Now that the Senate and House have completed their versions of the farm bill, the next step is a conference committee to resolve differences and come up with a final piece of legislation. As of Monday, members of the conference committee had not been named. California Farm Bureau 2/06/08
Federal officials said Tuesday they had suspended operations at a California meat company accused of mistreating cattle. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said the suspension will remain in effect for the Westland Meat Company until "written corrective actions" are submitted that verify animals have been treated humanely. The agency took action after a video surfaced last week that showed workers brutalizing sick and crippled cows at the Chino facility. SJ Mercury 2/06/08
Less than one week before the Sewerage Agency of Southern Marin spilled nearly 3 million gallons of sewage into San Francisco Bay, prompting a public outcry, the same agency failed to properly report the release of nearly as much sewage into the bay, water officials announced today. State law says that sewage-treatment agencies must immediately inform water officials, the state Office of Emergency Services and county officials of any significant sewage spills. SF Chronicle 2/05/08
With a mission to serve populations that are otherwise forgotten or marginalized by conventional systems of care, community clinics have established a long and proven record of delivering quality, cost-effective, and culturally relevant primary and preventive health care. Yet, even with its proven track record, the community clinic system has gone largely unnoticed by state leaders when considering tangible ways in which to improve upon and fix our broken system of health care. SJ Mercury 2/06/08
Farmers in arid Kern County last week sued the state for protecting the striper as a sportfish. They allege the nonnative striper has been allowed to damage the Delta, preying on endangered native fish, including salmon and the ghostly Delta smelt. The new lawsuit shows that this war's front has moved beyond the traditional realm of environmentalists versus government. Rhetoric has also hardened between interest groups that have spent the past 10 years trying to cooperate on water issues. Sacramento Bee 2/06/08
In light of estimations for poor fishing in 2008, a grassroots website, Water4Fish.org, is becoming a voicebox where fishermen send letters to state and federal policy makers asking for fishery improvements. The site registered over 8,000 letters sent and petitions signed in January. This website was set up in early 2007 as a grassroots advocacy site where fishermen collectively demand better policies. The site allows anglers to send letters to the governor and state and federal legislators. Indy Bay Media 2/05/08
After the devastating Angora fire in the Tahoe basin last summer, one forestry expert, Thomas Bonnicksen, author of “America’s Ancient Forests, From the Ice Age to the Edge of Discovery,” says it's time for drastic measures to avoid a similar disaster. After the forests in the Tahoe Basin were clear cut in the late 19th century for support beams for Nevada silver mines, the trees have grown back with little or no management. KCBS 2/06/08
Lately, premium sakes, sake that is served chilled or at room temperature and displays a wide range of flavors and character, are showing up in a number of restaurants and bars. Modesto Bee 2/06/08
Among a list of new appointments by Governor Schwarzenegger was Devin Bartley, 54, of Oroville, appointed aquaculture coordinator for the Department of Fish and Game. Imperial Valley News 2/06/08
Many West Coast microbrewers have raised the suggested retail price of their beers as much as $1 a six pack. Unlike the brewing behemoths such as Anheuser-Busch and Molson Coors, which have years-long supply lines, craft brewers have been dogged by sharply higher prices for hops, an increase of about 400 percent. For barley, prices are up 80 percent. Even the price of glass in beer bottles has jumped. CC Times 2/06/08
Chinese New Year has arrived which means here in the Bay Area, nearly every Chinese restaurant will serve a special New Year's menu throughout the two-week holiday -- which kicks off tonight. CC Times 2/06/08
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