Butte County health officials are reporting tonight that a total of 18 people have fallen ill due to an E. coli outbreak at a fireman’s fundraiser earlier this month.  Health officials believe the outbreak can be traced to tri-tip beef served at the fundraiser in Forest Ranch.  They are still trying to determine how the meat came to be contaminated (good guess – cow shit).   Four people have been hospitalized because of the sickness, including a young girl, who was airlifted to UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, he said.  Two victims were released from the hospital.

My favorite quote:

“Lundberg said the annual fundraiser is a great event put on with the best of intentions. Unfortunately, something went wrong this year, he said.”