WJPA News

The Washington School Board has decided to move forward with a plan to upgrade the football stadium at a cost of nearly ten-million-dollars.  At their meeting on Tuesday, board members chose a plan, out of several options, that would involve demolishing the old field house and building a new one on the southwestern side of the field, beyond the end zone.  In its place will be sixty new parking spaces.  The plan also calls for replacing the current track and football field in order to bring it up to current athletic conference standards.  Construction is expected to start in March of next year.  Funding for the upgrade will come from the district’s capital reserve balance.

A Western Pennsylvania man was among the twelve people killed when a plane carrying a pilot and 11 skydivers crashed in western Missouri on Sunday.  The fiery crash happened shortly after the plane took off from Butler Memorial Airport, about 65 miles south of Kansas City, around 11:30 a.m. Officials said during a news conference that the turboprop aircraft was unable to get to full power.  Kurt John Roy, 69, of Winder, Somerset County, was among those killed, according to the Bate’s County Coroner Jerret J Reno.  The coroner’s office said it continues to work with local, state and federal agencies to investigate the crash.

North Strabane Township Supervisors will be looking at two agenda items that concern land development and sale during their voting meeting next week. One item will be a decision on the Hidden Acres development. Developers will be applying for a conditional use application for a Conservation Subdivision that will look to have 159 homes built. The development would be located along Christy Road in an A-2 zoning district. Supervisors will also consider a bid to sell surplus township land. A 73 acre tract located adjacent to the fire station in Eighty Four is being sold. Currently Morganza Development, LLC has offered $1 million for the property. Additionally, Supervisors will look to promote a captain in the Fire Department. The voting meeting will be held on June 23 at 7:00 pm.

City Mission has announced the appointment of Jim Johnston to serve as their new Director of Development.  In a release, officials say he “brings decades of leadership experience and a proven record of cultivating relationships, advancing organizational growth, and leading mission-driven initiatives. Throughout his career, he has been recognized for his commitment to servant leadership, team development, and fostering cultures built on collaboration, trust, and shared purpose. His leadership philosophy centers on empowering people, strengthening partnerships, and helping organizations achieve their fullest potential”. The appointment became effective June 4.

HARRISBURG – Municipalities in the 50th Legislative District will receive more than $11.2 million in Marcellus Shale impact fees. In addition to the municipal funding, Greene County will receive close to $5.5 million and Washington County will receive more than $7.8 million from the impact fees.  “We have an abundant amount energy under out feet,” Representative Bud Cook said. “We’ve advocated for unleashing the energy potential of our region, and this impact fee money demonstrates how responsible natural gas development continues to benefit our communities.” Under Act 13 of 2012, impact fees are collected from the drilling companies with 60% returned to counties and municipalities affected by drilling. The rest of the money goes into a Marcellus Shale Legacy Fund, a portion of which is provided to counties. The remaining funds are used by the state for emergency response planning, training and other activities; water, storm water, and sewer system construction and repair; infrastructure maintenance and repair; as well as statewide environmental initiatives.

As part of its Law Day and America 250 programming, the Washington County Bar Association and the Washington County Bar Foundation held a Jeffersonian Dinner in the Rossin Ballroom at Washington & Jefferson College Tuesday night. This public event encouraged attendees to discuss their dreams for the future of America. Kathy Sabol, the Executive Director of the Washington County Bar Association, hoped that the event would allow for unique perspectives and respectful conversations. Special guest Thomas Jefferson, portrayed by Steven Edenbo, wrapped up the dinner with a discussion of America’s formation 250 years ago. While helping the attendees to better understand America’s political landscape today, Jefferson urged them to welcome different opinions and to avoid seeing those who vote differently as enemies.

MIAMI (AP) — Tropical Storm Arthur is the first of the Atlantic season and threatens the southern United States with dangerous flash flooding. The National Hurricane Center announced the storm Wednesday and said Arthur would skirt over the Gulf Coast with heavy rain through Friday. The storm loomed over a World Cup match in Houston between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It also formed amid days of heavy rain that has been drenching southern Texas. Authorities near Houston said a teenager appears to have drowned in a retention pond Tuesday following a period of heavy rain earlier in the week.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve kept its key rate unchanged Wednesday yet nearly half the central bank’s policymakers said they could support a rate hike later this year, an unexpectedly aggressive outcome that would disappoint President Trump and suggests heightened concerns about persistent inflation. In an unusually short statement after their two-day meeting, Fed officials dropped language that had suggested their next move would be to cut their key rate. The brief statement reflects the influence of new chair Kevin Warsh, appointed by Trump, who has previously criticized the Fed for commenting too broadly on the economy.

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks dropped on speculation the Federal Reserve may raise interest rates this year to keep a lid on inflation. The S&P 500 slumped 1.2% Wednesday after the Fed released projections showing nearly half its policymakers foresee at least one increase to its main interest rate in 2026. The Dow Jones Industrial Average went from a gain of 0.5% in the morning to a drop of 1%, while the Nasdaq composite sank 1.3%. Treasury yields climbed on rising expectations for a hike to rates. Higher rates can tap the brakes on inflation, but they also slow the economy and hurt prices for investments.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A draft agreement by the United States and Iran calls for Tehran to, at a minimum, dilute its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. The deal would also waive but not permanently end sanctions on the country. That’s according to U.S. officials who read the language of the memorandum on ending the war to journalists on Wednesday. The agreement would also open the Strait of Hormuz toll-free for two months and affirm a commitment to Lebanon’s territorial integrity in the face of Israel’s invasion against the Hezbollah militant group. U.S. officials dictated the language to journalists Wednesday after days of secrecy.

WASHINGTON (AP) — An endorsement from President Donald Trump is worth a lot in Republican primaries. But it’s not foolproof, especially when there’s a lot of money involved. Rick Jackson’s campaign spent more than $100 million, largely out of his own pocket, to defeat Trump-endorsed Burt Jones in the Republican runoff for Georgia governor. It was another rare example of the president’s choice falling short in a primary battle. Trump’s efforts were more successful elsewhere. His candidate for U.S. Senate won a runoff in Alabama, and his pick for Oklahoma governor advanced to another runoff there. Four states and the District of Columbia held primaries Tuesday.

JACKSON, Ga. (AP) — Georgia Republicans delivered a split decision for Donald Trump in Tuesday runoffs. Voters opted for the president’s preferred U.S. Senate candidate but rejected his choice for governor in favor of a billionaire first-time candidate who spent freely from his personal fortune to win the nomination. In the Senate race, 58-year-old Congressman Mike Collins topped former football coach Derek Dooley. He will face Sen. Jon Ossoff, the only Senate Democrat running for reelection in a state Trump won in 2024. For governor, 71-year-old healthcare tycoon Rick Jackson defeated Burt Jones, who is the current lieutenant governor. Jones had support from the president. Jackson will face Democratic nominee and former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms in November.