By Walter F. Roche Jr.
The industrial use of free water from the Nolichucky River jumped to nearly 20 million gallons in June, according to a report just filed with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.
The brief report from US Nitrogen LLC shows that the company pumped 19.76 million gallons from the river in June. That compares to 18.85 million gallons the chemical company used in May.
In fact the daily data shows that the amount drawn from the river exceeded one million gallons on 10 days during the month.
The largest daily amount was 1.236 million gallons which occurred on June 3.
US Nitrogen, which produces ammonium nitrate and related products, won the right to use the river water from two state agencies. It pays nothing for the water which is pumped to its plant in Midway through a 12 mile pipeline.
US Nitrogen, a subsidiary of Ohio based Austin Powder, also pumps excess water back into the river. In June the discharged water totaled 8.36 million gallons, down from the 9.1 million gallons discharged back into the river in May.
The most discharged in a single day was nearly 600,000 gallons discharged on June 1.
Only a minimal amount was discharged to the river on June 5 and from June 22 to June 27.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
Tuesday, July 12, 2022
Monday, July 11, 2022
A Sad Anniversary
By Walter F. Roche Jr.
Ten years ago this week, a 70 year-old Florida man collapsed while mowing his lawn. Days later he was dead. But it would be still weeks more before Kenneth Denesha was identified as the first victim of a deadly outbreak that ultimately took over 100 lives and sickened some 800 unsuspecting patients.
Today those that survived, scattered over more than a dozen states, still suffer. At best there are those that say their condition has stabilized. For others it has been much worse.
"All told it has been a terrible 10 years," said Randy Dollyhigh, a Michigan victim. Deneesha, Dollyhigh and hundred of others were injected with a drug contaminated with deadly fungi. They had sought relief from excruciating pain only to come back with even more.
A federal investigation of the company that produced the deadly methylprednisolone acetate led to the conviction of 13 persons connected to the New England Compounding Center. Two of the 13 are now facing second degree murder charges in Michigan. For the survivors, life goes on as does the pain. Nearly all were treated with a powerful anti-fungal drug that comes with its own serious side effects.
Randy Dollyhigh said the anti-fungal, voriconazole, caused his glucose levels to soar. "I had no idea it would do that. I was on the drug for a year and now I am insulin dependent. I was not taking anything for diabetes when this mess started," Dollyhigh said.
"All told it has been a terrible ten years," he said, adding that his pain level has increased. The contaminated drugs injected into his body gave him a stroke and three spinal abscesses. Joan Peay, a Nashville area resident, who suffered two bouts of fungal meningitis, said her biggest continuing problem is a loss of comprehension.
"I usually cannot understand people unless they talk slowly. If they talk too fast or too soft, I have no idea what they have said," Peay said, adding that the condition leaves her with a feeling of isolaion.
"Each Sunday I sit through church and the only one I can understand is our pastor who usually speaks loud and clear," she added.
Peay said her other continuing problem is arachnoiditis, a painful spinal ailment cited by several of the surviving victims. My health and life prior to October 1, 2012 was a very productive one. Now I haven't been able to work since November 8, 2012. My health is horrible, " said Pamela Kidd.
"I live in chronic pain all day long, I have no energy, no motivation at all, actually I feel like a prisoner in my own body. I've gained weight from not being able to walk anymore. I used to walk 2-3 miles a day and ate somewhat healthy. Now I hardly cook, and I used to cook and bake all the time, so I'm not eating healthy much at all, mostly fast food and delivery from restaurants.
My short term memory is terrible."
"I have no friends like I used to, it's like they think they are going to catch it from me," said Kidd.
Kenneth Borton is a victim who feels that while it has not improved his condition has stabilized, in part due to finding a "wonderful doctor" who is treating him and keeping the pain at a tolerable level.
doctor that is treating his pain and keeping it at a tolerable level.
Apart from the physical burdens Borton and his wife Donna say they have been frustrated by a justice syatem "that has been incredibly slow and hugely frustrating."
They were referring to the criminal cases against Barry Cadden and Glenn Chin, the two former pharmacists charged with 13 counts of second degree murder for their roles in causing the outbreak.
The two are expected to go to trial later this year in Livingston County Michigan some ten years after the deadly outbreak. "We would love to see the charges against them move forward," said Donna Borton.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
Ten years ago this week, a 70 year-old Florida man collapsed while mowing his lawn. Days later he was dead. But it would be still weeks more before Kenneth Denesha was identified as the first victim of a deadly outbreak that ultimately took over 100 lives and sickened some 800 unsuspecting patients.
