WJPA News

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Gaining freedom from the heat will be a challenge this Independence Day in the eastern U.S., and it’s already starting ahead of the holiday weekend. The National Weather Service says dangerous, record-breaking heat will continue across much of the central and eastern United States on Friday, including here in Washington County and will continue along the East Coast through the weekend. With humidity making it feel hotter than 100 degrees Fahrenheit, sweat will be dampening spirits at many celebrations marking 250 years of American independence. In Philadelphia, officials shortened the route of a Thursday morning parade, canceled an afternoon all-American Block Party, and pushed back the start times of an evening picnic and concert at Independence Mall.  Locally, the Main Street Farmer’s Market was cancelled on Thursday, but the festivities are on as scheduled in Canonsburg for Saturday, including the annual parade.  Meanwhile, cooling centers are open in our area.  For the complete list, click on this link: Click Here.

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Clarksburg, West Virginia man has admitted to making threats against President Donald Trump and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.  U.S. Attorney Matthew Harvey says 20-year-old Cody Lee Smith admitted to making threats to kill the President and to harm ICE agents. According to court statements, on January 17, 2026, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department reported that Smith had posted threats on social media, including threats to attack and kill ICE agents and President Trump. Homeland Security and ICE agents reviewed his Instagram posts and confirmed multiple threats against President Trump, his supporters, and federal law enforcement. That same day, Smith also sent a direct Instagram message to Donald J. Trump Jr. containing a sexually violent threat against President Trump. On January 18, 2026, Smith called the ICE tip line and threatened to kill ICE agents in Clarksburg, as well as the operator and the operator’s family.  Smith faces up to 5 years for the presidential threat charge and faces up to 10 years in federal prison for the threats against ICE. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Freedom Transit’s Washington Transit Center will be closed on Friday, July, 3 in observance of the Independence Day holiday. Fixed route and shared ride services will operate on a normal schedule that day. On July 4, fixed route services will not operate, but shared ride services will operate until 5:00 pm. To schedule shared ride services for July 3, July 4 and July 6, call 724-223-8747 by noon on July 2.

Pennsylvania American Water is asking customers to use water more efficiently. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 30% of Pennsylvania is experiencing abnormally dry conditions. The Pennsylvania DEP drought information website lists 15 counties under a drought watch. Fixing household leaks will help conserve water. Helpful hints to conserve water outdoors are; water plants early in the day or even at night, collect rainwater in barrels for use on plants, make sure sprinkler heads are not pointing to pavement and use a broom instead of a hose to clean driveways and sidewalks. More tips and resources are available at PAWC’s Wise Water Use page.

With temperatures in the 90s this week, Washington County residents are finding ways to beat the heat. DeAnna Martin, the Washington Park Director, says that the community pool has seen an uptick in attendance, even at the beginning of the week. Martin believes that the pool offers a place for the community to come together, cool off, and have fun. Doreen Diesel of South Franklin Township explains that her eight-year-old grandson loves to see his teammates and classmates at the pool throughout the summer. Star Ashman, who lives in Washington and goes to the pool frequently, says that it definitely keeps people cooled down, but it is still important to stay hydrated in the heat. People of all ages have been enjoying the pool. Thirteen-year-old Arilynne Gaydos says that even with a crowd, it is still a fun time! DeAnna Martin reminds the community to remember sunscreen and to stay safe in the heat.

HAMDEN, Ohio (AP) — The discovery of 16 children living in deplorable conditions in rural Ohio has left people wondering why the life-threatening squalor wasn’t detected earlier. Seven were taken to hospitals, including one who was in critical condition when rushed to care Tuesday. Windows and doors at the home in Hamden, about 60 miles from Columbus, have been boarded up. Four people who are the children’s parents and grandparents face child endangerment charges. Neighbor Josh Odell says he has a view of the backyard but never saw a child.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A former Olympian has been indicted on a felony charge for alleged vandalism of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. David Hearn is a former Olympic canoe racer who was indicted on a single count of property destruction in Washington, D.C. court. District of Columbia U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said he ripped up recently installed sealant and caused over $1,000 in damage. Hearn previously told The Associated Press that he reached into the pool to examine the newly peeled coating during a 64-mile bike ride. Trump has said federal authorities made “multiple arrests” of people he said were vandalizing the Reflecting Pool following a $16-million rehabilitation project he launched for the nation’s 250th anniversary.

PHOENIX (AP) — The United States is rapidly building what it calls a “smart wall” on the Mexico border, combining tall steel fencing with advanced technology like sensors and cameras. Critics argue this militarizes the border and impacts local communities. Customs and Border Protection says the technology helps free up agents for other tasks. Contracts for hundreds of miles of wall have been signed. The wall has been a top priority for Republican President Donald Trump, with $46 billion allocated for its completion. Critics warn of privacy concerns and environmental impacts. The project continues to face scrutiny over costs and oversight.

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia has launched a large-scale attack on Ukraine’s capital with missiles and drones that has killed at least 13 people and injured 86. Authorities said residential buildings and civilian infrastructure were damaged across the city from the attack overnight into Thursday. Rescue workers and equipment were deployed to handle the aftermath of the attack, and the toll may rise. Many residents took shelter at metro stations. Russia has intensified its attacks on Kyiv in recent weeks, even as Ukraine’s own long-range drone campaign against Russian military sites and energy facilities has caused fuel shortages and disrupted supply lines inside Russia. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called on Ukraine’s allies to strengthen the country’s air defenses.

New Jersey is set to charge companies whose workers have Medicaid health coverage. California’s lawmakers are calling on their state to lay out a plan for doing the same thing next year. It’s an idea that other states have considered this year as new federal policies mean fewer people have coverage and states have to foot more of the bill when they do. The affected companies oppose it. So do some liberal organizations, who fear that it will make it harder for lower-income people to get and keep jobs — and could discourage some from getting Medicaid coverage.

VATICAN CITY (AP) — The Vatican has responded aggressively to a traditionalist society that consecrated bishops without the pope’s consent. The Vatican on Thursday declared the Society of St. Pius X in schism, excommunicating its bishops and warning its faithful. The Vatican’s doctrine office went above and beyond the minimal sanctions foreseen by the church’s canon law to respond to the consecrations Wednesday of four new bishops at the society’s Econe, Switzerland, seminary. The Vatican has excommunicated the four new bishops and the two bishops that participated in the ceremony. It declared the consecrations a “schismatic act” and declared that the society itself had created a schism, or intentional rupture with the Catholic Church.

NEW YORK (AP) — Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding is set to begin at New York’s Madison Square Garden at 5 p.m. Friday. The event could last until 4 a.m. the next morning. A city permit obtained by The Associated Press confirms the details. The application for a “special event” was approved Wednesday night by New York City’s permitting office. Several people familiar with the matter have confirmed the permit is tied to the wedding. A pre-party celebration for 100 guests is planned for Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Swift’s representative has not responded to requests for comment.  (Photo:  AP)