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mr.d

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  1. These bone treats could kill your dog, FDA warns                   by Arin Greenwood /

     
     

    Bone treats can be deadly for your dog. That's the dire warning recently issued by the the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

    The government agency says it's received 68 reports of dogs that have been harmed by the treats — leaving around 15 of them dead. The dogs suffered blockage in their digestive tracts, choking, cuts and wounds in the mouth and tonsils, vomiting, diarrhea and bleeding from the rectum.

    dog-bone-stock-today-171129-tease_f1743d
     "Veterinarians see many problems related to chewing and ingestion of bones by dogs of all sizes and breeds. Bones can be swallowed whole or they can crack and splinter, leading to choking, vomiting or blockages in the digestive tract," said Michael San Filippo, spokesperson for the American Veterinary Medical Association. "In extreme cases, splintered bones can perforate a dog's esophagus, stomach or intestines, which can be fatal without emergency intervention." Alamy stock
     

    Here's the FDA's definition of the treats in question: "Real bones that have been processed, sometimes flavored, and packaged for dogs." They carry names like "Ham Bones,” “Pork Femur Bones,” “Rib Bones” and “Smokey Knuckle Bones."

    The FDA also recommends against feeding your dog chicken bones or other bones from the kitchen table, as these can cause serious injuries, too.

    Since we all want to keep our pets healthy, happy and well, we asked Michael San Filippo, spokesperson for the American Veterinary Medical Association, for recommendations on alternatives to bone treats.

     
     

    Non-edible chew toys made of rubber and nylon are generally safe, San Filippo said in an email. But still take care since "these can break as well. If you think your dog has eaten a large chunk of a nonedible chew toy, you should contact your veterinarian," he said. "And always remember to observe your dog with a new toy or treat to make sure that it's safe and appropriate."

    San Filippo added that the best course of action is to consult with a veterinarian for more individualized recommendations as to what toys and treats will be best given your dog's size, health and temperament.

    Now here's another recommendation: Go hug your dog! (Only if they like it. If that's not their thing, then perhaps try a warm pat on the head instead.)                                                                                                SEE RELATED VIDEO ;  https://www.today.com/pets/bone-treats-could-kill-your-dog-fda-warns-t119413

  2. Jefferson County Recipe of the Day: Amish Breakfast Casserole                   November 20, 2017 12:01 am·                                                                                                              A delicious old-fashioned recipe for your holiday brunch! Amish Breakfast Casserole Ingredients 1 pound sliced bacon, diced 1 medium sweet onion, chopped 6 eggs, lightly beaten 4 cups frozen shredded hash brown potatoes, thawed 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese 1-1/2 cups (12 oz container) 4% cottage cheese 1-1/4 cups shredded Swiss cheese Directions ~Preheat oven to 350°. ~In a large skillet, cook bacon and onion until bacon is crisp. Drain. ~In a large bowl, combine the remaining ingredients. Stir in bacon mixture. Transfer to a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. ~Bake uncovered for 35 to 40 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting.          http://www.explorejeffersonpa.com/jefferson-county-recipe-of-the-day-amish-breakfast-casserole/

  3. DEP: Movement reported at Greentree Landfill

    14314a82-947a-41eb-bf88-c0be6d66812d-lar

    The Department of Environment Protection said Monday that there was movement at Greentree Landfill again. (WJAC)

    KERSEY – There has been more movement at the site of a deadly landfill landslide in Elk County.

    The Department of Environment Protection said Monday that there was movement at Advanced Disposal's Greentree Landfill again.

     

     

    A spokesperson for DEP said it happened last week and Greentree workers notified DEP of the movement.

    The landfill reportedly ceased operations for the day and has temporarily ceased relocating waste from February's landslide.

    The latest movement comes more than nine months after a deadly landslide killed longtime employee William Pierce.

    The investigation from February's landslide is ongoing.                                                                                                                                                                                                        SEE TWEETS ; http://wjactv.com/news/local/dep-movement-reported-at-greentree-landfill

  4. As temperatures drop, Pa. pet owners could face stiffer penalties for leaving animals in the cold

    New law took effect earlier this year

    vlcsnap-2017-11-10-03h59m47s957-15103044
    As temperatures drop, Pa. pet owners could face stiffer penalties for leaving animals in the cold

    New law took effect earlier this year

     

    The possibility of record-low temperatures on Saturday morning in the Pittsburgh area has sparked a reminder about a new law in the state.

    Libre’s Law, signed by Gov. Tom Wolf over the summer, increases penalties in animal neglect cases, including for leaving animals out in the cold too long.

    The law says animals cannot be tied up outdoors for more than 30 minutes when the temperatures are lower than 32 degrees or higher than 90 degrees.

    Violations related to Libre's Law range can lead to a fine or even jail time with a maximum possible sentence of 6 to 12 months.

    The forecast currently calls for highs in the 30s on Friday and a drop into the teens early Saturday morning. The current record low for Nov. 11th is 21 degrees, set in 1973                                                         http://www.wtae.com/article/as-temperatures-drop-pa-pet-owners-could-face-stiffer-penalties-for-leaving-animals-in-the-cold/13514301

  5. Pumpkin Keg with Witches' Brew Cocktail

     
    pumpkinkeg5_c0e877d09b203685345396a076d6
    TODAY
    print recipe
    Rating:
    5 (1 rated)
    Prep time:

     

    This spooky drink dispenser is seasonal, flavorful and functional. It makes the perfect centerpiece for a Halloween party or any autumn get together.

    You can use it to serve up your favorite pumpkin-flavored beer, cocktail or a non-alcoholic brew! 

     

    Ingredients

    • For the Pumpkin Keg

      • 1 very large pumpkin, at least 12" diameter
      • Plastic keg tap
      • Pumpkin kit with carving tools
      • Apple corer
    • Witches' Brew Cocktail

      • 1 part pumpkin spice vodka
      • 1 part apple cider
      • 1/2 part club soda
      • Splash of lemon sour mix

    Preparation

    For the Pumpkin Keg:

    1. Use a pen to draw a circle around the top of the pumpkin. This will make it easier to trace your lid.

    2. Using a serrated knife (or a knife from a pumpkin carving kit), cut off the top and remove all seeds and innards and set aside. You can save the seeds to bake them up later.

