News

Report: Public works employee had no safety training prior to fatal accident

Published

2 years ago

February 14, 2023

[ad_1]

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – The Division of Labor Standards says Normandy, Missouri, is relying on a 16-year-old safety manual, and inspectors question whether it’s even being used to protect workers.

The report follows January 9, 2023, a fatal tree-trimming incident that killed Harold Parker. Parker left behind nine children.

“He was such a great guy,” Sky Parker told us in a recent interview. “I would just really love for more answers.”

Parker’s children question how their 56-year-old father could die working for a public works department. Parker was with several other public works employees when a tree fell on him at Hoelzel Park.

Top Story: Judge vacates Lamar Johnson’s murder conviction

FOX 2 has followed up on the case several times, including on Jan. 17, when a Missouri Labor Department-certified safety professional arrived to investigate. She was escorted by Normandy’s city manager and mayor.

Ten days later, her report found, “The safety program at the Public Works Department is very informal. There was reportedly a written safety manual from 2007. Formal training on tree care and removal had been provided previously to one employee; however, the deceased did not receive this training.”

FOX 2 has been trying to get a response from Normandy’s mayor since Jan. 31, when we first obtained the report. He didn’t answer then, and he did not answer his door on Monday.

We also tried Public Works; the door was unlocked, and the lights were on, but nobody was inside.

Normandy’s mayor later sent an email saying the following:

“Working with any power equipment has been put on hold until the safety training process is reviewed, and recommendations made by the DOL are implemented, including providing formal and documented safety training on each piece of equipment. This review process is ongoing and remains the city’s top priority.”

The tragic scene remains almost as it was that fatal day. The fallen tree appears untouched, 35 days later, as Normandy decides what to do next.

Close Modal

Suggest a Correction

[ad_2]

Source link

News

Man attacks Jeff Co. deputy with screwdriver during attempted arrest

Published

2 years ago

July 11, 2023

Natural Bridge

[ad_1]

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Mo. – Two people are behind bars after a man reportedly attacked a Jefferson County deputy with a screwdriver during an attempted arrest over the weekend.

Prosecutors have charged Nicholas Davis, 47, and Amanda Davis, 45, of Dittmer, Missouri, with felonies in the investigation.

Illinois man charged with sharing sex video of former St. Louis County official

The alleged attack followed a traffic stop of a driver in the 9500 block of Jones Creek Road on July 7, though the driver was not Nicholas or Amanda.

According to court documents obtained by FOX 2, Nicholas reportedly came out of his nearby home, yelled at a deputy and started approaching him while holding a screwdriver. The deputy initially ordered Nicholas to back away, then used pepper spray.

Per court documents, the deputy attempted to arrest Nicholas, who then struck him in the chest with the screwdriver. Amanda reportedly approached the deputy and pulled him away from Nicholas before both ran inside their home.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office says the situation prompted an hours-long standoff involving negotiators, a SWAT team and a K-9 deputy. The situation led to Nicholas refusing warnings and being bitten by a K-9.

Nicholas and Amanda are both jailed in the Jefferson County Jail without bond. Nicholas is charged with first-degree assault on a special victim and armed criminal action. Amanda is charged with resisting/interfering with arrest.

Close Modal

Suggest a Correction

[ad_2]

Source link

News

St. Louis Public Schools superintendent to be sworn in

Published

2 years ago

July 11, 2023

Natural Bridge

[ad_1]

ST. LOUIS — The new St. Louis schools superintendent will be officially sworn into office today. Dr. Keisha Scarlett took over the job in July after the retirement of Dr. Kelvin Adams. She was assistant superintendent in the Seattle Public School District. The installation ceremony is at 6:15 p.m. before the regular school board meeting.

Close Modal

Suggest a Correction

[ad_2]

Source link

News

Gas tanker crashes into St. Louis Metro transit center

Published

2 years ago

July 11, 2023

Natural Bridge

[ad_1]

ST. LOUIS — A gasoline tanker truck crashed into a Metro transit center near Riverview and Hall Streets early Tuesday morning and knocked over a power pole. The pole is leaning on other power lines. Police have the area blocked off here because there is a downed power line. Ameren and Metro crews are also on the scene.

The incident happened around 12:30 a.m. It’s still unclear exactly what caused the crash, but we do that there was a second vehicle somehow involved. The airbags on that second vehicle did deploy.

Accused killer’s case thrown out over one question at trial

Police at the scene have not been able to give us a lot of details. Metro officials tell FOX 2 that the transit center here is operating this morning for passengers and buses. Access to certain areas will be limited here as clean up unfolds.

A Metro spokesperson says half of the station isn’t being used right now because of safety issues. It isn’t impacting overall bus operations, everything is just happening on the other side of transit center.

The extent of the damage to the actual transit center is still unclear, but I’m told it does not appear to be extreme. A Metro spokesperson tells me there were no injuries to any metro workers or passengers. The tanker driver also was not injured.

Close Modal

Suggest a Correction

[ad_2]

Source link