twistbolts fly off of container trucks on a regular basis in the Houston area
A driver was killed along State Highway 146 on Thursday afternoon after "major road debris" crashed through his windshield. (KTRK)
LA PORTE, TX (KTRK) -- A large bolt likely flew off of a flatbread trailer, hit a motorist in the neck and killed him along State Highway 146, police say.
The accident happened on the southbound lanes of State Highway 146 at Wharton Weems just after 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 2. According to police, Paul Hoffman, 60, was found unresponsive in a 2016 Ford Edge SUV stopped against the guardrail.
Investigators believe the debris that struck Hoffman was a retaining pin used to attach containers to flatbed trailers. The bolt likely flew off of a truck traveling northbound near the area where Hoffman crashed.
Bystanders and emergency personnel attempted to resuscitate Hoffman, who was pronounced dead upon arrival at Clear Lake Regional Hospital.
Anybody who witnessed the incident is asked to contact the La Porte Police Department at 281-471-2141 and reference case number.
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After a Pasadena man was killed by flying road debris on Thursday, La Porte police are looking for witnesses who may have seen the container truck the debris seems to have fallen from.
At about 3 p.m. on March 2, 60-year-old Paul Hoffman was traveling southbound on Highway 146 near Wharton Weems Boulevard when his vehicle was struck by a twistlock, a bolt that holds shipping containers onto the flatbed trailers that are common on Houston freeways.
The twistlock flew through Hoffman's windshield, bending his steering wheel backward before striking him in the neck, La Porte Police Sgt. John Krueger said.
First responders found Hoffman's blue Ford Edge SUV against the guard rail on the freeway, and Hoffman unconscious inside. Bystanders and emergency crews attempted to resuscitate him at the scene, Krueger said.
Hoffman, in critical condition at the scene, was transported to Clear Lake regional, where he was pronounced dead. Hoffman's Pasadena address is near Kirby Road in the Taylor Lake Village area.
Krueger said a twistbolt is about the size of a softball. This type of equipment becomes worn over time, and twistbolts fly off of container trucks on a regular basis in the Houston area, he said.
Police believe the flying bolt that struck Hoffman came from a truck that was headed northbound near the same address.
Anyone with information on this case may contact the La Porte Police Department at 281-471-2141 and reference Case No. 1700837.
SOUTHEAST TEXAS — First responders were at the Rainbow Bridge after a worker fell about 25 feet. He didnt' fall into the water.
Sarah Dupre with TxDOT tells KFDM they're checking into what happened.
Acadian Ambulance responded with a crew and supervisor, according to Denise Richter with Acadian. It appears the worker has been transported because our reporter at the scene says there are no first responders visible, only workers on the bridge.
A maintenance project has been underway on the bridge since January 2015, according to Dupre, She says the work should be finished by the end of this month or early April. The bridge is usually closed for maintenance from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
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A worker who fell 25 feet from the Rainbow Bridge was not seriously injured, Orange County Sheriff Capt. Dennis Marlow said.
"Essentially, he unhooked his harness and slipped," Marlow said. "He fell about 25 feet. He was sore but they took him to the hospital just to be checked out."
"By the time our deputy got out there, they were already transporting him to be checked out," he said.
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At the July 31 Texas Transportation Commission meeting, the Commission approved more than $26 million for maintenance to be performed on the Rainbow Bridge between Port Arthur and Bridge City. Saffo Contractors, Inc. was awarded the project.
“This type of maintenance must be done to keep our bridges in safe working order,” said Tucker Ferguson, district engineer for the Beaumont District of TxDOT. “When completed, the bridge will have been cleaned, repainted and any repairs will have been made.”
The project is expected to begin by the end of the year and last approximately two years. While maintenance is taking place, the bridge will be down to one lane of traffic.
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Texas Historic Rainbow Bridge Gets Facelift
The bridge carries close to 27,000 cars and trucks with heavy loads on a daily basis.
