Names and faces

Harrison Ford’s accident on the set of Star Wars: The Force Awakens is coming back to wreak havoc on Foodles Production, a British subsidiary of the Walt Disney Co. In 2014, Ford suffered a broken leg on a set at Pinewood Studio near London after being struck by a hydraulic door aboard his character Han Solo’s famed ship, the Millennium Falcon. The accident caused the actor, who was 71 at the time, to be airlifted from Buckinghamshire to Oxford to undergo surgery. It also stopped work on the film for about two weeks. On Thursday, the British Health and Safety Executive announced it would prosecute Foodles Production on four charges of violating workplace health and safety laws. “By law, employers must take reasonable steps to protect workers. This is as true on a film set as a factory floor,” the agency said in a statement. “We have investigated thoroughly and believe that we have sufficient evidence to bring the case to court.” A spokesman for Foodles Production told the BBC: “Cast and crew safety is always a top priority. We provided full co-operation during HSE’s investigation into the on-set accident that occurred in June 2014 and are disappointed in HSE’s decision.” As for Ford, he told the Los Angeles Times in a December interview that returning to the role he first played 40 years ago was a comfortable fit before saying, “That was the first day.” On “the second day, they closed the [expletive] door on me. Then, not so much,” he said, ending with a laugh. The Force Awakens, the seventh installment in the saga, has earned more than $2 billion at the worldwide box office since its release two months ago.

Musician Sheryl Crow surprised teachers at her former southeast Missouri high school with a $21,600 donation. The nine-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter said she was “adopting” all the teachers at Kennett High School through AdoptAClassroom.org by providing them each with a $600 donation for classroom supplies. Founded in 1998, AdoptAClassroom.org works to provide teachers with classroom materials. It has raised more than $24 million and helped more than 5 million students, according to its website. The Southeast Missourian reports that Crow made the announcement during an all-school assembly featured on the Today show’s “Show Heart Today” series earlier this week. Farmers Insurance provided the financial backing as part of its Thank America’s Teachers program. Crow once was a teacher in St. Louis. “I know firsthand how much hard work goes into being a teacher, but I also know how big of an impact teachers have on the lives and futures of their students,” Crow said.

Crow

Ford