Today those that survived, scattered over more than a dozen states, still suffer. At best there are those that say their condition has stabilized. For others it has been much worse.
"All told it has been a terrible 10 years," said Randy Dollyhigh, a Michigan victim. Deneesha, Dollyhigh and hundred of others were injected with a drug contaminated with deadly fungi. They had sought relief from excruciating pain only to come back with even more.
A federal investigation of the company that produced the deadly methylprednisolone acetate led to the conviction of 13 persons connected to the New England Compounding Center. Two of the 13 are now facing second degree murder charges in Michigan. For the survivors, life goes on as does the pain. Nearly all were treated with a powerful anti-fungal drug that comes with its own serious side effects.
Randy Dollyhigh said the anti-fungal, voriconazole, caused his glucose levels to soar. "I had no idea it would do that. I was on the drug for a year and now I am insulin dependent. I was not taking anything for diabetes when this mess started," Dollyhigh said.
"All told it has been a terrible ten years," he said, adding that his pain level has increased. The contaminated drugs injected into his body gave him a stroke and three spinal abscesses. Joan Peay, a Nashville area resident, who suffered two bouts of fungal meningitis, said her biggest continuing problem is a loss of comprehension.
"I usually cannot understand people unless they talk slowly. If they talk too fast or too soft, I have no idea what they have said," Peay said, adding that the condition leaves her with a feeling of isolaion.
"Each Sunday I sit through church and the only one I can understand is our pastor who usually speaks loud and clear," she added.
Peay said her other continuing problem is arachnoiditis, a painful spinal ailment cited by several of the surviving victims. My health and life prior to October 1, 2012 was a very productive one. Now I haven't been able to work since November 8, 2012. My health is horrible, " said Pamela Kidd.
"I live in chronic pain all day long, I have no energy, no motivation at all, actually I feel like a prisoner in my own body. I've gained weight from not being able to walk anymore. I used to walk 2-3 miles a day and ate somewhat healthy. Now I hardly cook, and I used to cook and bake all the time, so I'm not eating healthy much at all, mostly fast food and delivery from restaurants.
My short term memory is terrible."
"I have no friends like I used to, it's like they think they are going to catch it from me," said Kidd.
Kenneth Borton is a victim who feels that while it has not improved his condition has stabilized, in part due to finding a "wonderful doctor" who is treating him and keeping the pain at a tolerable level.
doctor that is treating his pain and keeping it at a tolerable level.
Apart from the physical burdens Borton and his wife Donna say they have been frustrated by a justice syatem "that has been incredibly slow and hugely frustrating."
They were referring to the criminal cases against Barry Cadden and Glenn Chin, the two former pharmacists charged with 13 counts of second degree murder for their roles in causing the outbreak.
The two are expected to go to trial later this year in Livingston County Michigan some ten years after the deadly outbreak. "We would love to see the charges against them move forward," said Donna Borton.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
Wednesday, June 29, 2022
Meningitis Study
https://original.newsbreak.com/@fareeha-arshad-1587440/2650086157744-researchers-finally-uncovered-the-deadly-pathway-involved-in-the-spreading-of-fungal-meningitis-in-the-brain
Wednesday, June 22, 2022
Action Stepping Up In Cadden, Chin MI Cases
By Walter F. Roche Jr.
With all their appeals denied, action is expected to step up in Livingston County Michigan in the criminal trials of two former pharmacists charged with 13 counts of second degree murder.
A status conference before Livingston County Judge Michael P. Hatty has been scheduled for July 15 in the cases of Barry Cadden and Glenn Chin.
At that session it is likely that a rough timetable will be sketched out for further pre-trial sessions and, finally for the cases to be presented to a jury.
Cadden and Chin were charged by the Michigan Attorney General for their roles in the deadly 2012 fungal meningitis outbreak. All 13 victims had been injected with steroids produced at the New England Compounding Center. Cadden was president and part owner of NECC while Chin was a supervisory pharmacist in the cleanroom where the drugs, tainted with deadly fungi, were produced.
Both Cadden and Chin filed a series of appeals arguing that the cases never should have been bound over for a jury trial due to a lack of evidence.
Both the state Court of Appeals and the state Supreme Court denied those appeals.
