WJPA News

Severe storms moved through the Washington County area Tuesday afternoon.  The storms, for the most part, did not cause a lot of damage, but there were reports of some flooded roadways.  Emergency responders though, did have a busy late afternoon, responding to accident calls.  In South Strabane township, multiple fire departments and the Washington County Department of Public Safety were called out after a tractor-trailer crash in the southbound lanes near the Racetrack Road exit.  Authorities say the truck went over a hillside and two of tires traveled into the northbound lanes.  Both lanes were shutdown for a short time.  There was no word on whether anyone was hurt.  Crews were also called out for reports of an an accident on Murtland Avenue near Budd Baer.  No details were available on that crash.  As for power outages, West Penn reported just a few, mostly in Amwell Township and service was expected to be back on before the end of the day.  Things are getting better though.  The remainder of the week promises to be sunny and pleasant with highs in the mid to upper 70’s.  (Photo courtesy of South Strabane)

Charleroi, PA – GA Group Real Estate (“GA Group”) announced on Tuesday that the former Corelle Glass facility in Charleroi is now for sale.  The waterfront property once served as an economic engine of Charleroi for over 130 years. Following its closure in 2025, several efforts were made by borough officials to work with the owners to keep it open or sell the property, but the plant closed, putting hundreds of people out of work.  The Corelle Brand is known globally for making Pyrex and the parent company of Anchor Hocking, a previous competitor, acquired the Charleroi plant. and then announced plans to move all glassmaking operations from Charleroi to its plant in Lancaster, Ohio. Chris Draper, Senior Vice President at GA Group, says the offering represents a formal call for offers on a premier heavy industrial riverfront property which features extensive glassmaking infrastructure, including glass melting furnaces, and a substantial 110,000 sq. ft. warehouse equipped with cold-storage capabilities and 25-foot clear heights.  Draper highlighted the facilities location, approximately thirty miles south of Pittsburgh with direct access to I-70, as an ideal logistics link to major eastern U.S. markets.  Draper says the deadline for all formal purchase offers is August 13th, 2026.  Charleroi Borough Manager Joe Manning says the borough is thrilled with the news that the plant is now for sale.  He say it could offer a new beginning for Charleroi with the addition of new jobs.

The former director of the Western Pennsylvania Youth Football League is due to be sentenced in October in Washington County Court after pleading guilty to charges related to the theft of hundreds of thousands of dollars from the organization over the past few years.  Fifty-seven-year-old William Spencer of Canton Township was charged with embezzling nearly a quarter-of-a-million dollars in league assets to personal accounts.  spencer was director of the Washington/Greene Youth Football League — now known as the Western Pennsylvania Youth Football League (WPYFL) — from 2013 until he resigned in March 2025. During that time, Spencer diverted league funds to his accounts to fund credit cards, bolster a retirement account, and make various purchases at Amazon, restaurants, and other retailers.  The Office of Attorney General’s Financial Crimes Section charged Spencer with felony and misdemeanor counts of theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property, and two misdemeanor counts of misapplication of entrusted property. In total, Spencer is accused of fraudulently writing 187 checks payable to himself from WPYFL’s accounts, totaling about $230,000, from January 4, 2020, through February 18, 2025.  Additionally, Spencer made direct payments totaling over $3,000 from WPYFL’s accounts to accounts in his and/or his wife’s name, without the knowledge or consent of WPYFL.

PennDOT has announced a scheduled closure of Brush Run Road (PA-331) between Oak Ridge Road (Rt. 4061) and PA-231 in Hopewell Township, Washington County beginning Monday, July 27 at 7 am. A posted detour will be in place until late October utilizing Oak Ridge Road, Buffalo Creek Road and PA-231. PennDOT Force Crews will perform slide repair work, dependent on weather and operational conditions.

After deciding to move forward with a plan to upgrade their football stadium in June, the Washington School Board heard a presentation from HHSDR Architects & Engineers Monday night. Representatives discussed where the new field house would be located, additional parking, and security lighting for the area. Board members looked at blueprints for the field house and made a decision on the design they prefer. Director Rhonda Barnes says that it is still early in the process, so they do not know exactly what the building will look like. President Amy Roberts explains that the board will receive estimates on that design, and they will ensure that it fits into their nearly  $10-million budget for the project. Barnes says that there is definitely a need for the new field house, but the board will be mindful of taxpayer money.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the U.S. war against Iran has cost $37.5 billion so far. Hegseth is facing questions and protests at a Senate hearing Tuesday over the U.S. war against Iran. Hegseth and other officials are appearing as Republicans push a $95 billion budget package to fund the military, along with aid to farmers and voting law changes that are top White House priorities. Their appearance comes after it was announced that three more American service members have died in the conflict, bringing the death toll to 17. The Pentagon also disclosed that more than 100 have been injured.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran has attacked a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, forcing its crew to abandon the ship. That came early Tuesday even as the United States conducted yet-another round of airstrikes targeting the Islamic Republic over control of the key waterway. The 10 nights of U.S. airstrikes haven’t compelled Tehran to ease its grip on the strait. A fifth of all crude oil and natural gas traded once passed through the strait in peacetime. Iran’s interior minister traveled to Pakistan, a key mediator in the conflict, for talks. However, it remains unclear just what new deal could be reached to end the fighting.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has pledged significant support for Lebanon during a White House meeting with Lebanese leader Joseph Aoun. The meeting on Tuesday aimed to promote long-term peace after months of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. After it concluded, Trump announced that he would allow the resumption of direct flights between the U.S. and Lebanon, suspended since 1985. Lebanon hopes that talks that are being mediated by Washington will lead to Israeli troop withdrawal from southern Lebanon and increased support for the Lebanese military. A framework agreement for peace between Lebanon and Israel is being tested, but confusion remains over troop withdrawals. The U.S. continues to endorse the Lebanese agreement.

CAIRO (AP) — The Israeli military is rapidly constructing a large earthen barrier in the Gaza Strip, further entrenching the division of the tiny Palestinian enclave. Satellite images show that more than 14 miles have been built in recent months. Israel’s military confirmed to The Associated Press that it is building a physical barrier. The berms roughly follow the so-called yellow line, a boundary set by the U.S.-backed ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. Palestinians fear the line could become a permanent border. The military says it has developed a “security zone” along the barrier, equipped with intelligence assets.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has imposed 50% tariffs on most Canadian goods, declaring that Canada has unfairly discriminated against American autos, alcohol and dairy products. The move, announced Monday, could unleash a new wave of economic chaos, with risks of higher inflation and further fraying of relations between two nations that had been closely woven together before Trump’s return to the White House. The administration official previewing the action said that Canada was one of the only nations other than China that retaliated against Trump’s previous tariffs and must be held accountable.

NEW YORK (AP) — The FBI says a former U.S. Army soldier started a fire and fired a pellet gun outside a New York building housing an immigration court and other government offices. Officials say suspect Andrew Arrabaca was taken into custody Monday. No charges have been announced yet against Arrabaca, and it was not immediately clear if he has a lawyer. New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Arrabaca had a sign affixed to a cart with him that read “ICE off our streets.” The building has become a focal point for demonstrations against the Trump administration’s immigration policies. Three people sustained minor injuries.

(AP) – ESPN is undergoing a significant round of layoffs for the first time in three years after taking over NFL Network in April. Chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in a memo to employees Tuesday morning, obtained by The Associated Press, that most moves are the result of ESPN’s acquisition of NFL Network and other league digital assets last year. While most of the layoffs affect production and behind-the-scenes personnel, some on-air talent were affected, including ESPN’s Ryan Clark and Karl Ravech as well as NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.