The Rainbow Bridge, a cantilever structure that was built in 1938 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996, is now undergoing a two-year re-painting via a $26.6 million contract awarded by the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDO
The Rainbow Bridge, a cantilever structure that was built in 1938 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996, is now undergoing a two-year re-painting via a $26.6 million contract awarded by the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) to Wilmington, N.C.-based Saffo Contractors Inc.
This two-lane bridge allows for state Highway 87 and state Highway 73 to connect Port Arthur in Jefferson County on the southwest bank of the Neches River with Bridge City in Orange County on the northeast bank.
Until the construction of the two-lane Veterans Memorial Bridge (cable-stayed) in 1990, the Rainbow Bridge carried traffic in both directions. Today the bridge carries close to 27,000 cars and trucks with heavy loads on a daily basis.
“We’re completely repainting the bridge and doing all the repairs that need to be made,” said Harriet Sarah Dupre, public relations office of the beaumont district of TXDOT. “It’s a very well-known bridge and a symbol of the area. It meant a lot when it was built and it was a huge accomplishment. Some people have said that has enough steel to build a battleship, so it is a huge bridge.
“We did a complete renovation of the bridge in the early 1990s,” she added, “and the work that will be done this time will concentrate on the nuts, bolts, and any of the beams that need to be replaced. These types of repairs are done about every 20 years.”
TXDOT takes bridge maintenance seriously and all of its bridges are inspected every two years.
“The Rainbow Bridge is inspected every year,” said Dupre. “It’s an important bridge and it carries a lot of traffic because we have a lot of chemical plants in our area and a lot of people live in Bridge City and work in Port Arthur.”
As the work continues, TXDOT will keep one lane closed and DOT inspectors will be monitoring the work on a constant basis.
“We want to make sure that everything is done correctly — that the bridge is safe and that drivers are going to have a safe drive every day when the renovation is completed,” said Dupre.
Saffo Contractors operates in many states, specializing in industrial painting (plants, chemical, pulp and paper, etc.) and bridge maintenance and rehabilitation. Nick Saffo, the owner and president of the firm, points out that 85 percent of the work force on the site is based in Texas.
“This project calls for the total removal of the bridge’s paint system and the installation of a new three-coat paint system,” said Saffo, “and we have several line items for bolt repair and rivet replacement and structural steel repair. Our crews arrived last December and we have just begun the process of rigging the bridge. The major challenge is the rigging — it is extremely difficult because of the bits — the legs that are holding up the bridge, and the other challenge is the weather conditions in Texas — high humidity, rain, and wind.”
The first step for Saffo will be to remove the paint — not an easy task.
“There are different spans and sections and some are easier then others,” said Saffo. “The approach spans, which account for 28 spans on the north and south sides, should be blasted and painted within two to three months. As you get into the truss spans — there are six of them, because they are deeper, you have to rig at different levels for accessibility. Safety is key issue on this job.
Successful painting requires good conditions on a multi-day basis to account for various coats and drying times between them.
“The first coat [primer coat] is a zinc-based paint and normally you can get back on it within 24 to 48 hours,” said Saffo. “Then you apply your intermediate coat, the striped coat, and finally the top coat. You can paint 24/7, but it depends upon the conditions. In the summertime, your conditions may be more favorable in the evening because of the heat and in winter they may be more favorable in the day because of the cooler conditions.
“We maximize every hour to get the job done,” he added.
TXDOT inspections of the bridge have created a list of rivets and nuts to be replaced and repaired, but as the paint is removed, Saffo anticipates that additional sections of the structure will require repairs. When possible additions are found, TXDOT inspectors are brought to the location to determine whether they need to be added to the list.
Re-painting begins after the section of bridge super-structure is dealt with. When the work on the bridge peaks, Saffo expects to have between 40 and 50 workers on site (Saffo and subcontractors). At the moment, there are about 25 people on site setting up the rigging.
