Together. Proposition 16 provides equal opportunities, levelling the Playing Field for all of us. Vote yes on prop 16. Announcer building a better area for a safe and securie future. How investigators broke up an unemployment fraud case that led to the arrest of 21 people, many of them were inmates already now accused of scamming the system troe from behind bar cases of fraud plagued californias Unemployment Agency since the beginning of the pandemic. Michael finney has been following this for months. An alert the investigator is getting for uncovering the scheme. You Better Believe he was alert. The investigator was working on an entirely different case when all of a sudden, he stumbled upon some stunning information. Eight inmates inside the mcgwire correctional facility face charges of taking part in a scheme to defraud the state out of a quarter Million Dollars in Unemployment Benefits. Some were awaiting trial. Some were serving time on other charges. They are some of the 21 defendants that include three inmates from three other jails and prisons. So one of our inspectors who works in our office was working on another case, unrelated case and was listening to some jail calls. Reporter that investigator jordan boyd had been monitoring calls made from the jail as part of a completely different investigation. Sean gallagher of the San Mateo County d. A. s office says inmates are warned that their phone conversations are routinely recorded. The inmates discussed Social Security numbers and other personal identifiable information being passed to the outside to individuals who applied for Unemployment Benefits on their behalf. In order to pdo the fraud, there has to be a lot of personal identifying information, names, addresses, Social Securitys. Reporter the search warrant obtained said investigators reviewed over 200 recorded jail calls, tablet messages and video visits. The investigator began monitoring inmate lewis jail calls to this inmate. Police arrested mccoy in this raid in san jose in 2016 for the murder of Christopher Puckett in what police described as an on going dispute. Investigators say mccoy shot puckett on this street in east palo alto. Mccoy is serving 50 years to life for that murder at the state prison. Boyd states he obtained photographs of a home made telephone book mariscal kept. I quickly discovered 200 calls between mariscal and mccoy that spanned march 14th, 2020 to june 11th, 2020. Mccoy is accused of receiving those calls on three cell phones smuggled into his prison cell. But he wasnt the only one to get calls. They were phone calls between inmates and some people on the outside who were the ones who were making thewere making the online. Authorities have recovered 150,000 out of the quarter million believed taken. There are 21 suspects, however, more charges are pending. Ama . Michael, thank you for doing this. Michael has been covering issues at the Unemployment Department since the pandemic began. If you want to check out his earlier stories, there are many or write him about your own struggles. Head to our website, abc7news. Com. In South San Francisco today, a brush fire burned dangerously close to homes. It burned in the area known as sign hill and residents were told they needed to evacuate as the flames came dangerously close. Cornell bernard joins us live once again from there with the update. Cornell . Reporter dion, big relief tonight for many homeowners after the grass fire got too close to homes. It happened there on famous sign hill. Luckily, firefighters stopped the fire just in time. It took off in just seconds flat. Reporter neighbors living near iconic sign hill in South San Francisco had moments to react. A fastmoving fivealarm grass fire took off through a grove of trees. This hill is full of trees and brush and most of it being city owned and i was concerned there would be fire here and sure enough, there was. Reporter neighbors living on ridge view court, Mountain Road were told to evacuate. There was a fire about 50 yards away from us, a brush fire coming down the hill so we gathered our stuff, got the kids and got out and stood here hoping the house wouldnt burn down. Reporter cal fire made air drops over the blaze, which grew to ten acres but that air attack was put on hold after drones were spotted flying in the area making it dangerous for cal fire pilots. If you are flying a drone, you need to ground it. We are unable to utilize the tankers. Reporter a few homes got singed by the fire. The fire did bump up against a couple homes, but the crews were able to make a quick stop and knock it down before the fire got interior. Reporter about 90 minutes later, firefighters got the fire under control. The mayor says a very scary day and a huge close call. Given the fires that weve had throughout the state, these horrible raging fires that weve had this year, this is very scary because this could have gotten out of control very easily. Reporter now the fire chief says evacuation orders have been lifted allowing folks to return home tonight. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Were live in South San Francisco tonight, cornell bernard. That is the glimmer of good news. Thanks. Pg e is in the process of restoring power to tens of thousands of customers who had electricity cut off two days ago as part of the psps event to prevent firing from igniting in high winds. Leslie brinkley joins us live from walnut creek with the latest, leslie . Reporter hi, dion. I got good news for you. At the peak of the event, there were 41,000 people who had their power cut. At 4 00 today, just two hours ago, it was down to 12,000. I just got off the phone with pg e, they told me theyre down to only 3,000. And theyre on track to get everybody back with power by 10 00 tonight. The difficult part is not getting the information or Accurate Information from pg e. Reporter the family bought a small generator to be better prepared for the events. We visited them two days ago before things did go dark at their house at 8 30 wednesday night. They expected power to be restored by 10 00 p. M. Friday night but pg e texted them with unexpected good news saying your power is being restored at 4 30 thursday afternoon. When it came back on, it was hooray and we cleaned up all of the wiring and the cabling that we had set up to keep the refrigerators running and internet online so the kids could be in school, but then having it just blow out at 9 30 at night when we are not prepared, thats the real hardship. Reporter out of the blue, the power suddenly blocked out for a second time at 9 30 thursday night leaving them scrambling in the dark to restart the generator. Pg e says theyre striving to get power turned back on quickly. 50 faster than last year. By late afternoon, pg e said all customers in both alameda and contra costa counties had power restored. We received the weather all clear. Were in the process of patrolling our lines inspecting for any damage and the next step would be turning the customers back on. Reporter 1,000 pg e workers are on the ground inspecting and a fleet of helicopters is in the air. Last year, we had about 35 helicopters available. This year, we have approximately 65 k 5 helicopters available. Its not enough for the family. I need information to have trust. Its not enough information. Reporter most of the people still waiting for the power to come back on are in san mateo, Sonoma County and in napa county right now. While the red flag warning has been extended to tomorrow morning, pg e is undeterred. They said their stiyre still ok to get everybody back with power by 10 00 tonight. Four hours from now. Reporting live in walnut creek, im leslie brinkley, abc 7 news. Thank you. Four hours from now hopefully well be somewhat cooler out, dion. Very gradual. It is, indeed. Thats the opportune word. Gradual. Let look at current temperatures. Its hot across much of the bay area. 85 here in San Francisco. 88 oakland and we have some 90s in some inland areas. The wind gusts in the Higher Elevations are beginning to taper off but Strong Enough a red flag warning remains in effect for Higher Elevations until 8 00 tomorrow morning with those dry, gusty winds and of course, the heat it means we have high fire danger. There is the risk of heat related illness if you are in the heat, exposure your for a prolonged period excuse me, prolonged periods of time because the heat just wont go away as quickly as wed like. Ill have the full forecast coming up later. Spencer, thank you. Well check back. Fema reversed the decision about disaster aid to california followings six wildfires. They declined to grant assistance for the fires. The Agency Claimed it didnt meet federal standards for losses. Wayne freedman has more on the decision and reaction to the reversal. Reporter there are firestorms in the physical realm but today political. The first sign fema might change its mind came from Jim Patterson of Fresno County where the creek fire burned almost 350,000 acres and at least 60 homes last month. I have gotten encouraging response that fema is beginning to understand that they may have made a mistake here. Reporter almost as soon as fema and President Trump denied californias claim, Governor Newsom and the state announced an appeal. This has been californias worst fire season ever, 4 million acres burned. Thats an area as big as connecticut. For once, California Democrats and republicans worked together complaining loudly. The extra trama that people that have lost everything have to go through was just drama were talking about right now is shameful. Reporter but fema, the president and politics have enter mingled since the campfire when President Trump said california should rake forests to reduce the flammability. The fact of the matter is, 57 of the lands in the state of california, the forest lands are federal lands. Reporter without todays reversal, there would have been serious implications where the oak fire destroyed 30 homes last month. John kennedy run as nonprofit for rebuilding homes from the tubs fire in 2017. I think were tired of the back and forth nonsense that seems to be mostly politically driven. We need to be mindful these fires are not red fires, they are not blue fires, they dont know boundaries or political parties. The victims left behind have to be taken care of. Reporter it appears they will be taken care of in a fire season still long from over. In the north bay, wayne freedman, abc 7 news. Just ahead, a lemur stolen from the San Francisco zoo is safe after being spotted by some kids. Their message for the monkey and new information on the investigation. San franciscos mayor is distancing herself from a plan to rename schools. Why she says its a waste of energy. Californias attorney general is cracking down on unauthorized ballot drop off boxes. Th proposition 16 takes some women make as little as 42 of what a man makes. Voting yes on prop 16 helps us fix that. Its supported by leaders like Kamala Harris and opposed by those who have always opposed equality. We either fall from grace or we rise. Together. Proposition 16 provides equal opportunities, levelling the Playing Field for all of us. Vote yes on prop 16. Uber and lyft are like every big guy ive ever brought down. Prop 22 doesnt help their drivers it denies them benefits. 22 doesnt help women. It actually weakens Sexual Harassment laws, which are meant to protect them. Uber and lyft arent even required to investigate Sexual Harassment claims. I agree with the la times no on 22. Uber and lyft want all the power. So, show them the real power is you. Vote no on prop 22. Heart monitors that let your doctor watch over you, just like you watch over your best friend. Another lifechanging technology from abbott, so you dont wait for life. You live it. New developments on the effort to change the names of dozens of San Francisco schools. The mayor said the District Needs to focus on reopening, not renaming. Last month the Advisory Committee identified 44 schools that meet the renaming criteria including Abraham Lincoln and George Washington high schools. Schools are requested to share alternate names. The district says its working to offer in Person Learning options. The high school in oakland has been given the all clear to open once close room instruction is resumed. It was shut down after tce was found in the ground water beneath campus. Exposure can affect the immune and reproductive systems and longterm exposure could cause cancer. The air and water at the school was tested. All the testing has shown in classrooms and hallways and everywhere else on campus, it is safe for kids to be, to be learning, to take part in athletics on the fields and in gym. The district says the chemical likely came from a nearby metal shop or dry cleaning facility. Today a lemur is back at the zoo thanks tokinder gartners. Kate larson has been on top of the story and has the latest. Reporter just like any other day, 5yearold james trin was leaving school with hiss mom when everything changed here. James spotted a wild animal in the parking lot and called over his friends who were astonished to see a lemur reporter james, adrian, samuel, and more explained what happened next. Then the lemur jump over the gate and come and he was there and then they called police and animal control. Reporter cell phone video taken thursday evening shows maki wondering around the yard venn actu. Eventually he found comfort in the play house. What was he doing in there, james . Hiding. Reporter animal control and Daly City Police showed up and fortunately had snacks for maki who had 21 is very old in lemur years and requires constant feedings. What did they give him to eat . Grapes and bananas. Reporter it started at the San Francisco zoo where mak irs w was born and raised. Police opened a burglary investigation when they found the enclose sure had been tampered with. 36 Hours Later Police arrested 30yearold corey mcgilloway on suspicion of shoplifting and stealing a get away truck. The cover officer with the officer had tried to take his kids to the zoo the day before on his day off and heard the story about the lemur so they put two and two together. Reporter the burglary lieutenant spoke with the zoo. Unbelievable. I cant understand it myself. Reporter the zoo director Tonya Peterson said they are giving Hope Lutheran the 21 00 reward and the family a lifetime membership. I thank our community for coming together as quickly as they did. They saved a life. Reporter the School Director said maki was just a lesson they all needed. It really was a reminder for us that we can still experience happy moments during the pandemic and also, let the children see that there is hope. There is light at the end of the tunnel. Get better, maki. Reporter maki is being quarantined away from the rest of his family but we hope he gets better soon. The suspect is booked on burglary, grand theft of an animal, looting during a state of emergency and vandalism. Wow. Were so glad hes safe and were still trying to figure out are lemurs monkeys or prime mates . Were doing research. Were googling furiously. We know there is going to be heat for the next few days, spencer . Thats true. We were hoping for a sharp cooldown over the weekend. It looks like it will be a gradual cooldown. Right now at 6 21 almost, it is still hot across much of the bay area. Here is what is going on outside. Clear skies, sunny. Sun hasnt quite set yet. The wind at the surface is much calmer. The fire danger at the surface diminished significantly but gusty winds in the Higher Elevations and dry warm gusts that will perhaps give us caution, reason for caution overnight. So red flag warning remains in effect until 8 00 tomorrow morning for all these areas in red, this would include the north bay mountains, east bay hills, thats the diablo range and very low relative humidity. Dry fuels so vegetation is very, very dry and fires can start and spread quickly under these conditions. Excuse me. Looking out over San Francisco, you can see the setting, the rays of setting sun. It currently 85 here, 84 oakland, Mountain View 94 gilroy, 77 at half moon bay. Clear skies over the golden gate. No hint of low clouds or fog there and its still pretty toasty. A little to the east, fairfield 91, 93 concord. 88 livermore and looking across the embarcadero, Coastal Cooling begins tomorrow. It will be cooler in all areas on sunday so there is some relief in sight over the weekend. But going into next week even though it kocools down, the pattern will remain lower than average. We have a heat advisory until 9 00 tomorrow night. The heat is excessive and it does increase the risk of heat related illness. Thats a segway into overnight conditions. Clear skies for the most part and relatively mild to warm overnight with lows mainly in the low to mid 60s, up in the north bay valleys, perhaps cooler with mid 50s and m so up 50s along the coastline. Generally speaking, warm and comfortable. Another hot day inland. High temperatures mainly in the low to