For victims of the outbreak and their families news that the cases are finally moving forward is very much good news.
"This trial can not get started soon enough as far as I am concerned. It has been delayed way too long and we need to have closure one way or the other," said Donna Borton, whose husband was a victim and is still recovering."
"So happy that the Michigan Supreme Court has ruled the trial can proceed," she added.
The July 15 session is scheduled for 10 a.m.in Hatty's Michigan courtroom.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
With all their appeals denied, action is expected to step up in Livingston County Michigan in the criminal trials of two former pharmacists charged with 13 counts of second degree murder.
A status conference before Livingston County Judge Michael P. Hatty has been scheduled for July 15 in the cases of Barry Cadden and Glenn Chin.
At that session it is likely that a rough timetable will be sketched out for further pre-trial sessions and, finally for the cases to be presented to a jury.
Cadden and Chin were charged by the Michigan Attorney General for their roles in the deadly 2012 fungal meningitis outbreak. All 13 victims had been injected with steroids produced at the New England Compounding Center. Cadden was president and part owner of NECC while Chin was a supervisory pharmacist in the cleanroom where the drugs, tainted with deadly fungi, were produced.
Both Cadden and Chin filed a series of appeals arguing that the cases never should have been bound over for a jury trial due to a lack of evidence.
Both the state Court of Appeals and the state Supreme Court denied those appeals.
For victims of the outbreak and their families news that the cases are finally moving forward is very much good news.
"This trial can not get started soon enough as far as I am concerned. It has been delayed way too long and we need to have closure one way or the other," said Donna Borton, whose husband was a victim and is still recovering."
"So happy that the Michigan Supreme Court has ruled the trial can proceed," she added.
The July 15 session is scheduled for 10 a.m.in Hatty's Michigan courtroom.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
Friday, June 17, 2022
Carter, Conigliaro Sentencings Set
By Walter F. Roche Jr.
Gregory Conigliaro, a former vice president and part owner of a drug company at the center of a deadly 2012 outbreak, will face an Oct. 18 sentencing hearing before a federal judge following his conviction on a charge that he conspired to defraud the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Conigliaro's sentencing session will take place at 10. a.m. in Boston, Mass. before U.S. District Judge Richard G. Stearns, the same judge who presided over Conigliao's trial.
Two days later a co-defendant, Sharon Carter, will face Stearns following her conviction on the same conspiracy charge. Carter and Conigliaro were employed at the New England Compounding Center, the company that produced the fungus laden steroids that ultimately caused more than 100 deaths. Carter was NECC's director of operations.
They were among 14 person connected to NECC who were indicted in December of 2014 following a two-year investigation of the outbreak.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
Gregory Conigliaro, a former vice president and part owner of a drug company at the center of a deadly 2012 outbreak, will face an Oct. 18 sentencing hearing before a federal judge following his conviction on a charge that he conspired to defraud the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Conigliaro's sentencing session will take place at 10. a.m. in Boston, Mass. before U.S. District Judge Richard G. Stearns, the same judge who presided over Conigliao's trial.
Two days later a co-defendant, Sharon Carter, will face Stearns following her conviction on the same conspiracy charge. Carter and Conigliaro were employed at the New England Compounding Center, the company that produced the fungus laden steroids that ultimately caused more than 100 deaths. Carter was NECC's director of operations.
They were among 14 person connected to NECC who were indicted in December of 2014 following a two-year investigation of the outbreak.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
Thursday, June 16, 2022
Chin to Stay in Michigan
By Walter F. Roche Jr.
One of the two ex-pharmcists facing multiple second degre murder charges is giving up on his efforts to get transferred to a federal prison to complete his 10.5 year sentence set following his conviction on federal racketeering and related charges.
James Buttrey, the lawyer for Glenn Chin, said his client will remain in the Livingston County Michigan Jail awaiting trial on 11 counts of second degree murder.
Chin had petitioned the Livingston County Circuit Court to be allowed to transfer to a federal prison where care for inmates is generally considered to be more favorable.
"Mr. Chin will remain in the Livingston County Jail for the pendency of his case," Buttrey wrote in an email response to questions. Chin and co-defendant Barry Cadden have been charged with 11 counts of second degree murder for the deaths of 11 Michigan patients who were injected with highly contaminated preservative free methylprednisolone acetate.
