5 Things, August 30: Muffler Company Fined After Hydraulic Lift Issue at Stoughton Shop

"Five Things you Need to Know Today" is a Patch column that provides readers with essential, daily information at a glance.

1. Following Hydraulic Lift Issue at Stoughton Shop, Monro Muffler Settles with U.S. Labor Department

The following is from a U.S. Department of Labor/OSHA Regional News Release:

In September 2011, the U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited Monro Muffler Brake Inc.'s Stoughton location for improperly inspecting and maintaining hydraulic lifts, as well as other hazards, following an April 2011 incident in which a lift failure caused a car to fall to the ground.

As a result, Monro Muffler Brake Inc., which operates a chain of more than 800 stores that provide automotive repair and tire services throughout the eastern United States, including one in the Stoughton BJ's at 901 Technology Center Dr., has reached an enterprise-wide settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor in which it will institute procedures to protect its workers against being crushed or struck by automotive hydraulic lifts.

Monro also will pay a fine of $12,500 for the violations identified at the Stoughton location.

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2. Chat Live with Congressional Candidates on Stoughton Patch

Republicans Matt Temperley and Joseph Selvaggi will face off in the September 6 primary election to challenge incumbent U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch, a Democrat, in the 8th Congressional District.

Prior to the September 6 primary, take the chance to chat live with Temperley and Selvaggi right here on Stoughton Patch.

Temperley will be chatting on Thursday, August 30 from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m.,  while Selvaggi will be chatting on Tuesday, September 4 from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m.

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3. Teen Drivers to Get Crash Course on Distracted Driving This Week

Teenage drivers are getting a first-hand look at just how dangerous it is to text and drive, with The Arbella Insurance Foundation's .

Hardy Insurance Agency has brought the state-of-the-art tour to Stoughton this week, August 27-31.

Distractology 101 is an interactive program developed by the Arbella Insurance Foundation to teach new drivers the dangers of distracted driving. The campaign features a 36-foot-long, neon-yellow mobile classroom outfitted with high-tech driving simulators designed to give new drivers the chance to experience the perils of distracted driving, including texting while driving.

The mobile classroom will be set up at Hardy Insurance Agency, located at 31 Tosca Drive in Stoughton. The tour will be available from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday - Thursday and from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Friday. Call 781-341-8300 to make an appointment and see if there are slots still available.

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4. Thursday is Food Pantry Day in Stoughton

Stoughton resident Peg Carbone continues her effort to curb hunger in Stoughton, personally picking up donations for the food pantries every Thursday.

Here's a note from Peg: "I pick up non perishable food and also household items every Thursday, anywhere in Stoughton and deliver them to the food pantry. Please tell your friends and neighbors. One item, one bag or several, and I will pick them up every Thursday."

Haven't called to arrange a pickup? It's not too late. Call Peg at 508-889-1385 or send an email to peg.carbone@comcast.net.

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