Front page 11.30.11

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Winter Weather Advisory

From the NWS in Eureka:

…WINTER WEATHER LINGERING INTO THIS EVENING…
SNOW LEVELS WILL BE AROUND 2500 FEET TONIGHT. SNOW SHOWERS WILL
LESSEN IN FREQUENCY AND INTENSITY THIS EVENING INTO THE OVERNIGHT
HOURS. AN INCH OR TWO OF SNOW ACCUMULATION IS POSSIBLE ABOVE 3000
FEET IN LOCALLY HEAVIER SNOW BURSTS.
 
…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM PST THIS
EVENING ABOVE 3000 FEET…
 
THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY ABOVE 3000 FEET IS NOW IN EFFECT
UNTIL 10 PM PST THIS EVENING.
 
* SNOW…A FEW HEAVIER SNOW BURSTS WILL BE POSSIBLE THROUGH THIS
EVENING. ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATIONS WILL BE LIMITED…BUT LOCALLY
UP TO 2 INCHES IS POSSIBLE ABOVE 3000 FEET.
 
* WINDS…WEST WINDS 10 TO 15 MPH GUSTING TO 25 MPH THIS EVENING.
TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED TO BE MILD ENOUGH…IN THE LOW 30S AT
PASS LEVEL…SO THAT BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW IS NOT EXPECTED.
 
* SLOW DOWN…ALLOW EXTRA TIME AND BE PREPARED FOR CHANGING
CONDITIONS.
 
* CHECK THE LATEST FORECASTS AND CALL 1-800-427-7623 FOR
CURRENT ROAD CONDITIONS AND CHAIN REQUIREMENTS BEFORE
TRAVELING.
 
* BE ALERT FOR ROCK SLIDES IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.

Organic Pastures spokesman in 2010: “What have we done to American children? We’ve taken the bacteria out of their gut, we’ve fed them the wrong kinds of foods.”

From the Sept. 1, 2010 issue of the McKinleyville Press

Raw Milk Ban Challenged
By Daniel Mintz
Press Staff Writer

A local movement has emerged opposing the county’s longstanding ban on the sale of raw, unpasteurized milk but county staff has warned against rescinding it.
The Board of Supervisors heard contrasting presentations on raw milk at its Aug. 24 meeting. Raw milk supporters told supervisors that unpasteurized milk is safe, proven to have medical benefits and is even endorsed by the Girl Scouts of America.
Mark McAfee, owner of the Fresno-based Organic Pastures Dairy, said preoccupation with antibiotics and sterilization has led to the reduction of beneficial bacteria in our digestive systems. McAfee cited studies and linked sterilization of foods to the prevalence of diabetes.
“What have we done to American children?” he asked. “We’ve taken the bacteria out of their gut, we’ve fed them the wrong kinds of foods.”
Raw milk supporters wore buttons that said, “My Health, My Choice, My Right” and McAfee spoke for them. “They want the choice to decide on a food – not a drug – a food that doctors and perhaps your staff don’t understand.”
He told supervisors, “I would strongly suggest you don’t look to staff for this, but that you look into the science for this and make your own determinations – staff needs to learn a lot.”
Humboldt is one of only three counties in the state with a raw milk ban. The managers of Eureka Natural Foods and the North Coast Co-op both said that their customers are asking for raw milk and they want to provide it.
But Public Health Officer Ann Lindsay joined other county staff members in advising against reversing the county’s raw milk ban. “When we get health alerts from (the U.S. Centers for Disease Control) and the California Department of Public Health regarding unpasteurized milk recalls, I’m always delighted that the Board of Supervisors … had decided not to allow unpasteurized milk sales in Humboldt County,” she said.
That decision was made based on scientific evidence, Lindsay continued, and 24 states also have raw milk bans. Lindsay said that when she talks to health officers from other counties, they tell her that they wish their counties also had bans.
A long public comment session followed. Several dairy owners spoke, most of them concerned about effects on their industry if raw milk is made available and there’s a recall. But several people said their medical conditions cleared up after they switched to raw milk.
Supervisor Bonnie Neely sponsored the agenda item and supported lifting the ban. But her motion to examine its legality didn’t get support. Supervisor Mark Lovelace said there’s an “overwhelming medical opinion” that raw milk shouldn’t be legal and he can’t act against it unless county staff advises to do so.
But Lovelace was one of a majority of three supervisors who approved a modified motion to discuss the ban again at a future meeting. Supervisors Jimmy Smith and Jill Duffy voted against it.

