(cache) Warner Bros. : Smallville Ledger

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Volume 0 Number 0

CATTLE POISONING ON KENT FARM

CEP Investigation Continues

By Kathy Romita

When Jonathan Kent woke up yesterday morning, he thought it was just another perfect day on the farm. He was wrong. Kent and his son, Clark, made a grim discovery when they went out to the cow pasture to feed the cattle. Instead of 60 hungry cows, they found 60 dead cows--poisoned by illegally dumped hazardous waste.

The Kansas State Center for Environmental Protection quickly arrived on the scene. Oozing green liquid onto the field, half a dozen broken hazardous waste barrels bearing the LuthorCorp logo clued CEP representatives into the cause of the bovine massacre.

Even though LuthorCorp handles dangerous chemicals, the company has previously maintained a blemish-free environmental record at its Smallville fertilizer facility. When plant president Lex Luthor arrived at the Kent farm, he was overheard assuring Martha and Jonathan Kent, "I have no idea how this could have happened, but I'll do everything in my power to find out." He further promised to "pay for all of the lost livestock."

But the dead head of cattle is just the beginning of the Kent farm problems. As HAZ-MAT technicians removed the carcasses and cleaned the field, CEP officials informed the Kents that the pasture cannot be used for "at least six months." It will take the CEP time to determine if the waste poses a health threat to the Kents and their livestock as well as to their neighbors and their animals. The possibility of groundwater contamination is a real concern as well. CEP official Rudey Joce said, "We plan to conduct a thorough investigation. And monitoring the site is a top priority with this type of contamination. Whenever something seeps into the ground...then you've got trouble."

Anyone with information about this crime is encouraged to call the CEP at 555-0110.