Monday, April 06, 2015
Teenager's driving lesson resulted in evacuation of homes
Tenants living in six apartments in the Iselin section of Woodbridge Township, New Jersey, were evacuated on Thursday night when a car struck three gas meters on the building, filling it with explosive levels of gas.
Police said it was a 16-year-old girl who had just received her permit and was taking one of her first driving lessons with her dad, who accidentally caused the damage after hitting the car's accelerator pedal instead of the brake. Police responded to the Green Hollow Drive apartment complex at around 10:20pm. Police Lt. Gregory Conklin said the girl was getting a driving lesson from her father when she apparently became confused and hit the accelerator pedal instead of the brake and struck a load-bearing wall on the building.
Patrick Kenny, Woodbridge Office of Emergency Management director, said that when the car came off the road, it hit three of the six gas meters on that side of the building, pushing the meters into the wall. Conklin said that about 40 residents living in the 12 apartments were safely evacuated, as the building was filling with explosive levels gas. PSE&G cut off gas to the building. Kenny said tenants in other buildings in the apartment complex were instructed to shelter in place.
No injuries were reported, Conklin said. He said six apartments were deemed uninhabitable. The tenants relocated with relatives, officials said. Kenny said contractors were back out at the building early Friday to repair the load-bearing wall and close it up. "It's almost done," said Kenny, who hoped to have all of the tenants back in their homes soon. He said the apartments have to be air tested to make sure there are no gas leaks, and new gas meters need to be installed.
Police said it was a 16-year-old girl who had just received her permit and was taking one of her first driving lessons with her dad, who accidentally caused the damage after hitting the car's accelerator pedal instead of the brake. Police responded to the Green Hollow Drive apartment complex at around 10:20pm. Police Lt. Gregory Conklin said the girl was getting a driving lesson from her father when she apparently became confused and hit the accelerator pedal instead of the brake and struck a load-bearing wall on the building.
Patrick Kenny, Woodbridge Office of Emergency Management director, said that when the car came off the road, it hit three of the six gas meters on that side of the building, pushing the meters into the wall. Conklin said that about 40 residents living in the 12 apartments were safely evacuated, as the building was filling with explosive levels gas. PSE&G cut off gas to the building. Kenny said tenants in other buildings in the apartment complex were instructed to shelter in place.
No injuries were reported, Conklin said. He said six apartments were deemed uninhabitable. The tenants relocated with relatives, officials said. Kenny said contractors were back out at the building early Friday to repair the load-bearing wall and close it up. "It's almost done," said Kenny, who hoped to have all of the tenants back in their homes soon. He said the apartments have to be air tested to make sure there are no gas leaks, and new gas meters need to be installed.
Man unhappy about being given parking tickets while he is paying at the meter
For the second time in two months, Larry Bosak got a parking ticket while paying at a street meter in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Bosak manages several apartments and commercial offices downtown and frequently visits the area of North Third and Pine streets. That's where he got slapped with a parking ticket at 9:42am on Feb. 17. He had fed his meter at 9:41am.
Last Monday, he paid a meter at 2:36pm, the same minute he received a ticket. Bosak said he saw the enforcement officer walk across the street and write him a ticket while he was paying at the kiosk. Bosak then grabbed the ticket and marched over the Standard Parking's company office, where they told him they voided the ticket. After Bosak's ticket in February, he said parking officials told him to look out for parking attendants to make sure they see him.
But Bosak doesn't believe the onus should be on him to scout the area for parking enforcement officers. "That's sort of like making sure I don't get stabbed in the back," he said. John Gass, a director with the parking system, indicated enforcement officers and patrons should be looking out for each other. He said enforcement officers are trained to be mindful of their surroundings and those who may be paying at a meter.
But in any parking system controlled by street meters, Gass said it is inevitable that customers at times may receive ticket while in the process of paying. Standard Parking will review any tickets from customers who believe they were cited while feeding a meter on a case-by-case basis, Gass added. Parking officials have pledged to improve customer service and reduce erroneous tickets. They are planning several measures of parking relief, including a five-minute grace period for expired meters that could begin later this month.
Last Monday, he paid a meter at 2:36pm, the same minute he received a ticket. Bosak said he saw the enforcement officer walk across the street and write him a ticket while he was paying at the kiosk. Bosak then grabbed the ticket and marched over the Standard Parking's company office, where they told him they voided the ticket. After Bosak's ticket in February, he said parking officials told him to look out for parking attendants to make sure they see him.