Raw milk recalled; children infected with E. coli

Unedited press release from the California Department of Food and Agriculture:

SACRAMENTO, November 15, 2011 – Raw milk products produced by Organic Pastures of Fresno County are the subject of a statewide recall and quarantine order announced by California State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Whiteford.
Under the recall, all Organic Pastures raw dairy products with the exception of cheese aged a minimum of 60 days are to be pulled immediately from retail shelves and consumers are strongly urged to dispose of any products remaining in their refrigerators. Until further notice, Organic Pastures may not produce raw milk products for the retail market. The order also affects Organic Pastures raw butter, raw cream, raw colostrum, and a raw product labeled “Qephor.”
The quarantine order came following a notification from the California Department of Public Health of a cluster of five children who were infected, from August through October, with the same strain of E. coli O157:H7. These children are residents of Contra Costa, Kings, Sacramento, and San Diego counties. Interviews with the families indicate that the only common reported food exposure is unpasteurized (raw) milk from Organic Pastures dairy. Three of the five children were hospitalized with hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious condition that may lead to kidney failure. There have been no deaths. Surveys indicate that only about three percent of the public report drinking raw milk in any given week so finding 100% of these children drank raw milk and the absence of other common foods or animal exposures indicates the Organic Pastures raw milk is the likely source of their infection.
While laboratory samples of Organic Pastures raw milk have not detected E. coli 0157:H7 contamination, epidemiologic data collected by the California Department of Public Health link the illnesses with Organic Pastures raw milk.
The great majority of milk consumed in California is pasteurized. Raw milk is not pasteurized. Pasteurization is a process that kills harmful bacteria. In California, state law requires that raw milk and raw milk products shall bear the following warning on the label: “Warning – raw (unpasteurized) milk and raw milk dairy products may contain disease-causing micro-organisms. Persons at highest risk of disease from these organisms include newborns and infants; the elderly; pregnant women; those taking corticosteroids, antibiotics or antacids; and those having chronic illnesses or other conditions that weaken their immunity.”
Symptoms of E. coli O157:H7 infection may include abdominal cramps and diarrhea which is often bloody. Most infected people recover within a week; however, some may develop complications that require hospitalization. Young children and the elderly are at highest risk for a potentially life-threatening complication known as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which includes kidney failure. People who develop symptoms of E. coli O157:H7 infection after consuming unpasteurized milk or milk products should consult their health care provider. Physicians who have patients suspected of having HUS or E. coli O157:H7 infections should report them to the local health department.
CDFA milk and dairy foods safety experts have begun a complete inspection at Organic Pastures dairy – of all facets of operations, from the cows to the bottling plant. Before the quarantine may be lifted, the facility must meet all sanitation requirements under state law. Additionally, raw milk products will be tested to ensure compliance with regulatory standards.

Front page 11.16.11

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‘Potent Storm System’ to bring rain; snow at 1,500-2,000 ft.

From the National Weather Service in Eureka:

.SYNOPSIS…
A FEW LIGHT SHOWERS ARE POSSIBLE IN HUMBOLDT AND DEL NORTE
COUNTIES TODAY AS WARM FRONT MOVES ACROSS THE AREA. WEDNESDAY NIGHT
WIDESPREAD MODERATE RAIN IS EXPECTED IN ASSOCIATION WITH A COLD
FRONT. THURSDAY INTO FRIDAY SHOWERS ARE EXPECTED WITH SNOW LEVELS
FALLING TO AROUND 2000 FEET FRIDAY AFTERNOON.

&&

.DISCUSSION…
AS A WEAK BOUNDARY CONTINUES TO INFLUENCE THE NORTH COAST TODAY
LIGHT RAIN AND DRIZZLE WILL OCCUR NORTH OF THE CAPE NEAR THE COAST. BY
THIS EVENING MODERATE RAINFALL WILL BEGIN NEAR CRESCENT CITY AS A POTENT
STORM SYSTEM MOVES SOUTH INTO THE REGION. THE RAIN WILL SLIDE
SOUTH WEDNESDAY NIGHT INTO EARLY THURSDAY AS THE COLD FRONT
ASSOCIATED WITH THIS SYSTEM ADVANCES TOWARD THE COAST. MODELS HAVE
BEEN CONSISTENT WITH UP TO AN INCH OF RAINFALL ALONG THE COAST
ACROSS HUMBOLDT AND DEL NORTE COUNTIES WHERE A HALF INCH TO INCH
OF PRECIPITATION WILL OCCUR. AHEAD OF THE COLD FRONT SNOW LEVELS
WILL REMAIN HIGH…AROUND 6-7K FEET.

