enterprise THE DAVIS
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2022
State lifts mask mandate for unvaccinated K-12 school campuses to follow on March 12 By Anne Ternus-Bellamy Enterprise staff writer
Caleb Hampton/Enterprise photo
Several dozen community members gathered in Central Park on Saturday to hold a vigil for Ukraine.
Locals hold vigil for Ukraine By Caleb Hampton Enterprise staff writer Several dozen community members, including Davis Mayor Gloria Partida, gathered in Central Park Saturday evening to hold a vigil for Ukraine. The candlelight vigil was organized days after Russian forces invaded the country, besieging its capital, Kyiv, and sparking fear and outrage around the world. The vigil was organized by Davis resident Dannelle Larsen. While Larsen’s family doesn’t
have a personal connection to Ukraine, she organized the vigil, she said, because she has “a lot of compassion for people living in difficult circumstances.”
Others in Davis have also spoken out. On Feb. 24, UC Davis Chancellor Gary S. May released a statement in support of people impacted by Russia’s attack on Ukraine.
Larsen added that she saw the event as of way of bringing community together and “supporting people in their grief and mourning.” At the vigil, community members lit candles, sang, prayed and took turns speaking about the invasion of Ukraine, where some have family and friends.
“The images and news coming from Ukraine are deeply troubling,” May said. “At UC Davis, we stand in support of those in our university community who are affected by these events. Our thoughts are with those who have connections to the region and are undoubtedly concerned about their families and loved
ones throughout this crisis.” On Tuesday, Russia further escalated its war on Ukraine, bombing administrative facilities and civilian infrastructure in multiple cities. At least 136 civilians, including 13 children, were killed in the first five days of the invasion, and more than 660,000 people fled the country, according to the United Nations. — Reach Caleb Hampton at champton@davisenterprise. net. Follow him on Twitter at @ calebmhampton.
California announced two major changes to its COVID-19 mask policy on Monday: Masks will no longer be required indoors at K-12 schools or childcare settings beginning March 12 and unvaccinated residents are no longer required to wear a mask in indoor public settings as of Tuesday. While those mandates are being removed, the state continues to strongly recommend that everyone wear masks indoors. Local health officials and school districts will have the option of maintaining indoor mask mandates if they choose and masks will still be required in healthcare and longtermcare settings, jails and homeless shelters, and on public transit. The Davis Joint Unified School District board of trustees will discuss potential changes to the district's masking policy at Thursday's board meeting. The district recently lifted its outdoor masking requirement but continues to require masks indoors.
Sheriff brings back resident deputies By Lauren Keene Enterprise staff writer During his 2018 election campaign, Yolo County Sheriff Tom Lopez pledged to resurrect his agency’s resident deputy program, which assigns officers to serve the communities in which they live. Lopez filled that role himself during the early days of his career, so he knows first-hand the benefits to his constituents. “It’s near and dear to my heart, having been a resident deputy for five years” for the communities of Esparto and Winters, Lopez said. Former Sheriff Ed Prieto halted the program during
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INDEX
Classifieds ������ A5 Green Page ������ A5 Obituaries �������� A3 Comics ������������B5 The Hub ������������B1 Sports ��������������B2 Forum �������������� A4 Living ���������������� A6 The Wary I �������� A2
See MANDATE, Page B6
Unitrans buses mark a milestone By Caleb Hampton Enterprise staff writer
HAYES
MOUNT
MATSUMURA
his 20-year tenure, citing prohibitive costs. To Lopez, the pros outweigh any budgetary cons.
the people they see every day, knowing when things look out of line because they’re there all the time,” he said.
budget, Lopez found a way to restore the resident deputy positions. Today, there are three — Reiko Matsumura and James Mount
Unitrans, the studentrun bus system that serves the UC Davis campus and the city of Davis, will celebrate its 54th birthday on Friday with free rides and a downtown parade. The milestone will also coincide with the return of one of the public transit service’s unique attractions. “After being sidelined for nearly two years
See DEPUTIES, Page A2
See UNITRANS, Page A3
“You have to consider the benefits of having somebody building trust with
WEATHER
So when it came time to revise the Sheriff ’s Office
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