THE CORRUPT AND UNETHICAL NEW JERSEY JUDGES: Former corrupt judge Margaret McVeigh steals property valued at $475,000 for $20,000 in undue taxes in Wayne Township, New Jersey.

Former corrupt judge Margaret McVeigh steals property valued at $475,000 for $20,000 in undue taxes in Wayne Township, New Jersey. She was forced to resign in 2016 after complaints regarding her criminal acts

JUDICIAL CORRUPTION AND ABUSE OF LAWS IN NEW JERSEY


I have been reading your stories regarding local courts that must stop shaking N.J. residents down for cash.


I must inform you that these practices are not limited to the municipal courts. They are widespread in the superior courts, the Chancery (or general equity) divisions that handle tax sale foreclosures. They threaten people with forfeiting their homes and with eviction if they fail to pay taxes that may not even owe.


In my case, they stole my homestead property and place of business that was valued at $475,000 for a property tax of $20,000. The property was over-assessed by more than 40 percent in violation of N.J.S.A. 54:4-23 and the Uniformity Clause of the NJ Constitution (Article VIII, Section 1, paragraph 1(a)), and they knew it, but they confiscated my home, anyway. Tragic, tragic, situation.

The corrupt former Chancery judge Margaret McVeigh never issued an application of the law to the facts in violation of court Rule 1:7-4(a). Furthermore, court rule R. 4:64-6 states that in foreclosure of tax sale certificates, if the defendant's answer sets up the defense of the invalidity of the tax or other lien, or the invalidity of the proceedings to sell, or the invalidity of the sale, those questions shall be tried in the action. However, here there is neither fact finding nor a trial on any of the issues raised by Dr. Stephanatos. The corrupt former Chancery judge Margaret McVeigh failed to consider the equities that were in favor of Dr. Stephanatos or that a windfall will result. See M&D Assocs. v. Mandara, 366 N.J. Super. 341 (App. Div.) certif. denied, 180 N.J. 151 (2004) for its rationale that chancery courts "in such foreclosure cases should be alerted . . . that a significant windfall might result if adequate scrutiny . . . is not undertaken[,] In view of our decision, the operation of the tax sale law requires that the entire judgment must be vacated as void based upon equitable considerations.”

Dr. Stephanatos was also targeted by the government due to the filing of several lawsuits, both federal and state; he was penalized by the judges for that. What the government did was unlawful, unfair and unreasonable.

The Passaic County sheriff then filed criminal charges against me for refusing to leave my home and they claimed they were assaulted. The criminal case is pending for 7 years and 1 month now. It has not gone to trial because of the massive corruption in the judicial system and because the sheriff employees (Ronald A. Lucas and Vincent D'Agostino) committed perjury, i.e. they lied that they were assaulted. Although an assault case must be brought to trial within 1 to 2 years, it has been more than 7 years now. A defendant has a fundamental constitutional right to a speedy trial. U.S. Const., amend.VI; N.J. Const. Art. I, ¶ 10. But the state judiciary violated that right.

They also violated my constitutional rights guaranteed by the Fifth Amendment and Article I, par. 20 of the state constitution that prohibit private takings; no state court had jurisdiction or authority to take a $475,000 homestead property belonging in full to Dr. Stephanatos and deliver it to a third party (American Tax Funding, LLC). But these corrupt judges did it anyway.


What has really shocked our conscience is that ATF, LLC/Wayne Township knowingly charged unlawful and/excessive taxes in violation of the Uniformity Clause (Article VIII, Section 1, paragraph 1(a)). They also charged him 18 percent interest and 6 percent penalties on top of these excessive and illegal taxes. Thus, a tax dispute of less than $20K (the overassessment amount) became $60K. We found that Dr. Stephanatos offered to pay the $20K overassessment amount, but refused to pay the $60K amount. Then the antitrust conspirators (See the U.S. District Court in Newark Antitrust Litigation that found that ATF, LLC conspired to defraud homeowners of their properties and money) confiscated his residential real estate property, along with his business, Metropolitan Environmental Services.

PRIVATE TAKINGS ARE PROHIBITED BY BOTH FEDERAL AND STATE CONSTITUTIONS; AS A RESULT, THE CHANCERY COURT EXCEEDED ITS CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY AND ITS JUDGMENT WAS VOID AB INITIO

We provide the following two precedential New Jersey cases where the courts have ruled that an act of the legislature cannot confer any right upon an individual to deprive persons of the ordinary enjoyment of their property without just compensation. Here are the two seminal cases:

An act of the legislature cannot confer any right upon an individual to deprive persons of the ordinary enjoyment of their property without just compensation. Oechsle v. Ruhl, 140 N.J. Eq. 355, 54 A.2d 462 (Ch.1947). Constitutional Law.


An act of the legislature cannot confer upon individuals or private corporations, acting primarily for their own profit, although for public benefit as well, any right to deprive persons of the ordinary enjoyment of their property, except upon condition that just compensation be first made to the owners. Pennsylvania R. Co. v. Angel, 41 N.J. Eq. 316, 7 A. 432, 56 Am.Rep. 1 (1886).


See also the following federal law, prohibiting private takings:

The Public Use Clause provides that “one person's property may not be taken for the benefit of another private person without a justifying public purpose, even though compensation is paid.” Hawaii Hous. Auth. v. Midkiff, 467 U.S. 229, 241 (1984) (quoting Thompson v. Consol. Gas Corp., 300 U.S. 55, 80 (1937). Because a private taking cannot be constitutional even if compensated, “[a] plaintiff that proves that a government entity has taken its property for a private, not a public, use is entitled to an injunction against the unconstitutional taking, not simply compensation.” Carole Media LLC v. N.J. Transit Corp., 550 F.3d 302, 308 (3d Cir. 2008).


UNREASONABLE SEIZURES ARE PROHIBITED BY ARTICLE I, PAR. 7 OF THE NEW JERSEY CONSTITUTION

They also violated the Fourth Amendment right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures (see also Article I, Paragraph 7 of the New Jersey Constitution). They seized and confiscated a residential property valued at $475,000 (plus his business as well) for a small amount of disputed taxes. These are truly criminal acts.

If you can listen and publish my story, you will be shocked of what these judges have been doing to shake people up for money. They essentially blackmailing them: you either pay, or you lose your home; you either pay or we put you to jail; you either pay or we take your license away, and so on.

Here is a link, if you want to learn more about this case. You will be really-really-really shocked regarding what they have done to me.


http://metroforensics.blogspot.com/2018/07/the-dishonesty-of-new-jersey-judges.html

See also the corruption tip regarding Ronald Lucas who defrauded the police and firemen fund by claiming on the job disability.

http://metroforensics.blogspot.com/2018/06/corruption-tip-passaic-county-sheriffs.html

We have evidence that Dr. Stephanatos was targeted by the government employees because he had filed lawsuits asking for equal protection regarding his excessive property taxes. That is why they violated the constitution and confiscated his property for taxes that he did not even owe. These are absolutely unethical and even criminal acts.


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Report: Local courts reap $400M in fines, fees in 2017




By By MIKE CATALINI

Associated Press
July 17, 2018


New Jersey's municipal courts made $400 million in fines and fees in 2017, sometimes imposing "never-ending" and "overwhelming" financial obligations on people, a Supreme Court report said Tuesday.


The Supreme Court Committee on Municipal Court Operations, Fines and Fees unveiled the report including a list of 49 recommendations for changes to the state's municipal courts, which frequently serve as the judiciary's face in communities across the state.


Among the changes recommended are mandated hearings to determine defendants' ability to pay, as well as monitoring the use of contempt of court fees that go directly into municipal coffers.

"The committee was deeply concerned about what can be a never-ending imposition of mandatory financial obligations that have little to do with the fair administration of justice," Judge Julio Mendez, who chaired the committee, said in a statement. "They can be financially overwhelming, can disproportionately impact the poor, and often become the starting point for an ongoing cycle of court involvement for individuals with limited resources."

The report also found that penalties can vary greatly from judge to judge and court to court.

The document, which follows a 2016 Asbury Park Press investigation into municipal court fees and fines, cautions against courts becoming pressured by towns' concerns for greater revenues. The newspaper found, among other things, that residents faced nearly $200 fines for failing to renew a dog license in time. The judiciary cited the newspaper report in its findings.

New Jersey Supreme Court Chief Justice Stuart Rabner commissioned the panel in 2017. He says these courts handle millions of cases a year and called on them to adhere to high standards of independence and fairness.

The report said that New Jersey's local courts compared favorably to other states' and pointed in particular to mandatory training that judges and staff are required to participate in.

But it also sketched a number of concerns, including "excessive use" of discretionary contempt assessments.


"The Committee identifies that these practices at times have more to do with generating revenue than the fair administration of justice," the report said.

New Jersey has 515 such courts. Judges are appointed for three-year terms and can be re-appointed. In most cases the appointment process is set by towns' governing bodies.

RONALD A. LUCAS, 60, OF POMPTON LAKES, A FORMER PASSAIC COUNTY SHERIFF OFFICER, DEFRAUDED THE NEW JERSEY POLICE AND FIREMEN RETIREMENT FUND BY FAKING ON THE JOB DISABILITY

RONALD A. LUCAS, 60, OF POMPTON LAKES, A FORMER PASSAIC COUNTY SHERIFF OFFICER, LIED DURING HIS GRAND JURY TESTIMONY WHEN HE CLAIMED THAT HE INJURED HIS LEFT SHOULDER DURING A FALL AT A PROPERTY ON JUNE 28, 2011

Lying Lucas is #41

As part of an investigation we have been performing, we discovered that Ronald A. Lucas, a former Passaic County sheriff officer with the Civil Division lied about his on-the-job shoulder injury.  Lucas claimed that he fell on the job on June 28, 2011 at 687 Indian Road, Wayne, NJ and that he injured his left shoulder requiring several pins.  He then filed a disability claim with the New Jersey Division of Pensions and Benefits (Police and Firemen Retirement System).  He was granted disability for one year with subsequent review.  After he retired with claimed disability, he obtained a job as part-time security guard at the Pequannock High School.

Bombshell evidence contradicting Lying Lucas’ injury claims: We have obtained a report by Lt. Nick Mango who stated that nobody was injured at the scene.  The report by Lucas also states that he stumbled and not fell.

We discovered that Mr. Lucas suffered shoulder injuries while playing football and lifting heavy weights over his lifetime.  He was a linebacker with the Pompton Lakes Cardinals (he played at position #41), using his shoulder to hit and tackle his opponents during practice and during football games.  He also lifted very heavy weights to do body building.  Lucas has fallen on his shoulder probably thousand times during his athletic and training career.

