WJPA News

Pennsylvania State Police issued a warning Friday afternoon to drivers about a local highway.  Troopers say they responded to multiple crashes on I-70 westbound near the Jefferson exit, according to Trooper Rocco Gagliardi, PSP public information officer.  Drivers were told to expect heavy traffic, delays and congestion throughout the day as crews work in the area.  The crash  happened between the Jessop Place and Chestnut Street exits on Interstate 70 westbound.  Washington County 911 says the westbound lanes were closed for several hours, along with the eastbound lanes.  The eastbound lanes were re-opened around three o’clock.  Traffic was a nightmare on the interstate and throughout the city of Washington.  Westbound traffic, at one point, was at a standstill all the way back to the Beau Street exit.  The westbound lanes were reopened around five p.m.  Authorities say the accident involved at least six vehicles and injured at least three.  Those three were taken by ambulance to area hospitals.  There was no word on the severity of the injuries or the individuals identity.

A man was arrested for parole violations at a property in Mount Pleasant Township on Wednesday, where authorities subsequently uncovered a four-story marijuana grow operation.  Dante Sunseri is on parole from Colorado for multiple felony offenses, including kidnapping and sexual assault. Law enforcement officers and Pennsylvania State Parole agents arrived at 260 Southview Road to arrest Sunseri.  While taking Sunseri into custody, officers observed him attempting to destroy evidence inside a barn structure on the property, according to police. A subsequent compliance check by parole agents revealed initial evidence of marijuana manufacturing and distribution.  Following the initial discovery, police obtained a search warrant. Law enforcement officers served the warrant at the property with assistance from Pennsylvania State Parole, the Pennsylvania State Police and the Washington County District Attorney’s Drug Task Force

One of the men implicated in a massive communication wire theft ring is in the Washington County Jail and facing more charges. Pennsylvania State Police say they talked to Donald Edward Martin III, 36 of Bulger, earlier this week and he said he had nothing to do with the crime. Police say in February and March of this year, Martin sold 568 pounds of copper that was once telecommunication wire to a scrap yard in Steubenville, Ohio for more than $2,100. On a tip, troopers went to 140 Hart Avenue in Washington to serve a felony warrant. They entered a detached garage, where Martin was found hiding in the rafters. He was taken into custody and arraigned. He and six others are set for an August 26 Preliminary Hearing. One suspect in the five-month investigation, Lee Fusarelli, 43, of Avella, remains at large. Police are asking anyone with information about his whereabouts to call them at 724-223-5200.  The State Police were assisted in the five-month investigation by the Washington County District Attorney, the Sheriff’s Department, and several municipal police departments.

The Canon McMillan School Board is looking forward to the new school year. The School Board is looking forward to a number of academic and construction projects that will take place this year. Superintendent Dr. Greg Taranto says that the Wylandville Elementary School project is progressing well. He spoke of an elementary school playground project as well. South Central Elementary is looking to have its outdoor space totally renovated. Taranto says that drainage issues are a problem and once the renovations are complete, the space will be available for year round activity. Academically, the district will implement its chromebook policy for students in kindergarten through second grade. Those students will be free of any electronic learning devices. Taranto says that in grade 3-12, electronics will be deemphasized and more teacher to student learning will take place. The High School To College program will also be enhanced to allow those students that choose college the opportunity to earn college credits while still in high school. Taranto also wanted to make sure parents are aware of the district’s motto of “Make every day count” and they are ready to make that happen. School starts on August 20, 2026.

If it is mid-August, the Washington County Agricultural Fair will be going on. This year the fair will have several attractions to compliment the traditional animal shows, baking contests and rides. According to Board Treasurer Joe McCloskey, a new addition to the popular rodeo event will be Women’s Bronc Riding.  The demolition derby will take on a new look with a figure 8 travel pattern as opposed to the traditional oval travel path. And, monster trucks will be brought back after a brief hiatus. Kids will be able to watch the always popular High School Marching Band presentation followed by the school bus demolition derby. Wayne Hunnell is the board secretary, and he says improvements to the fairgrounds continue. This year attendees will see upgraded bathrooms and an addition that was added on to building 1. A new fence borders the race track and three new flagpoles were added to the memorial plaza. Trolley travel to the fair will go on for the 115^th year. Jenine DeBor, Executive Director and CEO of the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum says that they will provide trolley service from the Eaton parking lot and museum parking lots to the fairgrounds for $5 per rider (kids 2 and under are free). Unlimited rides are available on day of purchase and that ticket entitles the rider to admission to the museum on the day of purchase. The fair kicks off on Saturday August 15 at 9:00 am and ends Saturday August 22. Admission is $15, tickets maybe purchased at the door or online.

