WJPA News

Work at the Courthouse Square demolition site on Beau Street in Washington is on hold after an excavator tipped over into a hole.  It happened just after nine-thirty Tuesday morning. Washington County officials say the operator of the machine was able to get out without injury and was never trapped inside. The individual was evaluated on the scene by medics but was not taken to the hospital. County officials say they turned over the Courthouse Square site to ADAMO Construction on Monday. They have requested a public safety incident report from the general contractor, including information about the operator and his condition, as well as the company he was employed by.

PITTSBURGH — Authorities are trying to find the source of antisemitic messages and a threat toward the mayor of Pittsburgh broadcast over emergency communication channels. A Pittsburgh Public Safety spokesperson confirmed Nazi music and antisemitic messages started broadcasting at around 2 p.m. Monday. The messages started back up again on Tuesday morning, on the same channel, according to Allegheny County. Our news partners at Channel 11 listened to the recorded audio files from Monday night and heard Nazi-related songs, messages praising Hitler and a threat toward “the mayor of Pittsburgh.” Officials clarified that the system was not hacked, but that an unknown user was able to access the analog radio system and transmit the messages. County officials said the transmissions are from an unidentified radio user who is not using a county or city registered radio. Allegheny County Emergency Service immediately started an investigation and requested the assistance of Allegheny County Police and the FCC.

City Mission says it is planning to close its Monongahela Thrift Store, located at thrift store at 211 West Main Street.  The store will officially conclude operations on Saturday, March 14th.  Officials say their decision is part of a strategic initiative to optimize the Mission’s resources and prioritize the life-changing ministry that the stores exist to support. By consolidating retail efforts into its five other regional locations, they say City Mission is ensuring that every resource is used as effectively as possible to provide food, medical care, and safe housing for neighbors in crisis.  Remaining the best possible stewards of community support is City Mission’s first priority. This transition ensures the organization remains financially strong and fully focused on its core programs. While City Mission has valued its time in Monongahela, this shift is essential for the long-term health and sustainability of the ministry.  City Mission officials say they are incredibly grateful for the support shown by the Monongahela community over the years and looks forward to continuing those relationships at its five nearby locations: North Strabane, Canonsburg, Washington, Waynesburg, and Uniontown.

PITTSBURGH — Kennywood and Sandcastle Water Park are hiring more than 2,000 employees ahead of the 2026 season. The parks will host a dual job fair on March 7 at Kennywood to recruit for various positions across both properties. Kennywood is seeking more than 1,500 hosts to join its staff for the upcoming year. Sandcastle Water Park is currently hiring more than 500 team members for its summer operations. The hiring event will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet current staff, learn about open roles and participate in on-the-spot interviews. Starting pay for park employees is up to $15 per hour. Job opportunities are available across all park departments, including ride operations, security and lifeguards. Other open positions include roles in food and beverage, park services and admissions.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A top Sri Lankan official says 32 people have been rescued from a sinking Iranian naval ship off Sri Lanka’s southern coast and have been admitted to a hospital. Dr. Anil Jasinghe, a top health ministry official, said on Wednesday that one of them is in critical condition, seven are receiving emergency treatment and others are treated for minor injuries. Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath told Parliament that Sri Lanka’s navy received information that the ship Iris Dena with 180 onboard was under distress, and that the island nation sent ships and air force planes on a rescue mission. There were no immediate details as to how the sailors were wounded and how the ship was damaged.

NEW YORK (AP) — The average price for a gallon of gasoline jumped 11 cents overnight in the U.S. And drivers in Europe waited in line to fill their tanks with fuel. This happened as war engulfed the Middle East and shipments of oil and gas were stranded in the Persian Gulf. Gasoline prices are rising as oil prices soar to levels not seen in more than a year. The spikes are happening after the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran and Iran launched a series of retaliatory attacks, including a drone strike on the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia.

MADRID (AP) — Spain’s prime minister says Spain rejects the U.S. and Israel’s attacks on Iran, even after Washington threatened trade punishment in response. Pedro Sánchez has replied to a warning that President Donald Trump made Tuesday. Sánchez’s government has said Spain will not allow the U.S. to use joint bases in the European Union country in attacks on Iran. He says the war risks “playing Russian roulette” with millions of lives. Sánchez has called the U.S and Israel’s actions in Iran unjustifiable.

DALLAS (AP) — State Rep. James Talarico topped Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett in Texas’ closely watched Democratic Senate primary. He’ll face the winner of a May runoff for the Republican nomination between Texas Sen. John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton. Cornyn and Paxton were the top finishers in a three-way contest Tuesday with Rep. Wesley Hunt. No GOP candidate hit the 50% vote threshold needed to win outright. Texas, along with North Carolina and Arkansas, on Tuesday kicked off midterm elections with control of Congress at stake and against the backdrop of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran.

A rule change for primary voting in two Texas counties led to mass voter confusion that eventually led to a state supreme court ruling, threats of more legal action and the potential that an untold number of voters could find themselves disenfranchised. An unknown number of voters in the counties were turned away Tuesday and directed to different precincts after the recent change in how the primary is conducted. Voters had been allowed to cast their ballot anywhere in their county since 2019. But for Tuesday’s primary, the Republican parties in Dallas and Williamson counties opted against countywide voting. That meant voters could cast ballots only at their assigned precinct, but many weren’t aware of the change.