Approximately 375 tons (340 t) of paint will be removed from the bridge, and with the lead paint having been removed in the 1990s, it is not considered to be hazardous. Saffo expects that 10,000 to 12,000 gal. (37,854 to 45,425 L) of primer will be used, with similar amounts for the intermediate coats and the top coats.
The firm has an office/yard and laydown area in The Groves, nearly 10 mi. (16 km) from the job site. Mechanics are brought on site when needed.
“Aside from routine maintenance,” said Saffo, “the main repairs will likely be for compressors that malfunction, and we have several vendors close by that are helping us.”
Daily inspections by operators are key to maintaining the equipment and vehicles. Electronic monitoring also is crucial.
“Everything that happens on the job via the equipment is sent electronically through a share file system,” said Saffo, “so we’ll know all about here at the home office, at the field office, and obviously, the superintendents know about any problems immediately.
“We’ve had this system for five years and I have some very innovative staff that put all this technology together, including the schedules, safety reports, contract documents, contingency documents, and plans,” he added, “so if you’re in the field and you need to take a look at a blueprint, you can open up a share file on your laptop or ipad. TXDOT and other DOTs also are going electronic for reports to keep with the work that is performed daily and to help resolve issues rapidly when they come up.”
Saffo added that electronic monitoring of equipment and vehicles is helping to reduce maintenance costs and extend lifespans via timely and efficient replacement of oils and hydraulics, and alarms that serve as reminders for oil changes and potential equipment breakdowns.
Each piece of equipment has a file that covers its history and repairs.
“One of our most valuable assets is our equipment and maintaining it properly is a must for us to deliver our projects on time,” said Saffo.
TXDOT has recognized Saffo Contractors as a prequalified contractor. Nick Saffo and his team take pre-planning for projects and the choice of project seriously.
“We studied the whole market of all the states, including projects coming out of TXDOT and reviewed them to see if we wanted to be involved with them,” said Saffo. “Even though we are prequalified, you still have to be the lowest bid in any kind of state or federal project. For the Rainbow Bridge, we did a field trip and it fit. We put in a successful bid and we’re now involved in a very interesting and challenging project where we will hone our skills and put best practices into action.”
Federal and state health officials are investigating an outbreak of 12 cases of E. coli reported in several states.
Information collected to date indicates I. M. Healthy brand SoyNut Butter products as a "likely source" of the outbreak, the Centers for Disease Control said in a statement today.
The CDC warned against consuming the products or serving them to others.
The CDC believes the products may contain a type of E. coli called Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), which can cause symptoms including severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea and vomiting.
"Very young children and the elderly are more likely to develop severe illness," including kidney failure in extreme cases, the CDC said. "But even healthy older children and young adults can become seriously ill."
STEC infections are estimated to cause 265,000 illnesses each year in the United States, with more than 3,600 hospitalizations and 30 deaths, according to the CDC.
Food Safety News reported that the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene posted a consumer warning about the I.M. Healthy brand soy nut butter today.
The CDC did not name other states affected by the outbreak but said it would publish more detailed information on its website tomorrow.
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Mystery E Coli Cases Linked to Soy Nut Butter; Recall Begins
March 03, 2017 
By: Candess Zona-Mendola
On March 2, 2017, the Illinois-based SoyNut Butter Company recalled its I.M. Healthy Original Creamy SoyNut Butter. The company decided to recall its soy nut butter after the FDA alerted it to “a possible link between our product and illnesses regarding E. coli.” The recall comes after the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene warned consumers not to eat I.M Healthy branded soy nut butter “because of possible contamination with E. Coli O157 bacteria.”
Notification
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) represented this week that they were investigating a multi-state outbreak cluster of individuals who were infected with E. Coli. The CDC informed the general public that the source was a mystery. It intended to work with local and state governments to interview the E. Coli victims in hopes of finding a potential source. According to the CDC representatives,
“This investigation is ongoing, and we will update the public when more information becomes available. CDC and state and local public health partners are continuing laboratory surveillance through PulseNet to identify additional ill people and to interview those people about foods they ate before they got sick.”
