than staff members will have access to the addresses, including City Council members. “We’re not going to send you things that are political,” Councilman Joe Kellejian said.

To register, visit http:// www.ci.solana-beach.ca.us and click on Sign up for city eNews in the middle of the home page. When e-mails are sent, the subject line will read sbeblast@cosb.org. People can unsubscribe from any or all categories at any time.

In other city news, council members will not meet again until Aug. 27, although City Hall will remain open according to its regular schedule.