Convenience Big Store: Widow pleads that people get vaccinated against COVID-19

Sacramento woman urges hesitant people to get vaccinated after losing her husband to COVID-19 – Following the death of her husband from COVID-19, Mia Ponte Vinnard decided to get the COVID-19 vaccine and hopes others will do so as well. Health officials across California continue efforts to vaccinate more people to try to minimize the spread of the coronavirus while cases start to rise. for people like this woman, the death of her husband is the main driver for herself and their friends to get vaccinated. "It really has left a huge void in our life, and we won't ever forget him and I want to keep his memory alive by keeping people alive. That’s my message," she said. (Barbara Bingley, ABC10 and Associated Press)

Proposed homeless shelter at former Raley's location in doubt – Sacramento city officials wanted to put a homeless shelter at the former Raley's location on Freeport. Raley's spokeswoman Chelsea Minor said the chain had promised the community it would backfill the location with a "quality tenant," and hoped to have a new tenant secured in the coming months. Councilmember Katie Valenzuela said Raley's comments will not deter her from pursuing a safe site for people experiencing homelessness. (Luke Cleary, ABC10)

EDD agrees to pay more than 100,000 claims stuck in pending status – California’s Employment Development Department will implement 'conditional pay' which means the long wait for unemployment benefits may finally be over for many. EDD will begin paying the claimants while the department investigates these issues, instead of holding the payments. Payments to people previously waiting for funds could start as soon as today, July 23. (Josh Lyle, ABC10)

TIP OF THE DAY

California fourth graders to receive free annual passes to 19 state parks ... Children in the fourth grade and their families will gain free entrance to 19 State Parks. The goal of the program is to expose children from all homes to California's exquisite nature. Library cardholders also will be able to get access to state parks for free. (Chris Baker, ABC10)

SMILE

El Dorado Hills swimmer ready to make his mark at Tokyo Olympics ... Bryce Mefford, a local swimmer, is super excited to represent the Team USA in the Olympics, which started today. He is swimming the backstroke as he did many times at Oak Ridge High School. His parents couldn't be prouder. (Kevin John, ABC10)