4 killed, 1 injured in head-on crash that closed U.S. Route 20 for hours in Jo Daviess County, Illinois

May 21, 2015

Jo Daviess County, Illinois

Four people died in a head-on crash that closed U.S. Route 20 for about five hours in the Tapley Woods Conservation Area in Jo Daviess County, Illinois.

The wreck was reported on U.S. 20, between Elizabeth and Galena, just before 9:30 a.m. Thursday, May 21, 2015, according to a spokesperson for the Jo Daviess County Sheriff’s Office, who initially said two vehicles collided and multiple fatalities were reported.

U.S. 20 was blocked and traffic was detoured.

Police later said a northbound Toyota minivan and a southbound Ford Ranger collided head-on when the Ranger veered into the northbound lane.

The minivan driver, 61-year-old Walter Mercer of Hanover, and the Ranger driver, 68-year-old Raymond Anger of Hanover, both died in the crash.  

Two passengers from the minivan, 85-year-old Patricia Fosdick and 83-year-old Robert Fosdick, were also killed.  Another minivan passenger, 63-year-old Rhonda Mercer, was taken by ambulance to a hospital for treatment of her injuries.

Anger was the only occupant in his vehicle.

The temporary detour remained in place early Thursday afternoon, and U.S. 20 reopened by about 2:30 p.m., the spokesperson said.

1 dead after truck runs off road and crashes into tree in Georgetown County, SC

May 21, 2015

 

GEORGETOWN, SC (WBTW)

The South Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating a deadly crash that happened in Georgetown County Thursday morning.

According to Cpl. Sonny Collins, the crash happened around 5 a.m. on Ray Road.

Collins said the driver of Chevrolet pick-up truck ran off the road and crashed into a tree.

The driver was wearing a seatbelt at the time fo the crash, Collins said.

The Georgetown County Coroner's Office has not released the victim's ID as of this posting.

Truck driver killed in crash that closed Highway 220 in Rockingham County, NC

  May 21, 2015

A tractor-trailer driver was killed in a crash on Highway 220 near Madison early Thursday morning.
Daniel Crews/WXII

ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, N.C.

A truck driver was killed in a crash that closed all southbound lanes of a Triad highway for several hours Thursday morning.

L.B. Williams, 66, of Huntersville, died at the scene of the crash, which was reported around 2:30 a.m. on Highway 220 near Ellisboro Road. The lanes reopened around 8:30 a.m.

Williams was driving a Roadway tractor and double trailer south on Hwy. 220 when it went off the road into the median before heading back toward the road and overturning, troopers said.

A storm was passing through the area when the crash happened, troopers said.
The crash investigation continues

Another 95 people killed today on the deadly U.S. Roads: Passenger dies in fiery two semi-truck crash near Van Horn, Texas

MAY 21, 2015

Courtesy of Daniel Cedillos

Semi-truck goes up in flames after crashing into another semi-truck about 20 miles outside of Van Horn, Texas. The passenger trapped inside the sleeper berth compartment was pronounced dead on scene. Photo courtesy of Daniel Cedillos.

CULBERSON COUNTY, Texas

 

At least 95 people killed today across the United States.  Here is a deadly accident near Van Horn, Texas.

  One man is dead following a crash involving two semi-trucks in Culberson County, Texas. This happened around 2 a.m. Wednesday on Interstate 10 East near mile marker 163, about 23 miles outside Van Horn, Texas.

Texas State Troopers said the crash was caused when the driver of one semi-truck couldn't control his speed, and rear-ended another semi-truck.
The semi-truck that caused the crash then caught fire and began to burn with the passenger inside the sleeper berth compartment trapped inside. He was pronounced dead on scene.

The deceased man has been identified as 49-year-old Juan Gilberto Roman Esparza of Chihuahua, Mexico.

The driver of the semi-truck that caught fire managed to escape. He's been identified as 41-year-old Arturo Roman Esparza, also of Chihuahua, Mexico. Esparza refused medical treatment on scene.

The driver of the semi-truck that was rear-ended was transported to Culberson County Hospital via ambulance with non-incapacitating injuries. He's been identified as  65-year-old Carlos Alberto Arostegui of Fontana, California.

FROM SCORCHED TO FLOODED, NO BREAK FOR WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS: WICHITA FALLS RESIDENTS PACK UP, MOVE OUT AHEAD OF RAIN

MAY 21, 2015

WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS

Known for the extreme measures it took during the drought, Wichita Falls now going from scorched to flooded.

A view of the city's main water source proves how fast the waters are rising. 

One month ago, Lake Arrowhead was less than 20 percent full. Today, it's nearly 70 percent full and swelling.

