Latest news with #Erwin
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
The owner of the Tennessee plastics factory where workers were swept away by Hurricane Helene won't face charges
The owner of a factory where six workers died last year in flooding from Hurricane Helene won't face charges after a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation found no criminal wrongdoing. First Judicial District Attorney General Steven Finney announced the decision to close the case on Friday, saying no further action will be taken. The investigation found no evidence that Impact Plastics employees were told they could not leave the factory or that they would be fired if they left, according to a news release from the district attorney. It also found employees had a little more than an hour during which they could have evacuated from the Erwin, Tennessee, industrial park. The conclusion mirrors that of a similar investigation by the Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration that found in April that workers had time to evacuate the premises, albeit by makeshift routes. A statement from Impact Plastics attorney Stephen Ross Johnson on Friday said company president and founder Gerald O'Connor welcomes the results of the TBI investigation. 'The true and accurate facts are now known,' the statement reads. Five employees and one contractor who cleaned the offices once a week were killed on September 27 after they were washed away by floodwaters. They were among 12 people who stuck close to the Impact Plastics building, waiting for the water to recede, after realizing the exit road was already submerged. When the water kept rising, they climbed onto the bed of a semitrailer loaded with giant spools of plastic piping that was parked outside the factory. When floodwaters eventually overwhelmed the truck, six people were able to use the piping for flotation and were later rescued. The other six drowned. The TOSHA report notes that several Impact Plastics employees did escape the flood. Some were able to drive or walk over an embankment to a nearby highway after workers at a neighboring business dismantled a fence there. Others escaped by driving over a makeshift path onto nearby railroad tracks that an employee at a neighboring business created with a tractor. Still others were able to escape by walking to the railroad tracks, according to that report. Although the criminal case is being closed, the company still faces a wrongful death lawsuit from the family of Johnny Peterson, and other civil suits are planned. Attorney Luke Widener, who represents the families of several flood victims, said in a statement that they 'categorically disagree that Impact Plastics employees were given any meaningful opportunity to escape. …Indeed, if Impact Plastics' account were true, Bertha Mendoza, Sibrina Barnett, and the others who perished would still be with us.'
Sky News AU
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
'Do your research': Tattoo removal myths busted as stars go under the laser, plus which Aussie state tops the ink charts
With shirts off and sleeves rolled up for summer, many Australians have been forced to confront their ink head-on, and for a growing number, winter is prime time to start the removal process. As celebrities like Dune star Josh Brolin, Victoria Beckham and comedian Pete Davidson begin erasing their body art, experts say everyday Aussies are following suit, triggering a surge in laser tattoo removal across the country. According to 2023 data from McCrindle, around 30 per cent of Australians have at least one tattoo, up from 20 per cent in 2018. Tattoos have found particular popularity among Australian women, with one in three (33 per cent) inked, compared to just 26 per cent of men. "This gendered preference showcases the growing acceptance of tattoos as a means of self-expression and personal adornment among women," McCrindle said. Queensland tops the list when it comes to the most tattooed state, with 36 per cent of residents sporting ink, followed by South Australia (33 per cent), and Western Australia (30 per cent). Victoria and the Northern Territory come in next at 29 per cent each, while NSW sits at 26 per cent. The ACT and Tasmania round out the list at 22 and 21 per cent, respectively. While most Aussies get their first tattoo between the ages of 18 and 24, but as time goes on, the ink doesn't always hold the same appeal. A quarter of Australians (23 per cent) now say they regret at least one of their tattoos, up from one in five (20 per cent) in 2018. That might explain why Australian-based tattoo removal company Removery Australia has seen a 30 per cent jump in removal treatments over the past year alone. Jason Erwin, Director of Operations at Removery Australia, said a growing number of clients are referencing celebrity tattoo removal journeys as inspiration. "Celebrities are just like anyone else- they have lifestyle changes, shifts in their careers, and ultimately can rethink their body art," Erwin told "When a high-profile celebrity documents or discusses their tattoo removal journey, it increases awareness of the service and tends to support a normalisation and acceptance for the wider public." Brolin, for example, recently revealed on Instagram that he was having his