But Bosak doesn't believe the onus should be on him to scout the area for parking enforcement officers. "That's sort of like making sure I don't get stabbed in the back," he said. John Gass, a director with the parking system, indicated enforcement officers and patrons should be looking out for each other. He said enforcement officers are trained to be mindful of their surroundings and those who may be paying at a meter.
But in any parking system controlled by street meters, Gass said it is inevitable that customers at times may receive ticket while in the process of paying. Standard Parking will review any tickets from customers who believe they were cited while feeding a meter on a case-by-case basis, Gass added. Parking officials have pledged to improve customer service and reduce erroneous tickets. They are planning several measures of parking relief, including a five-minute grace period for expired meters that could begin later this month.
Three-year-old boy died after being beaten by bakery owner for scratching his counter
A childish mischief of scratching the counter of a bakery in New Delhi, India, proved fatal for a little boy as the owner allegedly beat him up and, when the boy became unconscious, locked him inside the counter causing his death, police said.
The owner of the bakery, identified as Md Iliyas, and his brother Md Iqrar, then packed the body in a plastic bag and dumped it at an isolated place, police said.
Both of them have now been arrested for the gruesome crime. “The incident came to light on Wednesday evening when Rahees Ahmed reported that his 3-year-old son has gone missing from Rani Garden in Geeta Colony. We registered a case and an investigation was started. The body of the child was recovered in a plastic bag from an isolated place the next day,” a senior police officer said.
According to police, at first glance, it looked to be a premeditated crime committed in a professional manner. Several raids were conducted at different places. “During the investigation, more than two hundred persons were examined. A tip-off was received that the boy was last seen at a bakery in Rani Garden. When a police team reached the spot, no counter was found there,” the officer added.
Md Ilyas was questioned and and soon revealed that he had slapped a child who was scratching the bakery counter with a stone. Police claimed Ilyas confessed that the boy suffered head injuries and became unconscious. “Ilyas then put him inside the counter and closed the door. The child succumbed to his injuries,” the police officer said. Police have recovered the bakery counter and the vehicle which was used to take the body to the dumping ground.
Both of them have now been arrested for the gruesome crime. “The incident came to light on Wednesday evening when Rahees Ahmed reported that his 3-year-old son has gone missing from Rani Garden in Geeta Colony. We registered a case and an investigation was started. The body of the child was recovered in a plastic bag from an isolated place the next day,” a senior police officer said.
According to police, at first glance, it looked to be a premeditated crime committed in a professional manner. Several raids were conducted at different places. “During the investigation, more than two hundred persons were examined. A tip-off was received that the boy was last seen at a bakery in Rani Garden. When a police team reached the spot, no counter was found there,” the officer added.
Md Ilyas was questioned and and soon revealed that he had slapped a child who was scratching the bakery counter with a stone. Police claimed Ilyas confessed that the boy suffered head injuries and became unconscious. “Ilyas then put him inside the counter and closed the door. The child succumbed to his injuries,” the police officer said. Police have recovered the bakery counter and the vehicle which was used to take the body to the dumping ground.
Mother used wooden bat to save daughter from crocodile attack
A woman displayed immense courage to rescue her 19-year-old daughter from the jaws of an adult crocodile in Thikariyamubarak village near Padra town in Gujarat, western India, on Friday.
At around 9.30am, Kanta Vankar was washing clothes on the banks of the Vishwamitri river when the crocodile grabbed her leg and started pulling her into water. Her mother, Divali, who was standing nearby, heard her shrieks.
Divali grabbed her daughter's hand, picked up a washing bat and started hitting the crocodile. After about 10 minutes, the crocodile gave up and let go of Kanta's leg, forest officials said. Kanta, who suffered injuries on her leg, was taken to hospital for treatment. She was said to be in a stable condition.
"The mother saved her daughter by attacking the crocodile," said range forest officer Ashok Pandya. "We've asked the locals to stay away from the river but many still wash clothes in the river water." A census done by the forest department in January had revealed that the Vishwamitri is home to 260 crocodiles.
At around 9.30am, Kanta Vankar was washing clothes on the banks of the Vishwamitri river when the crocodile grabbed her leg and started pulling her into water. Her mother, Divali, who was standing nearby, heard her shrieks.
Divali grabbed her daughter's hand, picked up a washing bat and started hitting the crocodile. After about 10 minutes, the crocodile gave up and let go of Kanta's leg, forest officials said. Kanta, who suffered injuries on her leg, was taken to hospital for treatment. She was said to be in a stable condition.
