FDA Investigates Blue Bell
From FDA.gov
According to the CDC and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, five patients who were treated in a single hospital in Kansas were infected with one of four rare strains of Listeria monocytogenes. Three of these strains, which are highly similar, have also been found in products manufactured at the Blue Bell Creameries production facility in Brenham, Texas. Illness onset dates range from January 2014 to January 2015.
FDA was notified that these three strains and four other rare strains of Listeria monocytogenes were found in samples of Blue Bell Creameries single serving Chocolate Chip Country Cookie Sandwich and the Great Divide Bar ice cream products collected by the South Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Control during routine product sampling at a South Carolina distribution center, on February 12, 2015. These products are manufactured at Blue Bell Creameries’ Brenham facility.
The Texas Department of State Health Services, subsequently, collected product samples from the Blue Bell Creameries Brenham facility. These samples yielded Listeria monocytogenes from the same products tested by South Carolina and a third single-serving ice cream product, Scoops, which is also made on the same production line.
Consumers should not eat any of the products listed below. If these ice cream products are in your freezer, they should be thrown away, even if some of them have been eaten without anyone becoming ill.
Recommendations for preventing listeriosis are available at the CDC Listeria website: http://www.cdc.gov/listeria/prevention.html.
Blue Bell Creameries reports that the following products were removed from the market. This action includes only the products listed below and does not include Blue Bell cups, pints or half gallons.
| Product Name | Product Code |
|---|---|
| Chocolate Chip Country Cookie | SKU # 196 |
| Great Divide Bar | SKU #108 |
| Sour Pop Green Apple Bar | SKU #221 |
| Cotton Candy Bar | SKU #216 |
| Scoops | SKU #117 |
| Vanilla Stick Slices | SKU #964 |
| Almond Bars | SKU #156 |
| 6 pack Cotton Candy Bars | SKU #245 |
| 6 pack Sour Pop Green Apple Bars | SKU #249 |
| 12 pack No Sugar Added Mooo Bars* | SKU #343 |
“Updated” More Charges Filed, More to Come?
The rap sheet of Alejandro Mejia-Luna just keeps getting longer thanks to Deputy Richard Brantley. Deputy Brantley apprehended Mejia-Luna Friday night as he observed him coming out of a Church St residence. That led investigators to Mejia-Luna’s home and the uncovering of numerous items from multiple burglaries. So far, eleven charges have been filed against Mejia-Luna, including Burglary of a Habitation, Theft of a Firearm and Theft of items Over $1,500. More burglaries will probably be tied to this suspect since he is no stranger to burglary charges. He was charged with burglary in February of 2014. With bonds set at $20,000 or more for each of these last eleven charges, he may be in jail for quite some time. More charges are likely as Hopkins County Sheriff’s Investigators are busy trying to tie the treasure trove of merchandise discovered back to past home burglaries. Anyone that thinks they may be a victim of a home burglary in the past year is urged to contact the Sheriff’s Department.
Spring Break? Wildcat/Lady Cat Games This Week
The Wildcats’ baseball team jumps into district play this week with a scheduled home game and a road contest. The Wildcats open district by hosting Texas High Tuesday night at Eagle Stadium. Friday night the Wildcats travel to Mt. Pleasant.
The Lady Cats’ softball team is scheduled to play three games this week because of a weather postponement. The Lady Cats travel to Marshall Monday night and make another long trip to Texas High Tuesday night. The Lady Cats are at home Friday night against Mt. Pleasant. The Lady Cats are 1-0 in district play and 7-2 for the season.
There are all kinds of playoff implications for the Lady Cats’ soccer team as they close the regular season with district games at home and on the road. Monday the Lady Cats recognize their seniors at a home match against Texas High. Friday night the Lady Cats end district play at Hallsville. The Lady Cats have won five games in a row.
The Wildcats’ soccer team will close their season this week with a road trip and then Senior Night at home. Tuesday night the Wildcats travel to Texas High. Then nine Wildcats’ seniors will be recognized before a home game Friday night against Hallsville.
*Updated* Spring Fever Bike Rally-Impressive Success
The Spring Fever Bike Rally, hosted by the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce, was a success. The Bike Rally on Saturday, March 14, saw a large turnout with over 175 bikers attending. The most popular race was the 60 mile route with 65 cyclists, as opposed to the 10 mile with 12 cyclists. The 27 mile route had 45 cyclists registered, and the 37 mile route had 50 cyclists. The Rally supplied 10 rest stops, and used 8 SAG Wagons to ensure the bikers’ safety. The Rally istelf was not a contest, but a chance for people to challenge themselves and participate in a unique community activity. None of the bikers were involved in any major accidents, however, one man was sent to the hospital with minor shoulder injuries after a bicycle accident, and a small number of bikers were stranded at a Joe Bob’s gas station after bike malfunctions. Both the man, and the stranded bikers are ok.
