Ohio puts 28 prison farm workers on notice for layoffs COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio’s prisons department has announced the need for more than two dozen layoffs connected to phasing out the state’s prison farm program.
State prisons chief Gary Mohr told The Associated Press the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction has been unable to place 28 of roughly 70 affected employees. A layoff “rationale” filed Thursday triggers collective bargaining rights for laid-off prison farm workers and clears the way for placing them into new jobs.
The workers’ union has fought the move to close a prison farming operation that dates back to 1868. The union said Thursday’s filing will assure workers’ rights as the layoff process continues.
Morrell recalls beef franks for possible foreign matter
WASHINGTON, D.C. — John Morrell and Co., a Cincinnati, Ohio, establishment, is recalling approximately 210,606 pounds of ready-to-eat hot dog products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically metal, the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced.
The items were produced on Jan. 26 and include 14-ounce Nathan’s SKINLESS 8 BEEF FRANKS with a Use By date of August 19 and 16-ounce Curtis BEEF MASTER Beef Franks with a Use By date of June 15. The products bear establishment number “EST. 296” and were shipped nationwide.
The problem was discovered after Morrell received three complaints of metal objects in the product packages. FSIS reports there have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions or injury from consumption of these products.
Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase. Those with questions about the recall can call 877-933-4625.
Illinois ag officials start pesticide collection program
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) announced a “Clean Sweep” program has been set for late summer in counties including Champaign, DeWitt, Ford and Iroquois. Farmers, retired farmers, nursery owners and private pesticide applicators can participate.
Participants have to register the products they want to get rid of by July 14. The program started in 1990. Since then, nearly 50 collection events have amassed more than 500,000 pounds of material.
The department is able to provide the free service because of a federal EPA grant. The other counties that can participate are Livingston, McLean, Piatt and Vermilion. Call IDOA’s Pesticide Hotline at 800-641-3934 to learn more.
Solar farm opens at southern Indiana’s Crane naval center
CRANE, Ind. (AP) — A 145-acre solar farm that will power several thousand homes has been dedicated at southern Indiana’s Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center.
The (Bloomington) Herald-Times reported on Thursday’s dedication at the landlocked naval installation that’s one of the region’s biggest employers. The solar farm about 30 miles southwest of Bloomington is a joint project between Duke Energy and the U.S. Department of the Navy. Its roughly 76,000 solar panels will generate 17 megawatts of power for use at the center and surrounding communities. |
