Chautauqua County Community Source 9-30-22

PUBLIC HEALTH ALERT: Deadly Rainbow Fentanyl looks like Sweet Tarts

If you are concerned that someone is having an over dose, call 911 immediately and stay with the person. If the person who calls is also using illegal substances, they will not face legal ac tion if they take action to get help.

Keep the opioid overdose reversal drug Naloxone (Narcan) on hand; it is avai lable for free or low cost in a variety of ways in Chautau qua County:

· The Mental Health As sociation: 716-397-0140;

· Evergreen Health Ser vices in Jamestown: 716664-7855

DHHS ANNOUNCES AN UPCOMING ANIMAL RABIES IMMUNIZATION CLINIC

MAYVILLE, N.Y. – The Chautauqua County Health Department, Chautauqua County Department of Men tal Hygiene and Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office are issuing an alert to warn pa rents of a new trend among fentanyl drug traffickers. “Rainbow fentanyl” is the name of brightly colored pills that look like candy but are really a synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than mor phine.

“You may think it’s just a pile of some sort of candy, but the federal Drug Enfor cement Agency (DEA) say it’s actually a pile of deadly fentanyl pills,” said Chris tine Schuyler, County Pu blic Health Director. “This is incredibly concerning because we know that the drugs are being dyed bright colors in the hopes of getting more young people to try it and become addicted to opioids. Fentanyl, rainbow or not, is deadly.”

Fentanyl is sometimes mixed with other illicit drugs and made to look like prescription drugs. Unless a drug is prescribed by a li censed medical professional and dispensed by a legiti mate pharmacy, you CAN NOT know if it’s fake or le gitimate.

“While we haven’t seen these in this area at this point, everyone needs to be aware that any pills and/ or candy purchased on the street have a high potential to contain fentanyl,” said Chautauqua County Sheriff Jim Quattrone.

Carmelo Hernandez, Chautauqua County Men tal Hygiene Director, said, “Keeping an open dialogue with youth about the dan gers of illicit drugs can help protect them. Youth should know that illegally obtained pills may contain fentanyl, and that even a TINY amount of fentanyl

can be fatal. Many of the young people who use subs tances are struggling with mental-health problems or addiction that are going completely unaddressed. If you see red flags, like using alcohol, marijuana, or nico tine; struggling in school; or changes or deteriorations in their relationships, find help in Chautauqua County at https://combataddic tionchq.com/find-help or call the Chautauqua County Warm Line 1-877-426-4373 or text 1-716-392-0252. If you or someone you know is in a crisis, call the 24/7 Chautauqua County crisis line 1-800-724-0461.”

Signs of an overdose in clude falling asleep; loss of consciousness; shal low or no breathing; limp body (though may be rigid with fentanyl); choking or gurgling sounds; small, constricted, 'pinpoint' pu pils (may be difficult to see in an emergency); pale blue or cold skin, lips, or nails.

· Go to your local phar macy and ask about the Naloxone (Narcan) Co-pay ment Assistance Program (N-CAP). For individuals with prescription coverage as part of their health insu rance plan, N-CAP ensures that there are no or lower out-of-pocket expenses.

According to DEA Ad ministrator Anne Mil gram, rainbow fentanyl is fentanyl pills and powder that come in a variety of bright colors, shapes, and sizes and is a deliberate ef fort by drug traffickers to drive addiction amongst kids and young adults. The DEA is relentlessly wor king to stop the trafficking of rainbow fentanyl and defeat the Mexican drug cartels that are responsible for the vast majority of the fentanyl that is being traf ficked in the United States. https://www.dea.gov/ press-releases/2022/08/30/ dea-warns-brightly-co lored-fentanyl-used-tar get-young-americans.

MAYVILLE, N.Y. – The Chautauqua County Depart ment of Health and Human Services (CCDHHS) Divi sion of Public Health has an nounced a free rabies vaccina tion clinic. The clinic will be held on Saturday, October 8, 2022 from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Town of Gerry Highway Department at 4675 Route 60 in Gerry, N.Y. This clinic will be a drive-in clinic and animals must be pre-registe red to receive vaccinations.

Vaccinations will be provi ded free of charge to all dogs, cats, and domesticated ferrets three months of age and ol der.

The Town of Gerry, along with the Chautauqua County Division of Public Health will co-sponsor the clinic. Dr. Ka tie Ball will be the attending veterinarian. To pre-register online for the Town of Gerry clinic visit: https://on.ny. gov/3DO4Jzz.

There are a limited num ber of spots available at these clinics, so pet owners should pre-register online as soon as possible. If you register but decide not to attend the event, please cancel your appointment so the spot is available for another pet. You can cancel appointments via the confirmation email you receive when you register. Walk-ins may be accepted, but are not guaranteed.

At the clinic, vehicles will enter and follow the establi shed traffic pattern on-site.

Pet owners will stay in their vehicles with their pets, un less otherwise instructed. Pet owners must bring previous rabies vaccination records for each animal receiving a shot to ensure proper and effec tive vaccination; clinic staff will confirm previous rabies vaccination records. All dogs must be on a leash. All cats must be in a carrier. Animal handlers will transport ani mals from the vehicle to the veterinarian for vaccination.

New York State Public Health Law requires each dog, cat, and domesticated ferret over the age of four months be vaccinated against rabies. County residents are encouraged to be responsible pet owners by having their pets vaccinated.

Rabies is a very serious disease of warm-blooded animals caused by a virus. Raccoons, bats, skunks, and foxes are common disease carriers. The virus is trans mitted to humans and ani mals through saliva and can enter the body through a bite, scratch, or open cut. The ra bies virus infects the central nervous system and can cause brain swelling and ultima tely death within days of the onset of symptoms.

For more information about the clinic and rabies in general, visit https://chqgov. com/environmental-health/ rabies-prevention or contact the Division of Public Health at (716) 753-4481.

Photo Submitted

Image of rainbow fentanyl

Drive-in Rabies Immunization Clinic Scheduled for October 8 in Gerry Pre-Registration for Drive-in Rabies Clinics is Required

SEPTEMBER IS FARM SAFETY AWARENESS MONTH

Safety Tips to Follow When Sharing the Road

-BY CASSANDRA SKAL, AGRI CULTURE PROGRAM COORDI NATOR

JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK -- Cornell Cooperative

Extension of Chautauqua Coun ty’s Agriculture Program is rec ognizing and sharing the word that September is Farm Safety Awareness Month. In addition, full blown harvest season is upon us, and we all need to be aware of and take caution to tractors and other large farm machinery on the roads. As a person in the agricultural industry, it is gut wrenching to read in the news that a tractor or combine or any type of machinery has been rearended, cut off, or hit in any way.

All drivers on the road need to be alert and pay attention!

The typical farmer works from before the sun is up until well after the sun goes down during harvest season. The animals still need their daily care and basic needs met, so harvest is above and beyond the normal farmers hours.

All farm machinery, animal powered vehicles/equipment, or machinery/equipment that travel less than 40 miles per hour must have a Slow-Moving Vehicle Em blem displayed on the back. This

can be identified as a bright or ange triangle. These vehicles are not required to move over or ride on the side of the road.

What are motorists’ respon sibilities when they encounter a slow-moving vehicle?

- Slow down immediately when you see a vehicle or equipment with a SMV emblem in the road

- Increase following distance to create a safety cushion

- Be alert and watch for turns into fields

- Drive courteously

- Pass with care only when it is safe and legal to do so

- Be aware that animal-pow ered vehicles may make unantic ipated movements

- Remember SMV operators may have poor visibility due to loads and equipment in tow

- Be aware that equipment in tow may sway on the road

For more up to date informa tion on slow-moving vehicles and proper responses when en countering them you can visit the following websites: https:// trafficsafety.ny.gov/system/ files/documents/2019/07/Shar ingTheRoadWithSlowMoving VehiclesBrochure_June2019.pdf or https://trafficsafety.ny.gov/ resources?f%5B0%5D=filter_ter

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The Agriculture Program is one of many programs offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County (CCE-Chau tauqua). CCE-Chautauqua is a subordinate governmental agency with an educational mis sion that operates under a form of organization and administration approved by Cornell University as agent for the State of New York. It is tax-exempt under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

The association is part of the na tional cooperative extension sys tem, an educational partnership between County, State, and Fed eral governments. As New York’s land grant university Cornell ad ministers the system in this state.

Each Cornell Cooperative Exten sion association is an independent employer that is governed by an elected Board of Directors with general oversight from Cornell. All associations work to meet the needs of the counties in which they are located as well as state and national goals. For more in formation, call 716-664-9502 or visit our website at www.cce. cornell.edu/chautauqua. Cornell University Cooperative Exten sion provides equal program and employment opportunities.

Around Town

Dr. Tracy Strawberry to Speak at Christ Chapel Wesleyan Church

Christ Chapel Wesleyan Church, 60 Buffalo Street, Silver Creek will welcome Dr, Tracy Strawberry, international speaker and author of Clean Sober Saved, Sun day, October 9, 2022, 10:45 AM. She will share her powerful message of battling addiction and the radical life transforming change through God and the process of change. This is a free event and open to all.

5th Annual Golf Tournament Benefit

Pine Valley Memorial Post 2522 VFW 5th annual GOLF tournament

Benefit for Blue Star’s Mothers & Homeless Veteran’s Program

Where: Rose Brook, Silver Creek; Cost: $65.00; Start: 1:00PM; Incl: BBQ; Bas kets and raffles on site. Dinner avail. for $15 for those non-golfers or guests. Regis ter 716-298-5418. Walk-ins allowed.

Join the Prendergast Library for a Haunted Tour

On Saturday, October 22, 2022, the library will be closed for regular service and open for our Haunted Library fundraiser! Enjoy an evening of family-friendly spooky fun. Take a guided tour through the library, where you will meet charac ters from storybooks such as Dracula, Hansel and Gretel, and Coraline. Refresh ments such as popcorn, apple cider, and cookies will be available for purchase. Cos tumes are strongly encouraged!

