COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The state last week ordered the permanent shutdown of Ohio's largest egg producer because of years of complaints about pollution, foul odors and flies.
Buckeye Egg Farm was given until next June to close its 90 remaining barns and has until September 2004 to remove all manure. Thirty barns were closed previously.
"The pollution and nuisance problems caused by this farm during the last decade were intolerable," State Agriculture Director Fred Dailey said. "The sad legacy of mismanagement of Buckeye Egg Farm is rapidly coming to an end."
The company began operating in Ohio in 1982. Neighbors of the farms have complained about foul odors, insect and rodent infestations and creeks polluted by manure. Buckeye Egg said it would appeal immediately to a state commission.
4-H camp investigated for fights, betting
ADVERTISEMENT
ROANOKE, Va. -- Sheriff's officers are investigating allegations that counselors at a 4-H summer camp arranged fistfights between children ages 9 to 13, charged admission to the brawls and allowed betting.
Franklin County Sheriff Quint Overton said last week that the youngsters were told to lie to parents about the fights after several campers suffered black eyes and one broke his hand. No charges have been filed, but Overton said he had six officers investigating the five-day camp that began June 30 at the Smith Mountain Lake 4-H Educational Conference Center.
"It's hard to believe anyone would do this," Overton said. He said he heard that campers were charged $1 for admission, and that the counselors and children could bet up to $4 per fight.
Farm Progress Show features big name acts
DANVILLE, Ill. -- Country music singer Brad Paisley, whose hits include "I'm Gonna Miss Her" and "Celebrity," has signed to perform at the 50th Farm Progress Show on Sept. 23, show organizers have announced.
Paisley will perform on the first day of the show, which will be on farmland north of Henning, about 12 miles north of Danville, organizers said. The country music duo Montgomery Gentry signed earlier this year to perform on Sept. 24.
"We've been working on this for quite some time," said show coordinator Keith Ryan. "As soon as we got Montgomery Gentry on the line, we contacted Brad Paisley as well."
This is the first year the Farm Progress Show has scheduled big-name musical entertainment.
