The Changhua county government said yesterday that it will reinforce disinfection and blood tests at poultry farms as precautions in light of reported H7N9 avian influenza cases in China.

Eighteen Vietnamese who attempted to stow away on a ship to Taiwan were rescued Monday after drifting in waters off Central Taiwan's Changhua County for three days, the Coast Guard Administration said Tuesday.

The government will look into money laundering allegations against Changhua County Magistrate Cho Po-yuan's brother, a justice official said Sunday, after the story was headlined in a local newspaper.

The annual procession to honor the sea goddess Matsu in Taiwan's central county of Changhua will include a “check-in” feature on Facebook this year, giving followers the latest updates on the procession, organizers said Saturday.

A Changhua County Council member has gone missing just before he was due to begin serving a 16-year prison sentence for demanding bribes from contractors while serving as a township chief, a prosecutor said yesterday.

Farmers in Changhua County's Erlin Township (彰化縣二林鄉) were ready to launch another round of protest over the Central Taiwan Science Park's (CTSP) fourth expansion project in the township. Previous efforts failed to stop the construction of a water relocation project that may have a serious impact the livelihoods of local farmers.

Central Taiwan's Changhua County will hold a two-day festival over the weekend to celebrate the “homecoming” of the gray-faced buzzard eagle, the county head said yesterday.

The Tourism Bureau yesterday urged all people who have not yet visited the 2012 Taiwan Lantern Festival show being staged at Lukang Township of Changhua County to take time to attend the festivities today and tomorrow.

A township in Changhua County will elect its chief today for the third time in about two years after its previous two administrators went to jail for vote-buying.

An exhibition featuring 65 art pieces by 21 local artists opened Wednesday in Changhua County as a promotional event leading up to the 2012 Taiwan Lantern Festival.