Uniontown, PA—PennDOT has announced a scheduled closure of Route 331 (Brush Run Road) between Route 4061 (Oak Ridge Road) and Route 231 in Hopewell Township, Washington County beginning Monday, July 27 at 7:00 AM. A posted detour will be in place until late October utilizing Route 4061 (Oak Ridge Road), Buffalo Creek Road, and Route 231. Department Force Crews will perform slide repair work. All work depends on weather and operational conditions.
After deciding to move forward with a plan to upgrade their football stadium in June, the Washington School Board heard a presentation from HHSDR Architects & Engineers Monday night. Representatives discussed where the new field house would be located, additional parking, and security lighting for the area. Board members looked at blueprints for the field house and made a decision on the design they prefer. Director Rhonda Barnes says that it is still early in the process, so they do not know exactly what the building will look like. President Amy Roberts explains that the board will receive estimates on that design, and they will ensure that it fits into their nearly $10-million budget for the project. Barnes says that there is definitely a need for the new field house, but the board will be mindful of taxpayer money.
Washington Mayor JoJo Burgess announced that city officials are searching for individuals attempting to write on the exterior walls of the office of State Representative Guy Reschenthaler Saturday during the John Lewis Good Trouble Rally in front of the Washington County Courthouse. Burgess said he immediately advised them that this type of behavior was unacceptable and did not reflect the message or purpose of the rally organized by the Washington-Greene Central Labor Council and the Washington Democratic Party. “After returning to the area later, I discovered that these same individuals had come back after the rally had dispersed and had written on the walls of Reschenthaler’s office” Burgess said. The mayor emphasized that this type of vandalism is unacceptable and does not represent the values or intentions of those who organized the event. He said the city will review surveillance footage from the area to identify those responsible, and the matter will be referred to the appropriate law enforcement authorities for investigation and prosecution, and stated that those responsible will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.. Burgess also encouraged everyone who participates in demonstrations, rallies, or public events in the city to respect both public and private property.
Uniontown, PA – PennDOT has announced that nightly ramp closures on Interstate 79 at Exit 14 (Masontown/Waynesburg) in Franklin Township, Greene County will begin now and all ramp closures will occur nightly from 8:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. and continue through Thursday, July 23rd. Detours will be in place. The ramp closures will allow crews to perform concrete patching and overlay entrance and exit ramps with asphalt. The work is part of the I-79 Waynesburg to Marianna Project, which will make improvements to approximately eleven miles of I-79, extending through Franklin and Washington townships in Greene County and Amwell Township in Washington County a $45.9 million infrastructure investment. The ramp closures will be coordinated so detour routes do not conflict with one another. All work is weather-dependent.
Gas prices are 25 cents higher in Western Pennsylvania this week at $4.260 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report. The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline has gone up 13 cents over the past week and is now at $4.00 per gallon. Instability along the Strait of Hormuz is contributing to the increase at the pump and pushing crude oil prices over $80 per barrel. Earlier this year, the national average remained in the $4 range all of April and May and most of June. Last time the national average was $4 or above was on June 17 when it was $4.02. Today’s national average is five cents more than a month ago but 86 cents more than a year ago. According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand remained flat last week at 8.84 million. Total domestic gasoline supply decreased from 212.1 million barrels to 210.5 million. Gasoline production decreased last week, averaging 9.6 million barrels per day.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran has attacked a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, forcing its crew to abandon the ship. That came early Tuesday even as the United States conducted yet-another round of airstrikes targeting the Islamic Republic over control of the key waterway. The 10 nights of U.S. airstrikes haven’t compelled Tehran to ease its grip on the strait. A fifth of all crude oil and natural gas traded once passed through the strait in peacetime. Iran’s interior minister traveled to Pakistan, a key mediator in the conflict, for talks. However, it remains unclear just what new deal could be reached to end the fighting.
BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon’s president is set to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday to conclude a visit to Washington. The goal is to bring long-term calm to Lebanon after a war between Israel and the militant Hezbollah group. Lebanon and Israel are holding rare direct talks, mediated by Washington, hoping for Israeli troop withdrawal from southern Lebanon. They announced a framework agreement in June for Israeli forces to withdraw and disarm Hezbollah. The U.S. State Department says operations in a “pilot zone” have begun, but details are scarce. Lebanese troops have increased their presence, but Israeli forces remain in control. Hezbollah dismisses the talks, backing U.S. negotiations with its benefactor Iran.
CAIRO (AP) — The Israeli military is rapidly constructing a large earthen barrier in the Gaza Strip, further entrenching the division of the tiny Palestinian enclave. Satellite images show that more than 14 miles have been built in recent months. Israel’s military confirmed to The Associated Press that it is building a physical barrier. The berms roughly follow the so-called yellow line, a boundary set by the U.S.-backed ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. Palestinians fear the line could become a permanent border. The military says it has developed a “security zone” along the barrier, equipped with intelligence assets.
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has imposed 50% tariffs on most Canadian goods, declaring that Canada has unfairly discriminated against American autos, alcohol and dairy products. The move, announced Monday, could unleash a new wave of economic chaos, with risks of higher inflation and further fraying of relations between two nations that had been closely woven together before Trump’s return to the White House. The administration official previewing the action said that Canada was one of the only nations other than China that retaliated against Trump’s previous tariffs and must be held accountable.
NEW YORK (AP) — The FBI says a former U.S. Army soldier started a fire and fired a pellet gun outside a New York building housing an immigration court and other government offices. Officials say suspect Andrew Arrabaca was taken into custody Monday. No charges have been announced yet against Arrabaca, and it was not immediately clear if he has a lawyer. New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Arrabaca had a sign affixed to a cart with him that read “ICE off our streets.” The building has become a focal point for demonstrations against the Trump administration’s immigration policies. Three people sustained minor injuries.
POWELL, Ohio (AP) — Authorities say five people have died on a river in Ohio after several of them went into the water to assist another person who was struggling to swim. The Delaware County sheriff said at a news conference Monday that a motorist called 911 on Sunday after spotting a frightened child running for help. Rescue crews began searching the water and found two women. Both were pronounced dead at a hospital. The bodies of three men were found in the river on Monday. Authorities say they are working to notify the relatives of the victims.
