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Central Bi-Products Fined

A Long Prairie rendering facility has been fined $3 million for air quality violations and has agreed to spend more than $4 million to improve its wastewater treatment. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency officials said in a press release that Central Bi-Products emitted higher levels of hydrogen sulfide than is allowed, causing odor complaints in the community of Long Prairie and resulting in the $3 million fine. The violations took place from fall 2023 through 2024. The Todd County Community Health & Human Services department will receive $1.2 million of the fine and will use it to fund projects that benefit area residents. Central Bi-Projects has agreed to spend a minimum of $4.4 million on a supplemental environmental project that will ensure the facility sufficiently treats its wastewater and controls hydrogen sulfide pollution in the future. The MPCA says that to come back into compliance with its permit, Central Bi-Products has agreed to:

• improve wastewater pretreatment systems
• prepare and submit to the MPCA a revised plan for corrective actions if additional hydrogen sulfide levels exceed the permit standard
• have an adequate supply of treatment chemicals for hydrogen sulfide
• conduct air monitoring from April 1 to Oct. 31
• hold public meetings regarding facility’s environmental compliance, impacts on odor, and operational changes made to improve wastewater management
• create a publicly available webpage with a summary of the facility’s monthly hydrogen sulfide emissions

Melrose Man Accused Of Sexual Abuse

A 41-year-old man is accused of sexually abusing two girls at their home in Melrose. According to charges filed in Stearns County District Court, a woman met with a sergeant in the Melrose Police Department on Monday after a 12 or 13-year-old girl reported Jorge Esparza had been sexually abusing her. A second child, who was either 14 or 15 years old, then reported finding a camera hidden in her bedroom vent. She also said Esparza had touched her inappropriately. The younger girl reported that Esparza had been sexually assaulting her, starting when she was nine or 10 years old and as recently as this past Sunday. Court records show the girl told authorities that Esparza would sexually touch her both over and under her clothes and had offered her money if she would allow him to touch her. Esparza is charged with two counts of criminal sexual conduct with victims under the age of 16, including multiple acts.