MUCH COLDER AIR WILL INVADE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA BEHIND THE FRONT
RESULTING IN LOWERING SNOW LEVELS BEGINNING THURSDAY INTO THE FIRST
HALF OF THE WEEKEND TO BETWEEN 1500 AND 2000 FEET. A VORTICITY
MAXIMUM AND COLD UPPER LEVEL LOW WILL DIVE SOUTH THURSDAY NIGHT INTO
FRIDAY BRINGING WITH IT RAIN AND SNOW ACROSS THE CWA. TOTAL
PRECIPITATION WITH THIS SYSTEM LOOKS TO BE NEAR WINTER WEATHER
ADVISORY CRITERIA WITH 4 TO 8 INCHES OF SNOW EXPECTED ABOVE 3500
FT IN DEL NORTE COUNTY. AN APPROXIMATELY 12 HR LULL IN THE
ACTIVITY WILL OCCUR BEHIND THIS SYSTEM FRIDAY NIGHT INTO SATURDAY
BEFORE ANOTHER UPPER LOW SLIDES SOUTH ALONG THE COAST. THE MOST
RECENT MODEL RUNS INDICATE THE PRECIPITATION FROM THIS SECOND LOW
WILL INFLUENCE LAND…POSSIBLY REQUIRING ANOTHER WINTER WEATHER
ADVISORY FOR ELEVATIONS ABOVE 2000 FT WITH QPF SUGGESTING AROUND 2
TO 4 INCHES OF SNOW AT THE LOWER ELEVATIONS…AND GREATER AMOUNTS
EXPECTED AT HIGHER ELEVATIONS PER THE GFS. THE TRACK OF THIS LOW
WILL BE WATCHED CAREFULLY…AS THE GFS ENSEMBLES STILL SHOW A WIDE
SPREAD WITH THE GREATEST UNCERTAINTY LEANING TOWARD A FURTHER WEST
TRACK RESULTING IN A DRIER FORECAST. THE MOST RECENT ECMWF IS ALSO
DRIER THEN THE GFS.

A SOUTHWEST TO NORTHEAST TILTED RIDGE WILL BUILD IN BEHIND THIS
UPPER LOW WITH DRY CONDITIONS LIKELY SUNDAY NIGHT INTO MONDAY.
IF THIS RIDGE DEVELOPS AS THE MODELS INDICATE IT WOULD RESULT IN
CLEARING SKIES AND LIGHT WINDS. PATCHY FOG WOULD THEN BE LIKELY SUNDAY
NIGHT INTO MONDAY MORNING WITH ABUNDANT LOW LEVEL MOISTURE FROM
THE PREVIOUS DAYS RAINS. MODELS THEN DIVERGE ON THE TIMING OF THE NEXT
SYSTEM EARLY TO THE MIDDLE OF NEXT WEEK. RPA

Print a Holiday Greeting in the McKinleyville Press

If you’re a reader, you can wish your friends and family a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays or Happy Festivus in the Holday Greetings section of the McKinleyville Press.

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This is a nice alternative to Christmas cards, and it’s a bargain way to advertise!

Click here for more information.

Front page 11.9.11

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MCSD & MUSD election results

In the Nov. 8 elections voters favored incumbent candidates, reelecting them to the boards of the McKinleyville Community Services District (MCSD) and the McKinleyville Union School District (MUSD).
In the race for two open seats on the MCSD Board of Directors, incumbents John Corbett and Helen Edwards won by a landslide, receiving more than 2 1/2 times as many votes as challenger David Elsebusch.
Corbett was the front runner, receiving 1,296 votes, or 42.91 percent, according to the final count on election night. (The election night count does not include absentee and provisonal ballots, so these results are not final yet.)
Forty-three votes behind Corbett was Edwards, with 1,253 votes, or 41.49 percent.
Elsebusch trailed with 450 votes, or 14.90 percent.
The MCSD oversees sewer, water, streetlights, parks and recreation in the unincorporated community. Recently the MCSD has taken a more active role in planning, and even filed a lawsuit challenging the county’s plans for high-density development in McKinleyville.
Corbett said that he was grateful to the voters for selecting him. He urged those voters who did not choose him to bring their concerns and thoughts to the board.
Corbett said that the best things about the MCSD is its sound finances and its good recreation program.
“I’m looking forward to carrying out the projects that are being planned by the MCSD,” he said.
Helen Edwards, who didn’t wage any visible campaign for reelection, thanked both Corbett and Elsebusch for campaigning.
“There are so many challenging issues to deal with; it is good that people are willing to take them on,” she said. “I am very glad to be of service.”
The results were closer in the race for two seats on the MUSD Board of Trustees, which oversees Morris School, Dow’s Prairie School and McKinleyville Middle School.
Incumbents Sara Rynearson-Alto and Brian Mitchell were the winners in the race.
Rynearson-Alto was the top vote-getter, with 1,029 votes, or 36.63 percent, followed by Mitchell, with 943 votes, or 33.57 percent. Challenger Mary McCarthy received 826 votes, or 29.41 percent.

