Romaine lettuce growers can harvest and send their product to market with special regional labeling. The Food and Drug Administration called the labeling voluntary, which includes harvest location and harvest date. The labeling agreement was negotiated by a number of romaine grower-shipper-processors, who have each pledged to abide by the labeling suggestions, according to the United Fresh Produce Association. The FDA advisory had virtually banned romaine sales in the United States. In a statement, the FDA believes it was critically important to have a “clean break” in the romaine supply available to consumers in the U.S. in order to “purge the market” of potentially contaminated romaine lettuce related to the current outbreak. Since, the FDA has isolated the outbreak to the Central Coast growing regions of central and northern California.
Category: News
Forestry Title a Farm Bill Sticking Point
As agriculture eagerly awaits a farm bill, another hurdle has emerged. Now, a forestry dispute appears to be in the way, according to Politico. Pat Roberts, chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, continues to insist that the conference committee negotiators are “close” to reaching an agreement. He says finding an agreement on the forestry title is the biggest obstacle. That’s because lawmakers are considering whether or not the title will include active management of areas at risk to wildfires, a request by President Donald Trump but opposed by Democrats and environmental groups. Opposition says active forest management could “devastate forests” and “wipe out plants and animals.” Roberts told reporters earlier this week that if the issue is settled, “that would indicate that the light went from yellow to green” on the entire conference report.
2 hospitalized after I-70 van crash into ambulance
DOUGLAS COUNTY — Two people were injured in an accident just before 2a.m. Wednesday in Douglas County.
The Kansas Turnpike Authoritiy reported a 2010 Honda Odyssey driven by James A. Beck, 79, Topeka was westbound on Interstate 70 just west of the Kansas 10 exit.
The Honda collided with a Riley County ambulance driven by Scott Ten Eyck, 33, Wamego, causing it to spin and hit the barrier wall and then strike the ambulance again.
The collision forced the ambulance across all lanes of traffic and into the ditch.
Beck and a passenger Carol Beck, 78, Topeka, were transported to Stormont Vail. Eyck was not injured.
The ambulance was returning after transporting a patient to Kansas City, according to Joshua Gering with Riley County EMS.
Eyck and the occupants of the Honda were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.
Search continues for woman who fled fatal NE Kan. officer shooting
SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating an officer involved shooting and aggravated battery to a law enforcement officer and asking the public for help to locate a person of interest for questioning.
Chelsee Ann Retana, 26, was last seen running southbound from a silver SUV from NE Grant and NE Madison, in the company of another adult female, according to Lt. Andrew Beightel.
Just after 10:45a.m. Tuesday, a police officer witnessed a maroon passenger vehicle stalled out in the intersection of NE Grant and NE Monroe in Topeka, according to Beightel. The Officer went to make contact with the occupants of the vehicle.
At that time, a Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper responded to the area, because a Trooper attempted to stop that vehicle earlier in the morning, but the driver of the vehicle later identified as Jarmane Dyane Logan, 35, Topeka, fled and evaded the Trooper.
As the Trooper and Officer were speaking to the occupants of the vehicle, a silver SUV approached them at a high rate of speed, almost striking them.
The occupants of the maroon passenger car attempted to flee and get into the SUV.
As the Trooper and Officer tried to intervene, the Trooper and Officer were dragged by the SUV. The trooper shot and injured the Logan. He was transported to a local hospital by ambulance and died, according to Beightel.
Retana is described as a white female 5-foot-8, 175 lbs., last seen wearing a brown heavy coat.
Retina has previous convictions for fleeing or attempt to elude a law enforcement officer, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.
Anyone with information on Retana or regarding this crime is encouraged to contact police.
Man arrested after 100-mile chase from KC in stolen tractor-truck
KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect who led them on a chase of about 100 miles with a stolen tractor-truck before the truck caught fire.
At 8:48 p.m, Troop A Communications overheard Kansas City Police Department radio traffic regarding the pursuit of a tractor-truck westbound on 31st Street from Arlington Avenue reference an aggravated assault involving a revolver, according to a media release from the Missouri State Highway Patrol
At 8:55 p.m., the suspect vehicle began traveling eastbound on Interstate 70 from Manchester Trafficway. Jackson County Sheriff’s Office became involved then requested the Highway Patrol take the lead after the vehicle entered Lafayette County.
At 9:20 p.m., two troopers entered the pursuit. The suspect vehicle continued eastbound on I-70 at speeds up to 73 mph and struck spikes in multiple locations deployed by multiple agencies. Troop F Communications began coordinating radio traffic after the vehicle entered Cooper County.
A patrol helicopter joined the pursuit and began following the suspect vehicle, allowing ground vehicles to back off. The suspect vehicle eventually became disabled and stopped just east of the 106.6-mile marker near Boonville, MO, where it caught fire and the driver fled on foot.
Patrol aircraft then directed officers to the driver after he ran into a barbed wire fence and laid down north of I-70. At 10:36 p.m., troopers advised Troop F Communications the subject was in custody. The driver was relayed back to Jackson County and released into the custody of the Kansas City Police Department in connection to the aggravated assault investigation.
Additionally, a baggie of methamphetamine was seized. The tractor-truck is believed to have been reported stolen through Oak Grove Police Department.
Authorities have not released the suspect’s name.
Concerns lead to Missouri public safety administration audit
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – The Missouri Public Safety Director’s Office will be audited after an internal review raised red flags about use of taxpayer money.
