🌱 Staffing Agency Found Guilty + Crane Crashed + Pedestrian Died

Morning, Norfolk! Let's get you started this Wednesday with everything you need to know going on around Norfolk today.

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First, today's weather:

Freezing fog in the morning. High: 55 Low: 36.

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Here are the top three stories in Norfolk today:

1. A Norfolk-based staffing agency was ordered by a judge to pay more than $7.2 million in back wages and damages. Medical Staffing of America LLC, doing business as Steadfast Medical Staffing, was found guilty of intentionally violating federal laws and denying 1,105 certified nursing aides, licensed practical nurses, and registered nurses their rightfully earned overtime wages. Following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division and litigation by the Solicitor of Labor, they were found to have been wrongly classifying its employees as independent contractors since at least August 18, 2015, and have been ordered to pay at least $3,619,716 in back wages and at least $3,619,716 in liquidated damages to 1,105 employees. (WTKR)
2. No injuries were reported after a crane crashed into the water at the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel on Tuesday morning. According to a spokesman for Hampton Roads Connector Partners, which is overseeing the HRBT expansion project, the operator of the crane was moving it onto a barge when it somehow fell off the side around 8:00 a.m., however, he was able to escape before it fell in the water. The fall did not damage or impact the project, which is on track to be completed by 2025. (WAVY)
3. A pedestrian died from his injuries after he was struck by a car on Friday night in Norfolk. 63-year-old Steven J. Spruill was struck at around 7:30 p.m. in the 6100 block of Chesapeake Boulevard at the Five Points intersection after he walked into the road. Police are investigating and state neither speed nor alcohol appeared to be factors in the crash. (WAVY)

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Today in Norfolk:

• Virtual Tech Wednesdays, At Park Place Branch Library (5:00 PM)

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From my notebook:

• The Norfolk Police Department says education and awareness are key to making sure your kids are safe from internet predators. (Twitter)
• Have you submitted your input for the city's $154.1 million in ARPA funding? The comment period ends Wed., Feb. 16. (Twitter)
• C shift crews with the Norfolk Fire Department were called to the HRBT this morning for a possible water rescue. Thankfully there were no injuries and all workers were accounted for. (Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Wednesday! I'll see you soon.

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.