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May

13

Pepper Pike’s Murray Energy settles Crandall Canyon mine disaster cases

Filed Under Business, Cleveland+, coal, Energy, Ethics, Government, Ohio, Pepper Pike, Politics, Utilities | 1 Comment

From the Desert News:

Following months of negotiations, all of the parties in the civil lawsuits stemming from the disaster reached a settlement, the parties said Tuesday. Terms were not disclosed, but lawyers for the families said it exceeded the more than $20 million paid to families of 27 victims of a 1984 explosion and fire at the closed Wilberg mine in the same Utah coal district.

…

In an e-mail to the Deseret News, Kevin Anderson, attorney for UtahAmerican Energy Inc., parent company of the mine operator, Genwal Resources Inc., said “no one is going to claim victory here, given the events that brought us to this point.”

“Yet I can also say that our clients are pleased to have these matters resolved at this time, in the manner and for the amount resolved, and to put the accidents in the past.”

Genwal Resources is a subsidiary of Murray Energy Corp., based in Pepper Pike, Ohio.

Quick re-cap of what happened:

Four other companies linked to the mine’s operation were part of the settlement, plus six insurance companies and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. The other companies were two other Murray Energy affiliates that operated and held the lease on the Crandall Canyon mine, mining consultants Agapito Associates Inc. of Grand Junction, Colo., and mine co-owner Intermountain Power Agency.

On Aug. 6, 2007, six miners — Kerry Allred, Don Erickson, Luis Hernandez, Carlos Payan, Brandon Phillips and Arturo “Manuel” Sanchez — were trapped when an area of the Crandall Canyon coal mine collapsed near Huntington in Emery County. Days later, three rescuers — Dale Black, Gary Jensen and Brandon Kimber — were killed and several others were injured while trying to reach the trapped miners.

The bodies of those trapped inside were never recovered, and the mine was later permanently shuttered.

The article indicates that an investigation led by U.S. Attorney Brett Tolman is still underway regarding whether there could be criminal charges.

He said at the time that he was still looking deeper for evidence that could be brought before a grand jury. The possible evidence includes allegations by federal regulators — vigorously denied by the company — that mine managers misrepresented early warning signs of danger at the central Utah mine.

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By Jill Miller Zimon at 8:34 am May 13th, 2009 in Business, Cleveland+, coal, Energy, Ethics, Government, Ohio, Pepper Pike, Politics, Utilities | 1 Comment 

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May

13

Million Dollar Hole-in-One Shootout at Orange Jubilee, 5/15 & 5/16

Filed Under Cleveland+, Education, Ohio, Parenting, Sports, Youth | Comments Off

A hometown plug that benefits the Orange Schools:

I’m on the board of the Orange Schools Foundation and we’re having a Million Dollar Hole-in-One Shootout to raise money for the schools.

Please consider coming to the Orange Jubilee and participating in the chance to win. I’ll be there part of the time and it will be great fun for a great cause. Here are the deets:

For the first time ever, Orange Jubilee is pleased to welcome the Orange Schools Foundation and their $1,000,000 Hole-in-One Golf Shootout! This is your opportunity to take a chance and put all your golf skills to work to win $1,000,000.

The shootout runs from Friday, May 15 from 6-10pm and Saturday, May 16 from 12-9pm in the Orange Football Stadium. Drive 130 yards towards a pin. Balls that land within a six-foot circle of the pin automatically advance to the semi-finals. The semi-finals and finals are being held at Ursuline College in Pepper Pike.

Take a chance for only $2.00 per ball or 3 chances for $5.00! There is no limit to the number of balls attempted. Bring your favorite club or use a club provided by the Orange Foundation.

All proceeds benefit the Orange Schools through the Orange Schools Foundation. No pre-registration necessary – just come ready to hit what may be the luckiest ball of your life! For further information about the Orange Foundation or the Hole-in-One Shootout, call 216-831-8600 ext 5001 or visit www.orangeschoolsfoundation.org.

You can also see the information plus community comments and who in the neighborhood might be trying to get that money at the event’s Facebook page.

I hope to see you there!

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By Jill Miller Zimon at 7:57 am May 13th, 2009 in Cleveland+, Education, Ohio, Parenting, Sports, Youth | Comments Off 

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