Auditor Nicole Galloway on Tuesday agreed to review the office. Both Gov. Mike Parson and new Department of Public Safety Director Sandy Karsten requested the audit.
Karsten took over after former director Drew Juden resigned in August. It wasn’t immediately clear why Juden was leaving the position.
Juden was appointed by Parson’s predecessor, former Gov. Eric Greitens. Greitens resigned amid political and personal scandal in June.
Missouri health firm sued for return of $53M tax dollars
BENTONVILLE, Ark. (AP) – A Missouri health care provider involved in a federal corruption investigation is being sued in Arkansas for the return of any illegally received Arkansas taxpayer money.
The lawsuit was filed Tuesday by Jim Parsons in Benton County against Preferred Family Healthcare of Springfield, Missouri, three of its subsidiaries and company officials.
The newspaper reports company officials did not respond to a request for comment.
Parsons says the company received nearly $53 million in state tax funds from 2011 to 2016 and any amount illegally obtained could be determined at trial.
Four former company executives have pleaded guilty to conspiracy connected to bribery of at least three former Arkansas lawmakers.
Preferred Family was suspended from receiving Medicaid payments earlier this year and its Arkansas clinics have been sold.
UPDATE: Driver shot after dragging 2 Kan. officers has died
SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting and have identified the suspect.
Just after 10:45a.m. Tuesday, a police officer witnessed a maroon passenger vehicle stalled out in the intersection of NE Grant and NE Monroe in Topeka, according to Lt. Andrew Beightel. The Officer went to make contact with the occupants of the vehicle.
At that time, a Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper responded to the area, because a Trooper attempted to stop that vehicle earlier in the morning, but the driver of the vehicle later identified as Jarmane Dyane Logan, 35, Topeka, fled and evaded the Trooper.
As the Trooper and Officer were speaking to the occupants of the vehicle, a silver SUV approached them at a high rate of speed, almost striking them.
The occupants of the maroon passenger car attempted to flee and get into the SUV.
As the Trooper and Officer tried to intervene, the Trooper and Officer were dragged by the SUV. The trooper shot and injured the Logan. He was transported to a local hospital by ambulance and died, according to Beightel.
SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect after an officer-involved shooting.
Just after 10:45a.m. Tuesday, a police officer witnessed a maroon passenger vehicle stalled out in the intersection of NE Grant and NE Monroe in Topeka, according to Lt. Andrew Beightel. The Officer went to make contact with the occupants of the vehicle.
At that time, a Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper responded to the area, because a Trooper attempted to stop that vehicle earlier in the morning, but the driver of the vehicle fled and evaded the Trooper.
As the Trooper and Officer were speaking to the occupants of the vehicle, a silver SUV approached them at a high rate of speed, almost striking them.
The occupants of the maroon passenger car attempted to flee and get into the SUV.
As the Trooper and Officer tried to intervene, the Trooper and Officer were dragged by the SUV. The trooper shot and injured the driver of the SUV. The suspect was transported to a local hospital by ambulance.
The condition of the suspect is unknown at this time. Beightel did not release the names of the suspect or officers involved.
Nebraska State Patrol seizes nearly 80lbs of pot
LINCOLN COUNTY, NE — The Nebraska State Patrol says troopers have seized nearly 80 pounds of marijuana in two traffic stops on Interstate 80 near North Platte.
According to a media release, the first traffic stop occurred when NSP received a report of a Chevrolet Impala speeding and failing to maintain a lane while traveling eastbound on I-80. A trooper located the vehicle and made contact with the driver at exit 179. During the encounter, an NSP K9 detected the presence of a controlled substance inside the vehicle.
Troopers searched the vehicle and found 48 pounds of high grade marijuana concealed in luggage. The driver, Doreen Cahill, 27, of Jacksonville, North Carolina, was arrested for possession of marijuana – more than one pound, possession with intent to deliver, and no drug tax stamp. Cahill was lodged in Lincoln County Jail.
Information on the November 18 traffic stop could not be released previously because of an ongoing investigation.
The second traffic stop occurred at approximately 1:10 p.m. Monday, November 26, when a trooper observed an eastbound Chevrolet Equinox fail to signal near mile marker 189 on I-80. During the traffic stop, the trooper became suspicious of criminal activity. A search was conducted and revealed 30 pounds of high grade marijuana. The driver and passenger were both arrested and interviewed.
Following interviews, the driver was released. The passenger, a 17-year-old juvenile from California, was lodged in Lincoln County Jail for possession of marijuana – more than one pound, possession with intent to deliver, and no drug tax stamp.
Missouri attorney general seeks court order for church files
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – The Missouri Attorney General’s Office is seeking court orders for Catholic dioceses to provide records as part of an investigation into potential clergy abuse.
Spokeswoman Mary Compton in a Tuesday statement said the office wants personnel records, records relating to allegations of abuse and other documents from Missouri Catholic organizations.
Outgoing Attorney General Josh Hawley on Tuesday tweeted that the office wants court orders to “acquire information needed from the dioceses to ensure a full, thorough, and independent investigation.”
Hawley unseated U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill and will leave office in January.
Hawley launched an investigation of potential abuse in August. But Missouri’s attorney general has limited power in investigating most criminal allegations, so the office asked dioceses for cooperation.
All four Missouri Roman Catholic dioceses agreed to open their records.