Everybody knows that linebackers hit and tackle their opponents using their shoulders.  These athletes also lift heavy weights and they end-up injuries their shoulders.   He (Lucas) even made the All County Team in 1980, showing how hard he was working out.  Based on our investigation, we found that weight lifting athletes do suffer shoulder injuries of the type claimed by Lucas.

He also trained his two sons (Dean Lucas and Ronnie Lucas) into playing TE and DE positions also with the Cardinals football team.  In fact, linebackers suffer at least 13.5 percent of all football injuries and at least 65 percent of the linebackers end up undergoing surgery.

Lt. Nick Mango wrote in his June 28, 2011 report that “nobody was hurt”.  Also, Lucas never wrote in his June 28, 2018 report that he was injured.  He specifically wrote:  “As I entered the woods I stumbled”.  He never wrote that he was injured.  However, during this grand jury testimony, he provided a diametrically different picture:

Lucas claimed that he fell on his elbow and shoulder, but was able to regain his balance, and he ran into a wooded area to seek cover behind a large boulder.   Lucas claimed that he tore his biceps and had surgery on his shoulder, and “ended up having a pretty severe injury” in his shoulder, requiring “five pins.”  Of course we now know that this guy was a football player and body builder and suffered these injuries over his many years of lifting heavy weights and hitting his opponents with his shoulder (he was a linebacker with the Pompton Lakes Cardinals at #41).  This guy then defrauded the Police and Firemen Retirement Fund by claiming disability and started the double dipping.

So, from flip-flopping regarding the color of the gun; to whether the door was closed or open; to whether he knocked the door or not; to whether he suffered a major injury or not, Lying Lucas has some serious credibility issues; and all his lies were allowed to poison the grand jury deliberations.

We have obtained photos showing Mr. Lucas lifting weights, after his alleged job-ending disability.  See for example the attached image that is dated December 2013.

It is obvious to a reasonable and objective person that Lucas (in his mid-50s) took this incident on June 28, 2011 to claim on-the job-injury to be able to repair his previously injured shoulder at taxpayers’ expense and to retire and then blame Basilis Stephanatos for his injuries.  After he retired, he started the double dipping.  The finest of New Jersey at "work".

Former Jacksonville Jaguars Player Marlon McCree Arrested, Accused of Cigna Insurance Fraud after submitting fraudulent doctor's certificates and letters to the Gene Upshaw Health Reimbursement Account (HRA)

 

Marlon McCree is pictured following an April assault arrest.
News4Jax






Former Jacksonville Jaguars Player Arrested, Accused of Cigna Insurance Fraud
By Bill Bortzfield 
 
Former Jacksonville Jaguars safety Marlon McCree has been arrested in connection with a fraud scheme totaling nearly $78,000.

McCree is accused of submitting fraudulent doctor's certificates and letters to the Gene Upshaw Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) for the purpose of defrauding the fund, according to Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis

Patronis said in an email to WJCT News that Cigna Insurance reported a total of $77,950.28 worth of claim submissions being made by McCree to his HRA account. A total of $31,579.52 had been paid by Cigna prior to the fraudulent activity being discovered, according to Patronis.

McCree is accused of creating fraudulent invoices listing All Smiles Dental in Jacksonville. Patronis said records from All Smiles Dental showed McCree had never been a patient of the dental practice.

“Insurance fraud is not a victimless crime and costs honest Floridians millions of dollars every year. Just last year, our dedicated fraud detectives arrested nearly 1,000 individuals and recovered nearly $80 million in insurance fraud related restitution. My office will remain committed to bringing these criminals to justice and protecting your money," Patronis said.

If convicted, McCree faces up to 30 years in prison and a $30,000 fine, according to Patronis.

McCree was also arrested in April on unrelated domestic violence charges.

Our New4Jax partner reported Mcree was arrested on misdemeanor simple assault and felony aggravated battery charges, according to jail logs.

Police were called after McCree's ex-wife and another woman hid inside a Bay Street bar, according to News4Jax's review of his arrest report. She told police McCree was chasing her.

McCree was drafted by the Jaguars in 2001. He spent two seasons as a safety in Jacksonville followed by stints with the Houston Texans, Carolina Panthers, San Diego Chargers and Denver Broncos, according to News4Jax.

He also rejoined the Jaguars for a time as an assistant coach in 2012.

52-year-old bricklayer Filipe' Murano died when a piece of masonry fell on him near the construction site of a new First United Methodist Church in Sedalia, Missouri

Construction worker injured at Sedalia worksite dies 

The Associated Press
 
August 18, 2018



SEDALIA, Mo. (AP) — 

Officials say a worker injured near Sedalia in west-central Missouri has died.

The Sedalia Democrat reports that 52-year-old Filipe' Murano died late Wednesday afternoon at University of Missouri Hospital in Columbia.

Murano was injured Wednesday morning near the construction site of a new First United Methodist Church when a piece of masonry fell on him.

Murano was a bricklayer for a sub-contracted masonry company from the Kansas City area.

Pettis County Coroner Skip Smith said Murano wasn’t technically on the construction site or church property but rather on Normandy Road, near West 10th Street and Thompson Boulevard, when the incident occurred.


Murano’s autopsy took place Friday morning. Smith said he has classified the death as accidental so far in his office’s investigation.

