by Sean Edens | Apr 3, 2023 | News
Media Contact: Sarah Gray 970-697-4611 sarah.gray@mesacounty.us
Due to strong winds, Mesa County Public Health has issued a No Burn Advisory until 11 p.m. tonight. Burning of any kind, including agricultural burning, is not recommended during this advisory period. The National Weather Service has issued a High Wind Warning for parts of Mesa County and other areas across the Western Slope. Wind gusts up to 60 mph are possible.
Instead of burning, consider these alternatives:
- Take yard waste to the Mesa County Organic Materials composting facility at Mesa County Solid Waste, 3071 U.S. Hwy. 50. Open Wednesday – Saturday, 8 a.m. – 4:15 p.m. For more information, call (970) 263-9319.
- Compost leaves and grass clippings yourself. This can improve water retention in your yard or garden.
- Rent or borrow a wood chipper for your tree and shrub trimmings. Chipped branches can also be good mulch.
For information on current air quality conditions and to learn if it’s OK to burn, visit the air quality page.
by Sarah Gray | Mar 30, 2023 | News
Media Contact: Sarah Gray 970-697-4611 sarah.gray@mesacounty.us
Due to strong winds, Mesa County Public Health has issued a No Burn Advisory until 6 p.m. today. Burning of any kind, including agricultural burning, is not recommended during this advisory period. The National Weather Service has issued a Wind Advisory for parts of Mesa County and other areas across the Western Slope. Wind gusts up to 50 mph are possible.
Instead of burning, consider these alternatives:
- Take yard waste to the Mesa County Organic Materials composting facility at Mesa County Solid Waste, 3071 U.S. Hwy. 50. The facility accepts material for composting at no charge until April 1, and is open Wednesday – Saturday, 8 a.m. – 4:15 p.m. For more information, call (970) 263-9319.
- Compost leaves and grass clippings yourself. This can improve water retention in your yard or garden.
- Rent or borrow a wood chipper for your tree and shrub trimmings. Chipped branches can also be good mulch.
For information on current air quality conditions and to learn if it’s OK to burn, visit the air quality page.
by Sarah Gray | Mar 3, 2023 | News
Mesa County Public Health has been made aware of a recall involving raw oysters and canned shrimp that could have been sold in Mesa County.
WHAT CONSUMERS SHOULD DO
- If you have the recalled raw oysters, do not eat them. Throw them out right away.
- The oysters could be a source of germs, so wash hands after handling them.
- Immediately wash and sanitize any cutting boards, countertops, or utensils that may have touched the oysters..
- If you have the recalled shrimp, do not eat the product even if it doesn’t look or smell spoiled.
- Return the shrimp to the store where you bought it for a potential refund. Otherwise, it should be discarded.
DESCRIPTION OF RECALLED OYSTERS
- The raw oysters are from Deep Bay, British Columbia, Canada.
- They could be contaminated with norovirus.
- The oysters were harvested between January 16 and January 17 of 2023.
- They were sent to restaurants and food retailers.
- Packaged oysters include information on their packaging about where they were harvested.
- Currently, illnesses have only been reported in Canada with no known cases of norovirus associated with these oysters reported in the U.S.
- A complete list of harvest locations can be found here.
NOROVIRUS BACKGROUND
- Norovirus is a very contagious virus that spreads easily.
- The most common symptoms are diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain.
- Protect yourself by washing your hands often, rinse fruits and vegetables, and stay home when you’re sick for two days after symptoms stop.
DESCRIPTION OF RECALLED SHRIMP
- Kawasho Foods USA is recalling some cans of GEISHA Shrimp.
- The recalled cans have reportedly been swelling, leaking, or bursting, which means it could be spoiled or unsafe.
- While no illnesses have been reported in connection with this product, improperly canned foods could increase the risk of Botulism.
- The shrimp is packaged in a four ounce metal can.
- The recalled product has the code LGC12W12E22 on the bottom of the can.
- More information about the product can be found here.
BOTULISM BACKGROUND
- Botulism is a rare, but serious condition caused by a toxin that attacks the body’s nerves.
- The most common symptoms include difficulty swallowing, muscle weakness, blurry vision, and difficulty breathing.
- If you have symptoms, see a doctor right away.
- Proper canning and processing eliminates the possibility of Botulism.
FURTHER QUESTIONS
- For additional information about the recalled oysters, click here.
- For more information about the canned shrimp recall, call 212-841-7400 or email info@geishabrand.com.
