Possible Salmonella contamination prompts pet food recall

          ST. PAUL, Minn. – Due to possible Salmonella contamination, Florida based, Jump Your Bones, Inc. is voluntarily recalling Jump Your Bones brand name Roo Bites (Cubes). The pet treats were distributed nationwide and through online retailers. To date, there are no reported illnesses related to this product.

There is a human risk of contracting Salmonella from handling contaminated products or from contact with infected pets. Consumers who purchased the Roo Bites (Cubes) should immediately stop feeding it to their pets and either dispose of them or return the product to where it was purchased for a full refund.

Symptoms of human infection include diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramps and fever. Symptoms usually begin within 12 to 72 hours after exposure, but can begin up to a week after exposure. Salmonella infections usually resolve in 5 to 7 days, but approximately 20 percent of cases require hospitalization. In rare cases, Salmonella infection can lead to death, particularly in the elderly or those with weakened immune systems.

Salmonella infections in pets vary and can include diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, vomiting, and sluggishness. Other pet symptoms include decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected pets can also appear healthy, but still be carriers of Salmonella, which can lead to human infection. Please contact your veterinarian if your pet has consumed Roo Bites (Cubes) and exhibits any of these symptoms.

The affected Roo Bites (Cubes) are sold in Boutique Bags and online stores with the following UPC codes: 63633010041 on 2.82 oz. (80g) bags, which include .32 oz. samples. For information on this recall, please call (888) 249-6755, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has confirmed major pet food distributors in the state did not distribute the product, but are conducting further trace back of the contaminated product and warn of possible online distribution of the affected pet treats.

Income tax filing season opens January 20, 2015

St. Paul – The Minnesota Department of Revenue announced that it will open state income tax filing season on January 20, 2015.  For the benefit and convenience of Minnesota taxpayers, Minnesota will open on the same day as the Internal Revenue Service.

With recent Congressional action extending several tax benefits for Minnesota teachers, college students, homeowners, and small businesses, the department is asking state lawmakers to take swift action to pass legislation conforming Minnesota’s tax codes to the updated federal provisions by January 20, 2015. 

“Taking action by January 20 will ensure that Minnesota’s families and businesses can take advantage of these benefits and produce a smooth opening to filing season for everyone,” said Revenue Commissioner Myron Frans. “If we do not conform quickly, Minnesotans may need to pay millions more in taxes and file additional forms with this year’s taxes.”

Made in Minnesota Solar Incentive Program now Accepting Applications for 2015

SAINT PAUL, MN – The Minnesota Department of Commerce kicked off its second year of the Made in Minnesota Solar Incentive Program on January 1, 2015. Applications will be accepted through February 28, 2015. The Made in Minnesota program was established to help fund new solar electric and solar thermal systems for Minnesota residents, businesses, and communities.

“In its first year, the Made-in-Minnesota solar initiative accomplished its goals — to boost the state’s solar energy sector and meet our renewable energy and solar objectives,” said Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman. “Minnesota has taken a good step forward on its clean energy path, making solar more affordable for homeowners and businesses, creating more clean energy jobs, and diversifying our renewable energy economy.”

"Over the next nine years, the Made-in-Minnesota program will continue to help Minnesotans install qualified solar systems in our state," added Rothman.

Program’s first year boosts state’s solar capacity

In 2014, the first year of the Made in Minnesota program, funding was awarded for 343 solar electric (or photovoltaic [PV]) projects and 20 solar thermal installations. The PV projects equal approximately 5.1 megawatts (MW) of electric capacity—equal to more than one-third of the state’s total solar capacity of 14 MW when the program began January 1, 2014.

Over 10 years, the program is expected to help fund 4,000 solar installations and increase Minnesota’s solar electric capacity by about 75 MW, more than a five-fold increase in the state’s capacity as of January 1, 2014. Currently, about 20 MW of solar capacity is installed in Minnesota.

Who can apply for MiM solar incentives?

The solar incentive program is available to customers of electric investor-owned utilities (IOUs) who install solar PV or solar thermal systems using solar modules or collectors certified as manufactured in Minnesota. Applications for the two parts of the incentive program—the Solar PV Production-Based Incentive Program and the Solar Thermal Rebate Program—will be accepted annually between January 1 and February 28 each year through 2023 and will be selected by lottery. Applicants can reapply if not selected the first year. In addition, the solar PV incentive is available for community solar gardens (less than 40 kW).

More information on the Made in Minnesota program, including incentive amounts and the Solar Thermal Rebate Program, is available on the Commerce website. Questions can be directed to the Department of Commerce Energy Information Center at energy.Info@state.mn.us or 651-539-1886 or 1-800-657-3710.