============================
 


Sunday afternoon marked a day of promise and new beginnings as members, friends and family of the First United Methodist Church in Sedalia gathered to lift their voices in prayer and song, as well as shovels of sod, to mark the groundbreaking for a new sanctuary in the 3000 block of West 10th Street.


Slightly more than two years after the devastating fire March 2, 2016, that destroyed the historic 1888 First United Methodist Church’s downtown location, more than 200 followers took part in the groundbreaking ceremony.


In his opening remarks, Pastor Jim Downing read from Psalm 100, making special note of the fourth chapter as a reference to the new church and the structure of the building:



“… Shout to the Lord all the Earth

Worship the Lord with gladness

Come before him with joyful songs …

… Enter his gates with thanksgiving

And his courts with praise;

Give thanks to him and praise his name




For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”


For many, such as Alice Fairfax, the day was one of remembrance of both past and future generations.


“Today means so very much,” Fairfax said. “At last we will have a church to replace the old because there was such a sense of security in the arms of the old church.


“The new church (the Celebration Center) did well and we did not miss a Sunday after the loss of the old church,” she continued. “It will be nice to see what the future holds and this will be a way to serve so many.”


Fairfax noted she and her husband, the late Emmett Fairfax, were married in the downtown sanctuary in 1954. Her grandparents and parents before her and two of her children were also married at the downtown church. Weddings hold a special bond for many in the congregation, according to Fairfax.


Now she is hoping her granddaughter, who represents the fifth generation, will be one of the first couples to marry in the new church once it is completed.


“The new building has been designed with Neo-Gothic architectural features by Marsh Water Woody Architects of Springfield,” Downing told the Democrat in March. “It will feature elements of stone and stained glass along with a 300-seat dining hall for large gatherings of the congregation and community.


“Many of the architectural components are reminiscent of the downtown building, particularly the shape and orientation of the sanctuary,” Downing continued. “There will be a cloister with nine arches (facing Thompson Boulevard) creating a courtyard in front of the sanctuary.”


Downing also explained that plans are nearing completion of a gazebo and memorial gardens to be built at the downtown location at 117 W. Fourth St. The site, once completed, will be used for events such as concerts, weddings and outdoor celebrations.


Karen Iuchs also is part of a fifth-generation family to attend First United Methodist and the Celebration Center.


“Today is a new beginning and hope for the future,” Iuchs said. “It truly is a rebirth and a chance to continue to share God’s love with others.”


The love and outpouring of support from the community has meant a great deal to the congregation during the past two years, according to Downing.


“We are honored to share today and this with the community who have been so supportive,” Downing told the Democrat after the service. “We want people to know this is a place to feel welcome and know God’s love. We are blessed to rise up to a new day.”

Hit-and-run boater Shawn Kelly, of Paramus, 44, charged with the death of Edwin Lane after his 18-foot Bayliner boat was struck by Kelly's 20-foot Wellcraft boat on Greenwood Lake in West Milford Township on September 5, 2016

 Edwin Lane, of West Milford, died after he was injured in the crash
 

Hit-and-run boater  Shawn Kelly, of Paramus, 44, charged with the death of Edwin Lane

Thursday, August 16, 201

 

 

WEST MILFORD, Passaic County (WABC) -- 

 

A man has been arrested and charged in a deadly boating hit and run that killed a 72-year-old man and injured three others in New Jersey in 2016.

New Jersey State Police on Thursday arrested 44-year-old Shawn Kelly, of Paramus, as a result of a 23-month-long cooperative investigation with the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office.

The boat crash happened on Greenwood Lake in West Milford Township on September 5, 2016, when authorities say an 18-foot Bayliner boat owned by Edwin Lane, of West Milford, was struck by another boat that fled the scene after the crash.

There were four occupants on the boat, all of whom sustained injuries as a result of the collision. Lane and 78-year-old Robert Roon, of Newfoundland, suffered serious injuries and were airlifted to St. Joseph's Hospital in Paterson. Their wives, 76-year-old Mary Lane and 72-year-old Eileen Roon were transported by ambulance to St. Joseph's Hospital.

Edwin Lane later died as a result of injuries on October 8, 2016.

During the course of the investigation, it was determined that Kelly was alone on his boat, a 20-foot Wellcraft, traveling along the same path and direction as the victim's boat on the evening of the crash. Kelly allegedly struck the victim's boat before immediately leaving the scene.

A subsequent accident reconstruction analyzing the damage to both vessels confirmed that Kelly's boat was the hit-and-run vessel. Additionally, damage to Kelly's boat was consistent with the corresponding damage sustained by Lane's vessel.

Kelly was charged with death by vessel, leaving the scene of a boating accident resulting in death, assault by vessel and leaving the scene of an accident causing serious bodily injury.

Leaking natural gas from a punctured gas line into a sewer line blamed for coffee shop explosion in rural Homerville, Georgia and seriously injured three people

(Courtesy: Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner's Office) 
 
An explosion and fire destroyed a coffee shop Friday in a rural south Georgia city, seriously injuring three people, officials said.

The blast rocked tiny Homerville, a city of about 2,500 people, shortly after noon, prompting a warning from city officials for residents to avoid the downtown area.


Investigators determined a construction crew installing fiber optic cable had ruptured an underground gas line, causing natural gas to leak into a sewer line connected to the coffee shop, said Glenn Allen, spokesman for Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner Ralph Hudgens.

