US coal-mine deaths nearing record low

US coal-mine deaths nearing record low

LOUISVILLE, Ky.

Less than five years after an explosion fueled by excess coal dust killed 29 men deep inside a West Virginia underground mine, the nation’s coal mines are on pace for an all-time low in work-related deaths.

Federal mine-safety officials credit changes they’ve made since the Upper Big Branch disaster in April 2010. They point to their more-aggressive use of team inspections at problem sites and other measures, which they say have fostered more responsible behavior below ground.

With a few days left in the year, there have been 15 coal mining-related deaths. The previous low mark was 18 in 2009.

Man told to pay $1.5M in restitution

FARGO, N.D.

It took nearly eight years from the time a Toronto man was arrested in a massive credit-card fraud scheme, but a federal judge has figured out how much each victim is owed.

Adekunle Adetiloye pleaded guilty earlier to mail fraud and was sentenced to 18 years in prison. Authorities say he stole the identities of about 38,000 people in order to bilk dozen of banks.

U.S. District Judge Ralph Erickson ruled earlier this month that Adetiloye should pay about $1.5 million in restitution and forfeiture.

Poll: Gas prices fall

CAMARILLO, Calif.

The average price of regular gasoline nationwide has dropped another 25 cents per gallon in the past two weeks, to $2.47.

Industry analyst Trilby Lundberg said Sunday that prices likely will keep falling.

Lundberg says the average price of regular gasoline is the lowest it’s been in more than five years. She says lower crude oil prices are driving prices down, along with an abundant oil supply and the rising value of the U.S. dollar.

Woman charged in murder of 8 children

SYDNEY

An Australian woman was charged with murder Sunday in the deaths of seven of her children and her niece, whose bodies were found inside her home, police said.

Mersane Warria, 37, was charged with eight counts of murder in a bedside hearing at a hospital in the city of Cairns where she is recovering from stab wounds, Queensland state police said.

Police were called to the home in the Cairns suburb of Manoora on Friday morning after receiving a report of a woman with serious injuries. When they got to the house, they found the bodies, along with Warria, who was suffering from stab wounds to the chest.

Police haven’t said how the children died, but Queensland Police Detective Inspector Bruno Asnicar said they’re examining several knives in the home that may have been the weapon used to kill them. Suffocation also was a possible cause of death, he said.

Fla. officer killed; fugitive is arrested

MIAMI

Florida authorities say a Tarpon Springs police officer was shot and killed early Sunday by a fugitive trying to evade a warrant.

Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said Sunday that police have arrested 23-year-old Marco Antonio Parilla Jr. on suspicion of first-degree murder.

The shooting does not appear to have any connection to the ambush killings of two New York police officers.

Authorities say Officer Charles Kondek responded to a noise call about 2 a.m. at an apartment complex. They say Parilla was pounding on doors, and fired at the officer. Authorities say the suspect then got in his car and ran over the officer before he crashed into a pole.

Kondek previously served on the New York City Police Department for more than five years.

Associated Press