Author: CNN Newsource

By JT Moodee Lockman

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    MARYLAND (WJZ) — A Maryland resident was among 64 people across 22 U.S. states who got sick with Salmonella from raw oysters, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

As of Dec. 23, 20 people have been hospitalized after they reported eating raw oysters. No deaths have been reported.

The CDC and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are investigating to determine if the oysters can be linked back to a common source. A recall has not yet been issued.

Multi-state Salmonella outbreak

According to the CDC, raw oysters can be contaminated with germs at any time during the year, and it is recommended to cook oysters before eating them to reduce the risk of getting food poisoning.

Data from the CDC shows that six people also got sick in Virginia, and another two in Delaware. The Salmonella cases were reported between the end of June and late November.

Multi-state Salmonella Outbreak from Raw Oysters

A Marylander was among 64 people across 22 U.S. states who got sick with Salmonella from raw oysters, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) According to the CDC, it takes about three to four weeks to determine if a person is part of an outbreak. The number of sick people involved in the outbreak could be higher, as many recover without getting tested for Salmonella.

Those infected with Salmonella typically experience diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps, according to the CDC.

Symptoms often start about six hours to six days after consuming the bacteria, and most people recover within four to seven days.

Young children and adults 65 and older may experience more severe symptoms, the CDC said.

The CDC offered safety tips for consuming raw oysters, including a reminder that hot sauce and lemon juice do not kill germs found in oysters.

To cook oysters in their shells, the CDC recommends boiling them until the shells are open or adding the oysters to a steamer for about four to nine minutes.

To cook oysters out of their shells, the CDC recommends boiling them for at least three minutes, frying them in oil for at least three minutes, broiling for three minutes or baking for 10 minutes.

Seafood should be cooked until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees for at least 15 seconds.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Richard Bourne, Chris Oswalt

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    JACKSON, Miss. (WAPT) — Investigators searching for a missing 81-year-old Jackson woman have found unidentified human remains in the backyard of her home, authorities confirmed Tuesday.

Investigators searching for a missing 81-year-old Jackson woman have found unidentified human remains in the backyard of her home, authorities confirmed Tuesday.

The discovery was made during an expanded search at the home in the 200 block of Baybury Lane, where Jackson police and other agencies brought in excavators and heavy equipment as part of the missing person investigation of Carol Ryan.

Investigators said a cadaver dog alerted to the backyard, prompting crews to begin digging. During that search, human remains were discovered. Police said the remains have not been identified, and Carol Ryan will officially remain listed as a missing person until identification is confirmed.

Hinds County Sheriff Tyree Jones confirmed the heavy equipment was being used to support the active search and said the investigation remains ongoing.

Authorities also confirmed that two people — Ryan’s son and daughter-in-law — have been detained by investigators for questioning. Officials said no charges have been announced, but charges are possible depending on the outcome of the investigation.

Police said they obtained a judge’s warrant to search the home and surrounding areas, including vehicles. Portions of Baybury Lane were blocked off during the operation.

Ryan was reported missing Saturday. Authorities have described her disappearance as suspicious but said there has not yet been confirmation that a crime has been committed.

“We don’t have any persons of interest at this time, because we don’t have a crime at this point,” Jones said earlier in the investigation. “But due to the circumstances, it does seem somewhat suspicious.”

Investigators said they have interviewed family members and neighbors as part of the search.

This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Jackson Police Department.

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By Jim Keithley

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    PARIS, Maine (WMTW) — A Maine woman who claimed she had buried the body of her deceased friend in her backyard years ago is now sharing a different version of events in an exclusive interview with Maine’s Total Coverage.

In September 2019, Vernelle Jackson told Maine’s Total Coverage that her friend, Mae Shelton, died of natural causes months earlier at the Norway home where they lived together. According to Jackson, Shelton’s dying wish was to be buried in the backyard.

“‘I want you to promise me, and don’t let me down, I want to be buried in your yard so I’ll be close to you,'” Jackson said Shelton told her.

