Convenience Big Store: More than 500 sign letter urging Davis City Council 'reimagine public safety'

More than 500 sign letter urging Davis City Council to 'reimagine public safety' – A letter calling for an independent public safety department was delivered to Davis City Hall Monday evening. The letter was signed by more than 500 community members and dozens of local organizations who want to see unarmed professionals respond to calls that don't necessarily need police. Advocates say the idea is part of nine recommendations sent to city council by a special subcommittee last year. They'd like to see a mental health crisis response team and revaluations of the police department's use of force tactics in order to address the city's racial disparities when it comes to policing. "It's community members asking to divest from police and reinvest in these kind of social services," said Julea Shaw from Yolo People Power. Advocates are urging city council to take quick action to implement a plan after a year of community input. (Van Tieu, ABC10)

This COVID-19 variant is a big threat to children, experts say – While vaccination numbers continue to surge across the country in the hopes of ending the COVID-19 pandemic, a new threat to children has emerged in the form of the B.1.1.7 variant. The variant has was first reported in the United Kingdom. San Joaquin County Public Health Officer Dr. Maggie Park says the B 1.1.7 variant has already been detected in the county. There have been nine documented cases in San Joaquin, including one minor. Vaccination is key according to Dr. Payal Kohli, a Colorado physician and ABC10 health expert. "In general, once you've been vaccinated the chance of getting very sick, even from the new variant, is a lot lower." (Kurt Rivera, ABC10)

Biological mother of Roman Lopez dies – The biological mother of Roman Lopez, an 11-year-old boy who was found dead in Placerville in 2020, died over the weekend. A spokesperson for the family confirmed that she died on April 4. "Rochelle's family appreciates the outpouring of love and support very much, but would appreciate that the public respect their privacy at this time," the family of Rochelle Lopez said in a statement to ABC10. Jordan and Lindsay Piper, the father and stepmother of Roman, were arrested in February in connection to Roman's death. They are facing charges that include child abuse. (Eric Escalante, ABC10)

Time is running out for a chance to win the St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway. Tickets are almost sold out!

Call 1-800-564-8758 to reserve your $100 ticket for your chance to win this beautiful house valued at an estimated $500,000 and built by Woodside Homes in Rancho Cordova. Watch ABC10 this Thursday, April 8th to see who wins the house and other prizes.

All proceeds benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. You could win a house. You will make a difference in the lives of children with cancer.

TIP OF THE DAY

Four ways to book a vaccine appointment without a computer or internet ABC10 spoke with Dr. Beatrice Tetteh, owner of Tetteh Pediatric Health, about how to book your vaccine appointment without the internet. Click here to check them out. (Lena Howland, ABC10)

SMILE

World's oldest bulb continues to provide light in California Behind the garage doors of the Livermore Fire Station, there’s a highly visited tourist attraction — the world’s oldest burning lightbulb. Some may say it's just an old lightbulb, but to the city of Livermore and its firefighters, it's so much more (John Bartell, ABC10)