Thursday, January 29, 2009
BLAKELY, GA — A Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspection of the Peanut Corporation of America plant, the source of the nationwide salmonella scare, has revealed a lack of cleaning and maintenance efforts at the plant, according to WXIA-TV.
The report listed things like live and dead roaches in and around washrooms, mold growing near stored peanut products, salmonella found feet away from products and other generally unsanitary conditions throughout the plant, the story stated.
State Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin said: "I would want to see [those responsible] prosecuted, maybe really get the industry's attention. If you have something that might be harmful to the public, don't try to hide it — deal with it!"
Mold was seen growing on the ceilings and walls in the firm's cooler and water stains were observed running down from the cooling unit fans in the cooler; finished peanut products were stored underneath, the story noted.
The list of recalled items produced by the plant increased following the inspections and now dates back to January 2007, the story added.
According to reports, the Peanut Corporation of America's Baxley Plant found salmonella in its own tests 12 times over the past year-and-a-half, but went lab shopping for better results and sold the tainted products anyway.
Monday, February 16, 2009
United Stationers lays off 250
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
DEERFIELD, IL — In "a necessary response to market conditions," JanSan distributor United Stationers Inc. announced plans to lay off some 250 employees, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Nearly half of the job cuts will be executed by the end of the week, while the remainder will be enforced by the end of March, the story stated.
The 4 percent workforce reduction will affect both management and non-management positions, the story noted.
President and Chief Executive Officer Richard Gochnauer said: "Through the workforce reduction and other actions the company will be able to better align our expenses with the lower sales levels we are experiencing."
The staff cutbacks will generate a pretax charge of between $2.5 million and $3.5 million, the story added.
DEERFIELD, IL — In "a necessary response to market conditions," JanSan distributor United Stationers Inc. announced plans to lay off some 250 employees, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Nearly half of the job cuts will be executed by the end of the week, while the remainder will be enforced by the end of March, the story stated.
The 4 percent workforce reduction will affect both management and non-management positions, the story noted.
President and Chief Executive Officer Richard Gochnauer said: "Through the workforce reduction and other actions the company will be able to better align our expenses with the lower sales levels we are experiencing."
The staff cutbacks will generate a pretax charge of between $2.5 million and $3.5 million, the story added.
Benefit for custodian battling cancer
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
ELK POINT, SD — The Elk Point-Jefferson school is hosting a fund raiser for a custodian battling against more than dirt and debris, according to the Sioux City Journal.
"Dinner for Al" will benefit Al Brown, the long-time Elk Point-Jefferson custodian battling cancer, the story stated.
The event will be held from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on February 6 during a boys and girls basketball doubleheader at the school, the story noted.
Lasagna, garlic toast, salad and beverages will be served for $4 for students sixth grade and younger and $6 for adults and students seventh grade and older, the story added.
ELK POINT, SD — The Elk Point-Jefferson school is hosting a fund raiser for a custodian battling against more than dirt and debris, according to the Sioux City Journal.
"Dinner for Al" will benefit Al Brown, the long-time Elk Point-Jefferson custodian battling cancer, the story stated.
The event will be held from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on February 6 during a boys and girls basketball doubleheader at the school, the story noted.
Lasagna, garlic toast, salad and beverages will be served for $4 for students sixth grade and younger and $6 for adults and students seventh grade and older, the story added.
Alligator attacks cleaner
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
LAKE WORTH, FL — A man was attacked by an alligator and dragged underwater while cleaning up trash along the shore of Lake Osbourne at John Prince Park, according to WPBF-TV.
Raymundo Velasco was using a skimmer and tongs to collect debris when the eight to 10 foot alligator attacked him; Velasco successfully fended off the alligator and climbed back ashore, the story stated.
Velasco suffered injuries to his arm and hand but continued to work after wrapping the wound in a plastic bag and securing it with crime scene tape left by police from a recent call in the area, the story noted.
Velasco was airlifted to Delray Beach Medical Center after the rare winter alligator attack while a trapper hired by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission quickly came to the scene to hunt the alligator, the story added.
LAKE WORTH, FL — A man was attacked by an alligator and dragged underwater while cleaning up trash along the shore of Lake Osbourne at John Prince Park, according to WPBF-TV.
Raymundo Velasco was using a skimmer and tongs to collect debris when the eight to 10 foot alligator attacked him; Velasco successfully fended off the alligator and climbed back ashore, the story stated.
Velasco suffered injuries to his arm and hand but continued to work after wrapping the wound in a plastic bag and securing it with crime scene tape left by police from a recent call in the area, the story noted.
Velasco was airlifted to Delray Beach Medical Center after the rare winter alligator attack while a trapper hired by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission quickly came to the scene to hunt the alligator, the story added.
Custodians caught, charged with stealing from school
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
JERSEY CITY, NJ — Two Dickinson High School custodians are charged for their roles in the theft of school equipment, according to The Jersey Journal.
