Local News
APGI speaks out on fish consumption advisory
Sunday, April 12, 2009 — Alcoa Power Generating Inc. (APGI) took exception with the Consumption Advisory issued in February by the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services for fish caught in Badin Lake.
The study of 30 fish taken from three areas of the lake found fish containing PCBs above acceptable levels in both largemouth bass and catfish.
In addition to a number of adverse medical issues, PCBs have been identified as a possible carcinogen by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The advisory recommended eating of catfish and largemouth bass be limited to once per week for adults.
This warning came in addition to a statewide mercury alert warning women who are pregnant, or of child-bearing age, and children under 15 to not eat largemouth bass.
In a statement from APGI says: “While APGI respects the Department of Health’s duty and desire to protect public health and inform the public of risks, it has appeal-ed the advisory because the State changed its stated evaluation criteria after the study was complete and held Badin Lake to a different standard than other lakes and rivers in North Carolina.
“Specifically, the State has never before issued a fish advisory based on the findings in a single fish with slightly elevated levels, but that's exactly what it did with largemouth bass in Badin Lake. And, the State has monitored similar levels of chemicals or contamination in fish tissue caught in other waterways in North Caro-lina, but has not issued a fish advisory in those instances.
“The failure to use consistent evaluation criteria calls into question the confidence the public will place in fish advisories issued by the State.”
When questioned at the Feb. 11 hearing on the study’s impact on Alcoa’s water relicensing efforts, Sandy Mort of the NC Division of Public Health responded: “You design a study to answer specific questions. This study took a health stance and answered the safety of eating the fish, not the source of the PCBs.”
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Fair opens tonight
Rides, games, music and more hit the Stanly County Fairgrounds tonight in the form of the 76th annual Stanly County Fair, sponsored by American Legion Post 76. This year, the rides will be put on by J&J Amusements.
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Even though deadline has passed, SCS still accepts donations
With donations still coming in, the school tools campaign has been deemed a success according to Pokie Noland, Stanly County Schools director of student services.
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Albemarle Police Report
Albemarle Police Department reports the following activity:
• Mitchell Jermaine White, 22, was arrested on a charge of possession of Sch. II on Lundix Street at Washington Lane, Aug. 27. -
Stanly County Sheriff’s Report
Stanly County Sheriff’s Office reports the following activity:
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Pedestrians, motorists urged to be cautious at Pfeiffer
A Pfeiffer University student had a brush with death when crossing the road on Wednesday.
According to Misenheimer Police Chief Tracey Wyrick, the student assumed that an approaching vehicle would stop as a courtesy. This misunderstanding led to the student nearly being struck. -
West teacher receives state business award
A local teacher has won one of the highest education awards in the state.
John Thompson, a business education teacher at West Stanly High School (WSHS), recently received the Orus B. Sutton Award, which is presented to the Outstanding Business and Information Technology Teacher of the Year in North Carolina. -
Committee discusses renovations to school facilities
Many of the local schools will be getting a makeover this school year. In its meeting last week, the Stanly County Board of Education Facilities Committee discussed specific renovations to the schools.
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Stanly County Sheriff’s Report
Stanly County Sheriff’s Report announces the following activity:
• Robert M. Burroughs, Sutton Springs Road, Charlotte, reported damage to property, Aug. 20. -
Correspondent no longer with TV station
UNC-TV Senior Legislative Correspondent Eszter Vajda is no longer employed at the state’s public television network as of Aug. 18, according to Gail Zimmermann, associate general manager of the station.
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