Driver injured after a giant oak tree crushed his car in the Irish Channel, LA

Source: Kimberly Curth

Source: Kimberly Curth 

Posted: Sep 09, 2015
Written by: FOX8Live.com Staff

NEW ORLEANS, LA (WVUE) -

A man had to be extricated from his car and was hospitalized Wednesday after a giant oak tree crushed his car in the Irish Channel.

Police said the man was driving down Washington Avenue near Tchoupitoulas Street sometime after 7 p.m. when the tree, likely weakened by earlier heavy rains, toppled onto the street.

New Orleans firefighters were called to rescue the man, who police said was alert and talking.

Fox8live.com will update this story as details become available.

Escaped swarming bees cause traffic accidents in Idaho

By Lindsey Johnson, EastIdahoNews | 

Posted Sep 10th, 2015 @ 4:12pm



POCATELLO, Idaho

Authorities said I-15 north and southbound lanes were closed down to one lane of traffic near Pocatello Thursday afternoon after multiple accidents resulting from a crash involving a semi-truck transporting bees.

The Pocatello Police Department and Idaho State Police reported multiple accidents in the southbound lane toward Chubbock near the off-ramp at Pocatello Creek Road. Police said the vehicle overturned and released many of the bees causing problems with traffic.

About 15 minutes after the semitruck crash, there was reportedly another crash on I-15 near the Pocatello 5th Ave. exit involving a motorcycle, according to the Idaho State Journal.

There was an additional crash in the area at 2:15 p.m. on the northbound side of I-15 about two miles north of Pocatello and the bee crash. This crash involved a tanker semi and a car. The car rolled and is on its top and one of the tankers on the semi also rolled.

Pocatello Police spokeswoman Dianne Brush said the bee swarms were moving in a northwestern direction. North Pocatello residents were asked to stay indoors and to keep windows closed due to swarming bees.

Drivers were asked to avoid the area for the afternoon, and if they had to drive through the area, police advise commuters to keep their windows rolled up.

All lanes have since opened at the southbound crash. The right lane is currently blocked at the northbound crash.

Emergency crews are expected to be on the scene for an extended period of time working to clear the crashes.

This crash came two months after a semi-truck crash on Highway 33 near Howe where over 20 million bees spilled onto the highway.  

CROOKS AND THIEVES EVERYWHERE: Barry Steinlight, 70, of Hackettstown, New Jersey, Sentenced to Prison for Multimillion-Dollar Scheme to Adulterate Dietary Supplements

Wednesday, September 9, 2015
Owner of Dietary Supplement Company Sentenced to Prison for Multimillion-Dollar Scheme to Adulterate Dietary Supplements


Company’s Executive Vice President Pleads Guilty to Obstruction of an Agency Investigation

The owner and president of a dietary supplement manufacturing company in Flanders, New Jersey, was sentenced to prison today for the sale of diluted and adulterated dietary ingredients and supplements, the Department of Justice announced.

Barry Steinlight, 70, of Hackettstown, New Jersey, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Esther Salas of the District of New Jersey to serve 40 months in prison and one year of supervised release. Steinlight was also ordered to forfeit $1 million in profits from his fraudulent scheme. Steinlight previously pleaded guilty to a one-count information charging him with conspiring to commit wire fraud.

“The Justice Department has increased its attention on supplement sellers like Barry Steinlight who sell products that are not what they claim to be,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “We will investigate and prosecute companies and individuals that sell supplements that threaten the health of the American public and drain their bank accounts with misrepresented products.”

Steinlight was the president and owner of Raw Deal Inc., a dietary supplement manufacturer. In pleading guilty, Steinlight admitted that from at least 2009 through November 2013, he instructed Raw Deal employees to add “fillers,” including maltodextrin, viobin cocoa replacer and rice flours, to the dietary ingredients and supplements sold to customers. These “fillers” were added without customer consent or knowledge. Steinlight also directed Raw Deal employees not to list the “fillers” as ingredients on certificates of analysis issued to its customers as proof of the identity of the ingredients contained in the products. During his plea hearing, Steinlight admitted that Raw Deal Inc.’s gross profits during the scheme were between $7 million and $20 million.

Yesterday, Raw Deal’s executive vice president, Catherine Palmer, 38, of Budd Lake, New Jersey, pleaded guilty to a one-count information charging her with obstructing an agency investigation. The obstruction charge carries a statutory maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gain or loss caused by the offense. Her sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 21.

According to court documents, Palmer lied to U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigators and ordered a subordinate to falsify a dietary supplement product’s ingredient list before submitting it to the FDA. In addition, she admitted instructing a Raw Deal employee not to run blenders during the 2012 inspection so that the FDA would not see “fillers” being added to customer orders. This practice hid from the FDA the fact that Steinlight and Raw Deal diluted the products before sale to unsuspecting customers.

Court documents also revealed that Steinlight directed Raw Deal employees to create certificates of authenticity that falsely claimed that certain Raw Deal products were kosher or organic.

“Consumers expect labels that accurately describe the products they ingest,” said U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman of the District of New Jersey. “Steinlight deceived his customers as part of a four-year scheme in which he delivered bogus, mislabeled products. Today he was appropriately punished for his crime.”

“Today’s announcement demonstrates that those who sell adulterated dietary supplements and purposely subvert the regulatory functions of the FDA by providing false and misleading information will be held accountable for their actions,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey J. Ebersole of the FDA Office of Criminal Investigations’ New York Field Office. “We commend the efforts of the Department of Justice for vigorously pursuing the prosecution of this matter.”

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Mizer and U.S. Attorney Fishman commended the investigative efforts of the FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Mack of the District of New Jersey, Deputy Chief of the office’s Health Care and Government Fraud Unit; Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Shannon M. Singleton of the FDA’s Office of Chief Counsel; and Trial Attorneys Patrick Runkle and David Sullivan of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch. Paralegal Jeffrey Skonieczny of the District of New Jersey also assisted in the criminal investigation.

CROOKS AND THIEVES EVERYWHERE: Two Contractors and One Former Civilian Employee Sentenced in Bribery Scheme at Georgia Military Base

Thursday, September 10, 2015 

Two Contractors and One Former Civilian Employee Sentenced in Bribery Scheme at Georgia Military Base


The Defendants Received 22 Years, 10 Years and Five Years in Prison Respectively

A former civilian employee and a former contractor of the Marine Corps Logistics Base (MCLB) in Albany, Georgia, as well as one outside contractor were sentenced today to prison terms for bribery and fraud arising from their handling of military trucking contracts and theft of surplus military equipment.

Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Michael J. Moore of the Middle District of Georgia made the announcement.

Christopher Whitman, 48, of Sylvester, Georgia, co-owner of United Logistics, an Albany-based trucking company and freight transportation broker, was sentenced to 22 years in prison for his conviction of 43 counts of honest services wire fraud, five counts of bribery, five counts of obstructing justice and one count of theft of government property. Shawn McCarty, 36, of Albany, Georgia, a former employee at the MCLB-Albany, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his conviction of 15 counts of honest services wire fraud, one count of bribery and one count of obstructing justice. Bradford Newell, 43, of Sylvester, a former contractor at the MCLB-Albany, was sentenced to five years in prison for his conviction of 13 counts of honest services wire fraud, one count of bribery, and one count of theft of government property. All three were found guilty by a jury in the Middle District of Georgia on March 3, 2015, following a five-week trial.

In addition to imposing the prison terms, the court ordered each defendant to forfeit assets reflecting losses to the government attributable to the bribery and fraud schemes. Whitman was ordered to forfeit $18,860,313.75; McCarty was ordered to forfeit $15,410,151.55; and Newell was ordered to forfeit $513,600. Whitman was specifically ordered to surrender assets derived from the schemes, including more than 100 parcels of real property, several boats and vehicles, and rental income estimated to be worth more than $14 million.

According to the evidence presented at trial, between 2008 and 2012, Whitman paid more than $800,000 in bribes to three former officials of the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) at the MCLB-Albany, including McCarty, to obtain commercial trucking contracts from the base. The evidence showed that contracts included unnecessary costly provisions, such as expedited service, expensive trailers and exclusive use (i.e., a requirement that freight be shipped separately from other equipment). Evidence presented at trial and in a post-trial forfeiture hearing established that Whitman’s company grossed more than $37 million, and resulted in government losses and an improper benefit to Whitman of more than $20 million.

The evidence further demonstrated that Whitman paid nearly $200,000 in bribes to Newell and the former inventory control manager of the Distribution Management Center at MCLB-Albany, both of whom used their official positions to help Whitman steal from the base more than $1 million in surplus military equipment, including bulldozers, cranes and front-end loaders. According to the trial evidence, in exchange for the bribe payments, Newell and the inventory control manager removed the surplus items from Marine Corps inventory and arranged to have them transported off the base by Whitman’s company. The evidence showed that, after having the equipment refurbished, Whitman sold it to private purchasers.

Five other individuals have pleaded guilty to their roles in the corruption and fraud schemes. In October 2013, Kelli Durham, the former manager of Whitman’s company, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, admitting to intentionally overbilling the United States for services the company did not perform, resulting in losses ranging from $7 million to $20 million. In May 2013, Mitchell Potts and Jeffrey Philpot pleaded guilty to bribery for collectively accepting more than $700,000 in bribes from Whitman. In February 2013, Shelby Janes pleaded guilty to bribery for receiving nearly $100,000 in bribes from Whitman. These defendants have not yet been sentenced. In February 2014, C.W. Smith, a Whitman associate who helped arrange the sale of the surplus military equipment Whitman stole from the base, pleaded guilty to theft of government property.

The case was investigated by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, with assistance from the Dougherty County, Georgia, District Attorney’s Office; Defense Criminal Investigative Service; DLA Office of the Inspector General; and the Department of Labor Office of the Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Chief J.P. Cooney and Trial Attorney Richard B. Evans of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney K. Alan Dasher of the Middle District of Georgia. The forfeiture is being handled by Assistant Deputy Chief Darrin McCullough of the Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Middle District of Georgia.

CROOKS AND THIEVES EVERYWHERE: Sharon Iglehart, 58, of Harris County, Texas, Was Convicted in $158 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Friday, September 11, 2015 

Jury Convicts Houston Psychiatrist in $158 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme


A Houston psychiatrist was convicted late yesterday by a federal jury of participating in a $158 million Medicare fraud scheme involving false claims for mental health treatment.

Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson of the Southern District of Texas, Special Agent in Charge Perrye K. Turner of the FBI’s Houston Field Office, Special Agent in Charge C.J. Porter U.S. Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) Dallas Region, the Texas Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) and Special Agent in Charge D. Richard Goss of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CI) Houston Field Office made the announcement.

Sharon Iglehart, 58, of Harris County, Texas, was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, one count of health care fraud and three counts of making false statements relating to health care matters, following a seven-day jury trial before U.S. District Judge Ewing Werlein Jr. of the Southern District of Texas. Iglehart is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 5, 2015.

According to evidence presented at trial, from 2006 until June 2012, Iglehart and others engaged in a scheme to defraud Medicare by submitting, through Riverside General Hospital (Riverside), approximately $158 million in false and fraudulent claims for partial hospitalization program (PHP) services to Medicare. A PHP is a form of intensive outpatient treatment for severe mental illness.

The evidence presented at trial showed that the Medicare beneficiaries for whom Riverside billed Medicare did not receive PHP services. In fact, according to evidence presented at trial, most of the Medicare beneficiaries for whom Riverside billed Medicare rarely saw a psychiatrist and did not receive intensive psychiatric treatment.

In addition, evidence presented at trial showed that Iglehart personally billed Medicare for individual psychotherapy and other treatment to patients at Riverside locations – treatment that she never provided. The evidence at trial also demonstrated that Iglehart falsified the medical records of patients at Riverside’s inpatient facility to make it appear as if she provided psychiatric treatment when, in fact, she did not.

To date, 12 others previously have been convicted of offenses based on their roles in the fraudulent scheme. Earnest Gibson III, the former president of Riverside; Earnest Gibson IV, the operator of one of Riverside’s PHP satellite locations; Regina Askew, a group home owner and patient file auditor; and Robert Crane, a patient recruiter, were all convicted after a jury trial in October 2014. Earnest Gibson III was sentenced to 45 years in prison. Earnest Gibson IV was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Regina Askew was sentenced to 12 years in prison. Robert Crane has not yet been sentenced. Mohammad Khan, an assistant administrator at the hospital, who managed many of the hospital’s PHPs, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 40 years in prison. William Bullock, an operator of a Riverside satellite location, as well as Leslie Clark, Robert Ferguson, Waddie McDuffie and Sharonda Holmes, who were all involved in paying or receiving kickbacks, also pleaded guilty. Bullock, Clark and Ferguson await sentencing.

The case was investigated by the FBI, HHS-OIG, Texas MFCU, and IRS-CI with assistance from the Railroad Retirement Board-Office of Inspector General (RRB-OIG) Chicago Field Office and the Office of Personnel Management-Office of Inspector General, and was brought as part of the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, under the supervision of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Chief Laura M.K. Cordova and Trial Attorney Ashlee C. McFarlane of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section.

Since its inception in March 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, now operating in nine cities across the country, has charged more than 2,300 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for more than $7 billion. In addition, HHS’s Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, is taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers.

To learn more about the Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team (HEAT), go to www.stopmedicarefraud.gov.

THIEVES AND CROOKS EVERYWHERE: Anthony Wendel Frederick Sr., 49, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, Charged with Theft from Labor Union

Friday, September 11, 2015
Former Business Manager Charged with Theft from Labor Union


A former business manager of the Local 657 of the Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA) was charged with stealing from the organization.

Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Assistant Director in Charge Paul M. Abbate of the FBI’s Washington, D.C., Field Office, Special Agent in Charge Steven D. Anderson of the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General’s Office of Labor Racketeering and Fraud Investigations Washington, D.C., Regional Office and District Director Mark Wheeler of the Department of Labor’s Office of Labor Management Standards Washington, D.C., District Office made the announcement.

Anthony Wendel Frederick Sr., 49, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, the former Business Manager of Local 657 of LIUNA based in Washington, D.C., was charged by criminal complaint with one count of theft from a labor organization. The defendant was arrested today and is scheduled to have his initial appearance at 1:45 p.m. EDT before U.S. Magistrate Judge G. Michael Harvey of the District of Columbia.

LIUNA is a labor organization that represents laborers in the construction industry. LIUNA’s Local 657 represents construction laborers in Washington, D.C. and five adjacent counties. For approximately 10 years, until June 2014, Frederick served as the business manager for Local 657.

The criminal complaint alleges that, from May 2013 to June 2014, Frederick directed more than $1.7 million in Local 657 funds to STS Contracting of Greenbelt, Maryland, without the knowledge or authorization of the Local 657 Executive Board or officials in LIUNA International. Specifically, according to the criminal complaint, a routine audit of the local union by LIUNA in June 2014 revealed that Frederick had paid nearly $1.1 million to STS Contracting for minimal renovations at the Local 657 administrative building. In addition, the complaint alleges that, without authorization, Frederick directed over $580,000 in Local 657 funds to STS Contracting for expediting permits for the construction of a new training center for Local 657, which project was being handled by another construction firm. According to the criminal complaint, the LIUNA auditor also discovered that Frederick grossly overpaid STS Contracting for expediting various permits, including $20,000 to expedite a $143 excavation permit, and over $20,000 to renew existing permits, which could have been accomplished online for approximately $250 apiece.

The criminal complaint further alleges that STS Contracting paid a down payment of $225,000 on a home purchased by Frederick, and directed more than $600,000 to a corporation owned in part by Frederick’s wife. In addition, STS Contracting principals allegedly depleted a company bank account, which contained only stolen Local 657 funds, by withdrawing more than $500,000 in cash and using the remainder for personal items, entertainment, shopping trips, hotel stays and overseas travel.

The charges and allegations contained in a criminal complaint are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The case is being investigated by the FBI and the Department of Labor. The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Vincent Falvo of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section.

Frederick Criminal Complaint

CROOKS AND THIEVES EVERYWHERE: PAE Government Services and RM Asia (HK) Limited to Pay $1.45 Million to Settle Claims in Alleged Bid-Rigging Scheme

Friday, September 11, 2015
PAE Government Services and RM Asia (HK) Limited to Pay $1.45 Million to Settle Claims in Alleged Bid-Rigging Scheme


PAE Government Services Inc. (PAE) and RM Asia (HK) Limited (RM Asia) have agreed to pay the United States $1.45 million to resolve allegations that they engaged in a bid-rigging scheme that resulted in false claims for payment under a U.S. Army contract for services in Afghanistan, the Justice Department announced today. PAE, headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, provides integrated global mission services. RM Asia, located in Hong Kong, provides motor vehicle parts and supplies.

“Our national security and those of our allies depend on quality goods and services delivered at a fair price,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Today’s settlement demonstrates our continuing vigilance to ensure that those doing business with the government do not engage in bidrigging or other anticompetitive conduct.”

In 2007, the Army awarded PAE a contract to provide vehicle maintenance capabilities and training services for the Afghanistan National Army at multiple sites across Afghanistan. PAE partnered with RM Asia to supply and warehouse vehicle parts. The government alleged that former managers of PAE and RM Asia funneled subcontracts paid for by the government to companies owned by the former managers and their relatives by using confidential bid information to ensure that their companies would beat out other, honest competitors.

In a related criminal investigation, the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Eastern District of Virginia previously obtained guilty pleas from former PAE program manager Keith Johnson; Johnson’s wife, Angela Gregory Johnson; and RM Asia’s former project manager, John Eisner, and deputy project manager, Jerry Kieffer, for their roles in the scheme.

“This resolution, following criminal charges that were also brought against the individuals involved, represents the government’s efforts to use all of the criminal and civil tools available to the government to remedy fraudulent conduct,” said U.S. Attorney Dana J. Boente of the Eastern District of Virginia.

The allegations resolved by this settlement arose from a lawsuit filed by Steven D. Walker, a former employee of PAE, under the qui tam, or whistleblower, provisions of the False Claims Act, which permit private individuals to sue on behalf of the government for false claims and share in the recovery. Mr. Walker will receive $261,000.

This case was handled by the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Eastern District of Virginia, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the U.S. Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Command-Major Procurement Fraud Unit and the Defense Contract Audit Agency.

The lawsuit is captioned United States ex rel. Walker v. PAE, et al., 1:11CV382-LO/TCB (E.D. Va.). The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only; there has been no determination of liability.

U.S. Coast Guard detained the MV Pegasus Highway in the Port of Tacoma due to safety deficiencies

Car Carrier Detained in Tacoma Over Fire Safety Violations

September 11, 2015 by Mike Schuler


The MV Pegasus Highway approaches the port of Tacoma, Wash., after being detained by the Captain of the Port for multiple safety deficiencies found during a PSC inspection, September 9, 2015. U.S. Coast Guard Photo


The U.S. Coast Guard has detained the MV Pegasus Highway, a Panamanian-flagged car carrier, in the Port of Tacoma this week due to safety deficiencies including an inoperable fire detection system.
A Port State Control exam team boarded the 590-foot MV Pegasus Highway on Wednesday for a routine PSC inspection. While aboard, the Coast Guard discovered multiple violations of the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) convention.

The most severe deficiency involved a fire detection system that was found to be inoperable.

The vessel will be required to remain in port until the deficiencies are rectified.

“Through the Port State Control Program, the Coast Guard verifies that foreign vessels calling on U.S. ports meet applicable U.S. and International regulations to protect people, property, and the environment.” said Cmdr. Matt Edwards, chief of prevention at Sector Puget Sound. “We will continue to work with the vessel’s crew to ensure the deficiencies are corrected and the vessel is safe to resume trade.”

Port State Control (PSC) inspections are regularly carried out include the inspection of fire protection, life saving, machinery, navigation, and pollution control systems as well as assesses the crew’s ability to respond to onboard emergencies.

Coast Guard medevacs 2 after boat crashes into Galveston North Jetty

 

Courtesy Photo

A Coast Guard Station Galveston 45-foot Response Boat — Medium boatcrew arrives on scene to help locate and rescue two men after they were injured when going aground on the Galveston North Jetty at around 1:30 a.m., Sept. 7, 2015, off Bolivar, Texas. The two men aboard were injured in the crash and were rescued by the Coast Guard after a good Samaritan notified the Sector Houston-Galveston Command Center. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Station Galveston) 



U.S. Coast Guard District 8 PADET Houston

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jennifer Nease
 
HOUSTON, TEXAS

Coast Guard helicopter and boat crews rescued two men after they ran aground on the Galveston North Jetty Monday morning, ejecting one of the men and injuring both.

A nearby fisherman heard the 20-foot-boat crash and notified watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston at about 1:30 a.m.

“This is a prime example that if you see something happen, report it. The two good Samaritans were vital in assisting and reporting," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Kathryn Carlin, who assisted in the rescues from Station Galveston. "If they hadn’t reported it, we would have never known.”

Coast Guard Station Galveston launched two response boats and located the men. Both men suffered multiple lacerations. It was reported that one man had a broken arm and the other man had a broken leg.

Three crewmen and two good Samaritans administered first aid while waiting for an Air Station Houston MH-65 Dolphin aircrew to medevac the men. The aircrew hoisted the men and met EMS at Scholes International Airport at Galveston. They were taken to UTMB Galveston for treatment.

"I’m pretty happy two people are going home to their kids," said Carlin.

Carlin was in waste deep water working with the helicopter's rescue swimmer to balance the hoist basket on rocks to safely recover the men.

Red Wing’s Ole Miss Marina Closed To River Traffic Due To Oil Spill

September 11, 2015 11:24 AM
 


MINNEAPOLIS, MN (WCCO) — 

The Ole Miss Marina Boat Ramp and Bay in Red Wing will remain closed to river traffic throughout the weekend due to an oil spill Thursday morning.

City officials say an oil-based seal coating was released into the bay when a private contractor applied it to the National Guard Armory parking lot. It had not setup completely when rain began Thursday morning.

The material then entered the storm sewer that flows into the Ole Miss Marina Bay.

The spill was contained to the harbor area with no release to the main channel, city officials said. Floating containment tubes are now in the water to avoid material entering the river and wet lands.

Chester police are searching for a hit-and-run driver after an officer on a motorcycle was struck Friday afternoon.

Chester motorcycle cop struck in hit-and-run

Updated 25 mins ago

CHESTER --

Chester police are searching for a hit-and-run driver after an officer on a motorcycle was struck Friday afternoon.

Police are searching for a late 90's or early 2000's burgundy Pontiac, possibly a Grand Prix, with a green hood and green trunk.

Investigators say the vehicle fled toward Industrial Highway.

The officer was hit at the intersection of Morton and Fourth streets at 2:48 p.m.

The officer was rushed to the hospital.

Chester police tell Action News that the officer suffered minor injuries and is conscious, alert and speaking with doctors.

CALIFORNIA BLESSING? El Nino upgraded to strong status, likely to continue through winter

This map from NOAA shows the El Nino precipitation outlook for December 2015 to February 2016. (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)





By ABC7.com staff
Thursday, September 10, 2015 04:12PM
LOS ANGELES -- Forecasters say there is a 95 percent chance that this year's El Nino will continue through the winter and gradually weaken into spring 2016.

The El Nino status was upgraded from moderate to strong, making it the third strongest on record so far.

While forecasters upgraded the El Nino to an unusual strong status, Mike Halpert, deputy director of the federal Climate Prediction Center, said the event doesn't match the monster El Nino of 1997-1998, nor is it likely to.

Experts say it would take more than one El Nino season to get California out of a drought.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

18-wheeler blew out a tire and stopped on the highway, when it was rear-ended by another big rig in Selma, CA

Two big rigs crash on Highway 99 in Selma





A section of Highway 99 in Selma is open again, after a big rig crash last night.




Friday, September 11, 2015 07:00AM
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A section of Highway 99 in Selma is open again, after a big rig crash last night.

CHP says the driver of an 18-wheeler blew out a tire and stopped on the highway near Floral Avenue at about 11 p.m. The man was moving the big rig off the road, when he was rear-ended by another big rig, spilling his cargo into the road and blocking all lanes.

"The trailer kind of cushioned the blow for the other driver in the vehicle. But it still caused major damage to the big rig," said Sgt. Matt Radke, California Highway Patrol.

The first driver wasn't hurt and the second driver suffered only mild injuries. He hurt his shoulder and was treated at a nearby hospital.

ROUGH ON CALIFORNIA: Rough Fire forces new mandatory evacuation orders for Dunlap residents, farm animals need shelter

Several residents in the area woke up to mandatory evacuation notices this morning

Authorities look for temporary homes for evacuated farm animals

Updated 1 hr 27 mins ago

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) --

The County Office Of Emergency Services is asking for the public's help in temporarily housing farm animals that are in the Rough Fire evacuation zone.

If you have coral space available to house animals, please contact the Agricultural Commissioner at 559-317-7204 or email at lwright@co.fresno.ca.us.


Several residents in the area woke up to mandatory evacuation notices Friday morning. They were escorted out of their homes with help from responders as the threat of the flames intensifies. Authorities are urging residents to evacuate their homes by noon.

The fire has grown to over 119-thousand acres and is just 29 percent contained.

The Rough Fire is also having a direct impact on schools -- forcing the closure of Dunlap School and the Dunlap Leadership Academy. After consulting with fire officials last night, the Kings Canyon Unified School District decided to transport students daily from the mountain areas to schools in Reedley and Orange Cove.

Dunlap students stayed in the classroom on Thursday instead of being outside where smoke from the wildfire is covering the mountain communities. Educators told students not to over exert themselves because of bad air quality.

The school closures will remain in effect until further notice. See more on the evacuation notices below.

Rough Fire Information

Size: 119,069 Acres

Containment: 29 percent

Total Personnel: 2,229

Air Quality Today: Heavy concentrations of smoke are expected near the fire today. Smoke will be slow to lift and transport will primarily terrain and diurnally driven. Light and variable transport winds are expected primarily from the southeast, with increased impacts expected in the San Joaquin Valley foothills northwest of the fire. Residual smoke that has not cleared the area, will add to impacts from new smoke being produced. Unhealthy to Hazardous conditions are expected in communities near the fire.

Mandatory Evacuation Orders for Portions of Dunlap
An evacuation warning has been implemented on the following area within Fresno County:
All private lands adjacent to Highway 180 between the Highway 180/Dunlap Road junction east to the 42000 block of Highway 180.

A mandatory evacuation has been implemented on the following area within Fresno County:
All private lands adjacent to Millwood Road beginning at the 40000 block of Millwood Road east to the Millwood Road/Todd Eymann Road junction; then adjacent to Todd Eymann Road southeast to the Todd Eymann Road/Highway 245 junction; then adjacent to Highway 245 northeast to the Highway 245/Highway 180 junction.

At 6:00 am on Friday, Fresno County Sheriff's deputies will go door to door and distribute mandatory evacuation notices to certain residents in Dunlap. The starting point will be on Millwood Road, 1 1/2 miles east of where Dunlap Rd. and Millwood Rd. intersect. The notices will be handed out along Todd Eymann Rd. and up along Hwy. 245 where it meets Hwy. 180.

Deputies are urging residents to be out of the area by 12:00 pm. The exit route for motorists will be Dunlap Rd., past the school and back out to Hwy. 180. Residents shall not drive on Millwood Rd. We encourage folks to use tonight and the early morning hours to get their belongings in order.

EVACUATION CENTER
Sanger Community Center - 730 Recreation Ave. Sanger, CA

Evacuation Map - Evacuations are along the blue line. Authorities are starting at Millwood Road and moving east.

The Central CA Animal Disaster Team Activates Emergency Animal Shelter in Sanger, CA For Household Pets Affected By Rough Fire

The Central California Animal Disaster Team has been deployed by the Fresno County Office Of Emergency Services to assist with displaced small and large animals due to the Rough Fire.

Small animal evacuation shelter will be open for pets of families under mandatory evacuation orders: CCADT has activated an emergency animal shelter for household pets at the same location where Red Cross has activated a human shelter - Sanger Community Center - 730 Recreation Ave. Sanger, CA. The shelter will be open on Friday, September 11th for residents under MANDATORY evacuation orders.

Large animal assistance. CCADT is coordinating efforts with the Fresno County Sheriff's Office to evacuate large animals. If you need assistance with evacuation and sheltering for large animals (livestock, horses, etc.), please contact the Central CA Animal Disaster Team at 559-433-WOOF (9663).

Updates on changes available on the CCADT.ORG website or our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CCADT1

Donations are needed: General monetary donations are GREATLY needed at this point. In kind donations cannot be taken because the shelter needs to remain mobile. To donate please visit: http://www.ccadt.org/donate.html

Please work with emergency responders and follow all guidelines. It is important to follow the evacuation guidelines with your pets. Safety is the number one priority for everyone. Please visit our website for help with evacuating with your pet and for items that should be kept in your pet's go bag.

Rough Fire Progression Map 

 

 

A semi-truck lost a tire and flipped over twice near the Geddes Road exit on Northbound U.S. 23 in Ann Arbor, MI

A semi truck rolled over on U.S. 23 Northbound by Geddes Road, shutting down a portion of U.S. 23 Northbound Friday morning,


By Geoff Preston | gpreston@mlive.com
 
on September 11, 2015



 
A semi-truck flipped over twice near the Geddes Road exit on Northbound U.S. 23.(Photo courtesy David Bolanof)

A dispatcher with the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office confirmed the freeway was closed and said Michigan State Police were at the scene about 11:20 a.m. Reports indicated the crash was south of Geddes Road.

Update at 11:35 a.m.: Ann Arbor-area resident David Bolanos said he was about two cars behind the semi truck at approximately 11:05 when it flipped over near the Geddes Road exit.

Bolanos said the truck was too far past the exit lane when the driver tried to exit from Northbound U.S. 23 onto Geddes Road. He saw a tire pop and then the truck began to flip.

"There were no cars around him, that was the good thing," he said.

Bolanos said he saw the truck flip two times and then come to a stop under the Geddes Road overpass. A passenger in his car called 9-1-1 immediately and people from passing cars and trucks stopped to attempt to help the driver.

A 3-year old girl has died, following an ATV accident near Union City, Pennsylvania

 
By RYAN EMERSON | remerson@wjettv.com


Updated SEPTEMBER 11, 2015



UNION CITY, PA


A three-year old girl has died, following a reported ATV accident near Union City.

The crash was reported at 3:15p.m. in the 24000 block of Route 8, in Bloomfield Township.

Pennsylvania State Police in Corry say an ATV, driven by a 27-year old man, was traveling on a private property, when the driver lost control and went through a barbed wire fence.

A passenger, a three year old girl, was severely injured, and died from her injuries on the way to the hospital.

No other information is available at this time.

22-year old Belinda Nguyen of Los Angeles was killed Sept. 10 while swimming off Catalina Island when she was struck by a boat.

Swimmer Killed in Catalina Boat Crash ID'd
By Kelly Goff
 


Photo Courtesy California DMV
Twenty-two-year-old Belinda Nguyen of Los Angeles was killed Sept. 10 while swimming off Catalina Island when she was struck by a boat.

A woman killed when she was struck by a boat off Catalina Island was identified Friday.

Belinda Nguyen, 22, of Los Angeles, was swimming near Two Harbors Moorings just after noon Thursday when she was struck by a boat.


Nguyen was killed on impact, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Harbor Patrol responded and recovered Nguyen’s body from the water.


A cause for the collision was not immediately released.

No other information was immediately available.

1 pilot injured after a 1965 Alon A2 Aircoupe force-landed on US Interstate I-80, near Telephone Springs east of Laramie, Wyoming

 The plane prior to the crash

 

Courtesy: Ross Doman





Updated: Friday, September 11, 2015 

By: Britney Carter 
 
Cheyenne, WY(KGWN)- 

Wyoming Highway Patrol have confirmed a single engine plane crash on 1-80 near mile post 321 approximately four miles east of Laramie near the Summit.

WHP says the pilot, 67 year old Steven Stam from Holland, Michigan was flying southwest this morning when he crossed I-80 in foggy conditions and crashed at about 8am. This occurred in a canyon section of the interstate commonly known as "Telephone Canyon". Officers we spoke to say Stam may have been having engine troubles and was attempting to land on the road to avoid hitting the side of the mountain when his propeller clipped the median dividing the east and west portions of I-80.

Multiple agencies responded and Stam was taken to Ivinson Memorial Hospital in Laramie with non-life threatening injuries but complaining of pain. No one else was on board the plane at the time.

The single engine plane is registered out of Davis, California.

WHP Troopers are still out with the plane continuing the investigation and securing the scene for the Federal Aviation Administration. Interstate 80 is open in both directions. The Wyoming Highway Patrol, the Albany County Sheriff's Office, the Laramie Fire Department and the Wyoming Department of Transportation all responded to assist with the crash. 

Date:	11-SEP-2015
Time:	07:50
Type:	1965 Alon A2 Aircoupe
Owner/operator:	Private
Registration:	N6359V
C/n / msn:	A-35
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities:	0
Airplane damage:	Substantial
Location:	Interstate I-80 east of Laramie, WY -   United States of America
Phase:	Landing
Nature:	Unknown
Departure airport:
Destination airport:

Narrative:
Following a loss of engine power the aircraft force landed onUS Interstate I-80, a major roadway, near Telephone Springs east of Laramie, Wyoming. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the sole pilot on-board received undetermined injuries. Sources: 
http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=179491 http://www.kgwn.tv/home/headlines/Single-Engine-Plane-Crash-326660151.html?device=tablet&c=y
http://trib.com/news/state-and-regional/pilot-injured-in-plane-crash-east-of-laramie/article_6579ac6a-cce3-5814-82c0-ffd18b7a15f7.html
http://k2radio.com/plane-crash-on-i-80-near-laramie/
http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=6359V
http://www.ercoupe.net/N6359V.html

Since Jan. 2015, 46 Arkansas workers have lost fingers, toes, hands and legs due to amputations at work.

September 10, 2015

OSHA says worker safety pays, amputations cost
First Arkansas Amputation Prevention Stand-Down, Sept. 14-29

BENTONVILLE, Ark. - Since Jan. 2015, 46 Arkansas workers have lost fingers, toes, hands and legs due to amputations at work. Amputations are debilitating workplace injuries that often happen when workers must operate mechanical machinery without the proper guards or training.

To educate employers and workers on preventing these injuries, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration Little Rock Area Office will launch a 16-day Arkansas Amputation Prevention Stand-Down from Sept. 14-29. Arkansas employers are encouraged to participate in the stand-down by visiting http://www.oshastanddown.org.

OSHA, the Arkansas Department of Labor, the University of Texas at Arlington and Northwest Arkansas Community College will host a free stand-down event with activities, demonstrations and training, such as how to use machine guarding equipment properly. The event will take place on Sept. 15 from 1 to 4 p.m. CDT at Northwest Arkansas Community College, Shewmaker Center, Wal-Mart Auditorium, Room B102, 1100 SE Eagle Way in Bentonville.

"No worker should ever have to experience this type of debilitating injury. During the stand-down, we aim to help employers identify and eliminate hazards that could lead to serious harm," said John Hermanson, OSHA's regional administrator in Dallas.

"We're hoping employers and workers will come away from this event with a better understanding of amputation hazards and how to correct them before they cause a permanent, debilitating injury," said Carlos Reynolds, OSHA's area director in Little Rock.

Employers are required to report any amputations and inpatient hospitalizations to OSHA within 24 hours.

To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint, or report amputations, eye loss, workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency's Little Rock Area Office at 501-224-1841.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov

Recurring hazards at Wegmans Food Markets Inc. bakery in Rochester, New York, injure 2 workers. OSHA proposes more than $188K in fines for supermarket chain

Sept. 10, 2015 BOS 2015-164

Recurring hazards at Wegmans Food Markets Inc. bakery
in Rochester, New York, injure 2 workers
OSHA proposes more than $188K in fines for supermarket chain

BUFFALO, N.Y. - Wegmans Food Markets Inc. bills itself as an industry leader and innovator. However, recurring hazards at its 1500 Brooks Ave. store in Rochester - and injuries to two workers in the store's bakery - suggest a need for the supermarket chain to address workplace safety for its employees.

In March 2015, a sanitation crew member lost his fingertip when it caught in the pinch point of an operating conveyor that he was cleaning. A month later, a mechanic sustained a first degree burn on his wrist when steam released while he attempted to repair a valve.

A recent inspection by the Buffalo Area Office of the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration identified hazardous conditions similar to those cited by the agency during a 2011 inspection of the Brooks Avenue store. OSHA cited Wegmans on Sept. 1 for three repeated and two serious violations. Proposed fines total $188,200.

"If Wegmans had used proper safeguards, these preventable injuries would not have happened," said Michael Scime, OSHA's area director in Buffalo. "The company must take corrective action at all stores to ensure that hazards, such as these - and the injuries that result - are eliminated."

In the case of the amputation, OSHA found that Wegmans failed to turn off and lock out the conveyor's power source, train employees in how to do this, and ensure the conveyor's moving parts were protected against contact. In the steam burn incident, the company failed to develop a procedure to lockout the valve supplying steam to the pipe. The recurring hazards led the agency to cite Wegmans for three repeated violations with $175,000 in proposed fines.

OSHA cited the company for inadequate hand and face protection for the employees who worked on the steam valve, with fines amounting to $13,200 for the two serious violations.

View the citations here*.

Wegmans, an 86-store supermarket chain, has headquarters in Gates and stores in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland and Massachusetts. The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint, or report amputations, eye loss, workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency's Buffalo office at 716- 551-3053.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.

OSHA cites Mason Well Service in Odessa, Texas, for 6 workplace violations after 3 workers killed in oil rig explosion, fire

Sept. 8, 2015

3 oil well service workers killed in west Texas rig fire due to
ignition hazard and lack of flame-retardant clothing, OSHA finds
OSHA cites Mason Well Service in Odessa, Texas, for 6 workplace violations

LUBBOCK, Texas - An Upton County oil rig inferno killed family members Arturo Martinez Sr., Arturo Martinez Jr. and Rogelio Salgado in March 2015 as they worked to install a blowout preventer, which seals, controls and monitors a rig.

After the fire, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration opened an investigation. OSHA cited employer Mason Well Service of Odessa, on Sept. 8 for one repeated and five serious workplace violations. The agency determined that the company failed to prevent contact between an ignition source and flammable liquids and gases, and did not ensure workers wore personal hydrogen sulfide monitors and flame-retardant clothing.

Parsley Energy in Midland owned the well and contracted Mason to install a blowout preventer.

OSHA has proposed fines totaling $50,400 for the citations*.

"This is a heartbreaking and senseless case," said Elizabeth Linda Routh, OSHA's area director in Lubbock. "Though the fines for the serious violations are the maximum amount allowed by law, no dollar amount can ease the loss felt by family and friends."

An oil and gas well servicing company, Mason Well employs 120 workers. It has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint, or report amputations, eye loss, workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency's Lubbock Area Office at 806-472-7681.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov

Plainville Plating Co. Inc. faces $48K in OSHA penalties. Employees of Plainville, Connecticut, electroplating company exposed to chemical, mechanical hazards.

September 10, 2015

Employees of Plainville, Connecticut, electroplating company
exposed to chemical, mechanical hazards.

Plainville Plating Co. Inc. faces $48K in OSHA penalties

Employer name: Plainville Plating Co. Inc., an electroplating facility located at 21 Forrestville Ave. in Plainville, Connecticut.

Citations issued: On Sept. 2, 2015, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued two repeat and 11 serious citations to this employer. The repeat citations stem from hazards similar to those identified during a 2010 inspection of the workplace.

Investigation findings: Inspectors found that the company failed to:
Determine employees’ initial exposure levels to lead and cadmium, two toxic substances in use at the workplace;
Provide workers with training on cadmium hazards;
Prevent cadmium buildup on machinery;
Evaluate employees’ ability to safely operate forklifts;
Ensure that employees who wear respirators are medically able to do so;
Prevent employees from consuming food and drink in areas where the toxic substance hexavalent chromium was present;
Separate flammable spray operations by at least three feet;
Provide appropriate training to emergency coordinators and employees expected to fight fires; and
Ground and shield an electric lamp against damage.

In addition, OSHA found two recurring hazards – not guarding the operating parts of machinery against employee contact and using an unapproved electrical outlet in a wet location.

Proposed Penalties: $48,304

Quote: “Employees at this plant work with highly hazardous chemicals. It’s imperative that their employer take all necessary steps to protect their health and well-being at all times,” said Warren Simpson, OSHA’s area director in Hartford. “That includes monitoring exposure levels, providing proper and effective protective clothing, and ensuring that employees are properly trained.”

View the citations: http://go.usa.gov/3MAjh.*

To ask questions; obtain compliance assistance; file a complaint; or report amputations, eye loss, workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency's Hartford Area Office at 860-240-3152.

Two Workers Injured In Chemical Fire At HOH Corporation in Winston-Salem, NC

(Photo: Emily Spain, WFMY)

 WFMY Staff, WFMY 

September 9, 2015
 
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. 

First responders in Winston-Salem say a chemical fire at a waste water management company injured two workers Wednesday afternoon.

Officials say the fire happened at HOH Corporation located at 1701 Vargrave Street around 2:30 p.m. Firefighters found heavy smoke coming from the front of the business with an unknown substance burning inside the building. Firefighters had smoke under control within an hour and a half.

The two injured workers were taken to Wake Forest Medical Center. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.


Scene of chemical fire at HOH Corporation in Winston-Salem. WFMY



Company Profile

The HOH goal is to provide safe, quality, cost-effective solutions to our customer's environmental needs in a manner responsible to our customers, our dedicated employees, and our community.

HOH Corporation began operations in May of 1993 by David Bryant, HOH President and Paul Pelton, Vice President. With many years of experience and knowledge of treating industrial wastewater and designing wastewater equipment between them, both saw a need for a facility in Central North Carolina to treat wastewater from industries.

Wastewater Treatment Division
In July 2002, HOH Corporation was one of the first facilities in the U.S. to receive their Centralized Waste Treatment (CWT) Permit required by the US EPA/CLEAN WATER ACT of December 2000. HOH Corporation elected to comply with the Subcategory D of the CWT Regulations – The treatment of Metal-Bearing Wastewater, Oily Wastewater and Organic Wastewater. CWT rule requires the facility (HOH) to demonstrate equivalent treatment for all subcategories of wastewater. HOH has the equipment in place at its Winston-Salem facility to treat Subcategory D waste streams.

Manufacturing / Equipment Division
Our experience as an owner and operator of such a diverse industrial wastewater facility has given HOH the operating insight necessary to design equipment that is reliable and easy to maintain for industry. All types of wastewater equipment can be designed and installed by HOH's team of technicians; Oil/Water Separators (featuring "THE CUBE" HOH's patented coalescing media), Physical/Chemical Systems, Carbon Columns, Vapor Extraction Systems just to name a few.

HOH's comprehensive array of capabilities provides customers with the best, most cost-effective solutions to meet their specific needs.

Carolina Pumps & Instrumentation (CPI) Division
CPI offers cost-effective solutions to our customers need for replacement parts and equipment to keep their systems up and running. CPI offers a wide selection of Pumps, Tanks, Valves, Filtration, Instrumentation, Mixers, Gauges, and numerous liquid-handling equipment.

HOH Corporation offers single-source solutions to your wastewater treatment needs.
Our experience as an owner and operator of one of the most diversified wastewater treatment facilities in the Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. has given us the operating insight necessary to design equipment that is reliable and easy to maintain.