back tattoo removed "because he didn't need it anymore", joking that his natural edge was "intimidating enough". Meanwhile, Victoria Beckham opened up about having the initials of husband David Beckham removed from her wrist. "I had these tattoos a long, long time ago, and, they just weren't particularly delicate," she told US morning program TODAY. "My husband has so many gorgeous tattoos, and the children do, and they're very fine… But mine were just a little bit thick, and they were bleeding a little bit and just not looking as pretty." According to Erwin, the most common reason Australians seek removal is simply that their tattoo no longer suits their current life. "Tattoos relating to old partners account for roughly 13 per cent of removals," he said. "These clients are now at a different stage of their lives and their tattoos no longer suit their lifestyle or reflect who they are." Other top reasons include poorly designed artwork (18 per cent), changing taste in tattoo style (12 per cent), and placement in a highly visible area that can't be easily hidden (nine per cent). And winter, Erwin said, is one of the best times of year to start the removal process. "Less sun exposure to a tattoo that is being removed means simpler aftercare, quicker healing time, and less time for your body to process out the ink," he explained. Thankfully, Irwin said, modern laser technology has made the process far more precise and far less painful than many expect. While full removal typically takes between eight and twelve sessions spaced at least six weeks apart, it's also possible to fade a tattoo enough to allow for new ink in the same spot. "Because the technology we use is non-invasive, the surrounding skin is unharmed and able to be tattooed as it would have been beforehand," Erwin said. "We recommend clients wait at least six weeks after their laser treatment before getting tattooed in that area, but ideally waiting three months or longer will provide the best results." Although tattoo removal is becoming increasingly common, Erwin said the most important step is doing your research. "When choosing a service provider, key things to note are what technology is being used, their tattoo removal experience, and whether they have a solid library of results and client reviews," he said. "Whether you're regretting your tattoo 24 hours after getting it, or 10 years later, the most important thing is knowing your options."
CNN
3 days ago
- CNN
The owner of the Tennessee plastics factory where workers were swept away by Hurricane Helene won't face charges
FacebookTweetLink The owner of a factory where six workers died last year in flooding from Hurricane Helene won't face charges after a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation found no criminal wrongdoing. First Judicial District Attorney General Steven Finney announced the decision to close the case on Friday, saying no further action will be taken. The investigation found no evidence that Impact Plastics employees were told they could not leave the factory or that they would be fired if they left, according to a news release from the district attorney. It also found employees had a little more than an hour during which they could have evacuated from the Erwin, Tennessee, industrial park. The conclusion mirrors that of a similar investigation by the Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration that found in April that workers had time to evacuate the premises, albeit by makeshift routes. A statement from Impact Plastics attorney Stephen Ross Johnson on Friday said company president and founder Gerald O'Connor welcomes the results of the TBI investigation. 'The true and accurate facts are now known,' the statement reads. Five employees and one contractor who cleaned the offices once a week were killed on September 27 after they were washed away by floodwaters. They were among 12 people who stuck close to the Impact Plastics building, waiting for the water to recede, after realizing the exit road was already submerged. When the water kept rising, they climbed onto the bed of a semitrailer loaded with giant spools of plastic piping that was parked outside the factory. When floodwaters eventually overwhelmed the truck, six people were able to use the piping for flotation and were later rescued. The other six drowned. The TOSHA report notes that several Impact Plastics employees did escape the flood. Some were able to drive or walk over an embankment to a nearby highway after workers at a neighboring business dismantled a fence there. Others escaped by driving over a makeshift path onto nearby railroad tracks that an employee at a neighboring business created with a tractor. Still others were able to escape by walking to the railroad tracks, according to that report. Although the criminal case is being closed, the company still faces a wrongful death lawsuit from the family of Johnny Peterson, and other civil suits are planned. Attorney Luke Widener, who represents the families of several flood victims, said in a statement that they 'categorically disagree that Impact Plastics employees were given any meaningful opportunity to escape. …Indeed, if Impact Plastics' account were true, Bertha Mendoza, Sibrina Barnett, and the others who perished would still be with us.'