    3. Use a metal spoon to scoop out the remaining innards from the pumpkin.

    4. Rinse out the pumpkin thoroughly.

    5. Determine the best front face for your pumpkin (ideally an area with the fewest scratches) and determine where to place your tap. This should be at least a couple inches from the bottom of the gourd.

    6. Using an apple corer, create a hole in the pumpkin for your tap and remove the small piece of pumpkin shell.

    7. Place your tap into the pumpkin and screw on the back inside to secure it in place.

    For the Witches' Brew:

    In a large pitcher, combine all the ingredients and stir gently.

    To serve:

    Fill the pumpkin with the mixture, or your beverage of choice, replace the lid and enjoy!                                                                                                                                                SEE VIDEO ;  https://www.today.com/recipes/how-make-pumpkin-keg-t117636

  6. 'Bigfoot' reportedly sighted in Northern California, pictures go viral

    The legendary Bigfoot and other creatures like it have reportedly been spotted near a Northern California lake, according to a paranormal investigator.

     
     

    Jeffrey Gonzalez, a self-described paranormal expert, said he heard about the sighting from a local farmer who said he saw the creature and five others running on his ranch near Avocado Lake.

     

    “One of them, which was extremely tall, had a pig over its shoulder," Gonzalez said in comments obtained by Fox 26, a Fox News affiliate. "And the five scattered and the one with the pig was running so fast it didn’t see an irrigation pipe and it tripped, with the pig flying over."

    'BIGFOOT' REPORTEDLY SPOTTED IN NORTH CAROLINA FOREST

    bigfoot embed

    (Credit: Jeffrey Gonzalez)

    According to his Facebook page, Gonzalez is a talk show host and an investigator at Paranormal Central, in addition to being a technician at AT&T. He also founded the Sanger Paranormal Society.

    Gonzalez said that the sighting is not that uncommon, with three additional Bigfoot sightings in the past five years, all located in East Fresno County.

     

    “I would have never guessed in a million years that you would have told me there were Bigfoot on Shields or Ashlan Avenue. Right? So, I want to know what’s going on. Is this for real?” Gonzalez added.

    bigfoot foot

    (Credit: Jeffrey Gonzalez)

    He recounted two others stories, including one from a woman who said her two sons saw a Bigfoot in their orchard and one from a man who saw five creatures in the same orchard.

    “What are the odds of three people, three different families, who don’t know each other, within a radius of 2 to 3 miles, come and tell me what they witness, and it matches up,” Gonzalez said.

    The images are reminiscent of the famous Patterson-Gimlin film footage from the 1960s.

    1508261252220.jpg?ve=1&tl=1

    File photo: A still image of the infamous 1967 Roger Patterson film which appeared to show Bigfoot on film. (Credit: YouTube) (YouTube)  (YouTube)

    In the footage, Roger Patterson and his partner, Robert Gimlin, shot a short motion picture the filmmakers have said was a Bigfoot. Experts have bandied about for years whether the footage was real or fake, though Patterson maintained it was real until his death in 1972. 

    This story originally appeared in Fox 26.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2017/10/17/bigfoot-reportedly-sighted-in-northern-california-pictures-go-viral.html

  7. Owner tells shelter to euthanize young dog with 6-lb. tumor — but they refused

    Thanks to an amazing group of animal rescuers in Kentucky and Ohio, a huge weight has been lifted off Clyde the dog’s chest — 6.4 pounds to be exact.

    Clyde’s owner dropped the 1-year-old dog off at a Kentucky animal shelter, requested he be put down and walked away.

    clyde-dog-tumor-today-171013-tease_30b96Gallatin County Animal Shelter
    Clyde was dropped off by his owner, who asked that the 1-year-old dog be euthanized.

    “He seemed like a happy dog,” Gallatin County Animal Shelter employee Kayla Nunn told TODAY. “He was really underweight. You would think he’d be scared and have no energy. He was happy to see everybody. He didn’t care if you touched his tumor.”

    Clyde was supposed to be euthanized the day he came in.

    But seeing the life the young dog had to give, Nunn said she asked for three days to find him a shelter. After she got in touch with another shelter’s rescue coordinator, Clyde had a new home in four hours.

    Hart Animal Rescue of Cincinnati, Ohio, happily took Clyde in.

    “Because he’s only a year old, that is way too young for a death sentence,” said Katie Goodpaster, the lead intake coordinator at HART. “He was very kind. He was sweet. He just seemed to be happy to get loved on.”

     

    Clyde came in with a 12-inch-long tumor weighing over 6 pounds. It was so big the dog couldn’t but drag it on the ground, so it was ruptured and bloodied.

    “We are a little bit more inclined to take on some of the harder medical cases,” said Goodpaster. “This year we’ve taken on a couple leg amputations from owners beating their dogs.”

    As for Clyde, he went for surgery the next day at County Animal Hospital in Mason, Ohio.

    clyde-dog-tumor-today-171013-02_30b9643aCounty Animal Hospital
    Clyde getting ready for surgery

    “He was starving,” said County Animal Hospital employee Nancy Fairbanks. “I split the bowl up in two so he wouldn’t eat too much.”

    It took two hours for Dr. Gary Smith and his team to perform surgery, and it was a complete success. Just days after receiving a death sentence, Clyde is now on his way to recovery.

    clyde-dog-tumor-today-171013-03_30b9643aCounty Animal Hospital
    Clyde after his surgery

     

    “He’s up walking around,” said Goodpaster. “He won’t sit still. He’s walking around outside. He wants to play. He seems like a whole new dog.”

    According to Goodpaster, Clyde is still at the animal hospital, but once he has a clean bill of health he’ll go to a foster home. Hart Animal Rescue has more information on Clyde and how to donate to his care.

    The tumor is now headed to a lab for biopsy, and Clyde will be neutered once he’s recovered from surgery, according to Goodpaster. Then the lovable pup can hopefully find a permanent home.                  https://www.today.com/pets/owner-tells-shelter-euthanize-young-dog-6-lb-tumor-t117506

  8. Pennsylvania Dog’s Inconceivable Impalement Earns Him the Most Unusual Pet Insurance Claim of the Year

    1-5-844x1024.jpegSCRANTON, Pa. – Rooster, a hound mix from Scranton, Pennsylvania, is the 2017 winner of the 9th annual Hambone Award, honoring the most unusual pet insurance claim of the year.

    Rooster was nominated after he was impaled by a large tree branch during a routine hiking trip. The Hambone Award is presented by Nationwide, the nation’s first and largest provider of pet health insurance. After selecting 12 nominees, Nationwide opened a public vote at HamboneAward.com to decide the winner, where Rooster proved victorious.

    Rooster was treated by the veterinary team at Veterinary Referral & Emergency Center in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania, where they performed a life-saving surgery to remove the tree branch. For their outstanding work, Veterinary Referral & Emergency Center will receive a $10,000.00 Nationwide-funded award through the Veterinary Care Foundation (VCF) to help treat pets in their community whose owners could otherwise not afford veterinary care. One hundred percent of all donations to the VCF are used to treat pets, with no contributions used for administration, fundraising, or overhead.

    Rooster’s Story: Pennsylvania Dog’s Hike Halted by Inconceivable Impalement

    Eight years ago, Jen Hawker of Scranton, Pennsylvania, visited a local litter of puppies in need of a home and felt an instant connection with a tiny male mutt. Jen took the hound mix home and named him Rooster. Since that fateful day, the duo has created an inseparable companionship that has helped serve as guidance through difficult times. But that relationship nearly came to an abrupt end when Rooster was brutally impaled by a large branch during a routine hike.

    Jen and Rooster’s bond was groomed out of misfortune. After a terrible accident at work, Jen was forced to take time off of work and eventually retire from her profession as a firefighter. During those troubling times, Rooster became Jen’s main therapy tool, helping her deal with stress and the everyday struggles of life moving forward.

    “Rooster and I have a special relationship,” said Jen. “I’ve had other dogs, but none have been as comforting as him. There are some injuries that never heal, but Rooster has helped tremendously, and I just love him to death. He’s my personal therapy dog.”

    On the day of the foliage fiasco, Jen had taken her small pack of dogs on a day hike in lieu of her daily gym routine. The group included Rooster, Jen’s other dog Goose, and a foster dog named Lulu. The group was enjoying the mid-week seclusion on the access road trail. The lack of foot traffic allowed the dogs some off-leash freedom and gave Jen a chance to listen to her favorite podcast. The quartet was nearly done with their journey when then dogs noticed a vermin and sprinted down a small hill. Suddenly, Jen heard a loud cry.

    “I thought I heard a yelp over my headphones,” said Jen. “When I called for the dogs to come back, Lulu and Goose ran out of the bushes and back up the hill, but Rooster was just standing there. When I approached him, I noticed an elongated bulge on his side and knew something was wrong.”

    Thinking that Rooster may have fallen and severely broken his ribs, Jen tried to carry the ailing pup back to the car, but each attempt was met with severe cries of pain from Rooster. It became apparent that Rooster was suffering from a serious injury and needed immediate medical attention. With Rooster unable to walk and Jen unable to carry him the remaining distance, the group was out of options.

    “We were stuck and I had no other choice than to dial 9-1-1,” said Jen. “I wasn’t sure if they would use their resources for a dog, but the operator assured me she would call back when help was on the way.”

    Within minutes an officer arrived to the trail in a large SUV. Jen flagged down the vehicle and out of the driver’s seat appeared the City of Jessup’s Chief of Police, Joseph Walsh, to provide assistance. Wasting no time, Chief Walsh moved the SUV within 30 yards of the injured canine and attempted to help carry the dog using his vest as a makeshift stretcher, but Rooster was in too much pain. With just a short distance to safety and options limited, Jen encouraged Rooster with a confident tone, and the brave dog walked the short distance to the car.

    Once in the car, Jen rode in the back with Rooster while Lulu and Goose rode in the front seat with the police chief. Jen arranged for a friend to pick up the other dogs in the parking lot so that she could rush Rooster to the emergency veterinary hospital. As she passed off the other two members of the pack, Chief Walsh could sense the immense stress Jen was in and offered to escort them to the hospital. Chief Walsh drove the ailing hound to Veterinary Referral & Emergency Center of South Abington for treatment. Upon arrival, emergency veterinary staff quickly examined the injury and prepared to take Rooster for X-rays and testing. One of the technicians pointed out an open wound on Rooster’s side and hinted that the large mass might be an impaled stick.

    “I was in total shock when they told me that Rooster could have been impaled,” said Jen. “I was worried that he could be hurt much worse than I thought. When they wheeled him back, he howled in pain one last time and it tore me up, but Chief Walsh was still there by my side and provided comfort. He even went and brought back lunch while we waited for Rooster’s diagnosis.”

    After an arduous wait, the staff returned with shocking news. Rooster had indeed been impaled by a large branch that stemmed over a foot long and had narrowly missed his lungs by less than an inch. The branch required a unique surgery that forced the staff to create an opening on the opposite side of the entrance wound for removal.

    After the surgery, Rooster needed a couple of weeks for the wounds to heal and the soreness to wear off. Jen is relieved that Rooster survived the ordeal and is grateful for all parties involved that helped save her companion’s life.

    “I’m so happy that Rooster came out of this ordeal without any lasting damage,” said Jen. “I’m so grateful for the amazing care the veterinary staff provided for Rooster, and I’ll never forget Chief Walsh’s kindness. Having Rooster insured through Nationwide also helped out immensely. I know I’ll never have to think twice about getting him veterinary care because of the excellent coverage we’ve received.”

    As the 2017 Hambone Award winner, Rooster will receive the coveted bronze Hambone Award Trophy, as well as a Nationwide gift bag filled with toys, treats, and various pet supplies.

    Second Place – Butterscotch the Great Pyrenees/Irish setter mix (Minneapolis, Minnesota). A walk in the city left Butterscotch with shocking injuries after he stepped in a puddle that was exposed to a live wire and was electrocuted. (Butterscotch was treated at MedVet Chicago.)

    Third Place – Star the Cattle Dog mix (South Bend, Ind.). Star’s daily walks are often interrupted by her clumsiness, but a recent trailside blunder nearly ended in tragedy after she fell into a hidden manhole. (Star was treated at the Parrett Veterinary Clinic in Indiana.)

