Thursday, November 29, 2012

Flight attendant files $29 million sex harassment suit against Taubman


Detroit — A 38-year-old flight attendant is suing prominent billionaire real estate developer A. Alfred Taubman, claiming he fondled her, tried to rip off her clothing during flights and told her she ruined her life when she got pregnant and should have had an abortion.

Oakland County resident Nicole D. Rock in a lawsuit filed Thursday in Detroit's federal court is seeking $29 million in damages on claims Taubman, 88, sexually discriminated, harassed and wrongfully terminated her after six years of employment with the Bloomfield Hills resident's airline company.

Rock, who began working for Taubman's company as a flight attendant in March 2005, alleges her civil rights were violated by the Taubman Air Terminals, Inc., CEO and president during the course of her employment because she was "forced to endure horrific illegal acts by defendants of a graphic and sexually harassing nature."

By Christine Ferretti and George Hunter
From The Detroit News:

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A teen, a cellphone, a tragic accident


Kelsey Raffaele holds a “Senior” sign at a pep assembly shortly before she was killed two years ago. (Raffaele family photos)

Because she's the mother of three teenagers, Kelly Rossman, the Lansing public relations strategist, is twisting arms in the Legislature - on behalf of Bonnie Raffaele and "Kelsey's Law."

Because she lost her 17-year-old daughter Kelsey two years ago, Bonnie Raffaele is a mom on a mission. That tragedy has upended her life and will take her from Sault Ste. Marie to Lansing next week, where she will testify in support of a proposed ban on cellphone use for novice drivers.

Her daughter Kelsey, then a senior in high school — vivacious, pretty, big-hearted — misjudged the distance that winter day between her compact car and an oncoming Dodge Durango. Kelsey's last words, to a friend on the other end, were "Oh, sh—t, I'm going to crash." She said that twice, before the line went dead. Her cellphone was later found in the backseat.

A college instructor and full-time schools technology expert, Raffaele has crisscrossed the state speaking to high school students about the dangers of cellphone use while driving. Even her voice mail says; "I'm driving now." The statistics are compelling: nationally, 1.6 million accidents a year involve using cellphones and texting.


Laura Berman
From The Detroit News:

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Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Study: Teen drivers mimic their distracted parents


Washington — The bad news is teenagers text while driving even more than parents think they do.

But the good news is parents have a lot of influence on how teens drive, according to preliminary findings of a study by Toyota Motor Corp. and the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute.

The survey of more than 5,500 teens, ages 16-18, and parents, the largest study of its kind, found that teens who think their parents are distracted drivers — eating while driving, looking for things, or focusing on passengers and passenger behavior — are much more likely to engage in risky driving behaviors themselves.

By Christine Tierney
From The Detroit News:

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Trampolines Recalled by Sportspower Due to Injury Hazard; Sold Exclusively at Sports Authority


WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Trampolines

Units: About 23,400

Manufacturer: Sportspower Ltd., of Hong Kong

Hazard: The trampoline’s metal legs can move out of position and puncture the jumping area, posing a risk of injury, including deep, penetrating puncture wounds, cuts and bruises to children and adults on the trampoline.

NEWS from CPSC

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Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Children's Riding Toy Recalled by Step2 Due to Fall Hazard


WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Children's Riding Toy

Units: About 15,500

Manufacturer: The Step2 Company LLC, of Streetsboro, Ohio.

Hazard: Children who lean too far forward on the seat can go over the handle bar and hit the ground. This poses a fall hazard.

News from CPSC

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Saginaw orders testing on stun guns used on man who died in April

Saginaw — Saginaw is getting testing for four stun guns used during a confrontation involving police that ended with the death of a 38-year-old man in April.

Bobby Louis Merrill Jr. died after police tried to subdue him. The Saginaw News reports City Council on Monday approved a more than $6,500 bill to pay for testing.

Police have said officers found Merrill after a report of a man acting strangely, walking in the street and jumping onto cars. Authorities say he went into cardiac arrest and died, and prosecutors have said that Merrill's death was caused by alcohol and high levels of cocaine in his system at the time.

Following the finding from prosecutors, the city wanted an additional evaluation of the stun guns.

From The Detroit News:

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Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Suffocation, Entrapment Risks Prompt Recall of PeaPod Travel Tents by KidCo

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in cooperation with KidCo Inc., of Libertyville, IL, is announcing the voluntary recall today of about 220,000 PeaPod and PeaPod Plus Travel Beds.

Infants and young children can roll off the edge of the inflatable air mattress, become entrapped between the mattress and the fabric sides of the tent, and suffocate.

