WJPA News

Greene County 911 tells WJPA news that crews are still on the scene of a fire in Mather. According to the Jefferson Volunteer Fire Company, crews battled the multi-family structure fire this morning in minus 14 degree temperatures. A number of volunteer fire and EMS departments are on the scene. The Salvation Army also reported to the scene to provide hot meals and beverages to support first responders. No word yet if there are any injuries or what might have caused the blaze. [Photo from Jefferson Volunteer Fire Department Facebook page.]

(AP) Punxsutawney Phil is set to deliver his annual weather forecast and predict either six more weeks of winter or an early spring. Tens of thousands are expected to be at Gobbler’s Knob in Pennsylvania for the event shortly after sunrise Monday. Last year, Phil predicted six more weeks of winter, his most common forecast. Groundhog Day gained national fame from the 1993 film starring Bill Murray. The event is a lighthearted tradition, with Phil’s handlers interpreting his “groundhogese.” Groundhog Day falls on Feb. 2, marking the midpoint between the winter solstice and spring equinox. [Associated Press photo]

After a marathon 13 days on the road, America250PA has concluded its Statewide Semiquincentennial County Kick-off Tour, in preparation for the 250th anniversary of the United States. From January 16-29, Executive Director Cassandra Coleman hosted official County Kick-off ceremonies that recognized local history, partnerships, and each county’s role in the Commonwealth’s commemoration. The tour reached 52 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties, with weather curtailing visits to 15 counties. The group hopes to reschedule those visits. The kick-off events highlighted America250PA’s statewide mission and signature initiatives while reinforcing a guiding principle of the Semiquincentennial: every county, every community, and every Pennsylvanian has a place in this once-in-a-generation anniversary.

One woman was injured in a two-car crash in South Strabane Township this morning. According to Washington County 911, the unidentified woman was suffering chest pains following the accident along Rt. 136 near Davis School around 5:30 this morning. She was transported to a nearby hospital and her condition is unknown. The scene was quickly cleared according to dispatchers.

Saturday morning, temperatures will remain bitterly cold as the Cold Weather Advisory continues until 11 this morning. Temperatures Saturday morning are below zero. Make sure to stay safe in the extreme cold. If you can’t stay indoors, limit your time outside, make sure to dress in warm layers and wear waterproof clothing. Cover exposed skin; wear a hat, mask and gloves. Keep pets indoors. Make sure to protect indoor pipes.  The City of Washington announced that there will be no trash pickup this week and service will resume Monday.  For those in need, Washington County has opened nearly two dozen warming centers.  For a complete listing, Click Here.

[PITTSBURGH] Bishop Mark Eckman of the Catholic Diocese is Pittsburgh is urging church goers to take heed this weekend for services. Eckman is reminding the faithtul to prioritize person health and safety when deciding on whether to attend Mass this weekend. The church encourages the obligation to attend mass is serious and important, this also includes circumstances such as dangerous weather conditions. The Diocese also says that some areas still have snow-covered streets icy parking lots and dangerously cold wind chills. Eckman says that that parishoners should be prudent when deciding to attend mass. If parishioners are unable to attend Mass in person, they are encouraged to sanctify the Lord’s day through prayer, reading Sacred Scripture or participating in livestreamed or televised Mass.

HARRISBURG — Attorney General Dave Sunday announced Friday that the former director of a southwestern Pennsylvania youth football league is charged with diverting nearly a quarter-of-a-million dollars in league assets to personal accounts.  William Spencer, 57, 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 this week with felony and misdemeanor counts of theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property, and two misdemeanor counts of misapplication of entrusted property. He is currently not in custody.  In total, Spencer is accused of fraudulently wroting 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.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump acted quickly to negotiate with Democratic senators on a deal to avert a government shutdown. It was a big change from his stance during last year’s record-long standoff, when he refused to budge for weeks during a shutdown. Trump’s urgency reflects a changed political landscape and mounting pressure on the Republican administration. Republicans are still dealing with the fallout from two recent fatal shootings by federal agent shootings in Minneapolis and from the 43-day shutdown last year. Some Republicans are frustrated by Trump’s deal with Democrats and are raising the possible of a prolonged shutdown fight when the House returns Monday to vote. [Associated Press photo]

NEW YORK (AP) — A huge new tranche of files on millionaire financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein released Friday revealed details of his communications with the wealthy and powerful, some not long before his death by suicide in 2019. Those include communications with a Trump adviser, an ex-Obama White House official, Elon Musk and the current commerce secretary. The Justice Department disclosed more than 3 million pages of documents, as well as thousands of videos and photos, as required by a law passed by Congress. Millions of files remain under wraps, however, drawing criticism from Democrats even as a top prosecutor says more records will be released.

QUETTA, Pakistan (AP) — Separatists from Pakistan’s Balochistan province have claimed responsibility for nearly a dozen coordinated attacks across southern Pakistan. The attacks targeted a high-security prison, police stations and paramilitary installations. At least 11 civilians, 10 security personnel and 67 insurgents were killed, authorities said. The Baloch Liberation Army claimed responsibility, releasing videos showing female fighters. The attacks began early Saturday and included the destruction of rail tracks, prompting train service suspensions. Authorities said nearly 100 militants have been killed across Balochistan over the past 48 hours. Balochistan has long been the site of an insurgency by separatist groups seeking independence from Pakistan’s central government. [Associated Press photo]

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli strikes in Gaza have killed at least 29 Palestinians, marking one of the highest tolls since the October ceasefire. Hospitals in Gaza reported strikes on an apartment building in Gaza City and a tent camp in Khan Younis on Saturday. An airstrike on a police station in Gaza City killed and wounded at least 14. The strikes are a reminder that the death toll in Gaza is still rising even as the ceasefire advances and came a day after Israel accused Hamas of new violations. They also came a day before the Rafah crossing is set to open, marking a significant step in the second phase of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire. [AP Photo]

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez has announced an amnesty bill that could lead to the release of hundreds of prisoners, including opposition leaders, journalists and human rights activists detained for political reasons. The measure had long been sought by the United States-backed opposition. It is the latest concession Rodríguez has made since taking the reins of the country on Jan. 3 after the brazen seizure of then-President Nicolás Maduro in a U.S. military attack in Venezuela’s capital, Caracas. Rodríguez told a gathering of justices, magistrates and others that the ruling party-controlled National Assembly would take up the bill with urgency.

GOMA, Congo (AP) — Rebel authorities in eastern Congo say at least 200 people were killed in a landslide at coltan mines. The collapse happened Wednesday due to heavy rains at the Rubaya mines, controlled by M23 rebels. Many victims remain buried in the mud. Several others were injured and taken to health facilities in Rubaya. The rebel-appointed governor has halted mining and ordered relocations near the site. Congo is a major supplier of coltan, a black metallic ore that contains the rare metal tantalum, a key component in the production of smartphones, computers and aircraft engines. Rubaya alone provides more than 15% of the world’s supply of the metal. Conflict in eastern Congo has created one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises with more than 7 million people displaced. [AP Photo]