Today, they found their link – soy nut butter from The SoyNut Butter Company under the I.M. Healthy brand. The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (MDHMH) was the first of the local state health departments to confirm the link and warn its citizens to immediately stop eating the product or any other soy nut butter-containing products made by The SoyNut Butter Company.
CDC, FDA, and State Health Department Investigations
Several governmental agencies, including the CDC, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and state local health departments, including MDHMH, are working together to investigate this outbreak. The investigation is still pending, but what we do know is that a Maryland victim was confirmed to have consumed I.M. Healthy soy nut butter prior to their illness. The agencies have utilized the national PulseNet system, a database that keeps track of the DNA maps of bacteria related to outbreaks, to determine the cases involved in the cluster. Early findings indicate that the bacteria samples provided by the victims are closely related in genetic make-up, which means they are most likely from a shared source. In this instance, the victims all have a similar strain of E. Coli O157. The CDC informed the media that there are victims from three other yet-to-be-named states. Furthermore, the investigation and interviews are still ongoing to confirm these victims also ingested I.M. Healthy soy nut butter. Thus far, the agencies have identified 10 people related to the cluster.
The SoyNut Butter Company
The Illinois-based SoyNut Butter Company markets its soy butter products as an alternative to peanut butter for children with food allergies. The company claims that its SoyNut Butter addresses “the specific needs of individuals and institutions concerned with food allergies. I.M. Healthy SoyNut Butter [is] peanut, tree nut, gluten, egg and dairy free; and [is] certified Kosher.”
According to the SoyNut Butter Company’s website, its I.M. Healthy SoyNut Butter “is served nationwide in thousands of pre-school facilities, Head Start programs, camps and schools – and kids love it!”
According to the company’s website, its SoyNut Butter is served to “over 2 million children a month.” The company claims that, “In everything from schools to daycare facilities, camps and Head Start programs, the remarkably similar taste and texture of our SoyNut Butter is a hit with kids of all ages. And the nutritional value has made our products the peanut butter alternative.”
The SoyNut Butter Company sells its products in supermarkets nationwide, in health and natural foods stores, and online. Therefore, there is a possibility that more than four states may be affected.
At the time, the Spokeswoman for the company, who told the media her name was “Marsha,” claimed that the CDC and other agencies have yet to reach out to the company to inform them of any outbreak or potential link of the E. Coli cases to their products. According to Marsha, “We would be the first to know if there was a problem. The CDC would call us first.”
The company’s detachment was short-lived. By that evening, the company initiated a recall of its products. It took to social media to make its announcement. The notice on its Facebook page reads:
“The SoyNut Butter Co. has announced a voluntary recall of our of I.M. Healthy Original Creamy SoyNut Butter with the Best By date of 08-30-18 or 08-31-18. The voluntary recall is in response to the FDA alerting us of a possible link between our product and illnesses regarding E.coli. While we are taking the necessary investigative steps in getting the product in question and the supply chain tested, we decided to issue the recall for the sake of food safety. We take our products integrity seriously and will update all our customers as we receive more information.
Consumers who have purchased I.M. Healthy Original Creamy SoyNut Butter should not consume the product. The recall does not effect any other I.M. Healthy products except for the I.M. Healthy Original Creamy with the Best By date of 08-30-18 or 08-31-18. For questions or concerns, please call our office at 800-288-1012.”
It is unknown if more products may be affected with this outbreak and subsequent recall.
What is E. Coli O157?
E. Coli O157 is a Shiga toxin producing E. Coli (STEC). It is one of the more dangerous foodborne pathogens, and cause severe future problems or even death. The initial symptoms of E. Coli food poisoning are typically expressed within 3-4 days after the person eats the infected food. However, the latency period can range anywhere from 1-9 days before the onset of symptoms, depending on the amount of contamination or the health of the victim. It takes only a very small dose of E. Coli cells in the food to cause illness. Scientists who study the disease believe that as few as 10-100 E. Coli cells are capable of causing an infection in humans.
