To strengthen the delivery of its "Expect the world from us" customer experience, Vancouver, BC-based The Oppenheimer Group has acquired a pair of new sales representatives and repositioned two other key members of its sales team.

A decision by Colorado District 1 Water Court Judge Roger Klein to accept a water augmentation plan submitted by the Central Colorado Water Conservancy District has given agricultural producers in northeast Colorado some cause for hope. But the million-dollar question remains: Will the Oct. 19 decision give producers in the drought-stricken state the necessary water resources to bring in crops in 2008?

Many cities are thinking outside the box and building state-of-the-art wholesale produce markets.

Matthew D'Arrigo, who has in the recent past held the office of president or co-president of the Hunts Point Terminal Produce Cooperative Association Inc. in the Bronx, NY, does not see a new produce market in New York in the foreseeable future. But he does believe it's time to think outside the box.

"Highly speculative" discussions have taken place at Hunts Point board meetings about building a satellite market in northern New Jersey.

The trial of David Charles Lenihan, a 54-year-old former controller for two Washington fruit warehouses, is scheduled to begin Dec. 31. Mr. Lenihan has been formally charged with one count of theft in Yakima County Superior Court.

BThe Florida Legislature's Office of Program Policy Analysis & Government Accountability issued Nov. 16 the Department of Citrus, Options for Legislative Consideration in its Sunset Memorandum. It was not a favorable report card.

Coast Produce Co. in Los Angeles has hired Emily (Marlephansakul) Fragoso to be its new marketing manager.

She joins the Coast team after six years with the Fresh Produce & Floral Council, where she began as membership development director and event coordinator and rose through the ranks to become vice president and executive vice president.