Minden tree nursery fined by EPA
The federal Environmental Protection Agency has fined Genoa Tree Nursery in Minden for misusing pesticides and failing to comply with worker safety laws.
The company was fined for misuse of the pesticides Round-Up Pro and Amine 4 2 4 weedkiller in May and June of 2008.
According to EPA investigators, the company failed to minimize risk of exposure to workers and handlers of the pesticides and failed to provide them with information about the nearest emergency medical care.
The total fine was $5,440.
"Employers of agricultural workers must ensure their employees are provided with information and protections that minimize the risk of potential exposure to pesticides," said Katherine Taylor of EPA. "Failure to do so is a serious violation."
The violations were discovered by the Nevada Department of Agriculture during a routine inspection in June 2008.
Lawmakers finish summit with tour
LAS VEGAS (AP) - Lawmakers and alternative energy industry officials are following up a daylong energy summit in Las Vegas with a tour of nearby clean energy projects.
The tour includes examples of what the leaders believe to be good practices in clean building and sustainable energy.
The lawmakers and others will tour the $8.5 billion CityCenter casino complex on the Las Vegas Strip, to be opened in December with six towers, hotels, retail and condominiums.
They also will see two solar-powered emergency stations used by Las Vegas police, and tour the facilities used by a students studying for a new solar and renewable energy minor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
28 people sick from Calif. beef recall
FRESNO, Calif. (AP) - At least 28 people in three western states have reported salmonella-related illnesses since last Thursday, when Fresno-based Beef Packers Inc. recalled nearly 826,000 pounds of ground beef.
Neither the USDA nor Cargill Meat Solutions have provided details about what caused last week's recall of hamburger meat.
Cargill is working with retailers to ensure that all the recalled beef is removed from retail distribution centers in Arizona, California, Colorado and Utah, spokeswoman Rebecca Hayne said.
The USDA said California, Colorado and Wyoming have reported illness linked to the recalled beef.
Colorado health officials said 21 people there have been sickened, and all are recovering. California officials said five people have reported feeling sick, and two fell ill in Wyoming.
Salmonella can result in abdominal cramps, diarrhea and fever.
Most people recover without treatment, but some require hospitalization.
In rare cases the organism can get into the blood and produce more severe illnesses.