Sanitation worker Justin David Pratt, 27, employed by Modern Waste, died after his refuse truck was struck by a 1997 Ford F-150 pickup

Sanitation worker dies from injuries suffered in crash with pickup 

September 19, 2018

By Evan Sasiela
esasiela@mlive.com

COLUMBIA TWP., MI - 

A sanitation worker has died from injuries he suffered in a crash Tuesday in Columbia Township.

Justin David Pratt, 27, of Jackson died late Sept. 18, after being struck earlier that day on the job, Columbia Township police said.

Pratt was working from a Modern Waste refuse truck that was struck about 7:49 a.m. Tuesday by a 1997 Ford F-150 pickup on Riverside Road, east of McKinney Road, and about a half-mile west of M-50, police said.

The refuse truck was traveling east on Riverside Road, making stops to dump trash from garbage carts into the back of the truck, police said. While stopped, and with its warning lights on, the refuse truck was struck from behind by the pickup, which was pulling a pop-up camper, they said.

Pratt was pinned between the vehicles, police said. He was taken to Henry Ford Allegiance Health in critical condition, they said.  

A second sanitation worker, off to the passenger side of the truck, was not hit or injured, police said. The refuse truck had minor damage, they said.

The male driver and female passenger of the F-150, both of Jackson and both wearing seat belts at the time of the crash, were transported to Henry Ford Allegiance Health with non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

The pickup is a total loss and both air bags were deployed, police said. Police reported that the driver said blinding sunlight hindered his vision.

A Henry Ford Allegiance Health spokeswoman said the driver of the pickup was in stable condition as of Wednesday morning, Sept. 19. The female passenger was treated and released Tuesday, she said.

An incident report will be forwarded to the Jackson County Prosecutor's Office for review upon completion of the investigation, police said.

Neither drugs nor alcohol appear to be a factor in the crash, they said. Michigan State Police assisted with accident reconstruction.

MEDICAL EXAMINER: Vale Thompson mine worker David Fifi, 52, died Nov. 6, 2008 as a result of pulmonary edema caused by exposure to toxic gases

Some of David Fifi’s colleagues said that they did not have enough gas monitors on the job and that David had been coughing on the day of his death.  Fifi was working with Comstock Canada as part of a team to install a new electrostatic precipitator (ESP) at Vale’s Thompson smelter at the time of his death



Thompson mine worker’s 2008 death caused by toxic gases, says former chief medical examiner

Ian Graham / Thompson Citizen

September 13, 2018 11:44 AM

 

Evidence from a forensic pathologist contends that a former Thompson mine worker did not die of a heart attack as the coroner ruled in 2008, says the Manitoba Liberal Party, who are asking the provincial government to call an inquiry to investigate.

Dr. Peter Markesteyn, Manitoba’s former chief medical examiner, said in a Sept. 4 letter to the Workers Compensation Board, that he believed David Fifi, 52, died Nov. 6, 2008 as a result of pulmonary edema caused by exposure to toxic gases.


“Mr. David Fifi died with myocardial disease, not because of it,” said Markesteyn, who based his opinion on clinical records and documents relating to Fifi having been exposed to toxic gases.

“The deceased suffered increasingly respiratory problems after he had gone home sick on the day prior to his admissions to hospital,” wrote Markesteyn. “’Her had trouble breathing.’ This had become increasingly worse, which led him to call an ambulance. He had woken up short of breath. The ambulance report states him to be in ‘respiratory distress.’ The autopsy report confirms the clinical diagnosis of pulmonary edema as the cause of death.”

Markesteyn said in a letter to Liberal River Heights MLA Jon Gerrard in July that the pathologist that did the autopsy after Fifi died did not know about his having been exposed to toxic gases and that made his determination of what caused Fifi’s death less reliable.

The Liberal party first called for in inquiry into Fifi’s death in the spring of 2017 and says the only way to get the truth is through a public inquiry.

“The government of Manitoba has as a primary obligation to ensure that people work in safety and get home alive, and we need an inquiry to understand why the NDP government and others ignored and abandoned David Fifi and his co-workers,” said Liberal leader Douglas Lamont in a Sept. 11 press release.“The Fifi family and others deserve more than answers – they deserve justice, and a public inquiry is an essential first step in making that happen.”

David Fifi’s widow Lila told Canadian Occupational Health and Safety News (COHSN) magazine that David phoned her unexpectedly around 5 a.m. on Nov. 6, 2008 and said that he was having trouble breathing. He went to the hospital in an ambulance but died shortly after 8 a.m. Fifi was working with Comstock Canada as part of a team to install a new electrostatic precipitator (ESP) at Vale’s Thompson smelter at the time of his death.

Manitoba’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled that David Fifi’s death was not work-related and Manitoba Workplace Safety & Health concurred with the medical examiner’s determination that his death was the result of natural causes, COHSN reported, but his widow Lila Fifi does not agree.

“He was blasted for three times a day for six days in a row and there’s not one citation,” Lila Fifi told COHSN. “The day that David passed away, they shut that job down for two days, and they put it up and running, and they haven’t done anything.”

Vale Canada vice-president of corporate affairs Coy McPhee told COHSN last year that the company had provided proper respiratory protection and gas monitors for the workers replacing the ESP.

“There’s nothing to connect this to any workplace-related exposure,” he said. “That does not take away from the tragedy of him losing his life, but it certainly was not workplace-related.”

McPhee told the CBC this week that he hadn’t seen Markesteyn’s findings and couldn’t comment on them.

Witness statements obtained by COHSN showed that some of David Fifi’s colleagues said that they did not have enough gas monitors on the job and that David had been coughing on the day of his death.

Lila Fifi told the CBC that the Workers Compensation Board said her husband’s case is being reviewed as a result of Markesteyn’s findings.

A Duke Energy dam containing the large Sutton Lake at the Wilmington NC power plant has been breached by floodwaters, and coal might be flowing into the Cape Fear River

Dam breach at Wilmington Duke Energy plant; coal ash could be spilling into Cape Fear River


A dam containing a large lake at a NC power plant has been breached by floodwaters, and coal might be flowing into the Cape Fear River.


MICHAEL BIESECKER

WILMINGTON, N.C. -- 

Duke Energy said Friday that a dam containing a large lake at Wilmington power plant has been breached by floodwaters from Florence, and it is possible coal ash from an adjacent dump is flowing into the Cape Fear River.

Duke spokeswoman Paige Sheehan said Friday that floodwaters continue to overtop an earthen dike at the north side of Sutton Lake, a 1,100-acre reservoir at the L.V. Sutton Power Station. That water has caused several breaches in the dam on the south end of the lake, which is flowing back into the river. The company said that because of the high water levels in the river from the hurricane, they do not expect water levels to be affected by the breaches in the dam.

Sheehan said floodwaters also had overtopped a steel retaining wall containing one of three large coal ash dumps lining the lakeshore. Sheehan described the incident as a "developing situation" and said the company can't rule out that ash might be escaping and flowing into the river.

Gray material that the company characterized as lightweight coal combustion byproducts could be seen Friday floating on the top of the lake.

The ash left over when coal is burned to generate electricity coal ash contains an array of components, including mercury, lead, arsenic, and other toxic heavy metals. The inundated basin contains at the plant 400,000 cubic yards of ash.

The current incident is separate from the rupture at a nearby coal ash landfill reported at the site last weekend, spilling enough material to fill 180 dump trucks. The site received more than 30 inches (75 centimeters) of rain from former Hurricane Florence, with the Cape Fear River expected to crest Saturday.

Duke's ash waste management has faced intense scrutiny since a drainage pipe collapsed under a waste pit at an old plant in Eden in 2014, triggering a massive spill that coated 70 miles (110 kilometers) of the Dan River in gray sludge. The utility later agreed to plead guilty to nine Clean Water Act violations and pay $102 million in fines and restitution for illegally discharging pollution from ash dumps at five North Carolina power plants. It plans to close all its ash dumps by 2029.

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


APNewsBreak: Dam breach at Duke plant; coal ash could spill

By MICHAEL BIESECKER and ALAN SUDERMAN Associated Press

September 21, 2018

WILMINGTON, N.C. (AP) — Florence's floodwaters breached a dam holding back a large reservoir at a Wilmington power plant Friday, and coal ash from an adjacent dump could be flowing into the nearby Cape Fear River.

Duke Energy spokeswoman Paige Sheehan said the company does not believe the breach at the L.V. Sutton Power Station poses a significant threat for increased flooding to nearby communities because the river is already running high after the hurricane.

Floodwaters from the Cape Fear opened several breaches overnight in the earthen dam at Sutton Lake, a 1,100-acre (445-hectare) reservoir at the power plant. Water from the lake then flooded one of three large coal ash dumps lining the lakeshore.

Sheehan said the company can't rule out that ash might be escaping from the flooded dump and washing into the river.

Gray material that the company characterized as "coal combustion byproducts" could be seen floating in both the lake and river Friday.

The ash left over when coal is burned to generate electricity contains an array of components, including mercury, lead, arsenic and other toxic heavy metals. Duke said Friday that the inundated basin at the plant contains about 400,000 cubic yards (305,820 cubic meters) of ash.

Floodwaters at the site were continuing to rise Friday. The area received more than 30 inches (75 centimeters) of rain from former Hurricane Florence, with the Cape Fear River expected to crest Saturday.


North Carolina's top environmental regulator said the extent of the potential environmental harm is not yet known.

"What we don't know at this point is if any coal ash has filtered into the Cape Fear River," said Mike Regan, secretary for the state Department of Environmental Quality. "We plan to conduct flyovers ... to see if we can ascertain that."

Security personnel for Duke blocked access Friday to Sutton Lake Road, which leads to a public dock on the reservoir, a popular local destination for boating and fishing.

Duke denied a request for an Associated Press reporter at the scene Friday to pass the barricade, saying that the situation at the lake "continues to change" and is "not safe." Aerial photos released by the company showed a wide breach in the earthen dam and the affected ash dump largely underwater.

Sutton Lake is the former coaling pond for a coal-fired plant Duke retired in 2013 and replaced with a new generating station that runs off natural gas. Duke said that power plant was shut down overnight as it was swamped floodwaters and all employees safely evacuated.

The current breach at the Wilmington site is separate from the rupture at a nearby coal ash landfill reported at the site last weekend, spilling enough material to fill 180 dump trucks.

Duke's ash waste management has faced intense scrutiny since a drainage pipe collapsed under a waste pit at an old plant in Eden in 2014, triggering a massive spill that coated 70 miles (110 kilometers) of the Dan River in gray sludge. The utility later agreed to plead guilty to nine Clean Water Act violations and pay $102 million in fines and restitution for illegally discharging pollution from ash dumps at five North Carolina power plants. It plans to close all its ash dumps by 2029.

At the separate Duke plant near Goldsboro, three old coal-ash dumps capped with soil were underwater Thursday after the Neuse River flooded.

Staff from the Waterkeeper Alliance, an environmental group, visited the flooded dumps at the H.F. Lee Power Plant by boat Wednesday and took photographs and collected samples of gray sludge and water they said was washing into the floodwaters. The group said a private lab would analyze samples.

State environmental regulators went to the site Thursday, though they were unable to make a full assessment because of high water levels.

Sheehan, the Duke spokeswoman, said that any release of coal ash at the Goldsboro site appeared "minimal."

"We'll learn more as flood water recedes," she said.

Jessica Myers and Frankie Jose Rodriguez, both in their 20s, were killed in a head-on collision. Their infant daughter Ellie Rodriguez was critically injured after an accident in Madera County, CA when an Acura Legend sedan impaired driver crossed the center and slammed head-on their SUV

Jessica Myers and Frankie Jose Rodriguez, both in their 20s, were killed in a head-on collision. Their infant daughter Ellie Rodriguez was critically injured.

Two dead, two critically injured, including 1-year old child after Madera County crash

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



Baby critically injured in crash that killed her parents


Two people are dead, and two more are critically injured, including a one-year-old child, after an accident in Madera County.


By Gene Haagenson
Friday, September 21, 2018 

The Rodriguez family met a tragic fate on Thursday evening.

Jessica Myers and Frankie Jose Rodriguez, both in their 20s, were killed in a head-on collision. Their infant daughter Ellie Rodriguez was critically injured.

Ellie is being treated at Valley Children's Hospital, located just a short distance down the road from where the accident occurred.

California Highway Patrol Officer Greg Rodriguez says a car swerved suddenly into their lane, hitting their small SUV.

"The Suzuki SUV was traveling westbound, the Acura sedan was traveling eastbound, for some unknown reason that Acura turned into the westbound lane and that's when the collision occurred."

The unknown reason may have had something to do with the possible intoxication of the driver the car.

Officer Rodriguez says Alvaro Martinez, a 45-year-old Fresno man has been charged with driving under the influence.

"There was an open container found on scene, inside the vehicle, as well as some marijuana."

Officers at the scene said the smell of marijuana was intense inside of Martinez's car. He was critically injured in the crash and remains hospitalized at Community Regional Medical Center in Downtown Fresno.

Family members of the victims are understandably upset and angry. They are at Valley Children's Hospital, hoping for the recovery of one-year-old Ellie.

 

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

By Cory James and Ricky Courtney

Thursday, September 20, 2018

MADERA, Calif. (KFSN) -- 

Two people are dead, and two more are critically injured, including a one-year-old child, after an accident in Madera County.

The California Highway Patrol says the crash happened near Avenue 9 and Road 40 at around 6 pm on Thursday.


An Acura Legend sedan was traveling eastbound on Avenue 9 when it crossed over the center line and slammed into a Suzuki Grand Vitara SUV that was traveling westbound.

A single driver was in the sedan, he was critically injured and has been taken to Community Regional Medical Center in Downtown Fresno.

There were a man and woman in the front of the SUV, neither were wearing seatbelts and were killed in the crash. A one-year-old child in the back of the SUV was critically injured and was rushed to the nearby Valley Children's Hospital for treatment.

Investigators say that there was a strong odor of marijuana and an alcohol bottle in the Acura Legend sedan. Based on the severe damage of the vehicles, the impaired sedan driver must have been speeding.  They also say it is not clear if the toddler's safety seat was properly secured in the SUV.

This story will be updated.

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



A 1-year-old is critically injured and two people are dead after a car crash in Madera County.

At around 6pm, a man driving a sedan slammed into an SUV.

The people in the SUV were killed in the crash.

A one year old was critically injured and taken to Valley Children's Hospital.

California Highway Patrol says the driver is suspected to be under the influence of marijuana and alcohol.

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy is calling for the resignation of the Bergen County Sheriff Michael Saudino after he was caught on tape making racist remarks against black people and about Attorney General Gurbir Grewal, who is Sikh.

 YET ANOTHER RACIST, CROOKED AND CORRUPT ITALIAN IN NEW JERSEY.  NO WONDER THAT THE STATE HAS BEEN GOING DOWNHILL:  Bergen County Sheriff Michael Saudino

Bergen County Sheriff Michael Saudino of New Jersey resigns along with several members of his staff after recording of racist, homophobic comments

Many crooked and unethical Italians leave the sheriff's department.

Friday, September 21, 2018

BERGEN COUNTY, New Jersey (WABC) -- A New Jersey sheriff who was caught on tape making racist and homophobic remarks bowed to pressure Friday and tendered his resignation.

Bergen County Sheriff Michael Saudino announced he is stepping down effective immediately, along with several members of his staff.
Executive Undersheriff George Buono, Undersheriff Robert Colaneri, Undersheriff Brian Smith and Undersheriff Joseph Hornyak have also submitted their resignations, effective immediately.

Pending the appointment of an interim sheriff by Governor Phil Murphy, Sheriff's Office Chief Kevin Pell will be the officer-in-charge of the sheriff's department's operations and Bergen County Sheriff's Office Warden Steve Ahrendt will be the officer-in-charge of the Bergen County jail's operations.

Murphy and other state leaders had been calling for Saudino's resignation since WNYC broke the story of the sheriff making racist remarks against black people and about Attorney General Gurbir Grewal, who is Sikh. Initially, the sheriff refused to step down, saying the comments were not indicative of his character.

Saudino was heard discussing Murphy's inauguration speech, saying, "He talked about the whole thing, the marijuana, sanctuary state...better criminal justice reform. Christ almighty, in other words, let the blacks come in, do whatever the (expletive) they want, smoke their marijuana, do this, do that, and don't worry about it. You know, we'll tie the hands of cops."

Moments later, Saudino claims Murphy appointed Attorney General Grewal solely because of "the turban," and he also questions if the reason Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver has never been married is because she's gay.

"With the resignation of Sheriff Saudino, we can now begin the process of restoring faith in the Bergen County Sheriff's Office after so much of it was so quickly eroded," Murphy said in a statement. "And we can begin the process of ensuring that the bigoted beliefs displayed by the former sheriff are not given shelter in any corner of the Bergen County Sheriff's Office -- now or in the future."

Grewal released the following statement Friday:

"Sheriff Saudino's resignation is an important first step in repairing the relationship between the Bergen County Sheriff's Office and the diverse communities it serves...But our work does not stop there. The fact that a top official could make racist comments about the African-American community -- and that no one in the room would challenge or correct him -- raises serious concerns...We cannot allow the actions of a few officials to taint the entire law enforcement community. The overwhelming majority of law enforcement officers in Bergen County and across New Jersey are honorable public servants who care deeply about the work they do and the way they do it. Their good work -- performed day-in, day-out -- is ultimately what will help repair the damage brought about by Sheriff Saudino's highly inappropriate comments."
Saudino released a statement on Thursday apologizing for the comments, but he insisted he would not resign. Here is his full statement:

"At this time, I would like to offer my sincere apology to the people of Bergen County for the insensitive recorded remarks that were made public today. These remarks are not representative of the person that I am and they are in no way consistent with the manner in which I have conducted my life personally and as a law enforcement professional with over 46 years of service to the residents of Bergen County. During my time as the Bergen County Sheriff, I have worked hard to successfully increase the diversity of the membership in the Bergen County Sheriff's Department. This increased diversity has been accomplished while working hand-in-hand with the members and leadership of our minority communities in Bergen County. In an effort to repair the damage to the friendships that I have built with these communities, I have reached out directly to several respected leaders in the communities I have offended and I have personally offered my apologies and I have asked for their forgiveness and for their communities' forgiveness. Going forward, I will continue to treat everyone with the respect and dignity that is deserved by all and to be diligent in my duty to protect and defend the rights of all our residents."

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

Allegations of racist remarks prompts calls for New Jersey sheriff's resignation



Thursday, September 20, 2018

BERGEN COUNTY, New Jersey (WPVI) -- 

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy is calling for the resignation of the Bergen County Sheriff Michael Saudino after he was caught on tape making racist remarks
against black people and about Attorney General Gurbir Grewal, who is Sikh.

 
Murphy demanded Thursday that Sheriff Michael Saudino step down after WNYC broke the story.

On the tape, Saudino is reportedly heard making racist remarks against black people and about Attorney General Gurbir Grewal, who is Sikh.

"If that is, in fact, his voice, and the comments are -- if you hear those comments -- they are comments that (Lieutenant Governor) Sheila (Oliver) and I and our entire administration find completely utterly unacceptable," Murphy said. "Inconsistent with not just our values, but New Jersey values, American values, and there is no choice as to the step that needs to be taken."

According to WNYC, the recording was taped in January, on the day of Murphy's inauguration.

WNYC reports that Saudino is heard discussing Murphy's speech, saying, "He talked about the whole thing, the marijuana, sanctuary state...better criminal justice reform. Christ almighty, in other words, let the blacks come in, do whatever the (expletive) they want, smoke their marijuana, do this do that, and don't worry about it. You know, we'll tie the hands of cops."

Moments later, according to WNYC, Saudino claims Murphy appointed Grewal solely because of "the turban."

Grewal released the following statement Thursday:

"I have now listened to the recording obtained by WNYC. If that's in fact Sheriff Saudino's voice, then he should resign immediately. I've got thick skin and I've been called far worse. But the comments about the African-American community are wrong, racist, and hurtful. The comments about our Lieutenant Governor are inappropriate and homophobic. New Jersey and Bergen County deserve better."

Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco released the following statement:

"Having worked with the Sheriff for years, I am shocked and disappointed to hear these comments. Bergen County's diversity is our strength and his statements are clearly inconsistent with our values. In the best interest of the public, he should step down."

Saudino released the following statement:

"At this time I would like to offer my sincere apology to the people of Bergen County for the insensitive recorded remarks that were made public today. These remarks are not representative of the person that I am and they are in no way consistent with the manner in which I have conducted my life personally and as a law enforcement professional with over 46 years of service to the residents of Bergen County. During my time as the Bergen County Sheriff I have worked hard to successfully increase the diversity of the membership in the Bergen County Sheriff's Department. This increased diversity has been accomplished while working hand-in-hand with the members and leadership of our minority communities in Bergen County.

