2 Deaths may be related to beef recall

CBSNews.com is reporting that two deaths and 26 illnesses may have been a cause of eating contaminated meat, according to a federal health official.

Lola Scott Russell, spokeswoman for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said this meat may be related to a recall done by New York company  Fairbank Farms.

The company recalled 546,000 pounds of ground beef that may be infected with E. coli bacteria.

Russell said one of the two people dead was a New York adult with several underlying conditions. The other death was reported in New Hampshire.

My Take: This is a serious problem that concerns the US population because anyone who ate from this meat could be harmed. Readers want to know more information about the outcome of this story.

Smoking ban enforcement in Syracuse will begin soon

On November 19, four Syracuse hospitals will begin to enforce a new Onondaga County law that prohibits smoking within 100 feet of a health care facility, according to Syracuse.com.

This is the date of the annual Great American Smokeout, a national program that encourages people to quit smoking.

In the meantime, Community General, Crouse, St. Joseph’s and Upstate University hospitals will be posting signs and educating staff, visitors, and patients.

The law took effect Sunday and sets a $50 fine to those who fail to abide.

My Take: Both smokers and patients of the hospitals will be affected by the enforcement of this law. It is important for them to know the date of the beginning of its enforcement.

Prospect basketball player commits to SU  

Syracuse.com is reporting that a junior guard from St. Andrew’s School in Rhode Island to Syracuse University.

According to his coach, Michael Carter-Williams has fallen in love with SU.

Carter-Williams is 6-foot-5 tall and averaged 13 points per game for his school last season.

“He’s a very intelligent player. I really think it’s a perfect fit,” Carter-Williams’s coach said.

My Take: This is a story of the interest of Syracuse University’s students, especially those who follow college basketball closely. This student might be an SU basketball player in 2011 who affects the team’s performance.