The acute symptoms of E. Coli O157 are referred to as Hemorrhagic Colitis. The bacteria typically induces severe diarrhea, usually bloody, and abdominal pain in in its victims. For normal, healthy adults and those who do not develop complications, recovery is usually anywhere from 2-9 days. In severe cases, E. Coli O157 can cause hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a sometimes fatal condition characterized by the sudden onset of gastrointestinal bleeding, anemia from the destruction of red blood cells, low blood platelet count (thrombocytopenia), bloody urine and, in the worst cases, acute kidney failure (uremia). HUS is the result red blood cells being destroyed in the body. Essentially, the kidney’s filtration system is overwhelmed and blocked by the dead cells. Approximately 3-5% of people who progress to the stage of HUS die as a result. Those with severe cases that survive may require long-term medical treatment and possibly organ transplants.
Thus, it is imperative that people who suspect they may have contracted an E. Coli infection seek immediate medical attention. The sooner the E. Coli food poisoning is detected, the better chance medical providers have of preventing the patient from progressing to the HUS stage and potentially dying.
E. Coli O157 is often associated with beef, especially hamburger meat. While this is a common source of outbreaks. E. Coli O157 can also be carried on vegetables and legumes, like soybeans, often because they have been exposed to feces contaminated fertilizers or irrigation and not properly processed afterwards. Outbreaks of E. Coli O157 have resulted from peanuts used to make peanut butter (much like the soy butter in this case), spinach, lettuce, and radishes.
How Can I Protect My Family Now?
While the investigation is ongoing, the agencies urge the public to stop eating any soy nut butter-containing products from The SoyNut Butter Company. As these products have a long shelf life, they are most likely still in peoples’ homes and pantries. The agencies also urge the public to check their homes to be safe.
What is especially concerning about this outbreak is that soy butter is primarily eaten by children. Children, along with the elderly and those with compromised immune systems, are the most likely populations to develop HUS and further severe complications as a result of eating E. Coli O157 contaminated food. No matter the age, if someone has eaten SoyNut Butter Company or I.M. Healthy SoyNut Butter and is showing any of the signs or symptoms of E. Coli food poisoning, they should seek medical attention and get the necessary stool testing to determine if they have an infection immediately.
Sources:
http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bs-bz-nut-butter-contamination-20170302-story.html
http://dhmh.maryland.gov/newsroom/Pages/Marylanders-discouraged-from-eating-I-M–Healthy-Soynut-Butter-products-due-to-possible-E–coli-O157-contamination.aspx
http://phpa.dhmh.maryland.gov/pages/ecoli.aspx
https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/
http://abcnews.go.com/US/federal-health-officials-investigating-multi-state-coli-outbreak/story?id=45874630
http://www.soynutbutter.com/Section/Shop/Peanut_Butter_Substitute/index.html?PHPSESSID=8f36f6105ed33914abf22faaabe32621
http://www.soynutbutter.com/Section/About_Us/index.html
Friday, March 03, 2017 12:21AM
NORTH PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Twelve people were injured after a SEPTA bus and a Philadelphia Water Department truck collided in North Philadelphia.
It happened around 4:30 p.m. Thursday at 13th and Allegheny Avenue.
Fire officials say the injured were taken to Einstein Medical Center and Temple University Hospital.
None of the injuries appear to be life-threatening.
OCEAN GROVE, New Jersey (WABC) -- At least three buildings have been destroyed in a three-alarm fire in New Jersey.
The fire broke out at 5:15 a.m. and burned through the old Park View Inn on Seaview Avenue, which appears to be a closed hotel.
The fire has also spread to the top of the La Pierre Condominiums and at least two homes.
The fire is a block from the beach and the intersection of Seaview and Beach avenues.
No injuries are reported.