A tour guide will lead you through the decorated library, transporting you to scenes from familiar stories. You will also hear tales about the library's history. Please be aware that there will be limited overhead lighting and fog machines, col ored lights and sound machines will be used. While the tour isn't violent or gory, there are characters that might be frightening to some young children. Tours are geared for ages eight and up; however, all ages are welcome.

Tickets are $1 per person. Tickets are available at the library's circulation desk. If anyone in your party needs elevator accommodation, please let staff know when you purchase your tickets. Get your tickets today, as there is limited space on each tour.

Tours will be hourly, starting at 3:00 pm and going until 10:00 pm. The last tour begins at 9:00 pm. There will be no tour between 6:00-7:00 pm for an actor/volun teer break. Tours last between 30-40 minutes.

For more information or questions about the event, please contact the library at 716-484-7135, ext. 258, or email reference@prendergastlibrary.org.

7 uses for fallen leaves

By the time autumn hits full swing, many trees will have shed their leaves for the season, and the last ves tiges of red, yellow and or ange magic will have faded to brown. Raking, blowing and collecting leaves be comes the primary chores of lawn and yard mainte nance, and presents most homeowners with large piles of gathered leaves to tend to.

It is impossible to count just how many leaves fall to the ground each year, or just how many pounds of leaves get collected curb side, but the numbers are substantial. Cleaning up leaves is considerable work, but not all of those leaves need to be carted away. In fact, there are several dif ferent uses of leaves that can be beneficial.

1. Spread leaves as a pro tective mulch to cover tender perennials or root crops/bulbs in the ground. The leaves will form a natural insulating cover that keeps the soil and the plants within a bit warmer over winter.

2. Create a pile of leaves that will break down and form a crumbly, com

post-like material called leaf mold. Even though leaf mold may sound like a blight, it’s actually a good amendment to garden soil, improving its structure and ability to hold water. Leaf mold also attracts ben eficial organisms that are vital in healthy soil.

3. Brown leaves can be added to green materials in compost piles to improve the health of the compost being formed. According to the healthy living resource Care2, the ideal ratio is 75 percent brown to 25 percent green materials in com post. Turn compost piles regularly to aerate them.

4. Store dried, mulched leaves in a dry spot so they can be used in the spring as a weed barrier for spring plantings. They will keep weeds at bay and help re tain soil moisture to ensure small sprouts have the re sources to grow.

5. Use shredded leaves as a lawn supplement. Pass a lawn mower over leaves left on the lawn to break them down into pieces too small to rake. This will help keep the lawn healthy through out the winter without blocking out needed sun

light.

pack them tightly together in cold areas of the home, such as basements or ga rages. They can act as added insulation. Bags of leaves also can be placed around planting containers to pro tect them from frost.

7. Gather a few of the best-looking leaves and

preserve them. Use an iron on a low setting and press leaves between two pieces of waxed paper until the waxed paper seals together. Or use clear contact paper to achieve the same effect. Fallen leaves can be used in many different ways throughout the year.

Apple picking pointers

Apple picking is a be loved autumn tradition. Apple picking season tends to begin in mid- to late-September and ends sometime in early Oc tober. That makes apple picking a perfect activ ity, as it’s both outdoors and at a time of year when the weather is generally pleasant no matter where you live.

Individuals interested in apple picking this fall can take heed of these tips to ensure their trip is fun, safe and successful.

• Contact the farm in advance. Apple picking is a wildly popular ac tivity, so expect a crowd to be there on a typical autumn weekend. If the farm is open several days per week, ask which days are the least busy and schedule your trip when foot traffic figures to be minimal.

• Choose firm apples without bruises. Accord ing to Pickyourown.org, apples should be crisp and firm. Don’t worry about the color of the apple, as color is not an indicator of ripeness. Instead, Pic kyourown.org advises

people to ask the farmers which apples are ripe, which is determined by how long it’s been since the trees flowered.

• Gently place picked apples into your basket. Pickyourown.org rec ommends gently placing apples into your basket after picking them. Toss ing them into the bas ket may cause bruising, which can lead to the apples spoiling prema turely. While it depends on the variety, many ap ples that are not bruised

tend to last a long time, especially when stored in a cool place. So taking care of them when pick ing them can mean you get to enjoy apples for sev eral weeks.

• Clean apples before eating them. The Food and Drug Administra tion notes that produce can be contaminated even after it’s been picked and brought home. The FDA advises consumers to wash their hands for 20 seconds with warm water and soap before and after

preparing fresh produce. Produce should be rinsed before it’s peeled so any lingering dirt and bac teria are not transferred from the knife onto the fruit or vegetable. If bruising has occurred, cut away the damaged or bruised areas before pre paring or eating it.

Apple picking is a be loved autumn tradition that can be even more fun when employing a few strategies designed to make it more fruitful.