WJPA News

In Hanover Township, some residents are looking to get more representation on the Board of Supervisors. This comes after months of conditional use hearings regarding a proposed data center at Starpointe Business Park. On Election Day, residents can vote to expand the Board from three to five supervisors. One resident, Katie Weber, says having additional supervisors is important to increase diversity and representation. Andy Miller is a resident and part owner of Starpointe Business Park. He says adding supervisors is a terrible idea. Resident Gary Munko explains that if supervisors are added, they would not take office until January 2028. At that time, they would be able to enforce the township’s data center ordinance. The conditional use hearing will continue November 10 at 6:00 PM at the Hanover Township Fire Department Hall.

Washington County 911 tells WJPA News that one person was trapped in a home at 775 Michigan Avenue in South Strabane Township after a fire broke out shortly before six o’clock on Wednesday evening.  According to a post on the South Strabane Fire Department website, the individual was rescued and taken to a hospital.  There’s been no word on that person’s condition or the nature of the injuries.  Multiple fire departments responded and the blaze was brought under control quickly.  South Strabane fire officials say the fire is under investigation.

The Environmental Protection Agency’s response to the disastrous 2023 East Palestine train derailment will be investigated after dozens of residents of the small town on the Ohio-Pennsylvania and Vice President JD Vance requested the review. The Inspector General of the EPA announced the investigation Tuesday to assess the agency’s response to the worst rail disaster in more than a decade. Resident Jami Wallace said she is glad the concerns raised by people who live in the area are getting attention again. She has tracked more than 80 cases of cancer among residents.

The Main Street Farmers Market in downtown Washington is giving the community one more chance to shop before the end of the season. The president, Tracee Malik, explains that shopping at the market is a great way to support local farmers. Despite some bad weather, Malik says it was still a very successful season. The market’s last day is Thursday, October 29 and there will be trick-or-treat for children. The market will be open from 3:00-6:00 PM and parking is free.

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — President Donald Trump is calling for the criminal prosecution of the Democratic candidate running for Senate in Alaska after revelations that her campaign appeared to be involved in recruiting a candidate with the same name as Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan. The New York Times relied on text messages and interviews for a report Wednesday showing that Democrat Mary Peltola’s campaign coordinated with Democratic operatives to recruit a man named Daniel J. Sullivan to compete on the ballot with the incumbent. Sen. Sullivan said his opponent needs to “come clean.” At a campaign stop Wednesday, Peltola called the report a ”distraction.”

CHILLICOTHE, Ohio (AP) — Former President Barack Obama and President Donald Trump have both rallied for their parties ahead of the midterm elections. Obama campaigned in Georgia with former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and Sen. Jon Ossoff on Wednesday. He criticized Trump for focusing on personal wealth and White House renovations. Meanwhile, Trump spoke in Ohio, urging supporters to vote and repeating claims about the 2020 election. He also targeted Democrat Mary Peltola in Alaska, accusing her of voter fraud. Trump’s rallies are focusing on red states as he supports candidates like Ohio Sen. Jon Husted and Michigan’s Mike Rogers.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve kept its key rate unchanged Wednesday at about 3.9% despite stubbornly high inflation, while providing little hint about its next moves. The Fed meeting took place less than a week before the midterm elections, which have focused heavily on concerns about the cost of living and affordability, but Fed Chair Kevin Warsh denied politics affected the central bank’s decision. The Fed wants to return inflation to its 2% target, which it typically does by raising its short-term interest rate. Warsh dismissed the notion that not raising rates would cause the public to lose faith in the Fed.

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israelis are waiting for final election results to confirm what is becoming clear: a lack of majority for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or his opponents. Difficult decisions lie ahead, including potential alliances between Jewish and Arab parties. Netanyahu remains in charge as weeks of negotiations are likely to follow. Final election results could arrive as early as Thursday evening. Netanyahu’s chief rival, Gadi Eisenkot, has spoken of a government serving all people. Meanwhile, Netanyahu’s Likud party has accused Arab-led parties of election fraud, but the election committee has reported few irregularities.