Convenience Big Store: Fake COVID vaccination cards sold out of San Joaquin bar, officials say

San Joaquin County business owner allegedly sold fake vaccination cards, officials say – The owner of a bar in San Joaquin County was arrested after being accused of selling fake COVID-19 vaccination cards at his businesses for $20 each. Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) said in a news release that they had staged an operation where undercover agents were able to buy the fake vaccination cards multiple times in April at the bar. The bar was identified as The Old Corner Saloon in Clements. When asked whether he knew of any similar cases in the country, deputy division chief with ABC Luke Blehm said, "We don’t know of anyone anywhere." Four cards were sold to undercover agents and about eight were sold to other people. (Eric Escalante, Lena Howland, ABC10)

While vaccine availability is up, work still needs to be done in rural areas and education – California officials hope to reopen the state fully in June. As we move toward that date, ABC10 spoke with Dr. Tom Hopkins from Roseville about vaccine hesitancy and why rural areas and communities of color are most affected. Hopkins said it’s a lack of information keeping rural residents from getting the vaccine. "They don’t see that sense of urgency. They may be in an area where it doesn’t seem like COVID is an issue for them,” Hopkins said. For communities of color, it may be general lack of trust preventing them from getting the vaccine. (Brea Love, ABC10)

New Sacramento ordinance would fine property owners, renters for illegal fireworks use – Sacramento city leaders are looking to strengthen an ordinance that would give local law enforcement more power to issue tickets for using illegal fireworks. One component of the proposed amendment is that property owners and/or renters will be held responsible for any illegal fireworks activity happening on their property. Without this amendment, Sacramento City Fire Marshal Jason Lee said officers had to visually see the activity and then they could go and physically arrest people for it. This would eliminate the need to make arrests. (Matthew Nuttle, ABC10)

TIP OF THE DAY

Jobs alert These industry jobs are in high demand across the Northern California and Central Valley region. To ramp up hiring, Delta College and San Joaquin County have put up a combined $4 million dollars to fund 1,000 internships with local employers. (Kurt Rivera, ABC10)

SMILE

Cinco de Mayo! Local Sacramento restaurants are ready to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with you! At the same time, Kico's Mexican Restaurant is also celebrating 40 years in the business. (Mark S. Allen, ABC10)

Are you staying home and heading out this year for Cinco De Mayo? Tell us how you're celebrating on the ABC10 Facebook page.

ROB CARLMARK'S WEATHER FORECAST

ABC10 launched the Race and Culture Content team Sunday, April 25, with a mission is to consistently serve people who have been historically overlooked or underrepresented in the media.

During May ABC10, will produce a series of stories to highlight AAPI communities across our Northern California, you can watch these stories starting May 3rd on the ABC10 news at 6:30pm.

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