Sunday, August 2, 2026

Local News

Motorcyclist Dead In Westmoreland County Crash

A man is dead after a motorcycle crash in Westmoreland County overnight.  According to Westmoreland County Coroner John Ackerman, the crash happened just before midnight Friday on Baughman Hollow Road, east of Pandora Way, in Hempfield Township.  Ackerman says a motorcycle driven by Rylie Hillegas, 24, of Greensburg, failed to negotiate a curb while traveling east on Baughman Hollow Road.  The motorcycle hit a guiderail, and Hillegas became separated from the bike.  Medics took Hillegas to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.  Ackerman says Hillegas was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.  The City of Jeannette and Pennsylvania State Police are investigating.

Family Of Murdered Pregnant Clairton Woman Mourns Loss

McKEESPORT, Pa. — (WPXI)  A day that was supposed to celebrate new life instead became a day of mourning.  Family and friends gathered Saturday at a McKeesport cemetery to remember 18-year-old Ja’el Torres and her unborn daughter on what should have been Torres’ baby shower.  “Today was supposed to be her baby shower, and we are here,” her mother, Rakell Greene, said. “We shouldn’t be.”  Instead of gifts and celebration, loved ones released balloons and lanterns while honoring the mother-to-be.  Allegheny County police said Torres was shot and killed July 13 at an apartment building in Clairton.  A man was also shot and survived.  She was eight months pregnant, due in August.  Torres’ unborn child did not survive the shooting.  Torres was going to name her Jae’lani.

State Police Want A Stop To Running Over Stop Signs

Someone is running over stop signs in Fayette County. And now, Pennsylvania State Police need help finding out who is doing it.  Over the last two weeks, troopers say eight stop signs were intentionally run over and destroyed in Franklin and Jefferson townships.  State police say the missing signs create a safety hazard for everyone.  “It is a big deal. It is a safety hazard. And we don’t want to see anyone get hurt as a result of someone’s shenanigans,” PennDOT District Executive Rachel Duda said.  PennDOT and PSP say when a stop sign is missing, the likelihood of crashes increases.  There is a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about stop sign vandalism can contact the PSP barracks in Belle Vernon at 724-929-6262.  If you see a missing or damaged stop sign, call 911

World News

Trump Says Mideast Allies Reach Deal To End War

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump says he will order American forces to hold off on strikes he had threatened against Iran, claiming Mideast allies had reached the parameters of a deal to end the war. Trump said in a Saturday evening social media post that for now he will halt new strikes in the 5-month old war. A day earlier, he had threatened more strikes on Iran as the U.S. pushes to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The announcement came after a call he had with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Trump said Israel had agreed to try to help complete the agreement. Iran’s defense minister said on X that the country was “neither surprised nor passive” at Trump’s announcement.

Idaho Fast Food Shooting Leaves Three Dead

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A Twin Falls city spokesman says that three people were killed and seven more were injured, some critically, in a shooting at an In-N-Out Burger restaurant in southern Idaho on Saturday afternoon. Police who responded to the shooting found the body of the suspected gunman in an area near the restaurant, Twin Falls city public information officer Josh Palmer said, and he did not know if the suspect was included in the fatality count. Officials were still working on notifying the family members of victims and so were not yet releasing the names, ages or other details about the people hurt in the shooting, Palmer said

Europe’s Wildfire Crisis Grows

LACANAU, France (AP) — Europe is grappling with a wildfire crisis. Greece has ordered fresh evacuations around Athens as gale-force winds drive flames deeper into western Attica. This region includes the capital and is facing severe threats. Meanwhile, France is guarding a massive fire four times the size of Paris. Although contained, it still burns across 420 square kilometers. Thousands remain displaced. In Spain, major fires are no longer advancing. The crisis highlights Europe’s vulnerability to climate change, with higher temperatures and prolonged droughts making conditions worse. Firefighters and emergency services are stretched thin across these simultaneous disasters.