Mandatory evacuations started Thursday afternoon.

"You've got to get ready," said Rosendo Ramos, while packing his car.

He and hundreds of homeowners in the Tanglewood neighborhood are concerned their homes may soon be floating like islands.

"Oh, we've been an island," Jill King said.

She was scrambling to protect her property from washing away.

"Yeah, it's a little different in here," she said, standing inside her home that resembles a construction zone.

Couches are propped up on cinder blocks, and lighter belongings layered on top of tables.

"We worked until probably midnight last night," King said.

Family treasures like her mother's childhood rocking chair and items that could be carried were hauled upstairs.

"These are some rugs we had downstairs," she pointed out, stuffed inside a bedroom.

She and her neighbors were given less than 24 hours to clear out.

A mandatory evacuation is underway ahead of what could be another round of wet and wild weather.

"I would rather have someone move out [and] get all their stuff out and then say, 'Why did I do that?' [Rather than] to grieve because they lost many of their belongings," she said.

The nonstop rain is helping end a crippling, four-year drought, but it's also showering the area with new problems.

"We're saying be careful what you pray for," King said.

Nearly three inches of water rose in just one hour earlier this week, and much more is in the forecast.

"It's a great neighborhood and I don't want to see this happen, but sometimes you can't stop Mother Nature," Ramos said.

He and King can still hope they're not flooded with more headaches.

Emergency officials are not so optimistic. They say it's not a question of if this major flooding will happen, but when.

Hirschi High School opened the doors to its gymnasium as an emergency shelter.

Several churches are also helping out. Mount Pleasant Baptist Church is sheltering residents. Antioch Baptist Church is preparing to do the same.

Residents are urged to contact the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at (940) 761-7909 or the Public Information Office at (940) 761-7401 for information and updates.

All updates and advisories will also be posted to the city's Facebook page and Twitter.

Two public safety command posts have been established. The Public Safety Training Center at 710 Flood Street is one location. You can also visit the parking lot of the old Brookshire's grocery store building on the corner of Loop 11 and Seymour Highway.

Residents who need assistance with pets can call (940) 228-9941.

Source: http://www.wfaa.com

Farmers Insurance: Hail Damage Is a Leading Cause of Auto Claims

Nearly 70 percent of all hail-related auto claims for 2013 and 2014 were filed in April, May and June, according to Farmers Insurance. States in the Midwest and Southwest reported the highest amounts of damage.

For Oklahoma, about 90 percent of the annual number of non-collision claims came in during the second quarter, “showing that hail and damage from tornadoes played a significant role in auto damage over those years,” according to Farmers Insurance.

Out of all types of comprehensive auto claims, more than 40 percent of those filed to Farmers Insurance from April to June are hail-related.

“The average hail storm lasts just six minutes, but the damage it can cause to a vehicle can be severe,” says Paul Quinn, head of claims customer experience at Farmers.

In 2014, Broken Bowe, Neb., reported a hail stone with a diameter of 2.66 inches, according to the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety.

The Top Five States for Hail Damage from April to June 2013 and 2014 Are:

South Dakota: 87 percent
Nebraska: 86 percent
Kansas: 79 percent
Montana: 79 percent
Oklahoma: 78 percent

The second most common claim is vandalism and partial theft, which includes issues such as broken windows.

“Collision-only policies will not cover vehicle damage related to auto theft and vandalism, such as broken windows,” according to Farmers Insurance.

The Top Five States for Vandalism, Mischief and Partial Theft Claims from April to June 2013 to 2014 Are:

Hawaii: 43 percent
California: 38 percent
Nevada: 28 percent
Georgia: 28 percent
Washington: 28 percent

The third most common auto claim is related to vehicle collisions with birds or animals, according to Farmers Insurance.

The Top Five States for Collision with Bird or Animals from April to June 2013 and 2014 Are:

West Virginia: 45 percent
Wisconsin: 43 percent
Idaho: 35 percent
Michigan: 32 percent
Minnesota: 31 percent

2 Store Owners Charged In $1.3M Cell Phone Insurance Fraud Scheme

May 20, 2015

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com)

Officials Wednesday announced two cell phone store owners have been charged for their involvement in an insurance fraud scheme that amounted to over $1 million.

According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, Jason Young Kwon, 31, of Santa Fe Springs, and David Kisuk Chang, 31, of Burbank were each charged with 22 counts of insurance fraud, 18 counts of identity theft, and one count of grand theft.

Authorities explained Kwon and Chang were business partners who owned separate cell phone stores. They are accused of billing more than $1.3 million from an insurance company after filing false insurance claims for cell phones that were allegedly stolen, lost or damaged.

In 2011, two fraudulent claims were submitted by using forged drivers licenses of two male customers.

Authorities explained the customers were unaware that their licenses were being used for illegal activity.

Replacement cell phones that were provided by the insurance company were then sold by Kwon and Chang for profit.

Both men pleaded not guilty to the charges filed against them on Monday and Tuesday.

They are scheduled to return to court on May 28 for a preliminary hearing.

If convicted, Kwon and Chang face up to 43 years, eight months in state prison, the district attorney’s office reported.

The California Department of Insurance is investigating the case.

Canadian TSB encouraged by rail safety advancements, concerned by stalled progress in aviation and in fishing safety

May 21, 2015
 
Gatineau, Quebec 

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) today released its annual reassessment of responses to Board recommendations. The reassessments show that while there has been positive movement to improve rail safety, progress towards advancing safety continues to be slow in the aviation and fishing industries.

Recommendations are made when the Board identifies systemic safety issues that pose a serious risk to Canada's transportation system. The Board then reassesses its active recommendations on an annual basis to determine what progress has been made, and to make those accountable for safety in the transportation system aware of outstanding issues.

“Recent initiatives to improve railway crossing safety and the transportation of flammable liquids by rail are encouraging. However, we are concerned that more needs to be done to prevent approach-and-landing accidents and that fishing vessel safety regulations have yet to be put in force.” said Kathy Fox, Chair of the TSB.

The Board is encouraged by the action taken to improve safety in the rail industry, with seven additional recommendations receiving the highest rating of Fully Satisfactory. 

The new Grade Crossings Regulations will address a number of outstanding recommendations on railway crossing safety. The Board also believes that Transport Canada's announcement of tougher tank car standards will help make the transportation of crude oil by rail safer once they are fully implemented. 

In the meantime, the Board calls upon Transport Canada to ensure that risk control measures during the transition are effectively managed.  Also, more progress still needs to be made for physical defences against misinterpreting or not following railway signals.

In aviation, Transport Canada has been slow to respond to some recommendations regarding aircraft certification requirements, particularly in the areas of post-impact fires. Progress is also slow in addressing two recommendations which would prevent or minimize the consequences of approach-and-landing accidents, as described in the TSB Watchlist. 

On the other hand, offshore helicopter operations will become safer, as people aboard those flights will require emergency breathing apparatuses and flights will only be conducted if the sea conditions allow for safe ditching in the event of an emergency.

In the marine mode, progress towards advancing fishing vessel safety is stalled by delays in enacting the new Fishing Vessel Safety Regulations. The new regulations will require additional emergency equipment, education and vessel stability information. 

Until the regulations are in force, lives will continue to be lost. Because of the delays, the Board has reassessed five fishing vessel safety recommendations and assigned the lowest rating of Unsatisfactory. 

That said, the Board is pleased that Transport Canada and other stakeholders have developed the National Places of Refuge Contingency Plan and regional plans have been completed, posted and exercised for all regions. This will mitigate risks associated with navigation-related emergencies.

Oil Miners and Profiteers Band Together to Add Their Voice to Climate Debate

Published in Oil Industry News on Thursday, 21 May 2015
Europe’s largest oil companies are banding together to forge a joint strategy on climate change policy, alarmed they’ll be ignored as the world works toward a historic deal limiting greenhouse gases.

These sleazebags and polluters, Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Total SA, BP Plc, Statoil ASA and Eni SpA are among oil companies that plan to start a new industry body, or think tank, to develop common positions on the issues, according to people with knowledge of the matter. So far the largest U.S. companies -- Exxon Mobil Corp. and Chevron Corp. -- have decided not to participate, the people said, asking not be named before a public announcement expected as early as next month.

Efforts to reduce fossil fuel investments and spur renewables such as solar and wind power have gathered pace in the past two years with oil companies sitting largely outside the debate. One aim of the European producers will be to push natural gas as more climate friendly in generating power than coal, the people said. Of the most used fossil fuels, gas is the one that pollutes the least while coal tops emissions.

“There are companies that are now going beyond the industry’s traditional defensive position by at least appearing to rethink strategy and practices,” said Carole Mathieu, research fellow at the French Institute for International Relations in Paris.

The heads of the biggest European oil producers have been pushing the idea of more active engagement with climate policy in recent weeks.

“If each of us is attacked separately, we will be stronger as a group,” Total Chief Executive Officer Patrick Pouyanne said today in Paris. “If we have an announcement of something, it will be then.”

Waking Up

The industry is slowly waking up to the existential danger to their operations emerging from policies designed to limit climate change. With global temperatures and carbon emissions at a record, governments are looking for a way to clamp down on pollution. 