In an effort to repair the damage to the friendships that I have built with these communities I have reached out directly to several respected leaders in the communities I have offended and I have personally offered my apologies and I have asked for their forgiveness and for their communities' forgiveness. Going forward I will continue to treat everyone with the respect and dignity that is deserved by all and to be diligent in my duty to protect and defend the rights of all our residents."

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



Gov. Phil Murphy is calling for the resignation of Bergen County Sheriff Michael Saudino after WNYC obtained a secret recording of the sheriff making racist remarks about black people and Attorney General Gurbir Grewal, the first Sikh in the country to hold such an office.

The conversation was recorded on Jan. 16, following Murphy's gubernatorial inauguration, which Saudino attended. He is heard telling colleagues what Murphy said in his speech: "He talked about the whole thing, the marijuana, sanctuary state...better criminal justice reform. Christ almighty, in other words let the blacks come in, do whatever the fuck they want, smoke their marijuana, do this do that, and don't worry about it. You know, we'll tie the hands of cops."

Moments later Saudino gripes that Murphy appointed Grewal solely because of "the turban."

"Without question, the comments made on that recording are appalling, and anyone using racist, homophobic, and hateful language is unfit for public office," the Democratic governor said in a statement. "If indeed that is Sheriff Saudino's voice on the recording, he must resign."

Saudino, who is white and a Democrat, initially did not respond to questions Thursday morning. But he released a statement late in the evening that effectively confirmed the authenticity of the tape without mentioning the possibility of resignation.

Saudino apologized to the "people of Bergen County for the insensitive recorded remarks," saying they "are not representative of the person that I am." He cited his efforts to increase the diversity of the Bergen County Sheriff's Department, indicated he had reached out to "communities I have offended" and pledged to "continue to treat everyone with the respect and dignity that is deserved by all."

As he digs in his heels to keep his job, Saudino, who is up for reelection for a third term as sheriff next year, is under immense pressure from fellow Democrats to immediately resign. Former allies across the county denounced his remarks and demanded he step down, including Grewal, U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco, Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and State Sen. Loretta Weinberg.

A recording of the conversation between Saudino and staff members was provided to WNYC on Wednesday night by a source in the room who said it took place in a county office building following the inauguration. The recording also included an admission by Saudino that he broke a "rule" involving corrections officers, as well as an inquiry about Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver: "Is she gay? Because she's never been married."

As sheriff, Saudino is in charge of the largest law enforcement agency in the state's most populated county. He leads about 600 employees, and is responsible for assisting municipal police departments, safeguarding the courthouse, patrolling county roads and running the Bergen County Jail.

The racist comments come on the heels of a WNYC report Thursday that showed that the majority of the inmates at the Bergen County Jail are now immigrants arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in New York and held as part of a contract that brings the county about $1.4 million a month.

Unlike those held in four other ICE facilities in the region, the immigrants under Saudino's charge are not allowed to hug their children during visits. The ban on so-called "contact visits" for ICE detainees' friends and relatives is due, at least in part, to the fact that the jail abides by outdated detention standards.

Saudino told WNYC that the policy was intended to protect sheriff’s officers from weapons being smuggled into the facility. He also defended ICE, saying he has an obligation to work with all law enforcement entities and that the agency’s reputation is unfairly besmirched by the media.

Those in the room who were involved in the recorded conversation included two undersheriffs, according to the source. The source asked to remain anonymous for fear of backlash, particularly against family members.

Saudino's apparent opposition to Murphy's plan to legalize marijuana references black people's use of the drug. But studies have shown that blacks do not smoke marijuana at a higher rate than whites, even though they are far more likely to be arrested for using it.

The remarks about Grewal, who was recently the target of racist comments by New Jersey radio hosts because he wears a turban, came as Saudino discussed whether Murphy had made any Bergen County appointments in his new administration. An undersheriff in the room noted that Grewal is from Bergen County.

"He didn't do that because of Bergen County; he did that because of the turban," Saudino replied.

That statement was particularly disturbing to Grewal because the men knew each other when they held the top two law enforcement positions in the county. Until his appointment by Murphy, Grewal was the lead prosecutor in Bergen County, and the men have been photographed together at several public events through the years.

Grewal said in an interview that the comments are "inconsistent with the Mike Saudino I knew and worked with in Bergen County."

"On a personal level what he said, if it's true and accurate, is disappointing, because I think having worked with him for two years he would know better than most that I have law enforcement credentials," Grewal said. He cited the fact that he's been a prosecutor for most of his career, bringing "new ways of thinking to law enforcement in Bergen County."

"And that's why I got this nomination, not simply because of the symbol of my religion," he said.

Together Saudino and Grewal ran Bergen County’s regional SWAT team and worked on stemming the opioid crisis. In 2016 Saudino and Grewal spoke on a panel about racism and policing called "Communities Working Together."

"You may expect it from people who don't know you, and don't know your credentials, and don't know how hard you work in this space, and what you've done in this space and what you've accomplished...that's the disappointing part it, to hear from someone who knows first-hand what I've done," Grewal said.

Regarding the comments about black people and marijuana, Grewal called them "horrifying" because they undermine efforts to bridge gaps between minority communities and law enforcement.

Saudino is the former police chief of Emerson, a small Bergen County borough that is 87 percent white. He was first elected sheriff as a Republican in 2010, and won reelection to a second, three-year term before changing parties in 2016. He won a third term later that year as a Democrat, and he is up for reelection in 2019. He earns a $130,312 salary as sheriff and another $129,987 annually for his chief's pension, according to the Star-Ledger.

Last month, Saudino told WNYC that with 47 years of law enforcement experience, he is the longest-serving law enforcement officer in the county.

In addition to his comments about Grewal and black people, Saudino made an admission about breaking rules involving "COs," or corrections officers, although the context is unclear. He said: "We've already violated rules by assigning COs as K-9 handlers. You’re really not supposed to be doing that. It’s not part of the job."

As attorney general, Grewal has oversight and investigatory powers over law enforcement agencies, like the sheriff’s office. If Saudino is suspected of breaking rules, the Attorney General's Office could investigate.

The tape also includes a brief discussion about a governmental aide's daughters who sing at county events, with an undersheriff in the room describing them as "cute" and "good looking."

Bergen County has nearly 1 million residents. It is 20 percent Latino and Hispanic, 17 percent Asian and 7 percent black, according to 2017 Census figures.

Saudino's tenure as sheriff was marked by the realignment of Bergen County law enforcement, with the county police department absorbed into the sheriff’s office. This was a key policy change of Jim Tedesco, the county executive and a Democratic ally of Saudino. Tedesco is mentioned in the recording as someone whom Saudino had spoken with at the inaugural.

Tedesco said in a statement: "Having worked with the sheriff for years, I am shocked and disappointed to hear these comments. Bergen County's diversity is our strength and his statements are clearly inconsistent with our values. In the best interest of the public, he should step down."

Gottheimer, the congressman representing Bergen County, also called for his resignation in a statement: "Like many others, I was surprised and saddened by Sheriff Saudino's unacceptable comments. I know that the Sheriff would never want to do anything to distract from the excellent work of the men and women in law enforcement. I believe it's best that the Sheriff resign. Bergen County needs to have full confidence that its Sheriff represents and protects all of the people, equally under the law."

And Oliver, the lieutenant governor, responded to the sheriff's comments questioning her sexuality: "Obviously the sheriff is a relic of an era gone by. Diversity and inclusion should be top priorities for him as a law enforcement official in a county such as Bergen -- how ignorant."

Father and son died after they crashed the newly bought 1967 Cessna 150H plane near Festus Memorial Airport in Missouri

Pilot returning from New York with purchased plane. Reportedly lost electric power. Requested fiancé via text to stand at runway with flashlight as muni airport didn’t have lights on. Plane attempted to land. Contact lost. Crash site located. Crime Scene here for investigation. Here is the info on the previous owner in New York:



Owner Name: METZGER EUGENE
Registrant Type: Individual
Last Action Date: 07 Sep 2016
Owner Address: 2698 LENOX RD
COLLINS, NY, 140349794
US

The Cessna 150 is a two-seat tricycle gear general aviation airplane, that was designed for flight training, touring and personal use. The Cessna 150 is the fourth most produced civilian plane ever, with 23,839 aircraft produced. The Cessna 150 was offered for sale in the 150 basic model, Commuter, Commuter II, Patroller and the aerobatic Aerobat models.



FESTUS, MO (KMOV.com) -- Officials say a father and son from Jefferson County were killed in a small plane crash near Festus Memorial Airport Friday morning.

The Cessna C150 aircraft crashed around 8 a.m.

According to Festus Memorial Airport Vice President Mike Bippen, the plane was just bought in New York and they were coming to St. Louis to restore the plane.


The father has many hours of experience in aviation and his son wanted to learn like his dad, Bippen said.

The father already owned a plane in the area and had been flying for years, it is unclear if he was a retired or active pilot for American Airlines.

They were flying the plane back late last night and started having problems, the preliminary investigation points to electrical problems around 9 to 10 p.m. Thursday night while flying in.

Runway lights are triggered clicking the mic six times, standard procedure in smaller airports. Pilots couldn't do that without electric.

Jefferson County Sheriff Marshak tweeted the pilot returning from New York with purchased plane. The pilot texted his fiance to stand at the runway with a flashlight since the airport didn't have light on.



The search for the plane started around 2 a.m. According to authorities, water is making the rescue difficult.



Narrative:
The plane crashed under unknown circumstances. Both occupants died in the crash.

Sources:
https://www.kmov.com/news/small-airplane-crashes-near-festus-memorial-airport/article_5f8182f6-bd9e-11e8-8445-4f933c0d740b.html
https://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=7152S%20
Date: 20-SEP-2018
Time: 23:50
Type:
Cessna 150H
Owner/operator: Private
Registration: N7152S
C/n / msn: 15067852
Fatalities: Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2
Other fatalities: 0
Aircraft damage: Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Location: near Festus Memorial Airport, MO (KFES) - United States of America
Phase: Landing
Nature: Ferry/positioning
Departure airport: New York
Destination airport: Festus Mem’l (KFES)

Several people were injured after an MTA bus driver lost control of the #6614 bus and crashed onto a residential building in in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, NYC

CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn (WABC) --


The driver of MTA bus 6614 slammed it into a residential building in Brooklyn Friday morning, leaving six people injured.

It happened around 10:15 a.m. at Ralph and St. Mark's avenues in Crown Heights.

There were no customers on board the B45 bus at the time, and authorities say the driver was making a right turn when he lost control and smashed into the 460 Ralph Avenue building.

He suffered trauma and was rushed to Kings County Hospital.  Based on the magnitude of the damage to the bus and the building facade, he must have be speeding.

Five other people who were inside the building or in the vicinity suffered minor injures and were treated at the scene.

The cause of the crash is under investigation, and inspectors from the Department of Buildings also responded to check the integrity of the building.



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



CROWN HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN -- 

An unoccupied MTA bus crashed into a Brooklyn building Friday morning, according to the FDNY.

Emergency responders rushed to the corner of Ralph and St. Marks avenues where the bus had slammed into a red brick building at about 10:15 a.m., said the FDNY.

The driver received minor injuries and the stability of the building at 460 Ralph Ave. remains under investigation, FDNY said.


MTA officials warned passengers at 11 a.m. to expect delays on the B15, B45 and B65 lines because of the crash.

Linda Jowers, 47, who was driving, Timothy Jowers, 47, and their children, Brianna Jowers, 10, and Alexander Jowers, 8, all of Rolesville, NC are dead after a four-vehicle crash on I-85, when the driver of a J.B. Hunt tractor-trailer, James Pratt, 55, of Goodview, Virginia, slammed into the back of the family's SUV, pushing it into a 2015 Ford Van and then underneath another 18-wheeler

THE U.S. HAS THE DEADLIEST ROADS IN THE WORLD.  MORE THAN 40,000 PEOPLE DIE EASY YEAR AND MORE THAN 4 MILLION INJURED.  VEHICLES ARE IN FACT MORE DANGEROUS THAN GUNS

Troopers ID Rolesville family of four killed in multi-vehicle crash on I-85



By Andrea Blanford

Thursday, September 20, 2018

WARREN COUNTY, N.C. (WTVD) -- Four members of a Wake County family are dead after a four-vehicle crash on I-85, officials said and a truck driver is facing charges.

The crash happened about 4 p.m. on Wednesday.

A husband, wife, and two children, all from Rolesville, were traveling south on I-85 in a 2018 Ford Explorer when a four-car wreck involving a tractor-trailer ensued in Warren County.


Officials said all four family members in the Explorer were killed.

On Thursday, the State Highway Patrol identified the victims as Linda Jowers, 47, who was driving, Timothy Jowers, 47, and their children, Brianna Jowers, 10, and Alexander Jowers, 8, all of Rolesville

Traffic was already stopped on the highway for another wreck when the driver of a J.B. Hunt tractor-trailer slammed into the back of the family's SUV, pushing it into a 2015 Ford Van and then underneath another 18-wheeler.

There were also four non-life-threatening injuries that resulted from the crash.

A passenger in the J.B. Hunt big rig, Raymond Kelley, 60, of Hardy, Virginia, was life-flighted to Duke Hospital. The driver, who was treated at a hospital for serious injuries and later released, has been identified as James Pratt, 55, of Goodview, Virginia.

Pratt is charged with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle and reckless driving.

The driver of the van, Michael James Williamson, 60, of Raleigh, received serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

The driver of the other 18-wheeler, Willie Earl Black, 66, of Newport News, Virginia, suffered minor injuries.

Authorities investigating had the road shut down for eight hours after the wreck.

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




4 people from the same family, Linda Jowers, Timothy Jowers, Brianna Jowers, and Alexander Jowers from Rolesville died in a fatal Warren County crash on Interstate 85 on Wednesday, September 19, 2018. 

  The September 19 Warren County crash involved four cars

The fatal accident that killed the Jowers happened when a tractor-trailer crashed into the rear end of a Ford Escape they were traveling in. Four vehicles were involved in the wreck that happened at 4:12 p.m. in the southbound lanes of the interstate, Sgt. Christopher Knox, a Highway Patrol spokesman, said.

The driver involved in the car crash deaths of Linda Jowers, Timothy Jowers, Brianna Jowers, and Alexander Jowers has been charged

The Rolesville residents who died were identified as Linda Jowers, 47, Timothy Jowers, Brianna Jowers, 10, and Alexander Jowers, 8, troopers said.


Troopers said they were charging the driver of the tractor-trailer that was behind the Jowers’ vehicle, James Pratt, 55, of Goodview, Virginia, with misdemeanor death by vehicle and reckless driving.

He was taken to Maria Parham Hospital in Henderson for treatment of what troopers called serious, but not life-threatening, injuries.

The Ford Escape carrying the Jowers had stopped due to a traffic jam on Interstate 85 Allen County

Investigators reported that one of the tractor-trailers, a work van, and the Ford Escape all had stopped for slowed traffic on the interstate between the 226 and 227-mile markers, between Middleburg and the Virginia State Line. Pratt failed to reduce speed before his rig ran into the rear of the Ford Escape, according to the SHP.

The Jowers were forced into a guardrail then another tractor-trailer

The Ford then rammed into the van, and the force of that impact pushed the van off the road. It struck a guardrail before going back onto the road and striking the first tractor-trailer that had been stopped in front of it.

Santos & Urrutia Structural Engineers, Inc.is accused by the San Francisco City Attorney for permit fraud and deception to get a competitive advantage

Thursday, September 20, 2018

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- 

Three properties, 147 Marietta Drive, 457 Roosevelt Street and 601A Fell Street all connected to one engineering firm.

