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.

Senior US officials dictate memorandum with Iran to journalists

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senior U.S. officials dictated the memorandum of understanding with Iran to journalists after days of secrecy, and Iran suggested that its deal with the United States could be signed by Presidents Donald Trump and Masoud Pezeshkian. Such an signing ceremony would represent a major step for the two countries, which saw diplomatic relations break off in 1980 over the U.S. Embassy hostage crisis in Tehran. The accord is due to be signed Friday in Switzerland. The U.S. officials spoke Wednesday on condition of anonymity to read the draft, which Iran has not released.

EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France (AP) — Leaders at the Group of Seven summit on have thrown their support behind U.S. President Donald Trump’s tentative agreement with Iran — even though he’s offered scant specificity about how that would be implemented. Trump wraps up talks at the summit Wednesday, promoting an emerging agreement with Iran to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons. The deal’s specifics remain unclear, and Trump faces skepticism from allies like Israel. The agreement is set to be signed Friday in Switzerland. Trump plans to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday amid tensions over a recent U.S. military strike near the Strait of Hormuz that killed three Indian sailors.

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.

HONG KONG (AP) — Asian shares are mostly higher and oil is trading below $80 a barrel, as markets watch for details on the interim agreement to end the U.S.-Iran war. U.S. futures edged higher after Wall Street closed mixed Tuesday and ahead of a policy decision by the Federal Reserve, which is expected to keep its benchmark interest rate unchanged. Oil prices stabilized on optimism over a possible end to the war and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. On Tuesday, Wall Street’s benchmark S&P 500 fell 0.6%. The Dow added 0.6% to hit another record, and the Nasdaq composite dropped 1.2%.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A B-52 that crashed during a test flight at Edwards Air Force Base in California was in the air a very short time before slamming into the ground about halfway down the runway. All eight people aboard were killed in Monday’s fiery crash of the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress. The bomber took off shortly before noon on a clear day, heading southwest into the prevailing winds. It flew straight and crashed. The compact wreckage indicates the plane dropped sharply. It was taking part in a routine test mission as part of an overall program to keep the long-running aircraft flying for decades to come. Officials at Edwards Air Force Base said it could take up to six months to complete the investigation.