WJPA News

A Peter’s Township High School senior was arrested Friday and charged with operating a criminal network involving “catfishing” and “sextortion.” 18-year-old Zachariah Meyers, who is reportedly president of the senior class and an athlete at the school, is accused of sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of more than twenty underage victims. Meyers appeared in front of a judge and was ordered held without bail, as the judge called Meyers a “danger to the community.” Online court records show Meyers is facing more than 300 felony charges. According to the criminal complaint, Peters Township police first became aware of the reported criminal network on December 5th. Officers say they interviewed thirty underage boys and identified at least twenty-one victims.  (Photo:  WPXI)

Emergency responders were called to a one-vehicle, rollover crash on Interstate 79 early Friday morning.  Washington County 911 says it happened around 3:45 a.m. near mile-marker 30 in Amity Township.  The vehicle reportedly ended up in the median and the driver refused transport to the hospital.

A Monessen School District employee had a gun at the elementary school on Thursday. That’s according to Superintendent Dr. Robert Motte. He said the weapon was secured by district police and school administration. The employee is licensed to carry a gun, officials said. “Please know that the safety and security of our students and staff remain our highest priority. We take all matters involving school safety seriously and respond swiftly to ensure a safe learning environment for everyone,” Motte said.

Washington County Commissioners unanimously approved their Opioid Settlement Review Committee. The seven member board is made up of addiction experts, law enforcement, education professionals and others. The committee was formed at the suggestion of the Pennsylvania Opioid Misuse And Abatement Trust after they flagged 17 programs as non-compliant or needing further review. Commissioner Chairman Nick Sherman says that all three commissioners worked on the formation of the committee. Commissioner Larry Maggi says that the committee is a step in the right direction to be more transparent with the nomination process. Both hope that it will avoid the upheaval of last year when those programs came under question. The County provided an update to the programs under question. The department of Human Services has submitted additional information to the review committee for the 9 programs deemed under further review. The county has also appealed 7 of the 8 programs deemed non-compliant. A hearing on those 7 programs will be held March 13.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Federal workers are restoring an exhibit on the people once enslaved by President George Washington in Philadelphia despite an ongoing legal fight between the city and the Trump administration. Mayor Cherelle Parker visited the site Thursday morning to thank the National Park Service workers reinstalling the panels. The work is set to continue Friday, the deadline set by a judge who ordered it restored. The exhibit details the lives of the nine people enslaved at the former President’s House on Independence Mall. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is appealing the judge’s ruling. A spokesperson says the office has no comment on the restoration work.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he’s imposing a temporary global tariff of 10% after his far-reaching tariff regimen was struck down by the Supreme Court. The court handed him a stinging loss on an issue crucial to his economic agenda. Trump says he’s “absolutely ashamed” of justices who voted to strike down his tariffs, calling the decision “deeply disappointing.” Friday’s 6-3 decision centers on tariffs he unilaterally imposed under an emergency powers law, including the sweeping “reciprocal” tariffs levied on nearly every other country. Trump has called the case one of the most important in U.S. history. The new tariffs would come under a law that restricts them to 150 days.

LONDON (AP) — Police have searched the former home of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, a day after the former prince was held in custody on suspicion of misconduct in public office. In another blow for the former Prince Andrew, the British government is considering formally removing him from the line of succession to the crown. His arrest is linked to his friendship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and marked one of the most tumultuous days in the modern history of Britain’s royal family. The former Prince Andrew is back at his new home on the Sandringham estate, King Charles III’s private retreat. Police have concluded their search there but are still searching Royal Lodge, his 30-room former home near Windsor Castle.

WASHINGTON (AP) – A key inflation gauge accelerated in December, a sign that many prices are still rising more quickly than most Americans would prefer – and faster than the Federal Reserve’s target of 2% a year. The figures show that inflation remains elevated, even as it has come down from a peak near 7% in 2022. With many prices still rising more quickly than they did before the pandemic, the report points to a key reason that many Americans remain unhappy with the economy, even as unemployment remains low and growth is solid.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Saudi Arabia could have some form of uranium enrichment within the kingdom under a proposed nuclear deal with the United States. That’s according to congressional documents and an arms control group. Both U.S. Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden tried to reach a nuclear deal with the kingdom to share American technology. Nonproliferation experts warn any spinning centrifuges within Saudi Arabia could open the door to a possible weapons program for the kingdom. The kingdom’s assertive crown prince has suggested he could pursue a nuclear weapon if Tehran obtains an atomic bomb.

(AP) – All truckers and bus drivers will have to take their commercial driver’s license tests in English as the Trump administration expands its aggressive campaign to improve safety in the industry and get unqualified drivers off the road. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the latest effort Friday to ensure that drivers understand English well enough to read road signs and communicate with law enforcement officers. Earlier this week, the Transportation Department said 557 driving schools should close because they failed to meet basic safety standards. The department has been aggressively going after states that handed out commercial driver’s licenses to immigrants who shouldn’t have qualified for them ever since a fatal crash in August.

Eric Dane, the actor known for “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Euphoria,” has died at 53 due to ALS. His representatives say he died on Thursday afternoon. His family says he spent his final days with loved ones. Dane rose to fame as Dr. Mark Sloan on “Grey’s Anatomy” and later played Cal Jacobs on “Euphoria.” He also starred on “The Last Ship,” where production paused as he battled depression. In April 2025, Dane shared his diagnosis of ALS, which is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. He later spoke publicly to push ALS awareness and research. He leaves two daughters with wife Rebecca Gayheart, who he married in 2004.