    “The Hambone Award sheds light on the unforeseeable accidents that can occur to our pets at any time,” said Carol McConnell, DVM, MBA and Chief Veterinary Officer at Nationwide. “Rooster’s improbable injury during such a routine activity exemplifies the purpose of the Hambone Award and highlights the incredible work veterinary staff members do to save our four-legged family members. We are delighted with Rooster’s recovery and honored to present him with the 2017 Hambone Award.”

    The 12 nominees were chosen from more than 1.5 million claims received by Nationwide during the past year. All pets considered for the award made full recoveries and received insurance reimbursements for eligible expenses. Thousands of votes were cast at HamboneAward.com from September 21 to October 4 to determine the winner.

    To read the stories and see pictures of all 12 Hambone Award nominees, visit HamboneAward.com.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        http://www.explorejeffersonpa.com/pennsylvania-dogs-inconceivable-impalement-earns-him-the-most-unusual-pet-insurance-claim-of-the-year/

  9. How to remove brown stains from sheet pans — with stuff you already own

    No matter how hard you scrub, there are some stains that just won't come out with soap and water. Case in point: the eternally-dirty sheet pan that always seems to have brown, burnt-on residue coating the sides.

     
     

    But we don't have to resign ourselves to this fate — there's a simple two-ingredient solution that is probably already in your cupboard.

    Mix ½ cup baking soda and ½ cup white vinegar with hot water in the sink. (We prefer Heinz white vinegar and Arm & Hammer baking soda, but this will work with any brands, really.) It will bubble up like a school science project, but that reaction is what helps loosen the residue. Make sure your sink is plugged so your pans stay submerged, and let it soak for 30 minutes to an hour before scrubbing away with a scouring pad, steel wool, or the scrubby side of your sponge. Although steel wool is most likely to scratch your pans, it's OK — you want them to look well-worn and used, but scrub in even circular motions to make the lines less noticeable. That elbow grease your parents always like to go on and on about? Yeah, time to use it.

    More From Bon Appetit

    After the scrub-down, wash with regular soap and water to finishing cleaning, and then dry immediately to prevent rust. This process is also a twofer: It helps clean out your drain — which you definitely don't clean enough — with the combo of baking soda and vinegar. It's all very easy, but remember to rock dishwashing gloves during this process to save your hands from getting all scratched up by the rough scrubber.

    I had a sheet pan that I tried cleaning vigorously with my tried-and-true Scrub Daddy sponge at least half a dozen times, but the corners still had mysterious residue lingering around. So I made a soft of bath bomb for my pan, let it soak overnight — because I fell asleep and forgot about it, honestly; an hour probably would have probably been fine — and went to town on it with steel wool. I was hoping for an arm workout, but it was surprisingly easy. The brown stuff came off in a few seconds per scrub, and it wasn't noticeably scratched because most my cleaning was in the corners. I believe in miracles.

    Vinegar isn't only for cleaning sheet pans. If there's a similar coating around the edge of a stainless steel sauté pan, boil a few cups of water with ½ cup vinegar for a few minutes, pour out, and wash as usual. We all know not to use steel wool on a Dutch Oven, so this is also a great way to clean it without scratching the precious enameled surface. If this doesn't work, Bar Keepers Friend powder is a good bet. It's powerful, yet gentle on your precious Le Creuset. You can sprinkle some powder directly on a scouring pad or sponge, wet it, and wash in circles.

     

    Once you get 'em clean and looking (almost) as good as new, you'll want to maintain that shiny surface. To help prevent that gunky brown residue from building up again, use parchment paper or aluminum foil to cover your sheet pan whenever you're going to use it — food can't stain that sheet pan if it never touches it.                                                                                                                           http://www.foxnews.com/food-drink/2017/10/13/how-to-remove-brown-stains-from-sheet-pans-with-stuff-already-own.html

  10. Minnesota gardener grows world's largest carrot

    By Daniel Uria   |   Oct. 10, 2017 at 1:57 PM
     
     
     
    Minnesota-gardener-grows-worlds-largest-
    clear.gif
     
     
    Minnesota gardener Christopher Qualley set the Guinness World Record for world's largest carrot with his 22.44-pound veggie.Screen capture/Guinness World Records/Twitter
     
     

    Oct. 10 (UPI) -- A gardener in Minnesota set a massive record by growing the world's largest carrot in his second attempt.

    Christopher Qualley earned a spot in the Guinness World Record Book with a massive 22.44-pound carrot grown at his farm in Otsego.

     

    Qualley intentionally set out to grow the world's largest carrot and credited and said "soil, seed, weather and a little luck" were the keys to his success.

    "I am relatively new to this hobby and my strategy was to imitate what all of the experienced growers across the world were doing," he said. "The number one thing that every single top grower says is that your soil is the most important thing, so that is what I focused on. Without the proper soil your giants will never reach their potential."

    Qualley edged out the pervious largest carrot, which weighed 20.1 pounds, and has now turned his sights toward growing a record-breaking pumpkin or tomato.

    "I feel I have what it takes right now to potentially grow a world record tomato," he said. "This year I weighed a 7.07 lb. tomato which is about 1.5 lbs. less than the world record. There have only been about 10 to 15 tomatoes over 7 lbs. grown in the world so I know I am in the ball park for that record."

    The gardener said he opted to replant the massive carrot instead of eating it, but his mother-in-law did manage to grab a bite.

    "Her claim to fame is that she is the only person in the world to actually eat a piece of the world record carrot," he said.                                                                                                                                                                                       https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2017/10/10/Minnesota-gardener-grows-worlds-largest-carrot/9671507655759/?utm_source=sec&utm_campaign=sl&utm_medium=2

  11. Petland puppies likely source of outbreaks in multiple states, including Pennsylvania

    Other states involved include Florida, Kansas, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee and Wisconsin.

    Petland
     
    Petland
    Petland puppies likely source of outbreaks in multiple states, including Pennsylvania

    Other states involved include Florida, Kansas, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee and Wisconsin.

    A multistate outbreak of human Campylobacter infections have been linked to puppies sold through Petland.

    Infections have been found in seven states, including Pennsylvania. Other states involved include Florida, Kansas, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee and Wisconsin.

    Thirty-nine people in total have been infected and nine have been hospitalized. Twelve of those infected are Petland employees from four different states.

    The other 27 either purchased a puppy through Petland, visited a Petland, or visited/live in a home with a puppy sold through Petland.

    Epidemiologic and laboratory evidence indicates that puppies sold through Petland stores are a likely source of this outbreak.

    To learn more about Campylobacter, click here.

    Dr. Kristen Mertz, a medical epidemiologist with the Allegheny County Health Department, released the folloing statement:

    "This is not something new in our region. We see frequent cases of Campylobacter associated with puppies. In 2017, so far, there were over 20 cases associated with dogs or puppies. Two cases were associated with Petland stores in Allegheny County. Between 2007 and 2016, there were an average of 111 cases per year of Campylobacter infection in Allegheny County.

    "Campylobacter is an infection caused by spiral-shaped bacteria that can be found in poultry, unpasteurized milk, surface water, mountain streams, the feces of infected animals and humans. Symptoms include diarrhea, cramping, abdominal pain, fever within 2-5 days of infection. Diarrhea can be bloody and accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Illness generally lasts one week. For persons with weakened immune systems, illness can be prolonged and life-threatening. Most people recover in a few days and do not require treatment."                                                                                                      http://www.wtae.com/article/petland-puppies-likely-source-of-outbreaks-in-multiple-states-including-pennsylvania/12221827

  12. Concerned Groups Hope Trout Nursery Doesn’t Go Way of Heath Pump Station

    HEATH TWP., Pa. (EYT) – A Jefferson County landmark that has stood for more than a century will soon cease to exist.

    National Fuel Gas is in the process of tearing down the Heath Pump Station.

    The landmark is known to virtually anyone who has spent more than a passing moment fishing, hunting, hiking, or canoeing in the area.

    The station was built in 1912 to compress natural gas that’s shipped far and wide to heat homes and propel various makes and models of cars, trucks, and vans.

    According to National Fuel’s Paul Hoffman, the pump station is being retired because it doesn’t meet the station’s minimum gas production. A smaller station is being built in the vicinity.

    The landmark piece of equipment at the station was a 1912 compressor pump made by Snow Steam Pump Works, of Buffalo. The pump weighs a little more than 96 tons and is 50 feet long. The 13-foot flywheel weighs 11 tons. It was sold to a Gas & Steam Engine Association.

    The station actually shut down about a decade ago.

    While the station and the spot where it sits will soon be a memory, there is another historical element to the site that area residents don’t want to see disappear. Callen Run, a stocked and native trout fishery, flows next to the station shortly before it enters the Clarion River.

    Heath Pump Station Dam

    The waters of the stream, dammed by the company to provide water for its operation, is also a source of water for the trout nursery run by the Heath Township Sportsmen’s Club. The club built the hatchery and began raising fish there in 1955.

    For more than 60 years, the hatchery has depended on cold water from the dam to keep the trout there happy and growing before they are stocked for several kids’ fishing derbies that the club supports every year.

    Because of the uncertainty of the fate of the trout nursery, around two dozen concerned citizens gathered at the club’s hatchery on Wednesday afternoon.

    There were representatives from National Fuel Gas; Western Pa. Conservancy; Trout Unlimited; the Pa. Fish & Boat Commission; Bureau of Forestry; and Jefferson County Conservation District.

    All pledged their assistance, and Conservancy members pledged to prepare grant proposals to fund the dam removal and ensure the hatchery would continue to get the quality, cold water it needs to continue raising trout.

    Luke Bobnar, a watershed technician with the Conservancy, said his group is looking forward to the removal of the dam, so native trout can leave the Clarion River and move up Callen Run when warmer water conditions make it necessary for their survival.

    Everyone acknowledged there will be challenges to get things done.

    Ty Desiderio, a watershed consultant for the Conservancy, said his group had never conducted a dam removal of this magnitude.

    “We know the DEP (Department of Environmental Protection) would prefer to have the dam removed, but we will be able to do stream improvement projects that the fish will prefer,” Desiderio said.

    The sediment that has collected over the decades was another concern, but Bobnar said that could be used in a Clarion River project to prevent bank erosion in the Clear Creek State Park area.

    Heath Township Sportsmen's Club Trout NurserySome members of the Sportsmen’s Club were concerned about the costs of such a project.

    “The Conservancy has quite a bit of experience getting grant money to do these projects,” Kylie Maland, Watershed Manager for the Conservancy. “We typically don’t ask groups for much money. We appreciate any volunteer help and we’d welcome any help from National Fuel.”                                                                                                                                                                                                                            SEE VIDEO;    http://www.explorejeffersonpa.com/heath-station-story/

  13. The Great Outdoors: Jefferson County Was Home to First Conservation School

    Ross-Leffler-History-Sign.jpg
    Within the PA Great Outdoors region is a State Game Lands that holds considerable historic significance.

    State Game Lands No. 54, more than 19,000 acres in size, is located in Jefferson County, a few miles outside of Brockway.

    The terrain is mountainous and wooded and shares its northeastern boundary with State Game Lands 44 in Elk County.

    SGL 54 is also the home of the original Ross Leffler School of Conservation, opened 85 years ago.

    The property and camp were bought from a Pittsburgh attorney, Meredith Marshall, who hunted there.

    The school was the first of its kind in the world, according to the PA Game Commission.  Nearly 900 people took classes at the school with 716 becoming State Game Protectors, as they were known then.

    The remainder took special classes that were offered there.

    The Leffler School became the model for schools in the rest of the country. Most of the classes taught there centered on wildlife conservation and law enforcement.

    The school was moved to a wing at the PGC’s Harrisburg’s headquarters in 1987.

    Today, SGL 54 is much quieter.

    Recently, Brandi and I spent a few hours there. We had been there a number of years ago for a small game hunting.

    While the area is mainly inhabited by white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and black bear, there are a few rabbits around, too.

    I did see a doe and two fawns while we roamed, but with our late start, not much else.

    State-Game-Lands-54-Red-Squirrel.jpg

    There was one, comical red squirrel that posed for a few pictures as we neared the end of the walk. He perched on top of a post where a bird box stood.