Benjamin Smith is charged with theft while Patrick McCarthy, a prominent figure in local Democratic Party politics, is charged with receiving stolen property, the story stated.
Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy said: "As every defendant, Mr. McCarthy is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The scant information we have received is that Mr. McCarthy has a plausible explanation and a very reasonable defense for this charge."
The equipment stolen from the school between December 23, 2008 and January 12, 2009 is worth $1,321 and included two microphones, a cable and a speaker that are part of a larger wireless speaker system, the story noted.
Smith has worked for the district for 14 years and earns $52,657 annually. McCarthy, a principal custodian, has worked for the district since 1980 and earns $46,218 a year, the story added.
JERSEY CITY, NJ — Two Dickinson High School custodians are charged for their roles in the theft of school equipment, according to The Jersey Journal.
Benjamin Smith is charged with theft while Patrick McCarthy, a prominent figure in local Democratic Party politics, is charged with receiving stolen property, the story stated.
Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy said: "As every defendant, Mr. McCarthy is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The scant information we have received is that Mr. McCarthy has a plausible explanation and a very reasonable defense for this charge."
The equipment stolen from the school between December 23, 2008 and January 12, 2009 is worth $1,321 and included two microphones, a cable and a speaker that are part of a larger wireless speaker system, the story noted.
Smith has worked for the district for 14 years and earns $52,657 annually. McCarthy, a principal custodian, has worked for the district since 1980 and earns $46,218 a year, the story added.
And the dirtiest hotel in America is...
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
NEW YORK — For the third time in four years, the Hotel Carter in Times Square has been named the dirtiest hotel in America by TripAdvisor.com, according to the Daily News.
The hotel, used as a homeless shelter in the 1980s, gained infamy two years ago when a cleaning lady found a woman’s corpse stuffed under a bed, the story stated.
Hotel Manager Erwin Lumanglas said: "We are not bothered at all. Even when they tell us we’re the dirtiest hotel in the world, people are still interested in coming because of the price and the location."
Some complaints from recent patrons include:
· A steady stream of water pouring from the mirrored ceiling into an array of garbage cans arranged below that a security guard described as "a minor problem."
· A picture frame covered in a substance resembling mildew.
· Roaches, bed bugs and other vermin.
· Small and sparsely appointed rooms.
Despite the condition of the hotel and the not-so-rave reviews it receives, a room at the Hotel Carter is still $130 a night, the story noted.
Though the Hotel Carter stole the cheese, three other New York City area hotels made TripAdvisor.com's list of dirtiest hotels, the story added.
NEW YORK — For the third time in four years, the Hotel Carter in Times Square has been named the dirtiest hotel in America by TripAdvisor.com, according to the Daily News.
The hotel, used as a homeless shelter in the 1980s, gained infamy two years ago when a cleaning lady found a woman’s corpse stuffed under a bed, the story stated.
Hotel Manager Erwin Lumanglas said: "We are not bothered at all. Even when they tell us we’re the dirtiest hotel in the world, people are still interested in coming because of the price and the location."
Some complaints from recent patrons include:
· A steady stream of water pouring from the mirrored ceiling into an array of garbage cans arranged below that a security guard described as "a minor problem."
· A picture frame covered in a substance resembling mildew.
· Roaches, bed bugs and other vermin.
· Small and sparsely appointed rooms.
Despite the condition of the hotel and the not-so-rave reviews it receives, a room at the Hotel Carter is still $130 a night, the story noted.
Though the Hotel Carter stole the cheese, three other New York City area hotels made TripAdvisor.com's list of dirtiest hotels, the story added.
DuPont sees profits plummet
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
WILMINGTON, DE — JanSan chemical giant DuPont reported a net loss of $629 million in the fiscal fourth quarter, according to MarketWatch.
Quarterly revenue fell to $6.07 billion, down from $6.98 billion in the year ago quarter, the story stated.
Shares dropped in value by 70 cents, in stark contrast to the 60 cents a share profit seen one year ago, the story noted.
Ellen Kullman, DuPont's new chief executive, said: "We do not underestimate the difficulties presented by the current environment."
DuPont has been hurt by the financial crisis that badly bruised many of its customers, the story added.
WILMINGTON, DE — JanSan chemical giant DuPont reported a net loss of $629 million in the fiscal fourth quarter, according to MarketWatch.
Quarterly revenue fell to $6.07 billion, down from $6.98 billion in the year ago quarter, the story stated.
Shares dropped in value by 70 cents, in stark contrast to the 60 cents a share profit seen one year ago, the story noted.
Ellen Kullman, DuPont's new chief executive, said: "We do not underestimate the difficulties presented by the current environment."
DuPont has been hurt by the financial crisis that badly bruised many of its customers, the story added.
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