Around the Nation

Inspection of Georgia Peanut Plant In October Yielded Few Violations

BLAKELY, Ga. -- A Georgia health inspector who toured the peanut butter plant at the center of a national outbreak of salmonella illness noted only two minor violations in October. Less than three months later, federal inspectors found roaches, mold, a leaking roof and other sanitation problems.

Food safety experts say the lapse is a major concern and shows that state inspectors are spread thin and might need more training on how to spot unsanitary conditions.

In October, state inspector Donna Adams noted only two violations in her report on the Peanut Corporation of America plant: tote containers with butter residue and "black buildup" and "mildew and possibly some static dust on ceiling of butter storage room."

No samples of the finished product were taken for salmonella testing during the October inspection, despite a push by the state to check for the bacteria after an outbreak of salmonella illness was traced to another Georgia peanut butter plant in 2007.

Sky-Diving Instructor Dies During Jump

CHESTER, S.C. -- Authorities say a sky-diving instructor who was sharing a parachute with a first-time jumper apparently died of a heart attack in the air. Officials identified the instructor as George C. "Chip" Steele, 49, of Sumter, S.C. The first-time jumper, described as an active member of the military in his 30s, landed safely and tried to revive Steele, but it was too late. They were sky-diving in a tandem jump, where instructors are strapped to the backs of their students. Steele worked for Skydive Carolina and had made thousands of jumps.

Explorers Discover British Shipwreck

TAMPA -- Deep-sea explorers who found $500 million in sunken treasure two years ago say they have discovered another prized shipwreck: a legendary British man-of-war that sank in the English Channel 264 years ago. The wreckage of the HMS Victory, found in about 330 feet of water, may carry an even bigger jackpot. Research indicates the ship was carrying four tons of gold coins when it sank in a storm, Greg Stemm, co-founder of Odyssey Marine Exploration, said ahead of a Monday news conference in London. So far, two brass cannons have been recovered from the wreck, Stemm said. The Florida-based company said it is negotiating with the British government over collaborating on the project.

Trial on Welfare of Circus Animals to Begin

After more than eight years of legal skirmishing, a trial is scheduled to open Wednesday in a lawsuit filed by animal welfare groups alleging that the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus routinely abuses its performing elephants. The plaintiffs -- including the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Animal Welfare Institute -- allege that trainers' use of sharp tools called bullhooks and the prolonged use of chains on the Asian elephants add up to an egregious violation of the federal Endangered Species Act. They seek an order from U.S. District Court in Washington halting these practices, which some activists hope would force Ringling Bros. to give up elephants altogether. The non-jury trial before U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan is expected to last three weeks.

-- From News Services