By KERA News & Wire Services
Dallas, TX –
Two workers doing maintenance on the roof of towering Cowboys Stadium in Arlington slipped and tumbled at least 50 feet today.
Authorities say the men -- who were not wearing safety harnesses -- came to a stop on a rain gutter-type channel that rings the near $1.2 billion structure. The accident happened at a time when temperatures were near freezing.
Arlington Assistant Fire Chief Don Crowson says the two were working on the top hatch of the retractable-roof venue. Cowboys spokesman Brett Daniels says one worker lost consciousness after breaking a leg and suffering injuries to his head and chest. The other worker has a back injury.
The general contractor, Manhattan Construction Group, says the workers are employed by Birdair Inc., an Amherst, N.Y.-based contractor.
Verizon closing 4 call centers
Verizon Communications Inc. is closing four call service centers, including one in Longview.
The other centers being shuttered are in Ohio, Virginia, and Louisiana. A Company spokeswoman says Verizon will be offering the employees other jobs with the company, along with relocation and severance packages.
She did not have a count of how many employees work in the four call centers.
Texas retail gasoline prices hold steady
Retail gasoline prices held firm this week in Texas.
The AAA Texas price survey released Thursday shows the average price of regular-grade gasoline remained unchanged from last week at $2.50 per gallon. Meanwhile, the average price nationally fell a penny to $2.63 per gallon.
The cheapest gasoline in the Texas survey is found in Galveston, where the average price remained unchanged at $2.45 per gallon. The most expensive gas is, again, in El Paso at $2.57 per gallon, four cents less than last week.
In a statement issued Thursday, the auto club says the ongoing price stability of gasoline has been matched by narrow changes in crude oil prices. Crude prices for 2009 topped out at $82 per barrel in late October and have stayed between $75 and $80.
5 UNT frat members accused of hazing
The alleged striking of fraternity pledges with a wooden paddle has led to hazing charges against five University of North Texas students. UNT deputy police Chief Ed Reynolds says the October case involving 12 pledges has been forwarded to the district attorney's office.
The school in Denton has suspended the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity pending results of the investigation. An affidavit says the hazing happened on or around Oct. 10, in which at least one victim had welts and bruising on his chest, buttocks and back.
The Denton Record-Chronicle reports two students originally were charged last month with hazing, causing severe bodily injury, then three more students were charged.
University spokeswoman Deborah Leliaert says the matter will also be reviewed by the UNT Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities.