The USDA has announced a recall of some Farm Rich products, approximately 196,222 pounds of frozen chicken quesadilla and various other heat treated, not fully cooked frozen mini meals and snack items, because they may be contaminated with E. coli O121. 

The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, says that infection with E. coli O121 can result in dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps 2-8 days (3-4 days, on average) after exposure to the organism. While most people recover within a week, some develop a type of kidney failure called HUS, Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome. This condition can occur among persons of any age but is most common in children under 5-years old and older adults. Symptoms of HUS may include fever, abdominal pain, pale skin tone, fatigue, small, unexplained bruises or bleeding from the nose and mouth, decreased urination, and swelling. Persons who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.

To date, there are no cases identified in Georgia. However, there are cases in 15 states, and the company says the products were distributed nationwide. The recalled products were produced in November and have “Best By” dates of mid-May so it is possible that consumers could still have them in their home freezers.  For a complete list of product numbers that are a part of the recall click here:

USDA Farm Rich Recall 

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These residents with Chattooga County addresses were arrested over the past two weeks by law enforcement in Walker County.  According to the docket records of the Walker County Jail:

Justin Blake White, of Ramey Road, Trion, probation violation

Jade Allen Griffith, of Church St., Summerville, seat belts violation, driving while unlicensed.

Gary Dell Owens, of Halls Valley Road, Trion, no insurance, driving while license suspended or revoked, possession and use of drug related objects, possession of methamphetamine.

Jonathan Lamar Nelson, of Chandler Road, Trion, drugs to be kept in original container, no helmet (motorcycle), no insurance, driving while license suspended or revoked, driving under the influence of alcohol.

Rhonda Kay Broome, of Ridgeway Drive, Trion, headlight requirements, improper lane change/failure to maintain lane, driving under the influence of drugs.

Patrick Caleb Bentley, of Highway 100, Summerville, habitual violator.

A bill that was given the final approval in the Georgia House of Representatives would cap private school scholarships passed last week. The cap for the program has been set at $58 million, up from the $52.4 million student scholarship organizations received last year but less than the $65 million cap the House had previously approved.

The final version of the bill, which cleared the House 168-3, also includes new restrictions on the program aimed at increasing transparency and accountability.

The program, launched in 2008, allows individual contributors income tax credits worth up to $1,000 a year, and married couples filing jointly get up to $2,500.

Businesses can receive credits worth up to 75 percent of their state income tax liability.

What has been a dream for many years for agricultural producers and ag educators in Chattooga County is now becoming a reality.  Within the past two years work has progressed on the new Chattooga County Ag Center located across from the central office of the Chattooga County School Superintendent, just off Highway 100.

Plans for the building began under the administration of Chattooga County Commissioner Mike Dawson who promised $50,000 for the building.  The Chattooga County Board of Education donated the land for the building and construction began during Commissioner Jason Winters' first term as commissioner.

With the passage of the special local option sales tax (SPLOST), Commissioner Winters says that plans are in place to complete the building.  Winters said that it will be a facility that can be utilized by many different groups and Chattooga County will have a venue for livestock shows which will benefit the local economy.

The building has been a collaboration of  several groups including the Chattooga County Young Farmers, Chattooga County Farm Bureau, the Chattooga County Board of Education and the county government.

Water watchdogs are celebrating the failure of a bill that could have barred property owners from irrigating on their own land.

But they say Georgia’s water supply is still an issue that needs to be addressed

State environmental groups say the “Flint River Drought Protection Act” would have changed Georgia’s water laws dramatically.

The bill would have given the state the power to implement water augmentation program to increase the flow of the river, but would block those down river from the project from accessing the water.

April Ingle with Georgia River Network says her group did not support the augmentation language in the bill, but she believes the state does need to look at ways to meet future demands.

“We need to figure out a way that we can meet our water supply needs in a way that is affordable for the tax payers of Georgia, that honors the property rights that we all have as Georgians and that includes the right to reasonable use of our water," Ingle said. "Also, figuring out what reasonable use means so that not only everybody has the water they need to meet their needs but that we can meet the needs of our neighbors and the fish and wildlife and the recreation needs of our rivers as well.”

The bill’s sponsor says he will pursue the measure again next session.

This announcement is to serve as notice that the Cherokee County Board of Health proposes to amend its regulations pertaining to sewage holding tanks allowable for use by dwellings and establishments located in unincorporated areas of Cherokee County and within the Alabama Power Companys flood easement around Weiss Lake.

The purpose of the proposed amendment is to reduce the required minimum sewage holding tank size from 1,000 gallons to 250 gallons.

A copy of the proposed rule amendment may be reviewed at the offices of the Cherokee County Health Department at 833 Cedar Bluff Road in Centre and on the Cherokee County Health Departments website at www.adph.org/Cherokee.

Comments may be submitted in writing to John Davis Jr., Cherokee County Health Department, 833 Cedar Bluff Road, Centre, AL 35960.

Comments will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. on May 6, 2013.