San Bernardino Press MONDAY, JANUARY 5, 2015 - JANUARY 11, 2015
sanbernardinopress.com
Improved Conditions for Hens Increase Egg Prices By JENNIFER SCHLUETER As of January 1st, eggs sold in California must come from hens that live in a space of at least 116 square inches in which they are able to stretch their limbs and turn around, which means about 70 percent more space compared to the previous minimum. This new law, Proposition 2, resulted from a voter initiative and was passed in 2008 with a majority of over 60 percent. Because of the changes farmers were forced to make, consumers now see an increase in egg prices. The president and CEO of the California Grocers Association Ronald Fong told NPR: “We can confirm that egg prices have gone up at least 35 percent. Some have reported going up 70 percent.” With California being the largest consumer of eggs nationwide, according to the Los Angeles Times, farmers all over the US have adjusted to the new regulation because challenging it in court failed. California’s state veterinarian, Dr. Annette Jones reported to NPR that egg producers have switched to newly constructed free-range henhouses, built larger cages, or
Tragedy Strikes William Easley Family By Vickie Vértiz
lawlessness.” According to the NLEOMF report, 126 federal, state, local, tribal and territorial officers were killed in the line of duty this year, compared to 102 in 2013. The number of officers killed by firearms in 2014 (50) was 56 percent higher than the number killed by gunfire in 2013 (32). Ambush-
After his bicycle was hit by a car Monday, December 30th in the morning, William Easley, a prominent Inland business owner, was tragically killed, said The Press-Enterprise. Bill Easley was “known locally as co-owner of Goforth & Marti Business Interiors, an office furniture supply company,” reported the Enterprise. He had offices in Riverside, Redlands, and San Diego, according to the paper. Easley was a long-time member and former chairman of Inland Action, a group that promotes economic development efforts and projects in San Bernardino County. He was also the former Riverside District Coordinator for the National Association of Investors Corporation. He was frequently quoted in The Press-Enterprise, as a matter of fact, as a local economic issues expert. He had many friends and colleagues who were fond of him. For instance, Carole Beswick, Chief Executive Officer of Inland Action and former Redlands mayor, told the paper that Easley was a true community leader. “He saw things that needed to be done and came up with solutions that benefited everyone,” Beswick told the paper. Easley was 81 when he passed. On Monday he was riding with another bicyclist and headed west on East Lynwood Drive shortly after 6 in the morning. He was riding in the right lane on the street. The San Bernardino Police Department provided a news release that stated Easley was struck from behind by
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-Courtesy Photo by Matt MacGillivray
cut down the number of hens in already existing ones. “In general, poultry farmers are trying to move in that direction, to provide more space and the ability for their hens to exhibit more natural behaviors,” NPR quoted
her. However, the website also notes that even though “[f]reerange houses allow chickens to move around freely, … critics say the birds are more frequently Please see page 4
California Leads in Law Enforcement Officer Fatalities Nationwide in 2014 Law enforcement fatalities in the U.S. rose 24 percent in 2014, reversing what had been two years of dramatic declines in line of duty deaths, based on preliminary data compiled and released today by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF). “With the increasing number of ambush-style attacks against our officers, I am deeply con-
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cerned that a growing anti-government sentiment in America is influencing weak-minded individuals to launch violent assaults against the men and women working to enforce our laws and keep our nation safe,” declared NLEOMF Chairman and CEO Craig W. Floyd. “Enough is enough. We need to tone down the rhetoric and rally in support of law enforcement and against