Avian cholera killing wild waterfowl in Gibson Co.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — State wildlife officials say avian cholera has killed more than 300 wild waterfowl in a southwestern Indiana county.
The state Department of Natural Resources says avian cholera is common among North America’s waterfowl, but the recent bird deaths in Gibson County are the first time the disease has been documented in wild birds in Indiana.
The DNR says about 350 birds, mostly snow geese, have been found dead since December in western Gibson County.
The DNR and its federal and private partners have increased surveillance of waterfowl populations across Indiana and are removing and disposing of carcasses to decrease the risk of transmission to other birds.
Avian cholera is caused by a bacterium spread by dead or dying birds. It poses minimal risk to humans and the commercial poultry industry.
Homebuilding products maker reopens Terre Haute plant
TERRE HAUTE (AP) — A homebuilding products maker has reopened a western Indiana plant as it looks to meet anticipated increased demand in the Midwest.
Houston, Texas-based fiber cement siding manufacturer Allura announced the update Thursday about the plant in Terre Haute. The facility employs 60 workers and previously closed in 2014.
In October, Allura signed an agreement with Los Angeles-based homebuilding company KB Home to serve as the home builder’s supplier of exterior fiber cement siding products.
Allura also makes exterior siding, trim and other products at plants in other states.
Hoosier National Forest ends year-round bat cave closures
JASPER (AP) — Southern Indiana’s sprawling Hoosier National Forest is ending the year-round cave closures officials imposed nearly a decade ago to protect hibernating bats from a deadly disease.
The policy barring the public from caves in the 200,000-acre national forest took