NEW YORK (AP) — Luigi Mangione has pleaded guilty to federal stalking charges in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. He admitted to following Thompson to an investor conference in 2024 and shooting him on a New York City street. The 28-year-old Mangione acknowledged his actions Friday at a hastily scheduled hearing in Manhattan. His lawyers are now seeking to dismiss a separate New York state murder case on double jeopardy grounds. At sentencing, he could face life in prison. The case has become a fulcrum for debate about the healthcare industry and made Mangione a cause célèbre for some of its critics.  (Photo:  AP)

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s administration has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to allow the White House to resume construction on its $400 million ballroom project while it appeals a lower court’s order to halt the work. Trump’s solicitor general Friday petitioned the high court to suspend last week’s decision by a three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. The divided panel ruled last week Trump must stop the White House ballroom’s construction because Congress has not approved the project. The panel’s majority said Trump doesn’t have the unilateral authority to build a 90,000-square-foot ballroom where the White House’s East Wing stood before he ordered its demolition last fall.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pacific-based aircraft carrier USS George Washington has begun heading toward the Middle East as reports have emerged of mental health and supply issues aboard the long-deployed USS Abraham Lincoln. The Lincoln has been supporting the U.S. war against Iran, and its deployment has included a record-setting uninterrupted time at sea of more than 240 days. Several Democratic lawmakers are pressing the Pentagon for accountability over conditions aboard the carrier. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday said those were “completely misrepresented.” The Navy acknowledges that the war has created an environment “where traditional supply hubs in the Middle East were disrupted by combat actions.”

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A judge has dismissed Nevada’s fake electors case. Thursday’s decision marks the latest setback in swing states’ efforts to prosecute six Republicans who tried to keep Donald Trump in the White House after he lost to Joe Biden in 2020’s presidential election. The Nevada Attorney General’s Office plans to appeal. The six Republicans pleaded not guilty. They include Michael McDonald, the chair of the Nevada Republican Party, and Jesse Law, the former chair of the Clark County

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A company that operates a vast nationwide network of automated cameras that record the license plate numbers and other characteristics of all passing vehicles every day is making changes to its platform. The changes announced Thursday by Flock Safety are intended to quell privacy concerns and address documented abuses of its system by some members of law enforcement. They will make what were once optional guardrails mandatory by Jan. 1. Among them: All law enforcement customers will have to implement an audit tool that’s intended to flag abnormal search behavior. The company is increasingly under scrutiny from lawmakers from both parties, civil liberties advocates and citizens across the U.S.

NEW YORK (AP) — As summer fades and kids head back to school, the pressure to stand out or fit in with the right footwear is colliding with higher prices. The jump in price is straining family budgets that are already being squeezed by rising costs for food, gas and other essentials, so analysts and retailers say parents and kids are spending more time looking for deals or buying fewer pairs. Michelle Wlazlo, JCPenney’s brand chief executive officer, says families are being choosy when buying back-to-school shoes. Lisa Will, who runs the children’s outdoor footwear company Stonz Shoes, says customers are gravitating toward neutral-colored shoes that can be passed down to younger siblings.

HONOLULU (AP) — Forecasters say Tropical Storm Lala has formed in the Pacific Ocean and a hurricane warning has been issued for the Big Island of Hawaii. The National Hurricane Center says the storm could become a hurricane and bring rain to the Hawaiian Islands starting late Friday as well as high winds and dangerous surf. A hurricane warning is in effect for Hawaii County and a tropical storm watch is in place for Maui County including the islands of Maui, Lanai, Molokai and Kahoolawe. The Miami-based center said Thursday that Lala was about 530 miles east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaii, and about 740 miles east-southeast of Honolulu with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph while moving west-northwest.