DETROIT (AP) — The U.S. government is investigating complaints of engine compartment fires in nearly 1.9 million Toyota RAV4 small SUVs.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began investigating after getting 11 fire complaints involving the 2013 through 2018 model years.
The RAV4 is the top-selling vehicle in the U.S. that isn’t a pickup truck.
In documents posted Monday, the agency says fires start on the left side of the engine compartment. A terminal on the 12-volt battery may short to the frame, causing loss of electrical power, engine stalling or a fire.
Most of the fires happened while the vehicles are being driven, but four owners complained that fire broke out with the engine off.
The agency says improper battery installation or front-end collision repair was a factor. NHTSA says the RAV4 has a higher number of fire complaints in the battery area than comparable vehicles.
Investigators will try to understand better what is contributing to the fires. The vehicles aren’t being recalled but the investigation could lead to one.
CONCORD, Calif. (KRON) -- Police responded to a death reported at a shopping center in Concord overnight on Monday.
Yellow tape runs through a large area, blocking off streets and parking spaces as homicide detectives scan the scene for evidence in the 1100 block of Concord Ave at 6 a.m.
Information is limited at this time, this story will be updated.
NOVATO, Calif. (KRON) -- March marks an entire year since the pandemic, and it also brings a return to school for some students.
The Novato Unified School District said high school students are allowed to come back to school buildings this week -- and it's one of the first in the Bay Area to do so.
It's possible because Marin County was moved to the Red tier of California's reopening blueprint. It's the second-most restrictive tier.
The schools will start with 9th and 10th graders, who come back on March 1. Then, 11th and 12th graders return next Monday, on March 8.
The high schools are going with a hybrid schedule, with two groups of in-person students who learn in classrooms on alternating days. On the off days, they are still learning virtually.
Free grab-and-go meals are still available for students.
The school district says they have planned for all students, from TK to 12th, to be on a hybrid learning plan from March 8.
The Red tier of reopening is still considered to have 'substantive' COVID-19 transmission risk, and keeps some non-essential businesses closed. However, it allows for schools to reopen fully for in-person instruction, at the discretion of local officials.
Last year, it was on March 7 that NUSD decided to extend online learning for the rest of the school year. Now, students are back and the district is still working on getting sports back up and running.
BEREA, Ohio (WJW) -- Police released video of a 14-year-old boy falling off a roof while doing construction on a townhome in Ohio.
The Berea Police Department said the boy was critically injured in the accident, which happened in December. Now, the company he was working for is in trouble with OSHA.
"Immediately following this serious incident, the company’s owner and three other workers put on personal fall arrest equipment to complete the roofing work in an apparent attempt to conceal the fact that fall protection was not in use at the time of the injury. The equipment had been in the employer’s job trailer onsite when the boy fell," according to the Department of Labor.
Inspectors said they discovered the truth while reviewing video from a neighbor's security camera.
"A guy on a roofing crew just fell off of a roof," a caller told 911 operators at the time of the incident. "He's unconscious. He's unresponsive in the driveway."
OSHA has proposed penalties of $73,533 to Double M Roofing and Construction and issued citations for two willful, three serious and one other-than-serious violations of OSHA’s safety standards.
Inspectors said after the accident, employees were caught again installing roofing materials at another job site without the necessary fall protection equipment.
“All too often, OSHA inspectors responding to reports of roofers without fall protection find the employer has the safety equipment on-site and refuses to ensure its use,” explained OSHA Area Director Howard Eberts in Cleveland. “Exposure to fall hazards makes roofing work among the most dangerous jobs in construction. OSHA requires fall protection when working at heights greater than 6 feet.”
The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
Owner Melvin Schmucker declined to comment when contacted by WJW.
HOMEWOOD, Ala. (WIAT) -- A 7-year-old Alabama girl selling lemonade to help pay for her much-needed brain surgeries has captured hearts across the globe.
Over the past month, Liza Scott's family learned she has three rare brain malformations, which have been causing her to have Grand Mal seizures. She will need surgery to prevent further seizures, brain bleeding, hemorrhage, or stroke.
Since Thursday, more than $236,000 has been donated to Liza's Mightycause page. The Scott family has also received over $10,000 in cash donations. They have been offered free flights and free housing for their upcoming trip to Boston as well. Elizabeth Scott, Liza's mother, says the outpouring of support has been nothing short of incredible.
Liza Scott standing in front of her lemonade stand in Savage's Bakery, co-owned by her mother and grandfather (Malique Rankin | CBS 42)
"You have no idea how loved we feel," Elizabeth Scott said. "It's been overwhelming, but amazing. It's kind of allowed me to step away from some of the emotions. But at the same time, it's emotional in a different way, because I never expected any of this...America is really...really great...."
Liza's lemonade stand lives at Savage's Bakery, which is co-owned by her mother and grandfather, Van Scott. He said it's been amazing to see just how good people can be.
"We are so appreciative," Van Scott said. "It's going to make a huge difference to my daughter, Elizabeth, and to Liza. Thank you so much."
On Sunday, several Jeep Wrangler organizations from across Alabama drove to Homewood to show their support for Liza.
"As soon as I saw this, I had to get involved," Scott Singer said. "It just tears at your heartstrings that kids are having to go through this."
"Jeepers" from around Alabama drove in Sunday afternoon to show their support for Liza Scott (Malique Rankin | CBS 42)
Singer is a member of the Iron City Wranglers. He was joined by more than three dozen other Jeep drivers including the Walker County Wranglers, Steel City Wranglers, Outlaw Wranglers, and Blount County Offroad. Moved by her story, Singer said the "Jeepers" drove in to bring her a little joy.
"It's amazing," Singer said. "It's the best feeling in the world to see a child that's going through something like this, that didn't ask for [the support]. She's as happy as can be."
Liza handed out her lemonade and cookies, then climbed on top of a Jeep to express her gratitude.
"Thank you everyone for coming!" she said, smiling.
Liza's mother said she has her good days and bad days, anxious for her week ahead.
"[I'm] pretty good," said Liza, "I'm still nervous but I'm getting better!"
Elizabeth Scott said being the recipient of so much good has been overwhelming. The donations and well wishes have made for an emotional few days.
"I'm a single mom," Elizabeth Scott said. "I live paycheck to paycheck like a lot of Americans do. I have never had that much money to consider paying a bill with."
Liza will fly to Boston on Thursday for the first of three brain surgeries. Liza's mother says she plans to continue selling lemonade after her recovery. They want to use the money she makes to help other families that are going through a similar journey.
To donate to Liza or read more about her journey, click here.