"Inside the shop gas built up in the kitchen area and there was a spark, resulting in the explosion," Allen said late Friday.

Two employees and a customer were the only people inside the coffee shop when it exploded, Allen said. They were airlifted to a hospital in Gainesville, Fla., with "burns and other serious injuries," he said.

Investigators initially reported all three of the injured worked at the shop, Allen said, but later learned they were mistaken.

Allen said the explosion and a resulting fire destroyed the small, single-story building that housed Coffee Corner.

A photo taken by an investigator at the scene showed the building's roof had partially collapsed.

Brick walls were blasted apart, with bricks scattered in the parking lot and piled atop two cars parked beside the shop.

Homerville is roughly 30 miles from the Georgia-Florida line.

Officials used the city's Facebook page to urge residents Friday to stay away, referring only to "issues within the downtown area."


"First responders and all other crews need the area to be as free of traffic as possible in order to get their jobs done," the city's Facebook post said.

Nan Mikell, Homerville's city manager, did not immediately return phone and email messages.

No one answered the phone at the Clinch County Emergency Management Agency. The phone number for Homerville police was forwarded to Mikell's voicemail.

Homerville is about a four-hour drive southeast of Atlanta.

==================================

Leaking gas blamed for coffee shop explosion


Updated: Aug 18 2018 01:57AM EDT


HOMERVILLE, Ga. (AP) - Authorities say natural gas leaking into a sewer line caused an explosion that destroyed a coffee shop in rural Georgia and seriously injured three people. Investigators do not suspect foul play in the blast that rocked the tiny city of Homerville at about 12:15 p.m. Friday.

Glenn Allen, a spokesman for Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner Ralph Hudgens, said late Friday that investigators determined a construction crew installing fiber optic cable in the tiny city of Homerville punctured an underground natural gas line.

Allen says that gas leaked into a sewer line connected to the coffee shop, where the gas built up and was ignited by a spark shortly after noon Friday.

 

Allen says: "The building is destroyed." Allen says two employees and a customer suffered serious injuries, including burns. Investigators initially reported all three injured people were coffee shop employees. Allen said they were airlifted to a hospital in Gainesville, Florida. Their conditions were not immediately known.

On the city's Facebook page, Homerville officials asked residents to avoid the downtown area.

Homerville has about 2,500 residents living roughly 30 miles (48 kilometers) from the Georgia-Florida line.

Two welders suffered severe burns and are in critical condition after an explosion during a welding destroyed a fuel tanker truck in Chubbuck, Idaho

CHUBBUCK, Idaho (KIFI/KIDK) -



Two men suffered severe burns and are in critical condition after an explosion destroyed a fuel tanker truck in Chubbuck.

Homes that are more than a mile away were rocked by the explosion Tuesday night.

The Bannock County Sheriff's Office says the explosion happened while the men were welding part of the tanker that was parked outside of their maintenance shop.

Emergency responders say it appears the welding somehow ignited gas in the tanker, causing the explosion.

The incident is under investigation. It is apparent that these two welders failed to properly and adequately vent the gas off the tanker.




=======================




TWO MEN IN CRITICAL CONDITION AFTER BEING SEVERELY BURNED IN TANKER TRUCK EXPLOSION

By Journal Staff
August 16, 2018




 

What remains of a fuel tanker truck after it was blown apart by an explosion on Tuesday night north of Chubbuck. Idaho State Journal photo


A fuel tanker truck was destroyed on Tuesday night north of Chubbuck by an explosion that nearly killed two people and rocked homes more than a mile away.

Two men suffered severe burns in the 10 p.m. blast, which occurred outside a maintenance shop building along Philbin Road between Reservation and Tyhee roads. Both of the burn victims were transported via ambulances to Portneuf Medical Center in Pocatello for treatment. Authorities said they were later transported to the University of Utah Burn Center in Salt Lake City in critical condition.


Bannock County Sheriff’s Office has not released the names of the men because of the ongoing investigation.

The explosion occurred while the men were welding part of the tanker, which was parked outside their maintenance shop, the sheriff’s office reported. Emergency responders said that it appears the welding somehow ignited gasoline in the tanker, causing the large explosion that severely burned the two men and blew apart the tanker. Pieces of the vehicle could be found as far as 50 yards away.

Numerous emergency units from Fort Hall, Pocatello, Chubbuck and the Bannock County Sheriff’s Office rushed to the scene following the explosion.

The blast was so powerful that it shook homes more than a mile away.

Philbin Road between Tyhee and Reservation roads was temporarily shut down because of the explosion.

Although the explosion destroyed the tanker, it caused damage to only the door of the shop building and caused no damage to nearby houses. People at the scene said the injured men operated a business repairing tanker trucks out of the shop building.

Firefighters extinguished the burning tanker truck within 30 minutes.

A Saturday morning kitchen fire at the 5th Street Apartments in Lonoke, AR, killed one person, injured others and left nearly a dozen people without a home

LONOKE, Ark. (KARK) -- 

A Saturday morning fire at an apartment building killed one person, injured others and left nearly a dozen people without a home.

It happened in the heart of Lonoke at the 5th Street Apartments on the corner of Wright and E. 5th Street around 3:15 Saturday morning.

The Lonoke fire chief described the scene as a very fluid scene, so the exact number of people taken to the hospital with injuries may fluctuate over time. But as of Saturday evening, the fire chief said he believes around 3 people had to go to the hospital and paramedics treated some people including kids at the scene.

