TOWN OF THOMPSON – Wal-Mart officials are in the Town of Thompson store working around the clock in an effort to clean up the serious health violations that were cited five times in recent weeks. Among them are fresh mouse droppings in a number of areas of the store along with gnawed candy bars and other foods.

A hearing will be held with the state Department of Agriculture and Markets on Wednesday to determine if the store’s permit to process fresh foods should be pulled as a result.

Sullivan County Manager David Fanslau sent a letter to Wal-Mart headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas Monday and received a call back from Adam Johnson, the company’s director of food safety.

“He expressed that Wal-Mart is committed to moving forward with completing the work remaining and to operating this store in an environment that well exceeds the minimum standards set by state Ag and Markets regulations,” Fanslau said.

Over 120 employees worked overnight in an effort to correct the problems.