CPSC is aware of a death of a 5-month-old boy in December 2011 in New York, New York, who was found with his face pressed against the side wall of the tent. The cause of death was not determined.

In addition, CPSC is aware of six reports and Health Canada is aware of three reports of children who became entrapped or experienced physical distress in the product. Two of the six reports included infants who were found crying underneath of the mattress that had not been inserted into the zippered pocket on the bottom of the tent.

The KidCo PeaPod Travel Beds and PeaPod Plus Travel Beds are small, portable sleep tents marketed for use by infants from birth to 3+ years, depending on the model. The tents have a zippered side for putting in and taking out the child and have an inflatable air mattress that fits into a zippered pocket underneath the floor of the tent. The tents fold into a compact round shape and come with a fabric bag for storage and transport.

NEWS from CPSC and HC

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Monday, November 19, 2012

Report: Plane's engine in fatal Ray Twp. crash showed signs of malfunction

Huron-Clinton Metroparks police officers investigate the plane crash on the par 3, 11th hole of the Wolcott Mill Metropark Golf Course on Ray Center Road and 27 Mile Rd. in Ray Township in February. (Todd McInturf / The Detroit News)

New details have been released in a February crash involving an experimental aircraft that killed a Washington Township man.

A preliminary investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board into a Feb. 5 plane crash in Ray Township found the plane's engine showed signs of malfunctioning during takeoff.

Charles Zichichi, 78, was killed after he sustained injuries in the crash following takeoff from Ray Community Airport. He owned the plane, a Pipistrel Virus 912 motorglider. The aircraft functions as a single-engine place and as a glider.

By Lauren Abdel-Razzaq
From The Detroit News:

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Thursday, November 15, 2012

Owner of meningitis-linked pharmacy takes Fifth


WASHINGTON (AP) -
The owner and director of the specialty pharmacy tied to a deadly meningitis outbreak has declined to testify before a congressional committee investigating the matter.

Barry Cadden, co-founder of the New England Compound Center, told lawmakers he would use his Fifth Amendment right to not answer questions in order to avoid self-incrimination.

After repeated questions by House lawmakers, Cadden told the House Energy and Commerce Committee: "Under advice of counsel, I respectfully decline to answer under basis of my constitutional rights and privileges, including the Fifth Amendment."

Lawmakers continued to ask Cadden questions about the contamination that has sickened nearly 440 people and caused 32 deaths.

Posted By Tom Plahutnik, WNEM.COM

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Monday, November 12, 2012

Pontiac man arrested after pitbull attacks neighbor's dog

Pontiac — A man was arrested Saturday after his pit bull attacked a neighbor's dog and the neighbor stabbed the man's dog, the Oakland County Sheriff's Office said.

Deputies were dispatched to a home in the 50 block of Adelaide and found a pit bull had escaped from its yard and attacked the other dog, the sheriff's office said.

The owner of the second dog came to its aid and stabbed the pit bull, deputies said.

Deputies tried to intervene but were met by owner of the pit bull, who refused to comply with commands.

From The Detroit News:

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Friday, November 9, 2012

4 area friends on hunting trip killed in S.D. car crash

Victims lauded for impact on community

Wesley Allen Frasard and Ledger John Frasard Jr. were brothers and constant companions.

Their homes in St. Clair Shores were about two miles apart, they lived near each other part-time in Florida, and for a time they worked in the same electrical company the younger sibling launched.

The pair also shared a love of the outdoors, often joining fishing trips as well as hunting excursions out West with friends and relatives.

"They both had such a passion for life and family," said Cheryl Frasard-Bruder, the youngest daughter of Ledger John Frasard.

On Wednesday morning, the brothers died together. The Frasards and two friends from Metro Detroit were killed in a two-vehicle crash in northeastern South Dakota while returning from a weeklong hunting trip.

By Mark Hicks and Candice Williams
From The Detroit News:

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Thursday, November 8, 2012

Lawmakers issue subpoena for pharmacy director


WASHINGTON — House lawmakers have issued a subpoena for the director of the Massachusetts pharmacy linked to the deadly meningitis outbreak.

The subpoena comes after Barry Cadden, co-founder of New England Compounding Center, indicated through his lawyer that he would not voluntarily attend a congressional hearing scheduled for Nov. 14, the Energy and Commerce Committee said Tuesday.

A message sent to Cadden's lawyer seeking comment was not immediately returned.

More than 400 people have been sickened by contaminated steroid shots distributed by the compounding pharmacy, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Thirty deaths have been reported.