"You had a web of permit fraud and deception," said San Francisco City Attorney's Office Spokesperson John Cote.

The allegation, that the engineering firm obtained permits for things like bathroom and kitchen remodels when in actuality they were excavating to add new floors and spaces below the existing structure according to a lawsuit filed by City Attorney Dennis Herrera.

"The fraud was perpetrated to get a competitive advantage," said Cote.

The spokesperson for the San Francisco City Attorney's Office says Principal Engineer Rodrigo Santos, a former President of the Building Inspection Commission, used his expertise and understanding to game the system by saving on costs and increasing speed.

Santos says he's being falsely accused.

"We're structural engineers we do drawings we obtain permits we don't control who gets to implement that work," said Santos.

The contractor for 601A Fell Street is also named in the lawsuit.

"You push the job to get it done within the contract period as fast as possible," said Andy Moussouras.

"Are you saying you started excavating before you had an excavation permit," asked ABC7 News.

"Um, that is correct," said Moussouras.

When ABC7 News asked if Moussouras knew that was illegal he said, "I know and sometimes you go through a red light that's illegal too so you deal with it right."

"Dig first and ask for permission later doesn't cut it in San Francisco," said Cote.

The City Attorney's Office also says the excavations put people in adjacent properties at Marietta Drive and Roosevelt Street in danger.

"If there was any damage caused by an excavation we will make sure that they are made whole," said Santos.

Neighbors at those adjacent properties either weren't home today or didn't want to speak on camera.

The penalties the City Attorney is seeking across the three properties could total in the millions.



In 1988, Stanford graduates Rodrigo Santos and Albert Urrutia founded Santos & Urrutia Structural Engineers, Inc. with the idea of focusing on the small and medium-sized projects that are all too often overlooked by the larger engineering firms. As the two young engineers grew their company, they approached each job with the same combination of innovative new methods and sound structural strategies. By doing this, they made the most cutting edge designs and thorough plan checking and retrofitting services available throughout the region regardless of the scope of the project.

Today, Santos & Urrutia, Inc. is an award-winning, full-service firm with over 11,000 completed projects to its credit. The company’s expert engineers have designed the structures of hospitals, schools, churches, custom homes and multi-use facilities while also devoting themselves to the planning of household additions, remodels and complete & partial seismic upgrades.

To do this, Santos & Urrutia, Inc. employs a dedicated and diverse team of engineers and drafters who are as accomplished as the firm’s founders. On each project they utilize a combination of state-of-the-art computer aided design technology and hands-on experience to plan each project. Santos & Urrutia’s consultants and customers alike are assisted by a professional and courteous administrative staff.

Santos & Urrutia, Inc. maintains strong ties to its community and is highly regarded by the Bay Area building establishment. Whether working with large construction firms or individual homeowners, our consultants give each client the same high level of personalized attention. Throughout California and beyond, Santos & Urrutia is the foundation of solid foundations.

The U.S. Navy has started the recovery of hundrends of thousands of gallons of oil from the overturned World War II German heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen in the Kwajalein Atoll

 Prinz Eugen oil removal: Tanker Humber and USNS Salvor secured alongside

 Prinz Eugen oil removal: View from Tanker Humber bridge of of both ships over PE wreck

Prinz Eugen oil removal: Both vessels successfully moored as planned

 Prinz Eugen oil removal: Overhead Photo 04 September 2018

Prinz Eugen oil removal: KWAJ Nested Moor 04 September 2018


U.S. Navy Commences Oil Removal from Capsized German Cruiser ‘Prinz Eugen’ in South Pacific

September 20, 2018 by Mike Schuler





The U.S. Army, in partnership with the U.S. Navy and the Republic of the Marshall Islands, are safely recovering oil from the capsized World War II German heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen in the Kwajalein Atoll. U.S. Navy Photo by photo by LeighAhn Ferrari

The U.S. Navy, in partnership with the Army and the Republic of the Marshall Islands, have started the recovery of oil from the overturned World War II German heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen in the Kwajalein Atoll.

These recovery efforts will ensure mission capability of the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command’s Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site, which is located on Kwajalein, while also protecting the environment within the atoll.

The Prinz Eugen was transferred to the U. S. Navy as a war prize from the British Royal Navy after the war, and in 1946, it was loaded with oil and cargo and used to test the survivability of warships during the Operation Crossroads atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll.


During the test, the cruise withstood the initial blast but sustained heavy damage. Five months later, however, she capsized and sank in Kwajalein Lagoon, approximately 3.6 miles from Kwajalein.


The wreck contained about 2,767 metric tons of oil when it sank, and an assessment of the wreckage has shown that there remains a high risk of a spill of more than 1,000 metric tons.

A U.S. Navy report on the oil spill risk conducted in 1974 recommended that oil be removed from the wreck within 30 years, but Ownership of the wreckage was eventually transferred to the Republic of Marshall Islands in 1986.

The oil removal operation is being performed by Naval Sea Systems Command, Office of the Supervisor of Salvage engineers and is expected to last until the end of October. The U.S. Army, in partnership with the U.S. Navy and the Republic of the Marshall Islands, are safely recovering oil from the capsized World War II German heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen in the Kwajalein Atoll. U.S. Navy Photo by LeighAhn Ferrari