League to learn about veterans services
The League of Women Voters of Montezuma County will meet on Nov. 8, at 9 a.m. at the Ponderosa Restaurant in Dolores.
The guest speaker will be Rick Torres, who will discuss services provided to veterans in Montezuma County. The meeting is open to the public and everyone is welcome.
Ballot Issue pamphlets from the League of Women Voters of Colorado are available at the Dolores, Mancos and Cortez public libraries and various other locations. There are four issues on the November ballot, and the League publication provides pros and cons on each of the issues. The pamphlets are available in Spanish and in English.
Information: Eleanor Kuhl at 970-564-0708.
Health department warns about tularemia
October is the beginning of small-game hunting season in Colorado.
"We haven't seen this many tularemia cases in Colorado since the 1980s," said State Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Jennifer House.
In the past 10 years, Colorado has averaged three human cases of tularemia a year, House said. "So far in 2014, we have had 11, and additional suspected cases are under investigation."
Local health departments have received reports of rabbit and rodent die-offs across the state. Tularemia, a bacterial disease, causes illness and death in rabbits and rodents. People can get tularemia by handling animals or from ticks or deer flies.
People also can be exposed to tularemia by touching contaminated soil, drinking contaminated water or inhaling bacteria. Hunters are most at risk when skinning game and preparing and consuming the meat.
Hunters should:
Harvest only small game that looks healthy. Beware of lazy rabbits.
Avoid hunting in areas where dead small game has been found.
Wear gloves when handling small game, and wash your hands.
Cook all game meat to 160-170 degrees.