"The mother saved her daughter by attacking the crocodile," said range forest officer Ashok Pandya. "We've asked the locals to stay away from the river but many still wash clothes in the river water." A census done by the forest department in January had revealed that the Vishwamitri is home to 260 crocodiles.
Woman admits illegal tooth whitening
A woman has admitted carrying out illegal tooth whitening.
Faye Hill, from Salisbury, Wiltshire, ran a mobile tooth whitening business and used a self-administered system of whitening.
She pleaded guilty to unlawfully carrying out dentistry at Salisbury Magistrates' Court and was given a 12-month conditional discharge.
Ms Hill was prosecuted by the General Dental Council (GDC) for the offence which took place last month. She has never been registered with the GDC.
By law only dentists, dental hygienists, dental therapists and clinical dental technicians working to the prescription of a dentist can carry out tooth whitening procedures. Ms Hill was also ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge, and costs of £600.
She pleaded guilty to unlawfully carrying out dentistry at Salisbury Magistrates' Court and was given a 12-month conditional discharge.
Ms Hill was prosecuted by the General Dental Council (GDC) for the offence which took place last month. She has never been registered with the GDC.
By law only dentists, dental hygienists, dental therapists and clinical dental technicians working to the prescription of a dentist can carry out tooth whitening procedures. Ms Hill was also ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge, and costs of £600.
Network Rail suspends steam trains for being a 'threat to the safe operation of the railway'
Steam trains operating across picturesque routes in northern England have been suspended over fears they are a "threat to the safe operation of the railway".
Network Rail has halted West Coast Railways (WCR) services after the "most serious" case of a train failing to stop at a signal so far this year.
The suspension notice means it cannot run chartered services until 15 May.
Network Rail said the decision had not been taken lightly. According to Rail magazine, it is an "unprecedented suspension" as, since privatisation, operators have been barred from certain routes but never hit with a total network ban. A Network Rail spokesman said services were suspended from 00:00 on 3 April and would only resume if seven action points are addressed.
The spokesman said: "We have set out a number of actions to address the safety concerns raised and will continue to work with WCR to ensure their services can run safely in future." Network Rail is concerned over a recent Spad (signal passed at danger) incident and the company's response to the problem. Network Rail's suspension notice said it "ranked as the most serious Spad that has taken place this year when the industry risk ranking methodology was applied".
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) is investigating. Network Rail said the response from West Coast Railways was "inadequate", in a meeting held on Tuesday. The Carnforth-based company operates charter trips on the picturesque Settle to Carlisle line, which runs through the Yorkshire Dales, as well as, among others, a route taking in Fort William in the Highlands. WCR also owns the Hogwarts Express engine featured in the Harry Potter films.
Network Rail said the decision had not been taken lightly. According to Rail magazine, it is an "unprecedented suspension" as, since privatisation, operators have been barred from certain routes but never hit with a total network ban. A Network Rail spokesman said services were suspended from 00:00 on 3 April and would only resume if seven action points are addressed.
The spokesman said: "We have set out a number of actions to address the safety concerns raised and will continue to work with WCR to ensure their services can run safely in future." Network Rail is concerned over a recent Spad (signal passed at danger) incident and the company's response to the problem. Network Rail's suspension notice said it "ranked as the most serious Spad that has taken place this year when the industry risk ranking methodology was applied".
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) is investigating. Network Rail said the response from West Coast Railways was "inadequate", in a meeting held on Tuesday. The Carnforth-based company operates charter trips on the picturesque Settle to Carlisle line, which runs through the Yorkshire Dales, as well as, among others, a route taking in Fort William in the Highlands. WCR also owns the Hogwarts Express engine featured in the Harry Potter films.
Lady living with 500 hedgehogs battles council for sign to direct people to her animal 'hospital'
A woman who lives with 500 hedgehogs is fighting for a road sign to direct people with sick animals to her home.
Barbara Roberts, 63, set up a sanctuary of hedgehogs in her semi-detached suburban home in Withington, south Manchester, more than 30 years ago.
The pensioner now has 200 hedgehogs in one room alone, with a specially-built ‘hospital’ in the back garden of her semi with room for up to 400 more.
The wildlife lover says she hasn’t had a holiday in 30 years and people come from across the north west to hand in sick, injured or orphaned baby hedgehogs. Such is the demand for her services, Barbara has now lodged an application with Manchester council to get an official road sign put up directing people bringing injured hedgehogs to her. But the council says it would cost more than £1,000 which cannot be paid from the public purse. Barbara, who was recently awarded a British Empire Medal for he wildlife work, says she cannot afford to pay the fee and is calling for council bosses to make an exemption.
