In brief: Tullia’s recalls sauce over botulism concern
A local Italian food company is recalling a batch of its pasta sauce after tests revealed its acidity was low enough to allow the growth of the organism that causes botulism, the company announced Wednesday.
Tullia’s is recalling Tullia’s Italian Meatless Pasta Sauce labeled in blue ink with the code 530140. The batch includes 16 and 32 ounce sizes.
The sauce is sold at Rosauer’s, Yoke’s, Egger’s on West Rosewood, Trading Company Stores in Spokane, Main Market and Albertson’s at Wandermere Mall.
Customers are warned not to eat the sauce and can return it to the place of purchase for a refund. They also can call the company with questions at (509) 879-0325 between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Botulism is potentially fatal, but the company has not been notified of any illnesses associated with the sauce, Tullia’s said in a news release.
The decision to recall the product was made after a review by the Washington state Department of Agriculture.
Semi crashes after driver falls asleep at wheel
A semi hauling two trailers of rock rolled north of Sprague, Washington, after the driver fell asleep, the Washington State Patrol reported.
Debra Preston, 55, was southbound on state Highway 231 four miles north of Sprague when her 2007 Freightliner semi pulling two trailers left the road. The semi rolled on its top, coming to rest in a field, WSP said.
Preston, of Pilot Rock, Oregon, was taken to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center with minor injuries, WSP said.
WSP said that Preston fell asleep at the wheel.
Woman sentenced to 5 years on drug charges
A 27-year-old Spokane woman was sentenced to five years in prison Tuesday after pleading guilty to drug delivery charges in an Idaho federal court.
Amanda M. Dahlen was arrested on the Coeur d’Alene Reservation in September 2013 after a police dog found more than 50 grams of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and scales in the car she was driving, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office of Idaho. She initially was pulled over because her car was weaving, according to the news release.
U.S. District Court Judge Lynn B. Winmill also ordered five years of supervision after Dahlen’s release and that she turn over $6,000 believed to have been earned in the drug trade.
Father sentenced after son attempts carjacking
PORTLAND – A federal judge has sentenced a Portland father to 21 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm in a case in which the man’s then-11-year-old son used the loaded gun in an attempted carjacking.
U.S. District Judge Marco Hernandez took the opportunity of Wednesday’s sentencing to tell Joseph Charlton what he thought of the man’s parenting skills.
In the judge’s words, “The most important function of a parent is being a role model. By example, you are failing.”
The Oregonian reported that Charlton confessed to police that he kept the loaded handgun in the glove box of his truck, and his son had gotten it without his permission.
The boy earlier pleaded guilty in juvenile court to robbery and harassment and was given probation. Charlton’s lawyer says the boy is in foster care.
In December 2012, the child used the .22-caliber Derringer to threaten a woman sitting in a pickup truck in a church parking lot. She refused to give up her truck and wallet, drove away and called police.
Inslee urges caution after lifting burn ban
OLYMPIA – Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said he won’t extend the burn ban he put in place for 20 counties east of the Cascade Mountains.
That ban expired Wednesday.
The governor said that thanks to firefighters’ hard work and cooler weather, wildfire hazards have decreased. He did urge residents to continue to use caution and common sense.
The state Department of Natural Resources burn ban continues through Sept. 30 on DNR fire-protected state lands across Washington.
Campfires at state, county and municipal parks are governed by individual park restrictions.
Seattle will pay woman stunned while pregnant
SEATTLE – The city of Seattle has agreed to pay $45,000 to settle a lawsuit with a woman who was stunned with a Taser when she was pregnant because she refused to sign a traffic citation.
In announcing the settlement with Malaika Brooks on Wednesday, City Attorney Pete Holmes said the city and police admit no wrongdoing in the case stemming from her 2004 arrest. Trial was set for November.
Brooks’ baby was born healthy two months after the incident.
The Legislature has amended the law to say people who refuse to sign a ticket no longer are subject to arrest.