The drugs, laden with deadly fungi, were produced at a Massachusetts drug compounding firm where both were employed. Cadden was president and part-owner of the New England Compounding Center while Chin was a supervising pharmacist in the clean room where the deadly drugs were produced.
A federal grand jury had also charged both Cadden and Chin with second degree murder, but two separate juries declined to convict them on those charges.
The federal juries did find Cadden and Chin guilty of racketeering and related charges and Cadden was given a 14.5 year sentence and Chin got a 10.5 year sentence.
While Chin's transfer to a federal prison got conditional approval from Judge Michael Hatty, Chin was apparently unsuccessful in getting the federal Bureau of Prisons to place him in one of their facilities.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
One of the two ex-pharmcists facing multiple second degre murder charges is giving up on his efforts to get transferred to a federal prison to complete his 10.5 year sentence set following his conviction on federal racketeering and related charges.
James Buttrey, the lawyer for Glenn Chin, said his client will remain in the Livingston County Michigan Jail awaiting trial on 11 counts of second degree murder.
Chin had petitioned the Livingston County Circuit Court to be allowed to transfer to a federal prison where care for inmates is generally considered to be more favorable.
"Mr. Chin will remain in the Livingston County Jail for the pendency of his case," Buttrey wrote in an email response to questions. Chin and co-defendant Barry Cadden have been charged with 11 counts of second degree murder for the deaths of 11 Michigan patients who were injected with highly contaminated preservative free methylprednisolone acetate.
The drugs, laden with deadly fungi, were produced at a Massachusetts drug compounding firm where both were employed. Cadden was president and part-owner of the New England Compounding Center while Chin was a supervising pharmacist in the clean room where the deadly drugs were produced.
A federal grand jury had also charged both Cadden and Chin with second degree murder, but two separate juries declined to convict them on those charges.
The federal juries did find Cadden and Chin guilty of racketeering and related charges and Cadden was given a 14.5 year sentence and Chin got a 10.5 year sentence.
While Chin's transfer to a federal prison got conditional approval from Judge Michael Hatty, Chin was apparently unsuccessful in getting the federal Bureau of Prisons to place him in one of their facilities.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
Wednesday, June 15, 2022
No New Trial for Conigliaro, Carter
By Walter F. Roche Jr.
A federal judge has denied motions for a new trial by the last two defendants in the criminal case stemming from the deadly 2012 fungal meningitis outbreak.
In a brief order issued today U.S. District Judge Richard G. Stearns rejected new trial requests for Gregory Conigliaro and Sharon P. Carter, both formerly affiliated with the now defunct New England Compounding Center, the company blamed for the fungal meningitis outbreak, which ultimately took the lives of more than 100 patients.
Conigliaro was vice president and part owner of NECC. Carter was an NECC supervisor.
The two were found guilty of conspiring to defraud the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. NECC shipped thousands of vials of methylprednisolone acetate contaminated with deadly fungi to hundrerds of health care providers across the country.
Stearns had originally cleared the two of the charges, but they were reinstated by the 1st Circuit Court of appeals.
Carter and Conigliaro were among 14 people affiliated with NECC who were indicted in late 2014 after a two-year federal investigation of the outbreak. Only one of the 14 was cleared of the charges.
In the order issued today Stearns also asked the court clerk to set a date for the sentencing of Carter and Conigliaro.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
A federal judge has denied motions for a new trial by the last two defendants in the criminal case stemming from the deadly 2012 fungal meningitis outbreak.
In a brief order issued today U.S. District Judge Richard G. Stearns rejected new trial requests for Gregory Conigliaro and Sharon P. Carter, both formerly affiliated with the now defunct New England Compounding Center, the company blamed for the fungal meningitis outbreak, which ultimately took the lives of more than 100 patients.
Conigliaro was vice president and part owner of NECC. Carter was an NECC supervisor.
The two were found guilty of conspiring to defraud the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. NECC shipped thousands of vials of methylprednisolone acetate contaminated with deadly fungi to hundrerds of health care providers across the country.
Stearns had originally cleared the two of the charges, but they were reinstated by the 1st Circuit Court of appeals.
Carter and Conigliaro were among 14 people affiliated with NECC who were indicted in late 2014 after a two-year federal investigation of the outbreak. Only one of the 14 was cleared of the charges.
In the order issued today Stearns also asked the court clerk to set a date for the sentencing of Carter and Conigliaro.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
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