Jackson told Maine’s Total Coverage that she put Shelton’s body in a tarp and dragged it to the backyard. She then spent about two days digging the hole.

“I have COPD. I couldn’t breathe that good,” Jackson said in September 2019.

On Monday, Jackson pleaded guilty to abuse of a corpse, theft and forgery in Oxford County Court.

She spoke exclusively with Maine’s Total Coverage on Tuesday and admitted that she never moved Shelton’s body and did not even touch it. Jackson, however, would not name the person who did move the body.

“The saddest part about it is I love Mae Shelton with all my heart, and I hate what happened,” Jackson said Tuesday. “I thought I was doing the right thing, but it turns out it was the wrong thing.”

For years after Shelton’s death, government checks were being deposited into her bank accounts. Jackson, who had power of attorney, admitted she wrote checks out of Shelton’s checkbook and gave money to her granddaughter.

“The truth is I did write a couple, yes. I’ll admit it. But I didn’t write all those other checks, no. My granddaughter did,” Jackson said.

Court records show that Jackson’s granddaughter, Lacey Rudd, is a co-defendant in the case.

Rudd, 40, of Mexico, Maine, pleaded guilty to theft by deception in June, and she was placed on a two-year deferred disposition. If Rudd pays $3,500 in restitution within two years, the charges against her will be reduced to a misdemeanor.

“I didn’t know it would turn out this way. There was some deception going on under my nose,” Jackson said.

Jackson said she is glad the case is over. She has Shelton’s cremated remains and while it is not what she wished for, Jackson said her friend is still close by.

Maine’s Total Coverage contacted Rudd in an effort to get her reaction to the case. Rudd simply replied: “No comment.”

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By Jade Jarvis

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    WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (WPBF) — We’re hearing from the Palm Beach restaurant manager who was detained and then released from the immigration detention facility known as “Alligator Alcatraz.”

Jose Gonzalez spent twelve days at the facility after being detained during a traffic stop.

He said he has a great deal of gratitude for his family, friends, customers, and community that has rallied around him during this time.

“Thank God for being home, bringing me home. And thank the whole beautiful community who stand up for me. And I just can’t thank enough. I have no words,” Gonzalez said.

On Dec. 10, Gonzalez said he was driving with his nephew when they were pulled over for a window tint violation, detained, and taken to the detention center.

“I tried to explain to my nephew we have to be calm and respect the rules,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez, who is the manager of BiCE Ristorante on Palm Beach, spent 12 days at the facility.

He said he felt like he was treated with respect and was fed three meals a day, but that it was cold with open toilets and little privacy.

He also said people at the facility tried to encourage him to self-deport to Mexico, but he refused. His nephew, however, took them up on their offer.

“I read the Bible. I read and talk to other people that are there and try to sleep. And I’m not even sleeping,” Gonzalez said.

Then, on Monday, an unexpected but welcome surprise — he was being released.

“I was very confused because I didn’t sleep the whole night. So, I literally tried to close my eyes for five minutes when I heard my name. And someone knocked me and [said], ‘You need to go, just grab your personal stuff. You need to go. You need to go fast, fast,'” Gonzalez said.

Due to his pending case, he didn’t say what led to his release.

WPBF 25 News reached out to the Department of Homeland Security, asking them for a statement, and it said: “On December 10, ICE arrested Jose Heriberto Gonzalez-Gonzalez, an illegal alien from Mexico, after Florida Highway Patrol Officers stopped him for a traffic violation. All of his claims will be heard before an immigration judge, and he will receive full due process.

“We encourage all illegal aliens to take control of their departure with the CBP Home App. During the Christmas Season, the U.S. taxpayer is so generously TRIPLING the incentive to leave voluntarily for those in this country illegally- offering a $3,000 exit bonus until the end of the year. We encourage every person here illegally to take advantage of this offer and reserve the chance to come back to the U.S. the right legal way to live the American dream. If not, you will be arrested and deported without a chance to return.”

Gonzalez said the first thing he ate when he got home was Cuban food, and he said he does plan to return to work at BiCE Ristorante sometime in the future.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.