Al Arabiya
4 days ago
- Al Arabiya
The owner of the Tennessee factory where workers drowned after Hurricane Helene won't face charges
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The owner of a factory where six workers died last year in flooding from Hurricane Helene won't face charges after a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation found no criminal wrongdoing. First Judicial District Attorney General Steven Finney announced the decision to close the case on Friday, saying no further action will be taken. The investigation found no evidence that Impact Plastics employees were told they could not leave the factory or that they would be fired if they left, according to a news release from the district attorney. It also found employees had a little more than an hour during which they could have evacuated from the Erwin, Tennessee industrial park. The conclusion mirrors that of a similar investigation by the Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration that found in April that workers had time to evacuate the premises, albeit by makeshift routes. A statement from Impact Plastics attorney Stephen Ross Johnson on Friday said company president and founder Gerald O'Connor welcomes the results of the TBI investigation. 'The true and accurate facts are now known,' the statement reads. Five employees and one contractor who cleaned the offices once a week were killed on Sept. 27 after they were washed away by floodwaters. They were among 12 people who stuck close to the Impact Plastics building waiting for the water to recede after realizing the exit road was already submerged. When the water kept rising, they climbed onto the bed of a semitrailer loaded with giant spools of plastic piping that was parked outside the factory. When floodwaters eventually overwhelmed the truck, six people were able to use the piping for flotation and were later rescued. The other six drowned. The TOSHA report notes that several Impact Plastics employees did escape the flood. Some were able to drive or walk over an embankment to a nearby highway after workers at a neighboring business dismantled a fence there. Others escaped by driving over a makeshift path onto nearby railroad tracks that an employee at a neighboring business created with a tractor. Still others were able to escape by walking to the railroad tracks, according to that report. Although the criminal case is being closed, the company still faces a wrongful death lawsuit from the family of Johnny Peterson, and other civil suits are planned. Attorney Luke Widener, who represents the families of several flood victims, said in a statement that they categorically disagree that Impact Plastics employees were given any meaningful opportunity to escape. 'Indeed, if Impact Plastics' account were true, Bertha Mendoza, Sibrina Barnett, and the others who perished would still be with us.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
The owner of the Tennessee factory where workers drowned after Hurricane Helene won't face charges
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The owner of a factory where six workers died last year in flooding from Hurricane Helene won't face charges after a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation found no criminal wrongdoing. First Judicial District Attorney General Steven Finney announced the decision to close the case on Friday, saying no further action will be taken. The investigation found no evidence that Impact Plastics employees were told they could not leave the factory or that they would be fired if they left, according to a news release from the district attorney. It also found employees had a little more than an hour during which they could have evacuated from the Erwin, Tennessee, industrial park. The conclusion mirrors that of a similar investigation by the Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration that found in April that workers had time to evacuate the premises, albeit by makeshift routes. A statement from Impact Plastics attorney Stephen Ross Johnson on Friday said company president and founder Gerald O'Connor welcomes the results of the TBI investigation. 'The true and accurate facts are now known,' the statement reads. Five employees and one contractor who cleaned the offices once a week were killed on Sept. 27 after they were washed away by floodwaters. They were among 12 people who stuck close to the Impact Plastics building, waiting for the water to recede, after realizing the exit road was already submerged. When the water kept rising, they climbed onto the bed of a semitrailer loaded with giant spools of plastic piping that was parked outside the factory. When floodwaters eventually overwhelmed the truck, six people were able to use the piping for flotation and were later rescued. The other six drowned. The TOSHA report notes that several Impact Plastics employees did escape the flood. Some were able to drive or walk over an embankment to a nearby highway after workers at a neighboring business dismantled a fence there. Others escaped by driving over a makeshift path onto nearby railroad tracks that an employee at a neighboring business created with a tractor. Still others were able to escape by walking to the railroad tracks, according to that report. Although the criminal case is being closed, the company still faces a wrongful death lawsuit from the family of Johnny Peterson, and other civil suits are planned. Attorney Luke Widener, who represents the families of several flood victims, said in a statement that they 'categorically disagree that Impact Plastics employees were given any meaningful opportunity to escape. ...Indeed, if Impact Plastics' account were true, Bertha Mendoza, Sibrina Barnett, and the others who perished would still be with us." Travis Loller And Jonathan Mattise, The Associated Press
