WJPA News

A Washington County advocate has announced her bid for the Democratic nomination in the 48th Legislative District.  Rebecca MacTaggart is a longtime resident of South Strabane Township.  She says she is “running on a platform of fair school funding, affordable healthcare, economic opportunity for working families and small businesses, and being intentional about preparing the region for the many changes that are coming at an ever-increasing pace”. Most of MacTaggart’s professional career has been spent in direct, hands-on work supporting individuals with disabilities and behavioral health needs.  At Community Living and Support Services she continues this work as a “state-certified” counselor and “helps individuals to maintain their independence in regard to housing, transportation and other necessities”.  She also is a “certified investigator” into cases of “abuse, neglect, financial exploitation and rights violations”. She is stressing “a real and lasting plan for school funding” and address “wage stagnation and the rising cost of living”.  Republican Tim O’Neal currently holds the seat in the 48th Legislative District.  (PHOTO; Rebecca MacTaggart for PA)

A Washington man is last reported in the Washington County Jail on $10,000 bond after his arrest following a drug bust last week in the City.  Washington County District Attorney Jason Walsh says 38 year old Carl Frey is charged with a firearms violation.  A search warrant was served Friday at 600 Penn Avenue with the assistance of Washington Regional SWAT, the District Attorney’s Drug Task Force and Washington City Police.  Walsh says it was the result of a months-long investigation.  Authorities seized a half-kilogram of Methamphetamine and a semi-automatic pistol. Additional narcotics related charges are pending against others as the investigation by Task Force Detectives continues.

A rollover crash Monday night In Chartiers Township injured three people including two small children.  Washington County 911 tells us it was a single-vehicle crash in the 2000-block of N. Main Street.  Dispatchers say a woman and the two children were all transported by ambulance.  We have no information on their identities or conditions.  Meanwhile,  one person was transported from the scene of a crash in the 2000-block of West Pike Street around 2 a.m Tuesday.  Dispatchers say the vehicle took out a utility pole and traffic is restricted in the area as West Penn Power crews make repairs.

Gas prices are six cents lower this week here in Western Pennsylvania.  AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report puts the average at $3.24 per gallon.  Gas prices have risen slightly over the past week across the country as winter continues.  The national average is up two cents from last week to $2.92.  Current prices remain below what they were this time last year when the national average was $3.16. According to data from the Energy Information Administration, gasoline demand increased last week from 8.15 million barrels per day to 8.30 million.  Total domestic gasoline supply increased from 257.9 million barrels to 259.1 million.  Gasoline production increased last week, averaging 9.1 million barrels per day.

A federal judge has ordered an exhibit about nine people enslaved by George Washington to be restored at his former home in Philadelphia after President Donald Trump’s administration took it down last month. The order came on Presidents Day, the federal holiday honoring Washington’s legacy. The city of Philadelphia sued last month after the National Park Service removed the panels from Independence National Historical Park. The removal followed a Trump executive order on “restoring truth and sanity to American history” at the nation’s museums, parks and landmarks. U.S. District Judge Cynthia Rufe said all materials must be restored while a lawsuit challenging the removal’s legality plays out.

CHICAGO (AP) — The Rev. Jesse L. Jackson has died. He was 84. Jackson was a protege of the Rev. Martin Luther King and became a leader of the Civil Rights Movement for decades after King was assassinated in 1968. A two-time presidential candidate, Jackson led a lifetime of political crusades, advocating for the poor and underrepresented on issues from voting rights and job opportunities to education and health care. He scored diplomatic victories with world leaders and channeled cries for Black pride and self-determination into corporate boardrooms, using his Rainbow/PUSH Coalition to pressure executives to make America a more open and equitable society.

PAWTUCKET, R.I. (AP) — Authorities say a shooting during a Rhode Island youth hockey game has left three people dead, including the shooter. Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves said Monday night that three more victims remained hospitalized in critical condition. Authorities say they believe the shooting was a targeted attack stemming from a family dispute. The shooting occurred at Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, a few miles outside Providence. Goncalves says someone had helped end the violent scene Monday afternoon by intervening and trying to subdue the shooter, who was at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena to watch a family member’s game.

Investigators working on the disappearance of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie’s mother are consulting with Walmart management to develop leads. That’s because a backpack the suspect was wearing is sold exclusively at Walmart stores. Chris Nanos, the sheriff of Pima County, Arizona, told The Associated Press in a text message on Monday that the suspect’s “Ozark Trail Hiker Pack” is the only clothing item that has been “definitively identified.” Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her Arizona home on Jan. 31 and was reported missing the following day. The Federal Bureau of Investigation released surveillance videos of a masked person wearing a handgun holster outside Guthrie’s front door the night she vanished.

The trial has started for a man whose teenage son is accused of killing two students and two teachers at a Georgia high school in 2024. Lawyers gave opening statements Monday in the case against Colin Gray. Prosecutors say Gray gave his son, Colt, access to a gun and ammunition despite warning signs. They link that decision to the four deaths at Apalachee High School. Investigators say the 14-year-old planned the attack and brought a rifle in his backpack. Gray’s attorney says his client wasn’t told about the planning and timing of the shooting and shouldn’t be held criminally responsible The trial is being held in Winder, where the shooting happened, with jurors from nearby Hall County.

GENEVA (AP) — The U.S. and Iran are expected to hold a second round of talks in Geneva about Iran’s nuclear program as tensions rise in the region. The session, planned for Tuesday, comes after a first round of indirect talks held in Oman earlier in the month. They are being held as the U.S. ramps up its military presence in the region amid threats by President Donald Trump to use force to push a deal. Iran also began major Revolutionary Guard naval drills near key oil shipping routes. Still, both sides are signaling they are willing to reach a deal, which Iran says must include easing U.S.-led sanctions.