The Lonoke Police Chief confirmed at least 1 woman now is fighting her injuries at a burn unit and 1 adult, male died.

Sylvester Williams said, "We lost everything. It's our second time around for me but it's going to be ok. The Lord always in the blessing business."

Investigators snapped photos while Sylvester Williams prays next to his melted cars just hours after escaping a fire that killed his neighbor.

"I kind of wish (that) I asked him his name now because you never know when you're going to see someone for the last time," Williams said.

Lonoke Fire said the call came in as a kitchen fire at the 5th Street Apartments. The County Fire Marshal will investigate the exact cause of the fire.

Williams said, "A positive attitude will take you a whole lot further than anything. So, I praise Him for my good and my bad."

He leaned on his faith and humor for strength as we talked with him Saturday afternoon.

"I'm standing here with my sister's Crocs on and her shirt. But I made it. I made it," Williams told us as he smiled.

He said neighbors like himself jumped out of windows for their lives. He described saving his disabled grandson.

"We had to go back to the room that I drug him from to try to break the glass to get him out of the house," the grandfather said.

We met Lloyd Nichols who managed the apartments.

Nichols said, "Thank God for the ones that did come out. I'm just overwhelmed."

He talked with us as investigators combed through the scene.

"If I could bring back the one in number 4 I would. You just can's," Nichols said as emotion showed on his face.

he told us nearly a dozen other tenants lost everything but their lives.

"If anyone could donate something for these school kids 'cause they lost everything," he said.

The American Red Cross went to the apartments to help the victims.

Williams said, "God be to glory for life."

He gave thanks to the officers who helped pull his family to safety, the neighbor who woke him up and a third chance to start all over.

People can drop off donations at the Lonoke PD or the community center.

The Lonoke Police Department is located at 203 Front St. SW, Lonoke, Arkansas.

The community center is located at 1355 Front St. SW, Lonoke, Arkansas.

Police Chief Randy Mauk said people who want to donate Money will have to wait until Monday so they can set up a bank account for the victims.

Chief Mauk said the children impacted range from infant to 14-years-old.

==============================



Lonoke fire leaves families displaced, One dead
The Lonoke Fire Department said a call about a fire at the 5th Street Apartment complex came in around 3 a.m. Saturday morning, August 18.






Author: Vanessa Paige

August 19, 2018

LONOKE COUNTY, Ark. (KTHV) - “My wife and I was just laying asleep and heard this bumping at the door,” said Sylvester Williams.

The knocking Williams heard was his neighbor, warning him that a fire broke out at this apartment home. His first instinct was to save his 19-year-old grandson who is disabled.

“I tried to get my grandson to bring him out the front door but couldn’t get him, so we had to go back to the room that I drug him from to try to break the glass,” said Williams.

His wife, daughter and grandson who all live in the 5th Street Apartments in Lonoke got out OK. But for one resident that wasn’t the case.

“I kind of wished I would have asked him his name now because you never know when you’re going to see somebody for the last time,” said Williams.

Lonoke Fire Chief, Justin Whittenburg, confirmed that one person died in the fire. He also said that multiple people were injured.

The department said a call came in around 3 a.m., Saturday morning, August 18, with the caller saying a kitchen fire broke out at the Lonoke complex on the 200th block of East Fifth Street.

Williams said he’s only lost things that can be replaced.

“I’m standing here with my sister’s crocks on and her shirt. But I made it. I made it,” he said.

His vehicles melted in the heat, but he has a positive outlook.

“Material things are just material things,” said Williams.

The apartment manager, Lloyd Nichols, never imagined a tragedy happening at the recently remodeled complex.

“I’m overwhelmed,” said Nichols. “I just give thanks to God that some of them made it out.”

Nichols is working with the community to get families what they need. Donations are being collected at the Lonoke Police Department and the Community Center.The Lonoke County Sheriff’s Office is investigating to determine the cause of the fire.

SPEED KILLS: Junior off-road racer for Coraopolis-based Lunova Racing, Cody Stickley, 13, died as a result of injuries sustained in an ATV crash in McDonald, PA

Big Belated Happy Birthday shout out to this guy @Cody Stickley !!! This boy is on 🔥 fire.... Lunova Racing family like to wish you a great Birthday week. 🎁🎉 #13 #teenager
#dontgrowuptofast #gettingold #woodsracing

Junior off-road racer for Coraopolis-based Lunova Racing, Cody Stickley, 13, died as a result of injuries sustained in an ATV crash in McDonald, PA

Lunova Racing (AKA, LUNATIC RACING; SPEED KILLS FOLKS)
16 hrs ·

The thought of losing a child is one of the worst feelings in the world. This morning Lunova Racing Athlete Cody Stickley tragically passed away. We are reaching out for support and prayers for the Amazing Stickley family, if you ever had a min to meet Cody or a family member, you would know how respectful, caring, fun and outgoing Cody was.
We need the racing family/community to come together with prayers and love as we get through this hard time!!!
Thanks in advance!!!
==========================
A 13-year-old Imperial boy died early Sunday from injuries he sustained in an ATV crash Saturday afternoon in Mt. Pleasant Township.


According to a report from the Allegheny County medical examiner, Cody Stickley, 13, was involved in a crash at 3:45 p.m. Saturday in the 200 block of Kelso Road, McDonald.


He was taken to a hospital in Pittsburgh, where he died at 2:48 a.m. Sunday.


