News

Details

Written by: Lake County News reports

Published: 14 March 2012

A group of 55 Senate and House lawmakers sent a letter on Monday urging the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to require the labeling of genetically engineered foods so that consumers can make informed choices about what they feed their families.

The Senate and House lawmakers wrote in support of a petition – supported by hundreds of organizations and businesses – that calls on the FDA to protect consumers’ rights by ensuring that all genetically engineered foods are properly labeled.

Polls have consistently shown that consumers are surprised to learn that genetically engineered foods are not identified and they strongly support a federal requirement to label these products.

The lawmakers wrote, “We urge you to fully review the facts, law, and science, and side with the American public by requiring the labeling of genetically engineered foods as is done in nearly 50 countries throughout the world. FDA has a clear opportunity to protect a consumer’s right to know, the freedom to choose what we feed our families, and the integrity of our free and open markets with this petition.”

In addition to Senator Boxer and Congressman DeFazio, the letter was signed by Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Bernie Sanders (D-VT), Daniel Akaka (D-HI), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Mark Begich (D-AK), Jon Tester (D-MT), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Representatives Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Richard Hanna (R-NY), Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), George Miller (D-CA), Louise Slaughter (D-NY), Keith Ellison (D-MN), Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Peter Welch (D-VT), Hansen Clarke (D-MI), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Sam Farr (D-CA), Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), Rush Holt (D-NJ), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Jim McDermott (D-WA), Madeleine Bordallo (D-GU), James Moran (D-VA), John Olver (D-MA), Jared Polis (D-CO), Charles Rangel (D-NY), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Pete Stark (D-CA), Howard Berman (D-CA), Robert Brady (D-PA), David Cicilline (D-RI), Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Diana DeGette (D-CO), Bob Filner (D-CA), Barney Frank (D-NY), Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), Janice Hahn (D-CA), Michael Honda (D-CA), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), James McGovern (D-MA), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Jackie Speier (D-CA), John Tierney (D-MA), Mel Watt (D-NC), Lynn Woolsey (D-CA), Maxine Waters (D-CA) and Grace Napolitano (D-CA).  

The full text of the lawmakers’ letter is below:

March 12, 2012
The Honorable Margaret Hamburg
Commissioner
Food and Drug Administration
5100 Paint Branch Parkway
College Park, MD 20740-3835  

Dear Commissioner Hamburg,

We write to you in support of a recent legal petition, supported by over 400 organizations and businesses, to protect consumer rights and prevent consumer deception by requiring the labeling of genetically engineered foods. FDA’s regulatory regime for food labeling is inadequate and uses 19th century concepts to regulate 21st century food technologies.  

As you know, in its 1992 policy statement, FDA allowed GE foods to be marketed without labeling because they were not “materially” different from other foods. In that policy statement, the agency severely limited what it considered “material” to only changes in food that could be recognized by taste, smell, or other senses. The use of novel food technologies like genetic engineering on a commercial scale has so far slipped underneath FDA’s limited threshold for “materiality” because such technologies make silent, genetic, and molecular changes to food that are not capable of being detected by human senses. In its 2009 guidance to industry, FDA applied its outdated GE food labeling policy to GE animals without revisiting the scientific or legal merits of the standard. This decision is especially troubling given FDA’s current consideration of a GE salmon that would be the first genetically engineered animal for human consumption.

At issue is the fundamental right consumers have to make informed choices about the food they eat. Labeling foods doesn’t imply a product is unsafe or will be confusing to consumers as some may argue. The FDA requires the labeling of over 3,000 ingredients, additives, and processes; providing basic information doesn’t confuse the public, it empowers them to make choices. Absent labeling, Americans are unable to choose for themselves whether to purchase GE foods. Polls have consistently shown that consumers are not only surprised to know that GE foods are not identified, but that they want the federal government to label these products. Since the labeling petition was filed in October 2011, nearly a million comments have been submitted in support of labeling.  

The FDA has the opportunity and authority to do right by the American public. When issuing its rule requiring irradiated foods to be labeled, FDA stated in broad terms that a decision to require labeling is not just based on the physical changes to the food but also on whether consumers view such information as important, and whether the omission of label information may mislead a consumer. The fact that FDA has already adopted this broad interpretation of “material” facts demonstrates that it is a reasonable—and therefore permissible—interpretation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).  

We urge you to fully review the facts, law, and science, and side with the American public by requiring the labeling of genetically engineered foods as is done in nearly 50 countries throughout the world. FDA has a clear opportunity to protect a consumer’s right to know, the freedom to choose what we feed our families, and the integrity of our free and open markets with this petition. Thank you for your consideration.

Details

Written by: Lake County News reports

Published: 13 March 2012

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Sheriff's investigators are pursuing leads in order to find the suspects in another home invasion robbery.

