The Raven’s Report

With temperatures projected to hover at 99 degrees Fahrenheit for at least the next ten days, students are reminded to exercise caution when spending time outdoors. The heat-related death of Justine Calloway is a sad reminder of summer danger. Calloway’s desiccated corpse was found in the driver’s seat of her 2001 Honda Accord on Sunday morning in the Roost parking lot. Friends and loved ones are still puzzling over how the sophomore’s body came to be dried out overnight, but the cause of death is clear.

When spending time outdoors:

• Drink water every hour you are in the sun. Avoid carbonated beverages, alcohol, and even sports drinks.
• Wear light colored, loose fitting clothing.
• Wear sunscreen.
• If you feel lightheaded, nauseous, or stop sweating, stop your activity immediately and seek a cool place to rest and rehydrate.

Four wells several miles north of Pinebox have been closed due to contamination by deadly E. coli bacteria and the few residents in the area have been advised to boil their water until further notice. The contamination came to the attention of the Pinebox City water utility during their weekly sampling and the wells were shuttered immediately. No cases of sickness attributable to the bacteria have been reported in Golan County.

It is unknown how the wells became contaminated, although recent rains may have allowed contaminated material into the water. Gus Richardson, general manager of Pinebox city’s water utility, declined to say when the wells would no longer be dangerous. However, he did state that the city would attempt to disinfect the wells.

Eschericia coli is a natural bacteria that causes food poisoning and flu-like symptoms in those who drink contaminated water. The severity of the illness varies, but can be fatal to young children, the elderly, and those people with compromised immune systems.