She said: “People come from Cumbria, Liverpool and Tameside bringing their wildlife here. I think I’m the only registered charity that doesn’t have a sign. Even the British Conservation Society people couldn’t find my house when they came from London. I think a sign would put the hedgehog hospital on the map.” Describing her routine, Barbara feeds and cares for the stricken creatures until they are well enough to be released back into the wild.
Barbara, who founded the Withington Hedgehog Care Trust in 2002, and says she plans to leave her home to the hedgehogs in her will when she dies, said: “It is a 24-hour job, people are always bringing me animals.” She added: “Some are orphaned or abandoned babies, others are cruelty cases or ones who have had their legs chopped off by lawn mowers. They are fed and looked after and released back into the wild so they are always coming and going.” A spokesman for Manchester council said: “While we recognise the importance of the work that Barbara Roberts does to help Manchester’s wildlife, sadly we are not able to provide her with a road sign free of charge as this is not a service we offer.”
There's a short documentary film about Barbara and her outstanding work here.
The wildlife lover says she hasn’t had a holiday in 30 years and people come from across the north west to hand in sick, injured or orphaned baby hedgehogs. Such is the demand for her services, Barbara has now lodged an application with Manchester council to get an official road sign put up directing people bringing injured hedgehogs to her. But the council says it would cost more than £1,000 which cannot be paid from the public purse. Barbara, who was recently awarded a British Empire Medal for he wildlife work, says she cannot afford to pay the fee and is calling for council bosses to make an exemption.
She said: “People come from Cumbria, Liverpool and Tameside bringing their wildlife here. I think I’m the only registered charity that doesn’t have a sign. Even the British Conservation Society people couldn’t find my house when they came from London. I think a sign would put the hedgehog hospital on the map.” Describing her routine, Barbara feeds and cares for the stricken creatures until they are well enough to be released back into the wild.
Barbara, who founded the Withington Hedgehog Care Trust in 2002, and says she plans to leave her home to the hedgehogs in her will when she dies, said: “It is a 24-hour job, people are always bringing me animals.” She added: “Some are orphaned or abandoned babies, others are cruelty cases or ones who have had their legs chopped off by lawn mowers. They are fed and looked after and released back into the wild so they are always coming and going.” A spokesman for Manchester council said: “While we recognise the importance of the work that Barbara Roberts does to help Manchester’s wildlife, sadly we are not able to provide her with a road sign free of charge as this is not a service we offer.”
There's a short documentary film about Barbara and her outstanding work here.
Man staged overnight hunger strike protest
A 76-year-old man went on hunger strike and spent the night sitting on Bolton Town Hall steps after a row with social services.
Brian Langtree staged the one man protest in relation to a family issue which involved Bolton Council's social services staff.
He arrived at about 5pm on Thursday and spent the night on the steps, without food, behind a sign which read: "On a hunger strike against social service bullies and lyers" (sic). Mr Langtree, of Worsley, Greater Manchester, who worked for the ambulance service for 25 years, said: "I got here at 5pm on Thursday.
"It's been cold. I didn't bring enough covering. My wife will go along with it, if it achieves an end then it achieves an end. I was going to stop out until Sunday lunchtime but I think I might pack in at Saturday teatime, go home and come back for Monday morning. I've got same water otherwise it's dangerous."
A Bolton Council spokesman said: "We respect Mr Langtree’s right to protest but we are unable to comment publicly on individual cases.” Speaking on Friday morning, Mr Langtree said he had not eaten since Thursday afternoon. By Friday afternoon, he was no longer on the steps.
He arrived at about 5pm on Thursday and spent the night on the steps, without food, behind a sign which read: "On a hunger strike against social service bullies and lyers" (sic). Mr Langtree, of Worsley, Greater Manchester, who worked for the ambulance service for 25 years, said: "I got here at 5pm on Thursday.
"It's been cold. I didn't bring enough covering. My wife will go along with it, if it achieves an end then it achieves an end. I was going to stop out until Sunday lunchtime but I think I might pack in at Saturday teatime, go home and come back for Monday morning. I've got same water otherwise it's dangerous."
A Bolton Council spokesman said: "We respect Mr Langtree’s right to protest but we are unable to comment publicly on individual cases.” Speaking on Friday morning, Mr Langtree said he had not eaten since Thursday afternoon. By Friday afternoon, he was no longer on the steps.
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