Capt. Chris Macedo of the Lake County Sheriff's Office said detectives are working on the case arising from a violent robbery at a residence on Big Valley Road in Kelseyville last Wednesday, March 7.

At 1:25 p.m. that day Lake County Deputy Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the Big Valley Road residence on the report of a home invasion robbery, Macedo said.

When deputies arrived on scene, they found a male victim who resided at the residence who told them that at he was contacted by two unknown Hispanic males in front of his home, Macedo said.

One of the Hispanic males was described as approximately 5 feet in height and weighed approximately 160 pounds with no hair or facial hair and was wearing a brown long sleeve shirt with a pocket in the front stomach area and light colored pants, according to Macedo.

The second Hispanic male was approximately 5 feet, 11 inches tall and weighed approximately 180 to 190 pounds with a scar on his right cheek. Macedo said both Hispanic males were in their early to mid 20s.

There was a third Hispanic male in the driver’s seat of a dark-colored Chevrolet SUV.  The driver had a moustache and a dark beanie on his head, Macedo said.

Macedo said the SUV was a newer model, black or dark blue in color with a shark-fin like antenna on the front of the roof.

After a brief conversation in front of the residence, the first Hispanic male pulled a handgun out of his pocket and pointed it at the male victim. Macedo said the second Hispanic male also had a Taser pointed at the victim.

The suspects then forced the male victim into his house, tied him up and demanded to know where his marijuana was, Macedo said.

The victim said that approximately two to three more Hispanic males entered his house and brought his wife into the same room where he was, tying her up as well, according to Macedo.

A short while later, a male friend of victims showed up and also was tied up, assaulted and placed next to them, Macedo said.

The suspects then searched the residence and took approximately 2 pounds of processed marijuana and approximately $1,500 in US currency, Macedo reported.

He said that as the suspects were leaving the residence, one of the suspects told the victims that if they moved they would kill them. The suspects then left in the dark-colored SUV in an unknown direction.

The victims were able to free themselves shortly after the suspects left and called 911 to report the incident, Macedo said.

The second male victim suffered minor injuries to his ribs and head. Macedo said the other victims did not suffer any physical injuries but were visibly upset over the ordeal.

The incident was not reported to the sheriff’s office until approximately three hours after it occurred as all three victims were fearful because of the threat made by the suspects as they left the house.

Anyone with information on this case is encouraged to contact the Lake County Sheriff’s Office at 707-263-2690.

Details

Written by: Lake County News reports

Published: 13 March 2012

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A much-loved musician who for years was part of the famed rock act the Doobie Brothers has died.

Michael Hossack died Monday at his home in Dubois, Wyo., according to friends and family. He was 65 years old.

Hossack had battled cancer and finally succumbed to the disease with family by his side.

Known to friends as “Big Mike,” Hossack had local connections, having lived for many years in Lake County, where his children attended school.

Hossack was born in Paterson, New Jersey, on Oct. 17, 1946, and began playing the drums at age 12, according to his biography on the Doobie Brothers Web page, www.doobiebrothers.net .

He would go on to serve in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam era, and upon returning home to New Jersey in 1969 was set to pursue a law enforcement career when a friend convinced him to audition for Mourning Reign, a California-based band.

He got the job and would move to California with the band. Mourning Reign would fold but a new opportunity arose when in 1971 the Doobie Brothers invited Hossack to join them, drumming alongside founding drummer John Hartman.

His work can be heard on the Doobie Brothers classics like “Listen to The Music,” “Rockin’ Down The Highway,” “Jesus Is Just Alright,” “China Grove,” “Long Train Runnin” and “Blackwater,” the band's first No. 1 single.

Hossack left the band in 1973, drumming with other bands and becoming a partner of the North Hollywood recording studio Chateau Recorders.

He and the Doobie Brothers reunited in 1987 for a series of concerns benefiting Vietnam War veterans, which led eventually to the band reforming.

Due to his health, Hossack had been on leave from the group since 2010.

In July of that year, Hossack had posted a message to fans thanking them for their support and messages. “It certainly helps to keep my spirits up during my time away.”

He had looked forward to returning to playing with the band. “It’s been hard not touring with the band but I have incredible support from my family, the Doobie Brothers, and all my friends out there. I can’t thank you enough for everything. All my best wishes to you all, and thanks for thinking of me.”

In late January, the Doobie Brothers – which have kept up a busy touring schedule – released a statement on Hossack, saying he was improving slowly. “He sends his regards to all our fans.”

A lover of the outdoors, motorcycle riding and hunting, Hossack had spent his final years based in Wyoming.

He leaves behind son Mike Jr., daughter Eric Rose Oliver, and friends and fans the world over.

See Hossack and the Doobie Brothers performing “Listen to the Music” at Wolf Trap in 2004 in the clip below (Hossack is on the drum set at the far right).