In brief: Costco announces frozen chicken recall

Costco Wholesale is voluntarily recalling more than 10,000 pounds of frozen chicken that may be contaminated.

The meat comes in four-packs of “Discover Cuisine Red Curry Chicken & Jasmine Rice.” Each 12-ounce package has a “best by” date of Dec. 18, 2008, and contains the Canadian establishment number 302, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The item number 2880 also appears by the UPC code on the package.

Stores in Idaho, Washington, Montana, Oregon, Utah and Alaska may be affected.

There have been no reports of illnesses by those who have eaten the chicken, but consumption could cause the uncommon but potentially fatal disease listeriosis, according to the news release.

Listeriosis is an infection caused by eating food contaminated with a specific bacterium, according to the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It causes aches and flulike symptoms, particularly among the very old, very young and those with other health problems. Among pregnant women, it can cause miscarriages and other problems.

– Staff reports

IRS corrects itself on stimulus eligibility

Illustrating the complexity of rules surrounding the federal economic stimulus program, the Internal Revenue Service has reversed itself twice on one key issue: whether Social Security disability payments can be counted as qualifying income.

An IRS tax expert in Seattle correctly stated in a news story on Feb. 20 that Social Security payments, including disability, could be counted toward income requirements to receive economic stimulus checks that will be issued beginning in the spring.

However, Acting IRS Commissioner Linda Stiff issued incorrect information about disability income two days later in a conference call with reporters. The IRS then corrected the misinformation.

Judy Monahan, an IRS spokeswoman in Seattle, expressed apologies for the confusion to the low-income seniors and others trying to determine whether they qualify for the economic stimulus payment.

– Alison Boggs

Plummer

CdA Tribe eases rules on float-home removal

The Coeur d’Alene Tribal Council now says it will let float homes remain on tribal waters until current lessees die.

The previous rule would have ended all lease agreements, requiring owners to relocate float homes by December 2010. The tribe ultimately wants float homes removed from tribal waters, which includes the south end of Lake Coeur d’Alene.

A press release from the Tribal Council says ownership is based on who owned the float homes as of July 28, 1998.

Owners must have a plan to remove the float home 90 days after the lessee dies, and have the home removed within one year.

“This modification to our current policy on float homes achieves a healthy balance for our float home neighbors, and the desire by the Tribal Council to protect the waterways that are so important to the Coeur d’Alene Tribal community,” Council Chairman Chief Allan said in the press release.

– Erica F. Curless