    Our walk also included checking out a small, select timber cut that was next to a rock outcrop that overlooked a large valley. While the roads are gated, most of them are very level, making walking easy for just about anyone.

    Empire Ridge Road, which cuts through the game lands, is open mainly during the big game hunting seasons. It is also open for mountain biking.

    For more information about the State Game Lands and other points of interest, visit  VisitPAGO.com or  http://GoHuntPAGO.org.                                                                                                                                   http://www.explorejeffersonpa.com/the-great-outdoors-jefferson-county-was-home-to-first-conservation-school/

  14. Investigation looking into sludges as part of Greentree landslide

     

    The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection is still looking into what caused the landslide that killed William Pierce, and the cracks that developed at the site. (WJAC)

    KERSEY – For the most part, we know what goes into a landfill.

    Food scraps, paper, plastics -- it’s trash. That’s what we throw in our dumpsters.

    What we don’t see, though, are sludges. Sludge can be described at times like top soil. Other times, it's a wet, mud-like product.

     
     

    One investigation continues into the February collapse at Greentree Landfill.

    The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection is still looking into what caused the landslide that killed William Pierce, and the cracks that developed at the site.

    OSHA finished its investigation in August, but back in April, DEP officials confirmed that sludges are a part of its ongoing investigation. The department won’t say to what extent sludge may be involved, only confirming a few details, including that it’s “reviewing the composition and handling of these sludges.”

    According to DEP officials, sludge should be mixed with incoming waste and garbage and spread on the current working face to insure structural stability.

    John Shoeman is the plant operator at the Logan Township Treatment Plant. His job is getting clean water back out to his local community. The byproduct of that process is sludge.

    Shoeman said waste comes into the plant, it’s processed and by day’s end, a portion of the waste is removed and sent to anaerobic digester tanks. The sludge stays in the tanks for about six months at a time. Then, the sludge is pressed and hauled off to a landfill.

    Sewer manager David Pozgar said in Logan Township’s case, their sludges are usually hauled to Greentree. Except this year, they weren’t because of the landslide.

    “Because of the problems this year with Greentree, we had to press and hold a box in here for two weeks before we could even send it,” Pozgar said.

    The DEP approved a special permit for Logan Township to give sludge annually to Greentree in 2013, according to the most recent DEP documents. Pozgar said his plant produces 320 tons of sludge a year. He said the Township pays the landfill about $18,000 to take in the sludge.

    That total tonnage is part of at least 173,000 tons of new sludge that Greentree took in since January 2013, numbers compiled from state records show.

    On Monday, an OSHA spokesman said they evaluated sludge intake procedures as part of their investigation.

    On Tuesday, another spokesperson provided additional details, saying, “Blending sludge material and solid waste was supposed to be part of a regular procedure for receiving sludge at the landfill. However, during the course of the inspection, it was determined that the procedure may not have been followed for every single delivery of sludge material, and/or the procedure may not have been correct.”

    After the collapse, state records show Greentree cut sludge intake into the landfill to 92 tons.

    That was March 13. A month later, DEP officials said Greentree temporarily stopped bringing in municipal sewage sludge.

    In June, the DEP allowed Greentree to resume accepting sludge. DEP officials said waste must be “disposed in a new cell away from the cell where the landslide occurred.”

    The DEP investigation is ongoing. DEP officials have not determined what caused the landslide, only saying they are looking at sludges as part of the investigation.

    As for OSHA, they did not pinpoint an exact cause of the landslide, saying it was likely a combination of events.                                                                                                    SEE VIDEO REPORT;   http://wjactv.com/news/local/investigation-looking-into-sludges-as-part-of-greentree-landslide

  15. OSHA, Advanced Disposal will meet to discuss citation

    ea64e35c-7a87-44c3-9c8e-ddb3212214ac-lar

    WJAC

    KERSEY -- The federal agency tasked with investigating Greentree Landfill said Tuesday it plans to meet with the landfill's company next week to discuss implementing abatement plans.

    Occupational Safety and Health Administration is expected to meet with Advanced Disposal, the company that owns the Elk County landfill, at an informal conference on Aug. 22.

    OSHA spokesperson Joanna Hawkins confirmed the meeting in an email with 6 News.

    "The implementation of the feasible means of abatement will be discussed with the company," said Hawkins.

    OSHA fined the company $12,675, the highest dollar figure OSHA can fine for a single citation classified as "serious."

    OSHA wrote in its citation seven abatement plans for Greentree Landfill to follow in wake of the landslide that killed employee William Pierce, 49, in February.

    OSHA felt the seven corrective measures would "best prevent a [recurrence] of a landslide incident," said Hawkins.

    The abatement plans included consulting with a registered engineer to develop a written plan for blending sludge and solid waste; implementing safeguards to protect employees when significant landfill horizontal and/or vertical movement is observed; and removing temporary membrane and rain flap before placing waste, in accordance with the design plan.

    Cracks at the landfill were also mentioned repeatedly in OSHA's citation.

    "Simply speaking, it was determined that the employer did not respond to the repeated cracks which appeared at the landfill," said Hawkins. "The cracks were evidence of an unstable work site at the landfill, and the company failed to take proper corrective actions in response to their appearance. Therefore, a general duty clause citation was issued to the company."

    6 News first reported in May on a crack reportedly four to five feet wide by 100 feet long seen in the active disposal area, as shown in state inspection records.

    Advanced Disposal finally returned our calls for comment after our broadcast report aired at 6 p.m.

    Mark Nighbor, a spokesperson for the company, said he was traveling and said he would reach back out Tuesday with a statement.

    6 News did speak with Nighbor Tuesday afternoon.

    "We received receipt of the citation on August 10 as it relates to the tragic events of February's accident at Greentree Landfill.," said Nighbor. "We are committed to the safety of all of our employees and we are continuing to cooperate with OSHA."

    He would not comment on specific questions about any of the seven abatement notes.

    "We will be meeting with OSHA to discuss the elements of the citation and prefer not to comment on any elements of the citation until after meeting with OSHA," said Nighbor.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          http://wjactv.com/news/local/osha-advanced-disposal-to-meet-to-discuss-citation

  16. ‘Barnwood Builders’ TV Series Gives Porter Township Delp Barn New Life

    barn.jpgPORTER TWP., Pa. (EYT) – The Delp Barn near the Leatherwood Church on Delp Road was built in 1836 as part of a family farm started by German immigrants, but it is now going to have a continued life throughout the United States after a crew from Barnwood Builders, a popular television show on DIY Network, recently lovingly disassembled the barn for use in other projects.

    (Photos courtesy DIY)

    The show also provided a surprise ending at the close of the first of a two part series about the farm.

    The barn was a Pennsylvania bank barn, a sturdy and reliable structure built by German immigrants in the 1830’s.  Not only were the immigrants good farmers, they were also excellent builders, and the Barnwood Builders marveled at the craftsmanship that allowed the barn to stand since 1836.

    barn 2

    “Our family was sad as we watched them remove the barn wood,” said Alan Delp. “The family had the 200-acre farm on the site, and the homestead was where the barn was.  The barn was built in 1836 by my great, great grandfather Jacob Hamm, my grandmother’s grandfather.

    “It was hard for me to watch because I grew up in that barn.  I was born in 1948, and it was already 100 years old.”

    Walk from barn

    Alan and his sisters Vivian Russell and Madelyn Callen returned to their roots for interviews with Mark Bowe, host and leader of the Barnwood Builders. The first hour of the Delp Farm project aired on Sunday at 9:00 p.m. and featured taking “the skin” off the barn, along with the roof.  The second hour to be aired on Sunday, August 20, at 9:00 p.m., will deal with the removal of the frame for the barn.

    The DIY Network is available on many cable and satellite services.  DIY stands for Do It Yourself.

    20369006_1628124503895249_1369857416437402614_o

    While it took immigrants from Germany to build the barn, Rowe and his experts come from West Virginia, and Delp was impressed.

    “These guys that are part of the working men in Barnwood Builders are all really great country people.  You feel at home with them as if you’ve known them all your life.”

    “It was a huge barn, but what surprised me was as Mark walked through the barn with us in tow, he started to see things that I had never seen before like the fact the original barn was only about half the size of the barn in 2017.  Later generations expanded the barn as needed.”

    While the barn was built in 1836, the brick house home was not built until about 1845, according to Delp. The bricks for the house were baked on the site and was made on the farm.

    Barn Talk

    What’s the show about?

    Barnwood Builders salvage antique barns and cabins before the timber can deteriorate. Their goal is to put new life into worn-out structures.

    Perhaps the best description of Barnwood Builders comes from the Greenbrier Valley West Virginia website:

    “On the surface, the show is about a crew that rescues 150-year-old cabins and barns, so they can be repurposed as high quality, eye-catching contemporary homes and public buildings.”

    “Just below the surface, it’s about some old-fashioned virtues: hard work, perseverance, kindness, and friendship. As the show enters its third season, Bowe finds himself adjusting to the challenge of being recognized by fans from near and far as he tries to maintain a semblance of normal family life in the Greenbrier Valley with his wife Cindy and their son Atticus.”

    The changing homestead

    delp-family
    (Pictured: Vivian Russell, Alan Delp, and Madelyn Callen)

    “Part of the homestead where my family grew up was sold to people who are not members of our family,” said Delp. “The homestead and the buildings and about 10 acres were sold and that included the barn.  He had the right to sell the barn, and he contacted Barnwood Builders.”

    Delp said the person who bought it was being taxed pretty heavily because of the number of buildings.

    “There were probably seven buildings there— pig pens, chicken coops, machine sheds, and barn.  The way taxes are done nowadays, it’s just too difficult to keep paying taxes on buildings you don’t use. Taxes (are) based on the structure and what they are used for.”

    Bill Allwine is the new owner, and he fell in love with the place.

    “Bill is an avid hunter, and he rented the brick house for a few years before he bought it from my nephews who owns about three-quarters of the farm now. Bill just fell in love with the farm.  The hunting out there is very good for anything.”

    Delp’s nephew also runs the Delp Game Bird Farm.  The farm supplies everything you need to hunt, except the gun.

    20369529_1628131317227901_6595300734013935702_o

    Surprise ending

    At end of Sunday’s show, the individual pieces of wood were cataloged and prepared for shipping to a new location for new life, and the barn’s remaining wood frame was carefully recorded for positions of beams in order to restore it later at another location. Afterward, Mark Bowe looked at the crew and said he had made a decision.

    He was going to use it to build his own home in West Virginia.

    The heart and soul of the Delp Barn will live on.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    http://www.explorejeffersonpa.com/barnwood-builders-tv-series-gives-porter-township-delp-barn-new-life/#more-193414

  17. 1.3 million Ford Explorers under federal investigation

    1.3 million Ford Explorers under federal investigation
    1.3 million Ford Explorers under federal investigation

    The U.S. government's auto safety agency has expanded an investigation into complaints of exhaust fumes inside Ford Explorer SUVs, adding two model years and nearly 400,000 vehicles.

    The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Thursday night that the probe now covers more than 1.3 million Explorers from the 2011 through 2017 model years. The agency made the move after finding more than 2,700 complaints of exhaust odors in the passenger compartment and fears of carbon monoxide in an investigation that it started a year ago. Among the complaints were three crashes and 41 injuries, mostly loss of consciousness, nausea and headaches.

    Many of the complaints came from police departments, which use the Police Interceptor version of the Explorer in patrol fleets. Police complaints included two crashes with injuries and another injury allegation due to carbon monoxide exposure.

    On Thursday night, the agency said it had upgraded the probe from an investigation to an engineering analysis, a step closer to a recall. That could mean high costs for Ford down the road if it has to do a recall.

    Company spokeswoman Elizabeth Weigandt said Thursday night that Ford has a team working with police, customers and NHTSA to investigate the reports and solve problems. Customers with concerns can call a dedicated hotline at (888) 260-5575 or visit their local dealer.

    NHTSA also said it will examine Explorer Police Interceptors used by the Austin, Texas, Police Department. The Austin American-Statesman reported this week that the city installed carbon monoxide alarms in its 400 Explorers and parked 60 of them when the alarms activated. The alarms were installed after officers reported becoming sick while in the vehicles. The city could end up parking its entire fleet.

