Monthly Archives: <span>September 2010</span>

Small Fires Again Prompt Pennsylvania Dorm Evacuation

Authorities say someone has started fires inside a northeastern Pennsylvania dorm for the third time in 10 days. The latest fires were set inside trash cans early Tuesday in a dorm at East Stroudsburg University in the Poconos. About 350 …

Dow Settles Hazardous Chemical Exposure Claims with Alabama Miners

Dow Chemical Co. and Flexible Products Co. settled with nearly 1,400 miners in an Alabama court over the miners’ claims they were exposed to hazardous chemicals, Dow said Tuesday. The surprise settlement involving 1,394 miners came at Tuscaloosa Circuit Court …

BP to Restructure, Create New Safety Unit

BP Plc’s incoming Chief Executive Bob Dudley ousted the oil group’s exploration and production chief following the Gulf of Mexico oil spill and promised to restructure the company to boost safety. BP said on Wednesday Andy Inglis, the head of …

Cigarette Blamed for Virginia Fire That Destroyed Virginia Homes

The Fire Marshal in Manassas, Virginia is blaming a cigarette discarded in a planter for a fire that destroyed three homes and damaged five others. Manassas Fire Marshall Francis Teevan says gusty winds and the fact that the homes are …

Fire Damages Equipment of Triumphant Virginia Band

Investigators say a fire that heavily damaged equipment belonging to Powhatan High School’s marching band was probably sparked by friction between a trailer and one of its tires. Officials tell the Richmond Times-Dispatch the fire-damaged musical instruments and new uniforms …

Tennessee Ignition Cutoff Law Targets First Time Convicted Drunk Drivers

Tennessee, already considered tough on first-time DUI offenders, is about to get tougher. Lawmakers recently passed a bill that will require some drivers convicted of a first DUI to install alcohol-detecting ignition devices to stop their cars from starting if …

Tennessee Court Makes It Easier to Sue Employers Over Illegal Firings

In a decision that some legal observers found surprising, the Tennessee Supreme Court has reversed precedent and made it easier for workers to sue their employers when they believe they were fired illegally. The court ruled 3-2 last week that …

Ratings Recap: Alterra (notes), Gulf Ltd., Barents Re, Middle East Insurance

A.M. Best Co. has assigned a debt rating of “bbb” to the recently issued $350 million 6.25 percent senior unsecured notes due 2020 of Delaware-based Alterra Finance LLC. The senior notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Alterra Capital Holdings …

11 Firms Named Entrepreneurial Insurance Award Finalists

The man who started the online insurance exchange MarketScout in 2000 is on the lookout for innovators and innovations in the insurance industry. Richard Kerr recently hosted more than 400 insurance entrepreneurs and innovative thinkers at the MarketScout Entrepreneurial Insurance …

Fire Destroys Barracks at Oklahoma’s Historic Fort Washita

The replica of a military barracks at Fort Washita in southeastern Oklahoma has been destroyed by fire. The fire at the two-story building was reported about 7:30 a.m. Sept. 26. No injuries were reported. The state fire marshal’s office is …