LITTLE ROCK — QUOTE OF THE DAY “The same kind of failures that were
there in 9/11 were present in this one.” Former New Jersey Gov. Tom Kean, a Republican who led the commission that examined the Sept. 11 attacks, on the plot to blow up a Detroit-bound airliner Article, 1APolice say inmate injured 2 deputies
RICHMOND, Va. - An inmate awaiting a court hearing shot a deputy and stabbed another in a holding cell at a northern Virginia courthouse Wednesday, authorities said.
Fauquier County sheriff’s Lt. James Hartman said George Golder Phillips II, 30, of Warrenton shot one deputy in the leg, and stabbed the other in the face about 1 p.m.
Both were taken to hospitals in stable condition.
The deputies had transported Phillips, who is also suspected of robbing banks, from the local jail to the Fauquier County courthouse in Warrenton, about 45 miles southwest of Washington, D.C., for a hearing.
Hartman said Phillips stabbed Deputy Thomas Leake, 41, with a self-made instrument when the officer entered the holding cell. A struggle ensued, and Phillips grabbed Leake’s gun from its holster. Hartman said Master Deputy Charles Embrey, 38, entered the cell to assist and was shot in the upper leg.
Leake and Embrey managed to subdue Phillips, who was taken into custody uninjured after other deputies arrived, Hartman said.
Garbage-bin blast
kills firefighter
ST. ANNA, Wis. - A trash bin outside a rural Wisconsin foundry exploded after firefighters sprayed water on it, killing one volunteer firefighter and injuring eight others, authorities said Wednesday.
About 20 members of the St. Anna Volunteer Fire Department responded to the fire outside Bremer Manufacturing Co.’s plant Tuesday night, department Capt.
Adam Schuh said. About 15 minutes after they began to fight the fire the bin blew up.
Firefighter Steven Koeser, 33, was killed. The other firefighters suffered injuries that included burns and ringing ears, according to a statement from the Fire Department and sheriff’s office and state investigators.
All but one had been treated and released from the hospital by midafternoon Wednesday.
According to its Web site, Bremer specializes in producing aluminum sand castings for other manufacturers.
4 in Pennsylvania
admit visa fraud
PHILADELPHIA - Four employees at a Pennsylvania staffing company have admitted they scammed the visa system to bring hundreds of seasonal workers into the U.S.
for clients.
International Personnel Resources applied for temporary work visas under phony names culled from a Mexican phone book, and its employees used the stockpiled documents to place workers from Mexico and Central America in landscaping and other jobs, authorities said.
Former office manager Emily V. Ford, 29, of West Chester, pleaded guilty Wednesday, Assistant U.S.
Attorney Kevin Brenner said.
Company owner and President Michael T. Glah, 48, and his wife, Vice President Theresa M. Klish, 50, both of West Chester, and office manager Mary H. Gillin, 60, of Downingtown, pleaded guilty Tuesday in Philadelphia federal court to charges in the 11-count information.
All four are set for sentencing March 29.
H-2B visas are designed for companies that cannot find Americans willing to fill their jobs.
Front Section, Pages 3 on 12/31/2009