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SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) tested and confirmed that nacho cheese sauce that was sold at a gas station in Sacramento County has tested positive for the toxin that causes botulism.
The toxin found in the cheese sauce is the same type identified in patients for whom CDPH has results.
CDPH has received reports of 10 cases of botulism linked to this outbreak, and has learned that one patient has died. The nacho cheese sauce was removed from sale on May 5. CDPH believes there is no continuing risk to the public.
“While there are still unanswered questions about this outbreak, these tragic illnesses are important reminders to be vigilant about food safety,” said CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith. “As we head into the summer barbecue season, both indoor and outdoor chefs need to be on guard against all foodborne illnesses.”
Botulism cases are reported to CDPH so that appropriate action can be taken to protect public health.
For botulism and other foodborne diseases, CDPH and local public health departments receive case reports, conduct investigations to determine possible sources of exposure, test laboratory specimens to identify and link foodborne illnesses, take action to ensure food items that pose a risk to public health are no longer available, provide information to the public about how to prevent disease, and publish data about overall disease trends and risks.
For foodborne diseases, CDPH does not track patient conditions or outcomes. To protect patient privacy, CDPH is not sharing information about the patients affected in this botulism outbreak, their conditions or the four counties that have reported cases.
CDPH and local health departments have notified health care providers to be aware of the symptoms of botulism, including:
· Double or blurred vision;
· Drooping eyelids;
· Slurred speech;
· Difficulty swallowing;
· Dry mouth;
· Muscle weakness.
People experiencing these symptoms should contact their health care provider immediately.
Foodborne botulism is a rare but serious paralytic illness caused by a nerve toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum.
Botulism can be treated with antitoxin and supportive care, often in an intensive care unit. Botulism is fatal in about 5 percent of cases.
The toxin that causes botulism can be found in foods that are not properly processed or stored. It is odorless and colorless, so it is not possible to tell if a product is contaminated just by looking at it.
In the kitchen or at your backyard grill, simple steps can prevent many types of foodborne illnesses, including:
· Cook - Make sure foods are cooked to the right temperature.
· Clean - Wash hands and surfaces often.
· Chill - Refrigerate foods properly.
· Separate - Separate raw meats from other foods.
Consumers can find more food-safety information on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Web site. Botulism information and data can be found on the CDPH website and the CDC Web site.
SACRAMENTO – On Monday, California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones convened 63 insurance-related stakeholders to make sure they have time to comment on cannabis-related regulations with insurance provisions currently under consideration by other state agencies.
"As insurance commissioner, my goal to make sure all Californians, including emerging cannabis businesses, have insurance protection," said Commissioner Jones. "The department has an important role to play as new industries emerge and the market adapts to meet the changing needs of all insurance consumers."
Jones is working to identify ways in which the department may help the insurance and cannabis industries by providing insurance-related regulatory guidance and resources.
California has recently grappled with insurance requirements for other emerging industries - notably ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft and autonomous vehicles.
With so many agencies working to develop regulations and oversight on the emerging cannabis market, the Department of Insurance has found it useful to inform insurance stakeholders about the insurance-related provisions under consideration by other state agencies, and provide stakeholders with details about how to formally comment on those proposed regulations.
"Cannabis businesses need to insure property, crops, vehicles and employees, just like any other business. They have the same insurance needs," Jones added.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Chi Council for the Clear Lake Hitch will meet on Wednesday, May 24.
The group will meet at 3:30 p.m. at the Lake County Agriculture Center, 883 Lakeport Blvd., Lakeport.
Check the latest meeting minutes at http://lakelive.info/chicouncil/pdffiles4.26.17minutes.pdf .
NAPA, Calif. – Napa County roads crews and contractor Argonaut Constructors will be repaving two-miles of Silverado Trail from the St. Helena city limits to the intersection of Zinfandel Lane.
Construction is scheduled from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, through July 28.
Construction will be in two phases – from May 22 to May 26 and again from June 6 to July 28 to accommodate heavier traffic during Memorial Day weekend and Auction Napa Valley.
A two-inch layer of asphalt will be applied over the existing roadway to restore the road to a “like new” condition.
The road will be open to travel at all times during construction. However, there will be periods of time where traffic is limited to one-way travel with a flagperson at either end of the roadway, resulting in delays. The school district’s transportation office has been notified of the project so students can still safely get to and from home.
Despite everyone’s best efforts, there will be impacts and the best way to avoid being inconvenienced by this project is to avoid the area. Motorists should seek alternate routes during construction or allow for more travel time between destinations.
For more information, please call the project hotline number at 707-253-4351 or email
CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – Clearlake Oaks’ annual Catfish Derby wrapped up on Sunday, with this year’s event drawing more competitors than ever before and showcasing the talent of young competitors.
The Clearlake Oaks-Glenhaven Business Association hosts the derby, the largest catfish tournament west of the Mississippi.
The event drew another record turnout, with 895 adults and 137 children competition, according to Dennis Locke, a member of the organizing team.
Locke said 62 percent of the entries were from outside of Lake County, including visitors from all over California, as well as from Georgia, Florida, Illinois, Texas, Colorado, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Hawaii and Oregon.
“Weather and lake conditions couldn’t have been better, with warm temperatures and calm winds throughout the derby,” said Locke. “Fishing was generally slower than usual, with only 97 fish weighed, half the number seen in most years.”
The adult division was won by 11-year-old Tanner Castillo from Sutter, with a fish weighing 28.81 pounds. Tanner was awarded $4,000 cash and received a trophy as the adult division winner, Locke said.
Locke said Tanner was fishing in the adult division, which children are allowed to do under the derby rules if they pay the adult division entry fee.
While it’s not unusual for children to be fishing in the adult division in the derby – Locke said they usually have four to five young competitors fishing with the adults each year – this is the first time a child has won a major prize.
Tanner’s father Derek, who placed 14th in the adult division, said that the prize money will be applied to Tanner’s college fund, according to Locke’s report.
In the two divisions for children, girls topped the fields.
The kids division for ages 11 to 15 years was won by Ivy Bain from Gerber, with a fish weighing 17.76 pounds. Locke said Ivy received a $100 cash prize and a fishing rod donated by Warrior Cat Rods.
The kids division for ages to 10 years was won by Kaia Calhoun from Kelseyville. Kaia received a $100 cash prize and a fishing from donated by Warrior Cat Rods, Locke said.
Locke said more than 60 volunteers led by derby chairperson Gail Jonas worked more than 700 hours during the four days of the derby.
The catfish derby is the major fundraiser for the Clearlake Oaks-Glenhaven Business Association.
All proceeds are put to work in the community in the form of donations, scholarships, grants and funding for the July 4th Maxine Sherman Memorial Annual Fireworks display.
For more information about the organization visit http://www.clearlakeoaks.org .
Full results are published below.