The WSJ

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Motorcyclist escapes injury after chase, crash in Livingston County

Dexter — Police say a 21-year-old man escaped serious injury after crashing a motorcycle head-on into a police car in Michigan following a chase that reached speeds of 115 mph.

The Livingston County Daily Press & Argus of Howell reports the chase began Wednesday afternoon when police tried to stop the 21-year-old motorcyclist for speeding in Livingston County's Hamburg Township. The chase went into the Washtenaw County community of Dexter before the crash.

The officer had what were described as minor injuries from the crash. Police say the motorcyclist refused treatment and was arrested pending charges.

Both the motorcycle and the police car had extensive damage. The motorcyclist was held at the Livingston County Jail. The crash was under investigation.

From The Detroit News:

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Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Michigan fungal meningitis cases reach 120, including 8 deaths

Lansing — Authorities are reporting 120 infections and eight deaths in Michigan in a national outbreak of fungal meningitis linked to contaminated steroids from a Massachusetts pharmacy.

The Michigan Department of Community Health reported the new figures Monday.

Michigan's eight deaths include a Cass County woman whose meningitis was linked to treatments for back pain across the border at an Indiana clinic. Two deaths were from Washtenaw County and one each from Charlevoix, Genesee, Livingston, Oakland and Wayne counties.

From The Detroit News:

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Monday, November 5, 2012

Briefs: Fatal accident came during sign repair

Ann Arbor — A state official said a fatal crash in Ann Arbor came during an expressway backup caused by a highway sign repair.

The crash Saturday morning on eastbound Interstate 94 killed Sean Desmarais, 43, of Ann Arbor and injured two 18-year-olds from Minnesota.

From The Detroit News:

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Friday, November 2, 2012

FDA Inspection of Plant in Meningitis Outbreak Reveals NECC May Have Known of Contamination

An FDA inspection of the New England Compounding Center (NECC) linked to the meningitis outbreak revealed the company may have known about contamination for months before the outbreak but did not take action. The inspection’s results revealed numerous conditions that justify the recall of all NECC products issued earlier this month. Inspectors found visible growth of microorganism films (also called “sheets”) in supposedly clean rooms, water pooling around a leaky boiler, and discoloration of equipment used to sterilize compounds. They also found that the company knew about contamination for months but failed to act.

The outbreak tied to the NECC has resulted in more than 300 infections, mostly fungal meningitis, and caused 25 deaths in 18 states. Most of the infections are tied to steroid injections used for back pain, but other medications from NECC have been found to be contaminated. The batch of steroid injections at the center of the investigation were used on or after September 26, 2012, but quality concerns about NECC began long before the current outbreak.

By USARECALLS

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Imagine Nation Books Recalls Double Dazzler Light Show Toys Due to Burn Hazard

By The CPSC / November 2, 2012

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Read report here

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Wegmans Recalls Gluten Free Baking Products – Chocolate Cake Mix, Food You Feel Good About Gluten Free Honey Cornbread Mix, and Food You Feel Good About All Purpose Baking Mix Because Products May Contain Undeclared Soy

By The FDA / November 2, 2012

ROCHESTER, NY – Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. is voluntarily recalling all code dates of Wegmans Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Mix, 15.3 oz. (UPC 77890-2833 – Code dates from 30Oct2013 to 11Apr2014), Wegmans Food You Feel Good About Gluten Free Honey Cornbread Mix, 16 oz. (UPC 77890-30343 – Code dates from 28Mar2014 to 16Apr2014), and Wegmans Food You Feel Good About All Purpose Baking Mix, 16oz (UPC 77890-30341 – Code dates from 27Mar2014 to 18Dec2014) because the products may contain undeclared soy.

People who have an allergy to soy run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume this product.

Read report here

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Thursday, November 1, 2012

Summit Treestands Recalls Hunters’ Tree Stands Due to Fall Hazard


By The CPSC / October 26, 2012

Name of Product: Crush Series: Perch, Stoop and Ledge Treestands for hunters

Units: About 2,900

Manufacturer: Summit Treestands, LLC, of Decatur, Ala.

Hazard: The tree stand’s hanging strap assembly could dislodge from the tree stand or fail to restrain or hold properly on the tree, posing a fall hazard.

Read the rest here

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Eddie Bauer Rocking Wood Bassinets Recalled: Suffocation Hazard


By The CPSC / October 26, 2012

About 97,000 Eddie Bauer Rocking Wood Bassinets are being recalled by Dorel Juvenile Group, of Columbus, IN because the bottom locking mechanism can fail to lock properly if a spring is not installed, allowing the bassinet to tip to one side and cause infants to roll to the side of the bassinet. This poses a suffocation hazard to infants.

Read the rest here

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