WJPA News

A local teacher is facing several charges, including attempted sexual assault, for offenses against a high school student. Fayette County District Attorney Mike Aubele said charges were filed against 50-year-old Martin Clement Gatti, who taught at the Laurel Highlands School District. He faces charges of attempted sexual assault, unlawful contact with minors and corruption of minors. The DA’s office said these crimes were committed against a high school student. The School District immediately placed Gatti on leave and removed him from his position upon learning about the allegations against him. According to a criminal complaint, a victim told State Police that Gatti asked the victim to come to his classroom on January 9th, even though the victim did not have any classes with Gatti. Police said Gatti made several suggestive comments to the student. Police said they were provided with an audio recording of the conversation.

The State Police Fire Marshal has been called in to investigate a fire late Thursday night in the City of Washington. Washington County 911 says fire crews were called to the 100-block of Buttonwood Avenue just before midnight. The home appeared to be vacant and no injuries were reported.

In a rare agreement among all three Washington County Commissioners, they will be talking to Motorola Solutions, Inc about a $1,147,201 change order for the Washington County P25 emergency radio system upgrade. During the agenda setting meeting on Wednesday, both Larry Maggi and Nick Sherman questioned why such a large change order is necessary. Chief of Staff Daryl Price explained that the increase is due to the need for three new support shelters that need to be delivered, built and outfitted. He said the original proposal did not include these because it was felt that the existing infrastructure at the antenna sites would be adequate. Further study indicated otherwise. Commissioners are reaching out to Motorola on Wednesday to get a detailed explanation about the charges. Commissioner Nick Sherman wants to know why this was not included in the initial contract. Commissioner Larry Maggi is also pushing back saying he needs a better explanation as to why this was not in the original contract. The original contract for the project came in at $24.4 million. If this change order is approved, it will push the contract price to $26,380,000. Completion for the project is anticipated for early 2027.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania regulators are seeking $2.6 million in penalties from UGI because of a gas leak and deadly explosion at a chocolate factory. The state Public Utility Commission on Wednesday asked an administrative law judge to issue the fines. Regulators argue UGI’s gas distribution equipment serving R.M. Palmer Co. in West Reading violates state and federal rules. The March 2023 blast killed seven workers and injured 10 people. It destroyed a factory building and a nearby apartment building. UGI is calling the explosion a heartbreaking tragedy and expressing sympathy for the victims’ families, people in West Reading and others who were affected.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A senior administration official says the Pentagon is seeking $200 billion in additional funds for the Iran war. The department sent the request to the White House, according to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the private information. It’s an extraordinarily high number and comes on top of extra funding the Defense Department already received last year in President Donald Trump’s big tax cuts bill. Asked about the figure at a press conference Thursday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth did not directly confirm the amount, saying it could change. Congress is bracing for a new spending request but it is unclear it would have support. Trump says it’s a small price to pay for security.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran has intensified its attacks on oil and gas facilities around the Gulf, dramatically raising the stakes in a war that is sending shock waves through the global economy. Thursday’s strikes came in retaliation for an Israeli attack on a key Iranian natural gas field. They sent fuel prices soaring and risked drawing Iran’s Arab neighbors directly into the conflict. Tehran targeted energy production, further stressing global supplies already under pressure because of Iran’s stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz. That’s a strategic waterway through which a fifth of the world’s oil is transported. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Iran no longer can enrich uranium or make ballistic missiles.

BARCELONA (AP) — Spanish authorities say they have found the body of a missing college student from Illinois. The body of 20-year-old James “Jimmy” Gracey was found Thursday evening in the waters off a Barcelona beach, near where he was last seen outside a nightclub with his friends early Tuesday. He never returned to the room he was renting with friends. Police recovered his phone soon after he went missing. Gracey was a student at the University of Alabama, and was visiting friends in Barcelona for a spring break trip.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom is supporting a proposal to rename César Chavez Day following stunning abuse allegations against the revered labor leader. Newsom said Thursday he will move quickly on legislation if it passes to rename March 31 as Farmworkers Day. Political leaders in states and cities are considering similar moves after the co-founder of the United Farm Workers of America union and others alleged Chavez sexually abused them. Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson’s office says he won’t issue a proclamation honoring César Chavez Day this year. There also are calls to alter memorials honoring the man who helped secure better wages and working conditions for farm workers.