Stickley was a junior off-road racer for Coraopolis-based Lunova Racing. According to Lunova’s website, Stickley participated in three major racing series last year, including the American Woods Racing Challenge Series, the Eastern Racing Off-road Championship and the Grand National Cross Country Series. According to the website, Stickley was recognized as class champion with three wins and seven podium placements during the AWRCS, and was a runner-up in the EROC.


Representatives of Lunova Racing said Sunday they have “no comment at this time out of respect for the family.”


Stickley’s father, Jason, and younger brother Cooper are also listed as racers on the website.


A GoFundMe account has been started by the Stickley family and more than $16,000 was raised as of Sunday afternoon.


On the fundraiser page, the family asked for prayers and donations.


“To put into words our love for Cody is an impossible feat,” the page reads. “We ask that you help his parents, Jason and Kristin, and his younger brother, Cooper, in their time of need.”

========================

McDonald teen dies following ATV crash



Patrick Varine

Sunday, Aug. 19, 2018




A 13-year-old Allegheny County boy died following an ATV accident Saturday near McDonald.

Cody Stickley, of McDonald, died as a result of injuries sustained in the crash, which happened around 3:45 p.m. on the 200 block of Kelso Road, south of Imperial, the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office said.

Stickley was declared dead shortly before 3 a.m. Sunday.

Authorities are investigating.


===================



MCDONALD, PA (KDKA) —


A teenager died early Sunday morning after an ATV crash in McDonald.

The Allegheny County medical examiner’s office says 13-year-old Cody Stickley sustained fatal injuries in an ATV accident in the 200 block of Kelso Road.

The accident happened around 3:45 p.m. Saturday.

He was pronounced dead at a local hospital just before 3 a.m. Sunday. Further details on the crash have not yet been released.

The lesson to be learned is: speed kills or injures, eventually.  Drive responsibly.  So many young lives have been lost due to racing and speeding and reckless driving.  Learn and live.

Two female boaters from Neenah, Wis. were killed on Lake Winnebago in the Town of Vinland, Wisconsin after a 26-foot boat collided with a 20-foot boat.

Winnebago County, Wisconsin Sheriff’s Office
8 hrs ·

**Update**
Sunday August 19th, 2018
2015 hrs

The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team resumed search efforts today (August 19th, 2018) on Lake Winnebago in the Town of Vinland assisted by the Wisconsin DNR. Through the efforts of the search, Deputies were able to locate the two missing female boaters from the crash. Both were deceased. Their identities were confirmed, but will not be released at this time. The investigation by the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office and the Winnebago County Coroner’s Office is in the preliminary stages and remains ongoing.


Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of the deceased.





VINLAND, Wisc. (WLUK) -- 

The Winnebago County Sheriff's responded to a two boat collision Saturday night.

Deputies say it happened just after 8:30 Saturday night about a mile east of Paynes Point.

A 26 foot boat collided with a 20 foot boat.

"All of a sudden, we just heard the collision and I said, 'oh that's not good,'" said David Frakes.

First responders used Frakes boat to respond to the scene of the accident.

Two people were on the 26 foot boat.

Four people were on the 20 foot boat.

At the time of response Frakkes said rescuers asked if anyone was in the water.

"she said yeah," Frakes recalled. "One of the first responders jumped in the 20-footer and went to shore and the two other responders stayed with us and kept searching."

A 20-year-old and 26-year-old, both women from Neenah are dead after they were ejected from the 20 foot boat.

The body of a dog was also recovered.

The two others on the 20 foot boat were taken to the hospital.

The two people on the 26 foot boat were treated on shore.

The damaged boat was left at Lidya Trusov's dock overnight. Sheriff's investigators used a crane to lift it out of the water Sunday afternoon.

"We helped them to anchor it.," said Trusov. "They were supposed to have four people on it but they only had two."

Trusov remained visibly upset while the search continued.


"Devastated, absolutely sad. We couldn't sleep last night we just didn't know if we should try to get in our boat at try to go help," she said.

It was nearly a full day of searching before the bodies of the two women ejected were recovered.

No one was injured Saturday night when mixed pool chemicals exploded at a home on Glen Street in Whitman, Massachusetts

No Injuries Reported in Whitman Chemical Explosion
Officials say mixing pool chemical caused the explosion

By Sophie Reardon and Michael Rosenfield

August 19, 2018

WHITMAN, Mass. — 

Officials say the explosion occurred as someone in the home was mixing pool chemicals. Fortunately, no one was hurt and residents returned a short time later after firefighters ventilated the structure. (Published Sunday, Aug. 19, 2018)


No one was injured Saturday night when mixed pool chemicals exploded at a home on Glen Street in Whitman, Massachusetts.

the incident occurred at the home just off of Route 18.

The people inside of the home had been mixing pool chemicals, and that led to a small explosion, officials said. It isn't clear what kind of chemicals they were exactly.  Most likely he added more chlorine to the pool chemicals to shock the pool.  If he used too much of dosage, then this created a violent reaction.

Hazmat teams were called to the scene and were there for several hours.

There were no injuries and there have been no evacuations in the neighborhood, officials said.

Officials said Sunday morning that no one was injured and residents returned once the area was ventilated.

===========================


By Joe Pelletier
The Enterprise



Posted Aug 19, 2018 at 11:54 A



“Thank God he didn’t get hurt,” Whitman fire Lt. Robert Hover said. “It’s amazing he wasn’t injured.”