Treasure Trove of Stolen Goods Recovered
A large amount of items identified as stolen have been recovered by Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputies after the arrest of a 30-year old Sulphur Springs man Friday night. Deputy Richard Brantley was heading home on north Church Street just before 10 p.m. Friday when he saw a suspicious vehicle coming from a residence. The man acted nervous and was in possession of some antique clocks and other items. A check of the residence revealed the home had been broken into through a back door.
The investigation led to the suspect’s Church Street residence where lots of suspected stolen items, including jewelry and heirlooms, were recovered. Sheriff’s Chief Criminal Investigator Lewis Tatum says some of the items came from two homes in the city and one county residence. A city of Sulphur Springs concrete cutter was also recovered. Chief Investigator Tatum is urging anyone who had been burglarized to come by the Sheriff’s Offic
e to identify possible stolen property. He says other arrests are possible in the case.
The man arrested in Hopkins County jail but had not been arraigned as of Saturday at noon.
Flood Advisory Friday
The National Weather Service has placed Western Hopkins County and Sulphur Springs in a flood advisory until 5:30 p.m. Friday. At 2:29 pm Friday, radar and automated rain gauges indicated moderate rain which may cause small stream flooding in the advisory area. Up to one inch of rain has already fallen and another half inch is possible yhrough the afternoon hours. Some locations that may experience flooding include Greenville, Sulphur Springs, Bonham, Commerce, Leonard Cooper, Honey Grove, Wolfe City, Caddo Mills, Savoy Celeste, Cumby, Ector, Campbell, Dodd City, Bailey Ravenna, Bonham State Park, Trenton and Ladonia. Precautionary/preparedness actions excessive runoff from heavy rainfall will cause flooding of small creeks and streams, as well as farm and country roads. Do not attempt to travel across flooded roads. Find alternate routes.
SSISD SPRING EXPO
Sulphur Springs Schools celebrated their annual Spring Expo Thursday at the Regional Civic Center Exhibition Hall. The expo is an opportunity for the district to exhibit to the public, especially buiness adn industry, the accomplishments of students and to demonstrate various areas of technical and specialized education offered through the high school. A meal prepared by the culinary arts class, a 3-D printer and graphics from the art department, projects made by the ag mechanics department, opportunities in the medical field, and a number of other exhibits took center stage. Superirintendent of Schools Michael Lamb gave his annual State of the School address as well.
The audio feature below includes interviews from the expo including robotics, health science, and the 3-D printer.
Woman’s Death Caused by Pet
Seventy-eight year old Betty Wood was mauled to death by her own pet, a Rottweiler dog, at her home Thursday night.
Sulphur Springs Police Chief Jay Sanders said local police were called to the Wood home on North Davis Street around 7 p.m. Upon investigation it was determined that the woman had been mauled to death by her dog. Friday, shortly after 11:30 a.m. a Dallas Medical Examiner determined the dog to be the cause of death.
The dog had been a family pet and kept in the house, along with other animals, for a number of years, according to Sanders. He said no one is sure what triggered the dog to attack.
The dog was quarantined at the city animal shelter overnight and will be euthanized according to Chief Sanders.
An Interview With Hanna Kirby
Wednesday afternoon Hanna Kirby and KSST’s afternoon drive time host and Program Director Jordan Owens sat down for a quick interview. Sulphur Springs and much of the nation has been freaking out over Hannah’s performances on The Voice. Hannah has had a whirlwind ride.
Hannah said that before the blind audition for judges, she had chosen a song with which she was comfortable–The Letter. She said that it was a nerve-wracking moment but she put aside the pressure and stress in a strange situation. Unaware of the spots left, she said she was surprized at the calm feeling as she sang to the audience as though it was a normal show. Her main concern was that she give a good performance no matter what happened.
With a new coach, She said that Pharrell was not only a good coach but gives good advice to the person.
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KSST’s Jordan Owens Interviews BOTH Battle Round Contestants
It has been a busy week for KSST’s own Jordan Owens who got the chance to interview not only Hannah Kirby but her Battle Round competitor Sarah Potenza. Hannah stopped by the station this week to catch us up on her “Voice” experience so far and then Jordan, using his many contacts, was able to track down Sarah Potenza for a phone interview. Jordan played both interviews today on his Afternoon Drive show that airs every weekday from 4pm-6pm on KSST 1230AM.
If you missed the full interviews on his show today, you can play them below.
Sarah Potenza’s phone interview
Hannah Kirby’s interview
