BENZENE REAPPEARS IN PARACHUTE CREEK
Parachute—Cancer-causing benzene from the 7 month old Williams Company gas leak hasn’t been detected in Parachute Creek for a couple of weeks. That changed last weekend. According to recent data released by the company to Garfield County, low level benzene was detected June 8th, 9th and 10th at 1.4 parts per billion. State officials say that level does not pose a threat to the creek or groundwater.
GARCO LAND USE/RIVER, WETLANDS PROTECTION
Glenwood Springs—Waterways and streams in Garfield County will continue to be protected from development under the revised land use code. The Board of Commissioners chose to follow the recommendations made by the Roaring Fork Conservancy to keep the minimum 35 foot setback of structures from rivers, streams and watersheds.
COSTCO FROZEN BERRIES CAUSE HEPATITIS-A OUTBREAK IN COLORADO
WASHINGTON (AP) – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says an outbreak of hepatitis A linked to a frozen berry mix sold at Costco has grown to 87 people with illnesses in eight states.
The CDC said Tuesday that illnesses have been reported in Arizona, California Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Washington. Townsend Farms of Fairview, Ore., last week recalled its frozen Organic Antioxidant Blend, packaged under the Townsend Farms label at Costco and under the Harris Teeter brand at those stores. So far the illnesses have only been linked to the berries sold at Costco. Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that can last from a few weeks to a several months. Vaccination can prevent illness if given within two weeks of exposure.
ROYAL GORGE WILDFIRE
CANON CITY (AP) – Firefighters are battling at least three significant wildfires in Colorado amid gusty winds and record-breaking hot, dry weather. Firefighters say people have been evacuated from the south side of Royal Gorge Bridge and Park near Canon City because of a growing fire on its southern edge. But park spokeswoman Peggy Gair tells The Gazette (http://bit.ly/13z4AVJ) the evacuations have affected “several hundred people” throughout the park in southern Colorado. The Red Cross says it’s opening a shelter for evacuees from a 15-acre fire in the Black Forest area northeast of Colorado Springs where there are homes on large, wooded parcels.
In northern Colorado, a wildfire sparked by lightning on Monday in Rocky Mountain National Park is growing and sending out large plumes of smoke. No immediate size estimate was available.
