No Title

California Salami plant to pay $700K for ammonia leak SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- The owners of a South San Francisco salami plant will pay nearly $700,000 and overhaul its refrigeration system as part of a federal judgment stemming from an ammonia leak that sickened almost four dozen people. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Justice say Columbus Foods will pay the penalty for the August 2009 gas release without acknowledging wrongdoing. The sausage maker also agreed to spend $6 million upgrading its refrigeration system and improving emergency notification procedures. Seventeen people were hospitalized and 30 others sought medical attention after built-up pressure caused a pipe to burst and sent 200 pounds of anhydrous ammonia into the air. Employees of the biotechnology firm Genentech were among those sickened, and the company reached a confidential settlement with Columbus Foods last year. California Ranger uses her stun gun on man walking his dogs MONTARA, Calif. (AP) -- A park ranger used a stun gun on a Northern California man who was stopped for walking his two small dogs without a required leash. The San Francisco Chronicle reports Gary Hesterberg didn't have identification and gave a phony name when he was stopped Sunday afternoon. He was walking two dogs off leash at Rancho Corral de Tierra near Montara, a coastal town south of San Francisco. A Park Service spokesman says the ranger, whose name is being withheld, used her stun gun on Hesterberg because he was leaving the scene despite orders to stay. San Mateo County sheriff's deputies arrested Hesterberg and he was booked for an investigation of failing to obey a lawful order. Virginia Business group weighs in on cigarette labels RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is weighing in on a lawsuit over federal graphic cigarette warning labels that include the sewn-up corpse of a smoker. The pro-business lobbying group filed a friend of the court brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington late Monday. It says the government has no legitimate authority to take space on a seller's packaging or advertising to persuade consumers not to buy the product. Some of the largest U.S. tobacco companies are challenging the Food and Drug Administration's plan to require the new labels be placed on cigarette packs. A U.S. District Court judge in November blocked the labels while deciding whether they violate the companies' free speech rights. The FDA has appealed that decision and oral arguments are set for April. Arkansas Law enforcement officers request lawsuit dismissal LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) -- The law enforcement officers who are the target of a civil lawsuit filed by the boyfriend of slain beauty queen Nona Dirksmeyer are asking a federal judge to dismiss the suit. Russellville Police Detective Mark Frost and former police chief James Bacon were sued in federal court last year by Kevin Jones, who was arrested by police in Dirksmeyer's death. A jury eventually acquitted Jones, and he argues that the police department ignored evidence that would have incriminated another man in Dirksmeyer's death. In a court filing Monday, Bacon and Frost argued that Jones received a fair trial. They also argue that even if Jones' constitutional rights were violated, they should be immune from a civil lawsuit because they're government officials. Jones is seeking $10 million in damages. Pennsylvania Trial set for April in woman's death at restaurant BEDFORD, Pa. (AP) -- Jury selection for a western Pennsylvania man charged with murdering his wife in the parking lot of the fast-food restaurant where she worked has been set for April. Forty-year-old John Gerholt Sr. has claimed he accidentally shot his wife, 24-year-old Karen Gerholt, on Nov. 9, 2008, as she left work. Bedford County prosecutors want the death penalty. Gerholt's trial was to begin in February, but it was postponed because his defense attorney, Thomas Dickey, had to be in Blair County for a double murder trial. That other trial has now been delayed indefinitely by a state Supreme Court appeal so Dickey wants Gerholt's murder trial to for forward by the end of April. Gerholt still faces separate charges that he forged cemetery documents while in jail so he can eventually be buried next to his late wife. Washington Mental tests ordered for Kennewick man KENNEWICK, Wash. (AP) -- A Benton County judge has ordered a mental evaluation for a man who says God told him to kill his grandmother. At Monday's initial court appearance the lawyer for 28-year-old Adam Ryan Williams of West Richland said he has a long history of mental health issues that played a role in the case. Tri-City Herald reports Williams told police after his arrest that God sent a guiding light telling him to kill his grandmother. The body of 87-year-old Viola Williams was found Friday at her home in the Sun Meadows mobile home park in Kennewick. Court proceedings are on hold until Adam Williams is evaluated at Eastern State Hospital. Oklahoma Trial delayed for man charged in boy's death LAWTON, Okla. (AP) -- The murder trial for a Lawton man accused of beating his 10-year-old stepson to death has been delayed after his attorneys argued that pretrial publicity makes it impossible for their client to receive a fair trial. The Lawton Constitution reports that Judge Gerald Neuwirth declined to move Lancey Ray's trial to another county. But the judge delayed the trial until May so he could hear motions in the case. Ray is charged in Dec. 23, 2010, death of his stepson, Malik Ray. Ray's attorneys argue the newspaper's reporting -- which included details from police interviews with Ray -- could influence potential jurors. The judge issued an order Monday sealing court records and said he planned to issue a gag order prohibiting attorneys from speaking to the media. Published: Wed, Feb 1, 2012