It Figures

30,000

The number of Florida homeowners who could end up as part of a class action suit against German drywall maker Knauf Gips KG and other manufacturers of Chinese drywall. The plaintiffs allege that the plasterboard is contaminated and is sickening U.S. homeowners. The suit was filed in federal court in Miami as a class-action and claims that up to 60,000 American homes could be affected. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is investigating complaints that Chinese-made drywall emits odors and causes appliance problems in homes.

9,000

The number of citations handed out to teen drivers by North Carolina Highway Patrol troopers during a campaign aimed at reducing the number of traffic accidents involving teenagers. Thirty-one drivers under age 21 were cited for driving while intoxicated, and more than 3,000 speeding violations were issued during Operation Drive to Live 2009. Troopers also issued 1,623 citations for seat belt violations, 35 drug violations and 13 citations for passing stopped school buses. Traffic collisions are the leading cause of teenage deaths in the state and nationally.

10

The number of stolen cars a new camera system that can check license plates in an instant has helped recover, according to the police chief in North Charleston, South Carolina. Chief Jon Zumalt said that the portable Automated License Plate Recognition System also recovered 14 stolen license plates since the city bought it for $24,000 in May.

$18 Million

The amount in policyholder refunds being paid by West Virginia’s BrickStreet Mutual Insurance Co. due to previous errors in its underwriting and rating rules. West Virginia Insurance Commissioner Jane L. Cline has ordered the insurer to refund the monies to more than 6,000 policyholders. The refunds include $3 million to approximately 300 state and local government entities.

$175,000

The salary plus director’s fees earned by Warren Buffett, chairman and chief executive of the Omaha, Neb.-based company. It’s the same amount he received a year earlier.