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Northrop might head North to Alaska

According to a report Wednesday by KYUK-AM, Dayton Community Development Corporation Assistant Executive Director Cynthia Northrop is one of three finalists under consideration by the city council of Bethel, Alaska, to be their next city manager.

Northrop began work at the DCDC only last June.

Her competition for the job is the city engineer for Temple Terrace, Florida, and a former HUD director now principal executive of a planning firm in Virginia, according to the KYUK report.

Plans for Cleveland tire recycling held up

The Stockholm-based company Scandinavian Enviro Systems has indefinitely delayed plans to create a tire recycling facility in Cleveland, Texas, according to a report on TireBusiness.com. The report says that Enviro’s negotiations with EE-TDF Cleveland, LLC have been stopped for “reasons of prioritization.”

Also on hold are Enviro’s plans for facilities in Buffalo, New York, and in Denmark.

EE-TDF Cleveland, LLC is a carrier doing business as Earth Energy.

Don’t spill the tea

January is National Hot Tea Month, and Jan. 11 is National Milk Day, so remember to put milk in your tea on Saturday. Sunday, Jan. 12, is National Pharmacist Day.

Public Service Candidate Workshop

The Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce announced this morning that a workshop will be held Tuesday, Jan. 28, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. for the benefit of those who are considering running for local office.

The announcement says, “This unique leadership program will give participants an exceptional opportunity to be introduced to, and gain a working knowledge of, the local political process. This program provides education on relevant issues and campaign methods typically encountered or used in political campaigns. The Public Service Candidate Workshop is offered to the community at no cost.”

Topics Covered Include: “What It Means to be a Public Official,” “Filing Requirements and Laws on Campaigns,” “Working with the Media” and “Building a Strategy for Campaign Success.”

The workshop is co-sponsored by the Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce, the Nederland Chamber of Commerce, Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce, Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce and the Silsbee Chamber of Commerce.

Update to public health alert regarding Almark Foods recall

USDA PRESS RELEASE

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert due to illnesses caused by Listeria monocytogenes associated with FDA-regulated hard boiled eggs that have been recalled by Almark Foods. FSIS is issuing this public health alert out of an abundance of caution to ensure that consumers are aware that these products should not be consumed.

The following ready-to-eat FSIS-regulated product has been identified as containing ingredients involved in the Almark Foods recall:

• 3.6-oz. plastic packages containing “CHEESEWICH Ready to Eat BACON N EGGS” with “USE BY” dates 12/27/19, 1/3/20, 1/23/20, 1/30/20, 2/6/20, 2/14/20, 2/19/20, and 2/28/20 and lot codes 281191, 302191, 309191, 316191, 323191, 331191, 336191, 344191.
• 3.1-oz. plastic packages containing “EGGLANDS BEST HARD-COOKED EGG BACON & CHEDDAR” with “USE BY” dates of 12/23/19, 1/3/20, 1/17/20, 1/31/20, 2/6/20, and 2/24/20.
• 3.3-oz. plastic packages containing “EGGLANDS BEST HARD-COOKED SALAME & PROVOLONE” with “USE BY” dates of 12/23/19, 1/3/20, 1/17/20, 1/31/20, 2/6/20, and 2/24/20.

The products contain separately packaged bacon and hard-boiled eggs. Packages bear establishment number “P-45031” and “EST. 44926” inside the USDA mark of inspection. Customers with questions may contact Almark Foods’ Customer Helpline at 877-546-0454 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.

CDC, FDA and public health and regulatory officials in several states are investigating a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to hard-boiled egg products produced by Almark Foods. There have been no confirmed reports of illness due to consumption of the FSIS-regulated products produced containing these eggs. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a health care provider. Consumers that have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

Comptroller’s Office and U of H, Clear Lake to perform western chicken turtle surveys

TEXAS COMPTROLLER PRESS RELEASE

AUSTIN — The Texas Comptroller’s Natural Resources program has contracted with the University of Houston - Clear Lake (UHCL) to conduct range-wide surveys in East Texas for the western chicken turtle. The partnership will inform an upcoming Endangered Species Act (ESA) listing decision for the species and develop information that local resource managers can use to sustain economic development while conserving natural resources. 

The historic range of the western chicken turtle includes wetlands across East Texas, a region that supports numerous industries important to the Texas economy. Biologists believe the species may be affected by habitat loss and vehicular traffic. Despite the listing decision planned for 2024, the current status of the species and its habitat are not well understood. 

“This project will address important data gaps and continue the efforts of the Natural Resources program to identify science-based solutions for conservation challenges,” Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar said. “It’s crucial to gather accurate science to inform ESA decisions that could affect economic growth.” 

UHCL will study the western chicken turtle across its historic range in Texas, determining the most successful methods for surveying its population and studying the characteristics of its habitat. Data gathered from the study will provide valuable insight into the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s evaluation of the species, as well as the development of effective conservation and monitoring strategies. 

The Comptroller’s office works to encourage stakeholder involvement in species conservation and the development of science-based solutions that balance economic activity with environmental protection. Since 2009, the Comptroller’s office has administered state legislative appropriations to Texas public universities to conduct scientific research on imperiled, threatened and endangered species.