PICTURES OF RECALLED PRODUCTS
by Sarah Gray | Feb 28, 2023 | News
TIMEFRAME
Mesa County Public Health will begin accepting residential burn permit applications on March 1. The spring burn season runs through April 30 for the City of Grand Junction, and through May 31 for the rest of the county. Mesa County Public Health issues permits for everyone in the county, including those within city limits. These permits cost $25 and are valid during both designated burn seasons for the calendar year. All of the proceeds from the permits support local fire protection districts.
Agricultural burn permits are free. Within the city limits of Grand Junction, agricultural burning is permitted only during the designated fall and spring seasons. Outside of the city, agricultural burning is allowed year-round.
HOW TO APPLY
The easiest way to obtain a permit is through Mesa County Public Health’s online system. The permit will be emailed to you right after check out. If you need assistance navigating the online portal, call our team at 970-248-6900. You can also apply in person at the Health and Human Services Building at 510 29 ½ Road.
CHECKING AIR QUALITY
Once you have a permit, it’s important to monitor air quality, weather, and other safety alerts. Burn permits are not valid if there is a red flag warning, fire restriction, or a no burn advisory in place. Air quality information can be found on Mesa County Public Health’s website. The Air Quality page makes tracking air quality conditions and advisories easy to access.
ALTERNATIVES TO BURNING
Open burning pollutes the air and poses a fire hazard. Mesa County Public Health encourages alternatives, such as composting or wood chipping, if possible. The Mesa County Organic Materials Composting Facility at Mesa County Solid Waste accepts organic materials like leaves, grass clippings, tree limbs, hay, and straw. It is free of charge for Mesa County residents. They are located at 3071 U.S. Hwy 50.
by Sarah Gray | Jan 31, 2023 | News
Mesa County Public Health has been made aware of ready-to-eat sausage products being recalled that could have been distributed in Mesa County. The manufacturer, Daniele International, is recalling approximately 52,914 pounds of ready-to-eat sausage products for potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes (or L. monocytogenes).
Description of Recalled Products
- The complete list of products and product codes for the beef products that are subject to recall can be found here.
- The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 54” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
What Should Consumers Do
- These items should no longer be for sale to the public; however, USDA (and MCPH) is concerned that some products may be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers.
- Please review the items in your refrigerators or freezers at home to ensure you do not have any of the products above.
- If you have any of the described products, do not eat them. Throw them away or return them.
Listeria Description and Treatment
- Consumption of food contaminated with L. monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns.
- Symptoms of listeriosis include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and/or convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. It can be an invasive infection that spreads beyond the gastrointestinal tract.
- In pregnant women, the infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn.
- Serious and sometimes fatal infections may occur in older adults and persons with weakened immune systems.
- Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics. Persons in the higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months after eating contaminated food should seek medical care and tell the health care provider about eating the contaminated food.
Further Questions
- Consumers with questions regarding the recall can contact Chris Bowler, CEO, Daniele International LLC, at 202-288-3372 or Chris.Bowler@charcuterie.com.
- Consumers with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or live chat via Ask USDA from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday.
Examples of Labels
by Sarah Gray | Jan 12, 2023 | News
HOW TO REGISTER
Families can sign up for Universal Preschool starting on January 17th by visiting upk.colorado.gov. During the registration process, families will answer 12-15 questions and then select their preferred providers. If they don’t know who is participating or don’t have a current child care provider, they can browse the application to find one. Families are encouraged to ask their current child care provider if they are participating in the Universal Preschool program.
ELIGIBILITY
All children in Colorado can apply the year before kindergarten, and are eligible for 15 hours of preschool. The voluntary program provides a tuition credit for children the year before kindergarten for nine months beginning in August of 2023. There are other programs available to cover costs if additional care is needed on top of the 15 hours. There are certain qualifying factors that will allow up to 30 hours for 4-year-olds and up to 10 hours for some children who are 3 years of age. This is ultimately a cost savings for participating families.
SUPPORT
Mesa County Partnership for Children and Families (PCF) is coordinating Universal Preschool in Mesa County. The PCF team is available to answer any questions and guide families through the registration process. You can call or email Mesa County PCF at 970-254-4106 or mcpcf@mesacounty.us with any questions or concerns.
BENEFIT
Universal Preschool provides the funding so more children can benefit from preschool. There will be a focus on quality to ensure these young students have the foundation they need to enter kindergarten. Ultimately, this preparation can set these young students up for success in the school setting and later in life. The program will also save 15 hours of tuition costs or child care costs for 1,600 families in Mesa County, allowing them to work and apply the cost savings to other areas of the economy or toward the cost of living. This program is injecting millions of dollars directly into the community into the hands of local small businesses owners, such as family child care homes and centers.
