WJPA News

Washington County Commissioners acted as planned and voted to withhold hotel tax revenues from the Washington County Tourism Promotion Agency. The vote was 2-1 with Commissioner Larry Maggi dissenting. Prior to the vote, Maggi asked that the measure be tabled in order to consider a letter received by commissioners from the WCTPA in the last 24 hours. Commissioner Chairman Nick Sherman expressed that he was frustrated by not getting the information that he has been asking for, above and beyond a standard accounting audit. He forcefully denied the request and called for a vote. Sherman says that the commissioners are able to withhold the funds based on county code. WCTPA president Jeff Kotula says that they have provided their audit and any information above that will not be recognized as a standard accounting audit and any withholding of funds by the commissioners and by the county treasurer would be illegal based on county code. In a written statement from the WCTPA that included a letter from Sherman to the WCTPA Sherman states that he wants the county to have a more active role in tourism spending and the appointment of decision makers on how hotel tax money is spent. According to Commissioner Larry Maggi, that goes against the reasoning that the County appointed the Washington County Chamber of Commerce and the WCTPA to conduct tourism activities on behalf of the County. It is unknown if any further communication between the parties will take place before funds are withheld.

Updated 2026-2027 COVID vaccines are available, but it seems as though less people are willing to get the shot. Dr. William Sharpnack, a family physician in Washington, believes this could be for several reasons, including COVID being less severe than it used to be, general apprehension of vaccines, and the fact that many people do not like seasonal shots. Sharpnack says it is still important to get the vaccine, and it is more important depending on a person’s risk factors. He says those with certain chronic illnesses, like asthma, cancer, and diabetes, children younger than two, and people older than 65 should all get vaccinated. Sharpnack says there is no question that COVID vaccines are safe.  (Photo:  AP)

Nearly 1,000 Duquesne Light Company workers went on strike at midnight. Members of Local 29 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers walked off the job following failed contract negotiations.  The union is seeking management solutions for safety, staffing, equipment and working conditions. A representative stated that the union had not received a proposal from the company after presenting its last full offer Tuesday night.  Striking workers have established continuous picket lines at company facilities. Union members are rotating on six-hour shifts to maintain a 24-hour presence every day. Tension occurred at facility gates as trucks from Indiana arrived at the property. Duquesne Light brought in out-of-state, non-union workers to fill operational gaps left by striking personnel.  (Photo:  WPXI)

Crews are on the scene of a water main break in North Franklin Township.  Washington County 911 dispatchers say it happened around 3:15 a.m. in the 400-block of Franklin Farms Road.  Video from the scene initially showed water spraying directly on the front of a home.  Dispatchers tell WJPA News that three homes were flooded.  Crews from Pennsylvania American Water are on the scene.   As of 7:30 a.m,  Pennsylvania American Water spokesman Brent Robinson tells us it was a 16-inch main that ruptured.   25 customers are impacted and repairs are expected to take six-to-eight hours.

In Hanover Township, there have been five hearings for a conditional use application towards a proposed data center at Starpointe Business Park. Prime Data Centers, LLC is proposing the development, which would consist of seven buildings and a power generation facility. Residents have heard from multiple witnesses for Prime. During Wednesday night’s hearing, witnesses discussed physical characteristics of Starpointe Business Park. Kate Nolan Bryden, the senior vice president of development, hopes all of the witnesses addressed residents’ concerns. If the conditional use application is approved, Prime would like to host an open house for residents to learn more about the development. One resident, Mark Dumbovich, says he is unsure if he supports the data center or not, and he wants to hear from more witnesses. Another resident, Cathy Glandon, says that she is still concerned about noise pollution and how it could affect her health. Solicitor Dennis Makel announced that the hearing will continue October 7, 12, and 28 at 6:00 PM at the Hanover Township Fire Department Hall.

Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt held his 4th election update briefing on Wednesday, instead of the usual Tuesday. This week he noted that no part of any voting system used in Pennsylvania is ever connected to or permitted on in internet facing network. He said through bipartisan efforts, law enforcement partners, including the Pennsylvania State Police, and other state agencies are working together to ensure that they are prepared for any developments on, or even after, election day. He added, “to keep our voting infrastructure secure, the department relies on a number of cybersecurity layers such as 24/7 network monitoring firewalls and encryption.” He also addressed the topic of voter intimidation by commenting, according to the Pennsylvania election code, unless they are voting, serving a warrant or preventing disturbances, police officers and military personnel are prohibited being within 100 feet of a polling place. He added that requests for mail-in ballots are much higher during this cycle than the most recent midterm general election in 2022. More than one million voters have asked for mail-in ballots, and 30 counties have started to fulfill those requests. The deadline to register to vote in Pennsylvania is October 19; the deadline to apply for a mail ballot is October 27^th and ballots must be returned by 8 p.m. on election day, Tuesday, November 3.

(AP) – A medical helicopter crash off Catalina Island near Los Angeles has killed two people and hospitalized two. Authorities on Thursday morning continued searching for a fifth person who was also aboard the helicopter. First responders were called to the crash shortly before 8 p.m. Wednesday. Coast Guard Capt. Stacey Crecy says the helicopter was transporting a patient off the island and went down shortly after takeoff. The two survivors were brought to mainland hospitals in stable condition. Authorities say the helicopter is submerged in 240 feet of water off Catalina, which is about 22 miles off the mainland. It’s not clear what caused the accident. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Renee Good’s family has sued the U.S. government and several immigration officials, alleging wrongful death, conspiracy and other violations in the 37-year-old woman’s killing by an immigration officer during a federal crackdown in Minnesota. The two lawsuits were filed by Good’s partner, Becca Good, and Renee’s brother Brent Ganger. Renee Good, a mother of three, was fatally shot Jan. 7 as protests against immigration raids flared across Minneapolis.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A new AP-NORC poll finds that most Americans blame President Donald Trump for persistently high prices, while only about 2 in 10 approve of his handling of the cost of living. As midterm elections approach, the poll signals growing weariness over the Republican president’s aggressive use of tariffs, continued unhappiness with the war in Iran, and broad disappointment with his failure to deliver on the economic relief he promised on the campaign trail two years ago. Even most Republicans disapprove of Trump’s handling of the cost of living, an increase from the spring, although they’re less willing to hold his policies responsible.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee officials have been unable to put Christa Gail Pike to death for a 1995 murder after administering two doses of a lethal drug. A death penalty expert said it was an unprecedented failure. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee late Wednesday halted the remaining scheduled execution for the rest of the year and ordered an outside investigation. Pike’s attorneys say she was alive and loudly snoring after the attempted lethal injection and taken by ambulance from the prison. Her attorneys said in court filings that officials gave Pike two doses of pentobarbital. The Tennessee Department of Correction says they followed every step of the state’s execution protocol.

JERUSALEM (AP) — Investigators across the region are trying to learn why an Omani copilot stabbed his captain on a FlyDubai flight to Israel. The plane, carrying 174 people, made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after descending so sharply in the chaos that its rudder tore off. Passengers described how the bloodied Indian captain opened the cockpit door, allowing them to subdue the attacker and stabilize the plane. Officials say the copilot is arrested, and the captain is reportedly in stable condition. FlyDubai has suspended flights to and from Israel after the attack came at a sensitive time there.

QUANTICO, Va. (AP) — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is announcing some major changes to the U.S. military in what he calls his “State of the Force” address. They include establishing a new drone command and cutting 20% of the nation’s generals and admirals. He says the Pentagon will launch an effort to study the future of warfare that will be led in part by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich. Hegseth also says the Defense Department will create an Office of Religious Affairs and plans to build a new base for the first time in 40 years. He made the announcements Wednesday when speaking to junior officers and enlisted leaders at the Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia.