Cantaloupe Farmers Facing Fed Charges in 2011 Listeria Outbreak

The owners of a Colorado cantaloupe farm have been arrested on charges from a 2011 listeria outbreak that killed 33 people. Federal prosecutors say brothers Eric and Ryan Jensen were arrested today on charges of introducing adulterated food into interstate commerce. Prosecutors say the FDA the CDC determined the Jensens didn't adequately clean the cantaloupe. The FDA says the melons were probably contaminated in Jensen Farms' packing house. The agency concluded that dirty water on a floor, and old, hard-to-clean equipment probably were to blame. A number of lawsuits were filed by people who were sickened or who had a family member die after the outbreak.

It wasn't just humans affected by the South Platte River flood

It wasn't just humans affected by the South Platte River flood. Some of our furry four legged friends who checked into the temporary small animal shelter at the Logan County Fairgrounds, Sept. 15, are still being housed at the shelter, but it's closing at the end of the week. Their owners are an older couple on a fixed income who lost everything in the flood, and say if a suitable home is not found for the whole family, the dogs need a new home of their own. Anyone who can offer assistance should contact Vic at 970-580-3605, or Lydia at 970-520-9416.
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Recovery is a shared respon-sibility

Recovery is a shared respon-sibility. Those were remarks made by, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, during a meeting at the Logan County Courthouse this week, about flood ravaged Logan and Sedgwick Counties, and says no one entity can do it all, but that if we all work together, there's light at the end of the tunnel. South Platte River flooding damaged over 200 miles in state highways, more than 50 bridges, and destroyed 20. Hickenlooper said the Federal office of Emergency Management has granted the state permission for temporary bridges, but the state still needs to provide resources for local authorities to rebuild. Officials guess-timate it'll cost $1 billion in housing repairs, but say with FEMA covering as much as 75% of the costs they should be able to help local communities without passing a sales tax. Hickenloooper said he expected the flooded region to be declared a disaster area, and cautioned, Coloradans will have their work cut out for them over the next six months.
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Logan County is going green

Logan County is going green. Commissioners approved a permit, Tuesday, for Ecoplexus to install a two megawatt community solar garden on a 33.997 acre parcel, at Right of Way Road and Riverside Drive, adjacent to Sterling Ethanol and Xcel Energy. Construction on the “self run” site has a start date for this October and is expected to be operational by the end of the year. The farm is expected to save about $3.5 million.
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Beware of wild cats

Beware of wild cats. That's what one Brush woman is warning her neighbors after getting bit by what she believes to be an untamed cat in front of her home at Centennial Housing on Ray Street. Carol Daniels said she was walking her dogs, Sept. 13 when a cat unexpectedly came from behind and bit her. She told authorities that there have been wild cats living in the area for some time. Daniels was urged to get treated for rabies. The Brush police department says there are a few small pockets of wild cats in Brush, and they will provide traps for anyone who believes there might be wild cats in their area. Animal control warned, do not feed stray felines.
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Crews are scrambling to fix up flood damaged roads and bridges, following massive flooding

Crews are scrambling to fix up flood damaged roads and bridges, following massive flooding. Some progress has already been made to restore parts of U.S. 36 between Lyons and Estes Park, giving Colorado flood recovery managers a bit of light at the end of the tunnel, as they hurry to meet a Dec. 1 deadline for getting roads and bridges washed away this month ready for safe travel. The National Guard and CDOT crews are working to fill in washed- out sections of the road and install temporary bridges. In some places, residents are carving their own paths around damaged sections. Gov. John Hickenlooper issued an executive order last week authorizing state agencies to suspend any rule that would "prevent, hinder or delay necessary action in coping with the flood emergency, aimed at making the Dec. 1 deadline easier. Authorities said the cost of permanent fixes to flood-damaged roads in 17 counties could exceed $500 million, rivaling the amount spent after Hurricane Sandy.
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