WJPA News

A former priest’s lawyer claims he only took money from several churches because he wasn’t paid enough as a priest.  Gregory Madeya, 69, was brought back to Westmoreland County from Florida three weeks ago.  The Pennsylvania attorney general accuses him of stealing more than $300,000 from three churches, including St. John the Baptist in McKeesport, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Latrobe, and St. Demetrius in Jeannette.  He’s also accused of taking more than $230,000 from his own mother and not paying nearly a quarter of a million dollars in taxes.  According to police, Madeya used the money to pay for sexual acts, take luxury trips and gamble. Madeya’s attorney argues his habits started because of a need for money, and that he sees this case going to trial.  “There are no guidelines for what a priest can and can’t do in terms of the money that they’re responsible for,” said attorney Patrick Thomassey, who represents Madeya. “To tell you the truth, priests are paid very little money to be a priest and to run a parish. So we will see down the road what happens.”  Madeya

City Police are investigating a stabbing along North Main Street Thursday.  Officers were called to the scene near the Washington County Courthouse just before 6 p.m.  Police say two individuals involved received medical treatment but called the incident ‘isolated’.  Police say they continue to investigate.

City of Washington residents have long been concerned about security in city playgrounds, specifically when it comes to fights, particularly in the 7^th and 8^th Ward playgrounds and sometimes in the Dewey Park. City council took action to try and make fights a thing of the past in the parks. Council approved a measure to enter into a contract with Dave Davis Communications to install security cameras and modems at three city playgrounds. Councilman Andrew Callan says, the cameras will be installed over the next several weeks and will be an added security tool for police. Police Chief Steve Devenney says the cameras will be a useful tool to identify individuals of interest, especially when witnesses are reluctant to cooperate with police investigations. The security system will cost $42,550 to install. The vote to approve the measure was unanimous.

Six men who are accused of stealing tens of thousands in Verizon communication wire had their day in court on Thursday. Alleged ringleader Ryan Scott, 37, as well as Justin Fusarelli, 43, and Lawrence Bogo, 56, all of Avella, Donald Martin III, 36, of Bulger, Dennis Kinkela, 49, of Burgettstown, and Michael Hancher, 45, of Washington had their preliminary hearings before Judge Gary Havelka in Burgettstown. All the men had been charged with theft and criminal mischief. According to the police report, all the men were involved in a five-month scheme to steal copper wire from 11 different locations, 10 in Washington County and one in Allegheny County. Police say the men stripped the wire and sold it to scrap yards in Washington, as well as in West Virginia and Ohio. State police say between January and April, Scott made trips to the various scrap yards and sold more than 11,000 pounds of copper for $50,000. Kinkela and Martin allegedly sold nearly 2,000 pounds of copper for more than $7,000. Police say the men split the money. The total amount stolen is more than $60,000 and damages top $5,000. Their cases were sent to court for November 11 arraignment, and they were returned to Washington County Jail. One suspect, Allen Jackson, 28, of Wellsburg, West Virginia, has yet to go before a Judge.

PLYMOUTH, Mass. (AP) — A Massachusetts judge declared a mistrial in the murder case against Lindsay Clancy. Jurors could not agree on whether she was criminally responsible when she strangled her three young children in 2023. Friday’s mistrial leaves the case unresolved and allows prosecutors to try Clancy again. She had faced life in prison without parole if convicted of first-degree murder. Prosecutors argued that Clancy acted deliberately and understood her actions, while her lawyers said postpartum psychosis left her unable to control her behavior or appreciate its wrongfulness. The closely watched case drew national attention to maternal mental healthcare and gaps in treatment.  (Photo:  AP)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. job market rebounded in August as employers added a surprising 162,000 jobs. The unemployment stayed at 4.1%. Revisions added 55,000 jobs to June and July payrolls. The jobs report, issued by the Labor Department Friday, could be good news for President Donald Trump two months before midterm elections in which the health of the economy is weighing on voters’ minds. Hiring far exceeded the 65,000 forecasters had expected. Labor Department revisions also looked good, adding 55,000 to June and July payrolls. Employers created 21,000 jobs in July; the Labor Department had originally reported that they’d cut 23,000.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President JD Vance says he wouldn’t call the U.S. conflict with Iran a “war,” despite recent escalations. On Thursday, Iran fired at U.S. ally Kuwait in retaliation for U.S. strikes. But Vance on Thursday emphasized the U.S. responsibility to act against Iran’s targeting of commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and said he “wouldn’t call” the conflict “a war.” The conflict has impacted oil prices, which remain high. The U.S. Navy is reporting great success escorting oil-carrying vessels through the strait, but traffic is well below prewar levels. President Donald Trump’s focus is increasingly on economic pressure, aiming to maintain control without returning to the full-throttle bombardment of Iran.

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Rescuers in Nepal have pulled two workers alive from a hydropower tunnel, raising hopes of reaching a dozen others believed to be trapped nine days after catastrophic floods devastated towns and swept away villages. The two men, identified as a mechanical foreman and a mechanical supervisor, were found in the tunnel at the Trishuli 3A construction site Friday morning after rescuers heard their voices. Officials say they are in stable condition and have been flown to a hospital in Kathmandu. About 900 workers are missing from 12 hydropower projects in Nepal, with roughly 500 believed to be trapped in tunnels, according to authorities. An army spokesperson said one of the survivors told rescuers that more people were still alive inside the tunnel.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A school bus that played a key role in the 1960s hippie movement has returned to San Francisco. Used by author Ken Kesey and his Merry Band of Pranksters, the “Furthur” bus is now part of an exhibition celebrating the Grateful Dead. Opening Saturday, “Forever Grateful, Golden Gate Park” will also feature Jerry Garcia’s BMW, never displayed in public. The exhibit immerses visitors in the counterculture of the 1960s and invites them to explore its meaning today. At a time of political polarization and collective fatigue, the exhibition aims to connect people through art, music and activism. It runs through Oct. 25.