The International Energy Agency, a policy adviser to industrial nations, says half of all fossil fuel reserves may have to remain in the ground to prevent overheating.

“We’re trying to put together a group of people to begin to speak the same language” on climate, BP Chief Executive Officer Bob Dudley said at a meeting hosted by IHS Inc.’s CERA consulting unit in Houston in April. “There’s a bit of different language coming out of different companies and therefore our voice is lost in this.”

Statoil Chief Executive Officer Eldar Saetre has embraced the UN’s goal to limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius, a level beyond which scientists say will bring disastrous climate change such as more violent storms and rising sea levels. He set up a renewable energy unit and described steps the industry should follow, starting with a shift to cleaner fuels such as gas, reducing flaring and support for carbon pricing.

Seeking Acceptance

“If we don’t, we risk becoming an industry that neither gets access nor acceptance -- and that’s not a good thing,” Saetre said at the CERA gathering.
Shell is urging the industry to get out of its defensive crouch and make its views understood. It wants alternative arguments to counterweight the divestment campaign, which has persuaded institutions such as the Rockefeller Brothers Fund and Stanford University to scrap fossil fuel investments.

“In the past we thought it was better to keep a low profile on the issue,” Chief Executive Officer Ben Van Beurden said in February. “It’s not a good tactic. We have to make sure that our voice is heard by members of government, by civil society and the general public.”

Demanding Action

The European companies are more sensitive to environmental issues because governments in the region are leading the way on climate and voters are demanding action. The 28-nation European Union plans to cut carbon emissions 40 percent by 2030, double the commitment it made for 2020.

For their part, Exxon and Chevron say there’s little difference in the approach between them and their European competitors. Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson has said he’d speak more openly about the issue and acknowledged the risks of climate change warrant action. He is urging policymakers to consider a global price on carbon emissions and since 2007 included carbon prices in his company’s business planning.

Chevron said today in a statement that it shared the concerns of governments and the public about climate change and action was needed to address the risks. Exxon declined to comment.

While Europe’s big oil groups present a friendlier position toward climate change, they are continuing with investments that environmental groups sharply criticize, including drilling in the Arctic.  They are able to do that because of the corrupt U.S. Congress and U.S. Government;  most of these crooks are sold to the oil company lobbyists.

Slight Reductions

Emissions data released through the Carbon Disclosure Project shows little difference between the U.S. and European oil companies over the past four years. All of the companies have reduced pollution “slightly” since 2011, with BP in the lead mainly because of asset sales needed to pay more than $40 billion in costs associated with a Gulf of Mexico disaster in 2010.

“All companies need to be low-carbon or zero-carbon by 2050,” said Paul Simpson, CEO of the Carbon Disclosure Project, which helps 822 institutional investors with $95 trillion in holdings analyze risks from sustainability issues. “The oil and gas sector is one that doesn’t yet show a clear transition. The longer that goes on, the more concern investors will have.”
Source: www.bloomberg.com

6 WORKERS HURT IN FLOOR COLLAPSE AT DOWNTOWN LA CONSTRUCTION SITE. THE COLLAPSE OCCURRED DUE TO THE FAILURE OF FLOOR SUPPORTS

MAY 21, 2015

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

Six workers were hurt when the second floor of a building under construction in downtown Los Angeles collapsed Wednesday, fire officials said.

The incident took place at a four-story construction site at 1000 S. Olive St. at around 7 p.m, said Brian Humphrey of the Los Angeles Fire Department.

At least five workers were taken to the hospital, but no one was seriously injured, officials at the scene said. Workers were pouring concrete on a wooden frame when the floor buckled.

In total 35 firefighters attended the scene to aid the rescue effort.

Initially it was thought the incident was caused by structural collapse, however it was later discovered it had occured due to the failure of floor supports. It caused the freshly poured concrete floors to come crashing down.

Aerial footage taken by NewsChopper4 showed workers on gurneys being loaded onto the back of ambulances.

FALLING FACADE INJURES CONSTRUCTION WORKER IN KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE

MAY 21, 2015

KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE

A construction worker was injured when the front facade of a building collapsed on him near downtown Knoxville on Thursday, officials said.

The 20-foot-long section of material fell on the man as crews were adding stucco to the single-story building on the 500 block of Cooper Street, according to Knoxville Fire Department Capt. D.J. Corcoran.

The worker, who was not identified, was taken to the University of Tennessee Medical Center with injuries to his lower legs, Corcoran said.

His injuries appeared to be nonlife-threatening, the captain said.

Source: http://www.knoxnews.com