Adult division
1. Tanner Castillo, Sutter, May 21, 7:50 a.m., 28.81 pounds
2. Victor Rojas, Stockton, May 19, 11:02 p.m., 26.76 pounds.
3. Garin Brown, Sacramento, May 19, 1:33 p.m., 23.92 pounds.
4. Zack Becker, Rio Linda, May 20, 7:28 a.m., 23.76 pounds.
5. Keith Foy, Clearlake, May 20, 11:18 a.m., 23.44 pounds.
6. Steven Kohn, Sacramento, May 19, 4:41 p.m., 22.77 pounds.
7. Eric Mecum, Sacramento, May 20, 3:26 p.m., 22.62 pounds.
8. Steven Gordon, Gilroy, May 19, 7:34 p.m., 22.36 pounds.
9. Bryan van Lingon, Lucerne, May 21, 9:51 a.m., 21.87 pounds.
10. Jack Scott, Gerber, May 19, 4:57 p.m., 20.85 pounds.
11. Sergio Rodriquez, Merced, May 21, 6:38 a.m., 20.81 pounds.
12. Lance Collard, Lakeport, May 20, 9:28 a.m., 20.51 pounds.
13. Arlie Lane, Hood River, May 21, 7:36 a.m., 20.39 pounds.
14. Derek Castillo, Sutter, May 21, 7:58 a.m., 20.34 pounds.
15. Donald Manion, Laytonville, May 19, 3:49 p.m., 20.28 pounds.
16. Steve Huffacker, Camptonville, May 19, 5:32 p.m., 19.90 pounds.
17. Donald Hall Jr., San Jose, May 20, 9:10 p.m., 19.87 pounds.
18. Mikel Tome, Sacramento, May 19, 4:21 p.m., 19.85 pounds.
19. Ritchie O'Brien, Rocklin, May 20, 2:51 p.m., 19.66 pounds.
20. Ethan Hansard, Orangevale, May 21, 7:44 a.m., 19.63 pounds.
Children – Up to 10 years of age
1. Kaia Calhoun, Kelseyville, May 19, 7:36 p.m., 16.92 pounds.
2. Andre Zhdanov, Sacramento, May 21, 6:39 a.m., 15.82 pounds.
3. Corvin Beckett, Pollack Pines, May 20, 1:36 p.m., 15.31 pounds.
4. Wyatt Bain, Gerber, May 20, 2:47 p.m., 12.78 pounds.
5. Arturo Gudino, Clearlake, May 20, 9:50 p.m., 4.81 pounds.
Children – 11 to 15 years of age
1. Ivy Bain, Gerber, May 21, 11:38 a.m., 17.76 pounds.
2. Pierce Linville, Willits, May 21, 10:56 a.m., 17.08 pounds.
3. Justin Gentle, Kelseyville, May 21, 7:36 a.m., 16.62 pounds.
4. Cody Redmond, Browns Valley, May 19, 7:40 p.m., 15.23 pounds.
5. Maurtell Williams, Antioch, May 21, 10:41 a.m., 12.58 pounds.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – April home sales in Lake County in April showed gains in terms of volume and price, according to a new report.
The Lake County Association of Realtors, or LCAOR, reported that the median sales price and the number of sales in April exceeded the March sales numbers.
The April median sales price was $235,000, which is the highest monthly median sales price since November 2016 when LCAOR reported a median of $255,000.
The 81 sales reported in April was the highest number of monthly sales since August of 2016 when 100 sales were recorded.
The April median sales price was 11.9 percent higher than the March 2017 median price of $210,000, and the 81 sales in April was 14.1 percent higher than the 71 sales in March.
On a year-over-year basis, April 2017 sales were 28.6 percent higher than the 63 sales in April 2016, the report showed. The April median price was 3.3 percent higher than the April 2016 median of $227,500.
“After a relatively slow start to 2017 activity is on the upswing,” said LCAOR President Bobby Dutcher. “Preliminary numbers in May are looking strong and we expect a lot of activity in June when LCAOR will be holding our countywide Open House Extravaganza.”
The extravaganza will take place on June 10. Dutcher encouraged prospective buyers will want to check www.lcaor.com to see what houses will be featured on that day.
LCAOR said financing mixes remained relatively the same from March to April, with conventional and FHA loans being used in 53 percent of the transactions and cash only financing being used on 26 percent of the deals.
Inventory levels remained below normal at 4.7 months of inventory. The normal level is considered to be 6.0 months of inventory, LCAOR said.
The California Association of Realtors, or CAR, reported that statewide sales in April totaled 406,300, down 2.4 percent from March and down 1.6 percent from April 2016.
However, California’s median home price in April was $536,750, up 3.7 percent from March and up 5.4 percent from April 2016. The April median was the highest statewide median since August of 2007.
Mortgage rates have fallen since early this year. The 30-year, fixed-mortgage interest rate averaged 4.05 percent in April, down from 4.20 percent in March but up from 3.69 percent in April 2016, according to Freddie Mac, CAR said.
The five-year, adjustable-rate mortgage interest rates dipped in April to an average of 3.15 percent, from 3.21 percent in March but was up from 2.90 percent in April 2016, according to the CAR report.
LAKE COUNTY NUMBERS AT A GLANCE
April 2017
Median price: $235,000
Median days to sell: 57
Units sold: 81
March 2017
Median price: $210,000
Median days to sell: 57
Units sold: 71
April 2016
Median price: $227,500
Median days to sell: 60
Units sold: 63
Email Elizabeth Larson at