Mean Munchies: A risk of bubonic plague...

Mean Munchies: A risk of bubonic plague closed three picnic sites in the Angeles National Forest over the holiday weekend. Ground squirrels, like the one above, tested positive for a cousin to the disease, which is transmitted to humans via fleas. (B1) . . . To combat the threat, rangers lure the infected squirrels into traps lined with flea powder and--get this--floor sweepings provided by snack maker Frito-Lay. The squirrels can’t eat just one bite of the bait.

Hopping Mad: July is the peak of the flea infestation season in California. Pet owners learn this when they come home after being away on vacation and hundreds of the hungry critters attack their ankles. . . . Richard Givens of the American Pest Control Assn. in Van Nuys said the not-so-warm welcome happens when fleas go undisturbed by vacuum cleaners and pets.

Berry Fine: Out-of-state orders of California strawberries have dropped by almost half, following reports that might link the berries to an intestinal illness. (D1) . . . Closer to home, though, the berries remain a big hit, Valley produce vendors say. “They ask about ‘em, but they still buy ‘em,” said Rosie Vargas, whose family owns a Chatsworth farm stand.

Go Figure: Good news on the job front was bad news for the stock market Friday (A1) and a number of Valley-based companies suffered along with the rest. . . . Among them: Walt Disney Co. stock fell $1.625 a share to close at $59.375, a drop of 2.6%. Van Nuys wheel maker Superior Industries dropped 4.3%, to $25.25.