    A total of 791 people have complained to the government about the fumes, while Ford has received more than 2,000 complaints and warranty claims.

    In the documents, NHTSA said it tested multiple vehicles at its Ohio research center, and it has made field inspections of police vehicles involved in crashes. As of Thursday, the agency has found no evidence or data to support claims that injuries or crash allegations were caused by carbon monoxide poisoning. But the agency said it has early tests that suggest carbon monoxide levels may be higher in certain driving conditions "although the significance and effect of those levels remains under evaluation."

    The agency also said that through cooperation with police departments, it has learned that the Police Interceptor version of the Explorer is experiencing exhaust manifold cracks that are hard to detect and may explain exhaust odors. Investigators will evaluate the cause, frequency and safety consequences of the cracks, and whether Explorers used by civilians are experiencing cracked manifolds, the agency said.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 SEE VIDEO REPORT;  http://www.wtae.com/article/13-million-ford-explorers-under-federal-investigation/10374398

  18. tdy-header-logo.png

    tdy_food_sun_radford_farm_170730.today-v
    July 30th, 2017

    Vertical farming is revolutionizing how food is grown in America

    A warehouse in New Jersey is using technology to enhance how crops are grown in a world facing overpopulation. In this week’s Sunday Spotlight, NBC’s Morgan Radford discovers how seasons don’t matter and flavors are controlled in this evolving industry.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                SEE VIDEO;     http://www.today.com/video/vertical-farming-is-revolutionizing-how-food-is-grown-in-america-1013230659656
  19. Ancient Hemlocks of Cook Forest Under Attack

    Susquehannock-Hemlock3.jpgCOOKSBURG, Pa. (EYT) – The fight to kill and contain the hemlock woolly adelgid has been in force at Cook Forest and Clear Creek State Parks, and more efforts are underway to contain the insect.

    The woolly adelgid is an Asian insect that has killed thousands of hemlock trees in Pennsylvania and is a threat to the Eastern hemlocks in the parks and surrounding areas.

    Dale Luthringer, the Environmental Education Specialist at Cook Forest State Park as well as a big tree enthusiast, said efforts at the park have been ongoing since the insect was found in the park in March of 2013.

    “Fortunately, we were able to quickly move to start treatments to kill it in May that year, and we’ve been at it every year since,” Luthringer said. “We’ve been able to treat about 5,000 trees, but that’s still just scratching the surface. We have 11 different stands of old-growth hemlocks covering 2,000 acres.”

    “Fortunately, we haven’t lost very many hemlocks to it.”

    This weekend, the Sawmill Theater will lend a helping hand to the fundraising efforts when it shows a high-definition short film, produced by Wild Excellence Films, about the ancient hemlock trees of Cook Forest which are under attack from the destructive insect that threatens the park’s old growth forest, a National Natural Landmark.

    The film “Cathedral: The Fight to Save the Ancient Hemlocks of Cook Forest” covers threats to the forest and effort to combat this invasive insect. It will be shown at 8:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

    The film’s primary purpose is to educate the widest possible audience about this issue, to inspire action, and to raise money for the treatment of the trees.

    The admission is $15.00, and the money raised from the showings will be donated to the PA Parks and Forest Foundation https://paparksandforests.org, so it can help fund treatment and education efforts.

    Tickets can be purchased here.

    wooly_adelgidLuthringer said one of the difficulties of fighting the insect is getting people to realize why it’s important.

    “If it were to get out of control and kill thousands of trees here, it would be very bad for many reasons,” Luthringer said. “Most of our cold-water streams are shaded by hemlocks, and if we end up with a bunch of dead trees, those streams could see a temperature increase of 5 to 7 degrees.”

    “That affects the aquatic life that lives there, which affects the trout that live there, so trout fishermen should care about it.”

    “The other problem is the appearance of thousands of dead trees. The woolly adelgid has decimated the hemlocks in the Great Smoky Mountains, particularly along the Blue Ridge Parkway. It’s not something we want to have happen here.”

    DCNR has embarked on a two-pronged treatment effort http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/index.aspx that relies on the selective application of insecticides and the release of predatory beetles.

    “The other thing is that private landowners can treat their trees. They can get the chemical and do this themselves. It’s much cheaper than waiting to have a dead tree that needs cut down, which can cost thousands of dollars,” Luthringer said. “As for the money we receive for treatment, it varies from year to year. We are grateful for what we get, but it can be a challenge to do what needs done.”

    Luthringer talked about the predatory beetles that will kill the adelgids.

    “We’d like to get the western strain, which is more capable of surviving here and doing its job to eliminate the adelgids. It is a more permanent solution as opposed to continuing to keep applying the chemicals,” Luthringer said.

    DCNR has partnered with the USDA Forest Service, The Nature Conservancy, and other interested organizations to implement an eastern hemlock management plan for northwestern Pennsylvania.

    Also, the bureau has completed a hemlock conservation plan for the state.

    “We’re not sitting back and doing nothing,” Luthringer said. “It’s not hopeless, but people have to want to get involved and want to help.”

    The 8,500-acre Cook Forest State Park and 3,136-acre Clarion River Lands lie in scenic northwestern Pennsylvania. Known for its stands of old growth forest, the park’s Forest Cathedral of towering white pines and hemlocks is a National Natural Landmark.

    For more information, check out these sites:

    https://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/pest_al/hemlock/hwa05.htm
    https://paparksandforests.org
    http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/cookforest/
    http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/clearcreek/index.htm
    https://www.facebook.com/friendsofcookforest/                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                http://www.explorejeffersonpa.com/ancient-hemlocks-of-cook-forest-under-attack/

  20. Wiener dog race champ named "Fastest Wiener in the West"

     
     
    weiner-1500989522.jpg?crop=0.998xw:1.00x
    Wiener dog race champ named "Fastest Wiener in the West"
     

    "Baby Bo" nearly set a speed record in front of a record crowd of almost 10,000 cheering fans. See the video below --                                                                                                                                                        SEE VIDEO;    http://www.wtae.com/article/wiener-dog-race-champ-named-fastest-wiener-in-the-west/10356283

     
     
     
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