WHITMAN, Mass. — 

A man set off a chemical explosion in his kitchen Saturday night while mixing pool chemicals, fire officials said.

The man was uninjured after the chemical reaction at his Glen Street home.

“Thank God he didn’t get hurt,” Whitman fire Lt. Robert Hover said. “It’s amazing he wasn’t injured.”

Whitman firefighters and a state hazardous materials team responded to the home near the center of town around 9 p.m.

Hover said it appeared the man was attempting to mix chemicals in his kitchen to clean (or “shock”) his pool when it reacted with water.

“It was a quantity he shouldn’t have been mixing,” Hover said.

The chemicals had a “violent reaction,” Hover said, and exploded.

There was minimal damage to the kitchen, but the state’s District 1 Hazardous Materials Emergency Response team did have to go in and and clean up the space.

“He knew he made a mistake,” Hover said of the man. “And mistakes happen.”

Hover said, in speaking with hazmat workers, pool-chemical explosions happen regularly.

“They had the same thing in Marshfield not long ago,” he said. “It blew off the kitchen cabinets. That chlorine and those pool chemicals — they’re nasty stuff.”

His advice for how to advice unwanted explosions?

“Just follow the directions on the container,” he said. “And stick to it.”

Homemade firecracker the cause of an explosion inside a home in Parkersburg, West Virginia; one man was injured

UPDATE: Homemade firecracker the cause of an explosion in Parkersburg


By Dennis Bright |

August 18, 2018


PARKERSBURG, W.Va. (WTAP) - 
At about 12:12 this afternoon Parkersburg Police and Fire Departments responded to a call made by a postal service worker regarding an explosion.

The worker was hit by debris from the explosion but not seriously injured.

First responders were able to respond quickly because of the close proximity of the incident to the Homecoming parade.

There was a man on the scene with injuries to his hands and face and he was transported to a hospital in southern West Virginia.

Neighbors in the area reported hearing a loud noise that seemed to shake their homes. The police department strongly feels as though this incident is in no way related to the Homecoming celebration and that the suspect’s intent was not to harm anyone.

“We did collect some evidence related to this crime. We had it analyzed at a different location close to the scene for any chemical based explosives that were not what a typical person could buy off the store shelf. We are able to confidently say that this is not a terrorist act or a nexus to terrorism. Based off of what we found at the scene and what the components were made from as far as the device, basically it was just a homemade firecracker that had a much more powerful result than what was intended,” explains Joe Martin, Parkersburg Police Chief.

The suspect is a local resident of Parkersburg and has a criminal history here in Wood County. He also has family ties to this area.

The suspect will be arrested after being released from the hospital.

The Parkersburg Fire Department, St. Joseph’s ambulance service, the Department of Homeland Security, West Virginia Fusion Center, West Virginia State Police Special Operations, West Virginia National Guard Civil Support Team, and the FBI all assisted with the incident.

8/18/18 12:45 p.m.

Authorities in Parkersburg are at the scene of a reported explosion at a residence in the 500 block of 17th Street.

Multiple law-enforcement officers, including a bomb technician, are at the scene investigating.

The source of the explosion remains unclear.

It happened about 12:15 p.m. Saturday as many participants in the annual Parkersburg Homecoming parade were already lined up next to Stadium Field just a few blocks away.

People at the scene reported hearing a loud explosion and then seeing a person on the ground in front of a house.

At least one person near the scene said the blast shook their house.

We have a reporter at the scene and will have updates online and during WTAP News @ 6.

Christopher Cordeiro (aka Lucifer Cordeiro), 20, a Bethpage firefighter on Long Island is accused for five arsons over the last year

Christopher Cordeiro (aka Lucifer Cordeiro), 20, a Bethpage firefighter on Long Island is accused for five arsons over the last year

Sunday, August 19, 201

BETHPAGE, Long Island (WABC) --

A firefighter on Long Island is accused of setting fires instead of putting them out.

Police say Christopher Cordeiro is responsible for five arsons over the last year, including fires at a shed and abandoned home.

Cordeiro was arrested at the Bethpage fire house where he worked.

He is set to be arraigned on arson and weapons charges on Monday.



His name should have been Lucifer and not Christopher. I am just saying.




======================

Firefighter Arrested for Starting Five Blazes on Long Island: Police

Christopher Cordeiro, of Bethpage, used a Molotov cocktail to set the first fire last June, police said

August 19, 2018

NBC.com

A firefighter was arrested for starting five fires on Long Island, including one sparked by a Molotov cocktail, authorities said.

Bethpage Fire Department member Christopher Cordeiro, 20, of Bethpage, used a Molotov cocktail to set the first fire in a pit across from 25 Arthur Ave. in Bethpage last June, Nassau County police said.

On March 1 of this year, Cordeiro set another fire, in a dumpster at 67 West Millpage Drive, police said.

On Aug. 5, Cordeiro started a fire inside an abandoned house at 285 Stewart Ave., and on Aug. 10, he started a blaze in a wooded area next to 96 Broadway, according to police.



And on Sunday, he set a fire inside a shed at 121 North Hermann Ave., police said. He was arrested at the Bethpage Fire House on Union Avenue on Sunday.

Cordeiro faces charges including third-degree arson, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, fourth-degree arson and fifth-degree arson, and is expected to appear in court on Monday.