Sarie Toste, RIP

Here’s a photo of Sarie Toste and her husband Al, who served as Grand Marshals of McKinleyville’s Pony Express Days this year.

We were sad to hear about the death of Sarie Toste. The news arrived after this week’s paper went to press. Here’s her obituary from the Times-Standard:

Sarie Toste

The only child of Frank and Mary Rodrigues, Sarie was born on March 9, 1936, and passed away November 6, 2011, following a courageous, 18-month battle with liver cancer. Sarie spent her childhood years at an Italian restaurant called The Big Four Inn where her parents worked for many years. Upon graduation from Arcata High School, she attended San Jose State, where she received her Bachelor’s Degree and her teaching credential. She taught in the area for two years and then came home to take care of her mother when her father was killed in a car accident. She then began teaching in the McKinleyville Elementary School system. She taught mostly in the seventh and eighth grade levels, where she so enjoyed working with these students. After receiving her administrative credential and her Masters Degree from Humboldt State University, she was offered a position as administrator at Pacific Union School District. At that time, only 3% of the school superintendents in California were women. She enjoyed for many years the faculty, staff, parents and especially the children. During this time, she created Grandparents’ Day and the Daycare Program, which are still enjoyed by many at Pacific Union. In 1996, she developed Learn to Earn, which quickly grew to be the largest elementary school savings program in the state of California. Recognized by the State School Superintendent, State Treasurer, and the Governor, Umpqua Bank’s Learn to Earn now reaches over 12,000 children in more than 150 schools throughout three states. Another highlight for her was traveling to the White House to receive the award for Distinguished School District. Soon after retirement from Pacific Union, she found herself in demand, being continually asked to serve as interim superintendent at Trinidad School District, Fortuna School District, and Jacoby Creek School District. She was then elected to Northern Humboldt High School District Board of Trustees, St. Joseph Health System Board of Trustees, Humboldt State University President’s Advisory Board, Umpqua Bank Divisional Board, and was a member of the Rotary Club of Arcata for many years. Some of her most rewarding times were participating in graduations over the years. She thoroughly enjoyed seeing the joy in the students and the pride in the parents when she delivered her commencement speeches, an honor she continued to cherish. In her later years, Sarie was fortunate to travel to many wonderful places, including the Azores Islands (the birthplace of her dad and in-laws), Canada, beautiful cruises with friends, multiple trips throughout Europe, and in 2009, to Buenos Aires, Argentina, to visit an aunt and cousin she had never met. In 2011 she and Al were honored as Outstanding Community Members of McKinleyville and were recognized for their involvement in the community, serving as Grand Marshals in the Pony Express Parade. She also received the Jean Olson Career Achievement Award, as an outstanding educator for many years. She leaves behind her beloved husband of 51 years, Alvin; her greatest achievements, her daughter Colleen and son Jim; her cherished grandchildren, Andy and Brianne; her sisters-in-law Mary Borges and her family and Emma Toste and her family; and numerous cousins and other relatives. Sarie always felt that one of her greatest blessings was her friends; Dorothy Bianchi – the sister she never had – and many treasured friends she met throughout her life and in serving on the boards. Their kindness and love meant so much to her. One of her last greatest joys was a ride for the first time on a motorcycle, provided by the Fraziers and cheered on by her cherished friend Beverly Sholes. We wish to thank Dr. Bruce Kessler and his staff. Her doctor and friend for 28 years, Dr. Kessler visited her every day in her final days, including weekends, and, to comfort us, an hour before she passed away. We can never express how much that touched our hearts. We also thank the exceptional Dr. Uma Suryadevara and her loving staff for the wonderful care and compassion they showed to Sarie. Lastly, we thank St. Joseph Hospital and its staff for the excellent care and comfort she received in her last days. There will be a visitation on Thursday, November 10, 2011 from 6:00-7:00 pm. at St. Marys Catholic Church, Arcata, California. A Rosary will follow at 7:00 pm. On Friday, November 11, 2011 a Mass will be held at 11:00 am at St. Marys. Donations may be made to Christ the King Catholic Church, St. Joseph Hospital, or any organization that provides support to children.