Bypass
lawsuit nears a showdown [Willits News]
The
injunction hearing on the lawsuit filed to stop the current Highway 101 bypass
around Willits is scheduled Friday morning in a San Francisco Federal
courtroom. CalTrans, the four plaintiff environmental groups and the California
Farm Bureau, filed a series of motions last week in a flurry of activity
leading up to the hearing. The main topic of last week's motions was CalTrans'
attempt to keep the California Farm Bureau from providing any input regarding
the injunction. Both the Farm Bureau and the other plaintiffs filed statements
requesting the judge to allow the Farm Bureau's unique input into Friday's
hearing.…The Farm Bureau contends it is an independent plaintiff and has the
right to offer its opinion on all important elements of the lawsuit.
Asian
citrus psyllid found in more cities [Ventura County Star]
Several
more insects of an invasive species that threatens citrus orchards have been
found in Simi Valley, Santa Paula and Thousand Oaks. In an inspection after an
Asian citrus psyllid was found in Thousand Oaks early last month, the state
Department of Food and Agriculture found more insects in traps installed in
trees throughout the inspection area. Steve Lyle, who handles communications
for the agency, said the psyllid was found at four properties.
Water-tunnel
plan irks residents in delta [Wall Street Journal]
California's
plan to build a new system for bringing water from Northern California to the
Central Valley and Southern California is causing a stir in the Sacramento-San
Joaquin Delta, where residents fear the project would endanger their way of
life. State officials say the plan, which involves the construction of two
mostly underground tunnels, would help resolve environmental problems caused by
pumping water through the delta and provide a more reliable supply of water to
the south. Residents in the delta say the tunnels would cripple local farming,
ruin water quality and undermine the economy in an area that is only now
starting to recover. Few communities stand to be more affected than Discovery
Bay, an unincorporated town of about 14,000 in far eastern Contra Costa County.
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Idaho
dairy workers charged with animal cruelty [Associated Press]
Three
former dairy workers with Idaho's largest dairy operation have been charged
with misdemeanor animal cruelty after undercover video shot by an animal rights
group showed workers stomping, dragging and beating cows inside a milking barn.
The video was shot using a hidden camera by a member of Mercy for Animals who
got a job at Bettencourt Dairies' Dry Creek Dairy in Hansen for a few weeks
this summer. It shows workers at the dairy beating cows with a pink cane as the
animals slipped and slid on the wet concrete floor; workers kicking and
stomping cows that have fallen between the metal bars in the milking stalls;
and a cow being dragged out of the barn by a chain around her neck as she lies
on the concrete floor.…Luis Bettencourt, the owner of the dairy, said that when
the Idaho Department of Agriculture told him about the video and allegations,
he was "sick about it." Bettencourt's dairy operation is the largest
in Idaho, with 13 facilities and about 60,000 milk cows. "We don't
tolerate animal abuse. That's a big issue for us," Bettencourt said.
"Animal care is a No. 1 issue in our facilities."
Vernal
Amaro, Debbie Jacobsen top agriculturists [Fresno Bee]
The
late Vernal Anthony Amaro, an agricultural innovator, and longtime Easton
farmer Debbie Jacobsen were named co-winners of 2012 Agriculturist of The Year
by the Fresno Chamber of Commerce. The award was announced Wednesday at The Big
Fresno Fair.…Amaro, who died May 25 at 85, was known as a successful and
innovative farmer.…He's also credited with introducing pistachios to the Valley
and planting the first 140 acres of the Wonderful variety of pomegranates --
two crops that have thrived in the region.…In the farming community of Easton,
there probably isn't anyone who hasn't heard of Debbie Jacobsen.…Jacobsen is
known widely as being one of Fresno County's strongest agricultural advocates.
Ag
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