Five Things You Need to Know: 10/15, Monday Edition

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1) Mister Rogers Movie Employee Dies in PA

A Mount Lebanon set employee for Mister Rogers, the movie, died last week after he fell two stories, according to AP in Page Six. “(James) Emswiller was involved in the sound production of ‘You Are My Friend,’ which was shooting a scene in Mount Lebanon,” per the article. Not a lot of details were available as of press time, but Tom Hanks was on set, who later left. Hanks will play the role of Mister Rogers.

2) Scuffle Unfolds at Uber’s CA Headquarters

Approximately six Uber drivers picketing at the San Francisco office on Friday looked to enter the building, writes Caroline O’Donovan of Buzzfeed News. Thom Hoffman got really close, until a security guard allegedly tackled him to the ground. “…In an emailed statement to BuzzFeed News, Uber’s director of physical security, Carla Gray, said the security officer in the video works for a third-party contractor and had been put on administrative leave while ‘the matter is being investigated,’” per the article. “…The approximately 15 drivers present at Uber headquarters were part of a group called Gig Worker Rising, a coalition of labor groups including Working Partnerships USA. They were attempting to deliver a petition, which has been signed by over 3,200 people, asking for a meeting with Uber executives. At the meeting, drivers involved with Gig Worker Rising hoped to discuss policies around driver ratings and deactivations.”

3) NH: Former Police Sergeant Files Second Lawsuit After 2013 Shooting Incident

Joseph Kelley, a former police sergeant, filed a lawsuit after he was fired in 2013, and settled for $260,000, writes Mark Hayward of the Union Leader. But Weare, a town in Hillsborough County, is involved in a second filing with Kelley. “…The sealed settlement is the latest in the ongoing battle that Kelley has had with the town since the August 2013 police killing of Manchester resident Alex Cora DeJesus in an undercover drug investigation that then Attorney General Joseph Foster later said was ill-conceived,” per the article. “…Kelley was one of the officers in charge at the time, and shortly after the killing he went out on workers’ compensation, claiming the shooting caused anxiety and post-traumatic stress. In November 2013, town officials fired Kelley.” Apparently, some of the information from the settlement was supposed to be omitted from his personnel file, so Kelley went ahead in asking for additional compensatory damages. “…But in a pretrial ruling, (Superior Court Judge Gillian) Abramson said Kelley’s lawyers could not ask the jury for enhanced compensatory damages. She did say lawyers could claim that Kelley’s emotional distress would be the foreseeable result of the town’s violation of the settlement agreement.”

4) Lumber Co. in WV Sued for Alleged Improper Employee Training

Jessica and Ronnie J. Williams of Webster Spring have filed a lawsuit against Jim C. Hamer Company, for allegedly not training lumber employees appropriately, writes Noddy A. Fernandez of the West Virginia Record. “…According to the complaint, on Sept. 27, 2017, Ronnie J. Williams was working for Hammer Lumber at its sawmill facility when he was caught in an unguarded conveyor belt, pulling his arm into the nip and resulting in the amputation of his arm at the shoulder,” per the article. “…The plaintiffs request a trial by jury and seek a judgment in such sums as will adequately compensate plaintiffs for their injuries and claims, together with pre and post-judgment interest, costs, attorney fees, and such other and further general relief as the Court may deem proper.”

5) WV: Improperly Trained Automation Co. Employee Allegedly Causes Auto Accident

Ripley residents Penny and James Hafer have filed a lawsuit against Cody Edens and Patriot Automation Inc., alleging “careless driving” of a not-properly trained employee led to an auto accident, writes Philip Gonzales of the West Virginia Record. “…The Hafers suffered significant injuries and incurred personal and property damages. The plaintiffs hold the defendants responsible because Edens failed to yield for the stopped traffic and take evasive actions to avoid the collision,” per the article. Details weren’t available on the extent of the injuries for the employee, but improper training is to blame, according to the couple. The pair request trial-by-jury, damages and court costs.

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