enterprise THE DAVIS
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020
Yolo County killers get money in massive EDD scheme BY LAUREN KEENE Enterprise staff writer Three convicted Yolo County murderers — including a sheriff ’s deputy’s killer condemned to death row — are among tens of thousands of California inmates who unlawfully received pandemic unemployment benefits in
their names under a statewide scam believed to have cost taxpayers as much as $1 billion. “We believe this is the largest fraud of California taxpayers ever uncovered,” Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig said Tuesday, just hours after four California district attorneys and a U.S. attorney held a news conference
detailing the fraud scheme they described as “offensive” and “staggering.” Tuesday’s revelation has put the state’s already-beleaguered Employment Development Department back in the hot seat. In addition to its dysfunctional response to the coronavirus pandemic, it’s earning new criticism
for failing to cross-check the names of unemployment applicants against those of California prison inmates, even though similar efforts are being made in 35 other states. According to Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert, that comparison wasn’t made until early November,
Back on the hardwood UCD women win, men lose as surreal season begins
Enterprise staff writer
Enterprise sports editor They’re playing. They’re really playing! After a three-week delay in deference to the threat of the coronavirus, the NCAA gave its schools the green light to open the basketball season on Wednesday. And both UC Davis teams were in action in a couple of competitive games with mixed results.
Women rule Pavilion
OWEN YANCHER/ENTERPRISE PHOTO
Aggie guard Evanne Turner burns down the lane during Wednesday’s season-opening UC Davis victory over San Francisco. Turner scored a game-high 19 points for UCD. combinations through out the first half, the Aggies stuck to their veterans after intermission and survived on Wednesday afternoon at The Pavilion. Leading 38-35 at intermission, Davis went up by as many as 13 points
in the second half. Each time, UCD put the Dons at arm’s length, USF came charging back ... once leading by a point early in the third quarter,
SEE HARDWOOD, BACK PAGE
SEE SCHEME, BACK PAGE
Project Roomkey finds housing for 61 people BY ANNE TERNUS-BELLAMY
BY BRUCE GALLAUDET
In season that seems destined to find its way around and through the ongoing pandemic, the UC Davis women’s basketball season got under way on Wednesday. And, at least on the court, things are promising in Aggie Nation ... With all five starters finishing in double digits, UCD managed an uneven 82-75 victory over visiting San Francisco — even if no one was watching. As strict protection protocols against the spread of COVID-19 dictated no fans in attendance, social distancing among bench players, game-support personnel and media as well as long-range postgame interviews, the product on the court looked ever so familiar. Using myriad different
when the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation provided its inmate list to prosecutors, who then cross-checked it with a compilation of EDD unemployment insurance claims. The data showed that, between March and August, some 35,000
Sixty-one formerly homeless Yolo County residents have found permanent housing thanks to Project Roomkey, a collaborative effort aimed at providing safe shelter during the pandemic. All told, 533 homeless individuals were assisted between March 16 and Nov. 17, the county reported last week, with an average stay in local motels of 92 nights per person. The partnership between the Yolo County Health and Human Services Agency; the cities of Davis, West Sacramento and Woodland; as well as other agencies and nonprofits began by providing motel rooms and case management to medically vulnerable homeless residents in order to protect them from contracting COVID-19. Nine motels throughout the county participated, including several in Davis. “While Project Roomkey was never intended to be a permanent housing solution,” the county said in a press release, “the program’s increased stability
and access to case management services has resulted in over 61 permanent housing transitions to date, with clients moving into both market rate and subsidized apartments, room and boards, and some reuniting permanently with family.” Throughout the program, CommuniCare Health Center provided a mobile medicine team funded through Dignity Health in partnership with Woodland Clinic Medical Group and Sutter Health. The team provided 1,340 unique visits through mid October and conducted multiple COVID-19 tests on site when clients appeared symptomatic. “In the midst of a pandemic, this project has been a shining example of what can occur when those most in need are supported through a collaborative effort from providers, cities, and the county,” said Yolo County’s Homeless Program Coordinator Nadia Waggener. “Yolo County’s Project Roomkey has become a model to the state, and a success story for community-supported
SEE HOUSING, PAGE A7
Multiple virus testing options available BY ANNE TERNUS-BELLAMY Enterprise staff writer
An evergreen Davis tradition returns one more time as local Scouts begin selling Christmas trees today at the usual South Davis location. OWEN YANCHER/ ENTERPRISE PHOTO
Scouts’ Christmas tree lot is set to open BY BRUCE GALLAUDET Enterprise staff writer In Davis, few things say the holidays like the opening of the Scouts BSA Christmas tree lot. And in these times — more in need of good cheer than most — today represents an occasion to celebrate, as the first shipment
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of Douglas and noble firs has arrived at the festive corner of Mace and Cowell boulevards. Scout leader Jeff Lovitt and a band of energetic Scouts and parents have been hard at work sprucing up the corner site, which opens this afternoon and will operate
INDEX
through “about Dec. 21.” In addition to trees, ranging in price from $40 to $200 “if you want a real living-room monster,” Lovitt said custom wreaths will be for sale as well. Lovitt and his son Ian got involved with Scouting
SEE TREE, PAGE A7
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Opportunities to test for COVID-19 will be plentiful in December, with free testing available in several locations in the city of Davis as well as throughout the county. Testing ranges from the saliva-based test offered by Healthy Davis Together to nasal-swab tests being offered by the county and state. Additionally, the Rite Aid on Main Street in Woodland is providing free drive-through testing for anyone over age 13.
County testing Yolo County residents can receive free COVID-19 testing in multiple locations throughout the county in December.
In Davis, testing will be available on Mondays (Dec. 7, 14, 21 and 28) from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Davis Senior Center, 646 A St. This nasal-swab test does not require a reservation but registration is recommended in order to speed up the process. Participants at these testing sites must be residents of Yolo County and will need to bring a document displaying their name and address, such as a driver’s license, ID card, utility bill or piece of mail. All ages are accepted. When residents register online, they will not be able to select a time slot and will not receive a confirmation of receipt. Register at https://www.avellinocoro natest.com/patient. County testing will also
be available in December in other locations, including West Sacramento, Winters, Clarksburg and Esparto. See a full list of locations at https://www. yolocounty.org/healthhuman-services/adults/ communicable-diseaseinvestigation-and-control /novel-coronavirus-2019/ coronavirus-testing.
Healthy Davis Together Saliva-based testing offered free of charge to individuals who live or work in Davis will continue during the month of December. Testing is currently taking place weekdays by
SEE TESTING, PAGE A7
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