WJPA News

The parents of Karoline Heintz have released a statement through the Pennsylvania State Police following their daughter’s death:  “This is a parent’s worst nightmare.  It has been devastating for family, friends and the whole community.  Karoline was loved by all.  She was a kind, smart, beautiful girl.  We want justice for our “sweet” Karoline.  Please respect our privacy as we grieve.” Meanwhile, PennWest University and the California (PA) athletic department released this statement:  “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Karoline Heintz, a first-year student and member of the California women’s soccer team.  California Athletics is devastated by the tragic loss of our student-athlete Karoline Heintz. Karoline was a bright and kind young woman with so much ahead of her. She will always remain in our hearts. Our deepest condolences are with her family, friends, teammates, coaches and all who knew and loved her.”  Members of the Counseling Center are available to support students and members of the University community. The California Campus Counseling Center is located in Carter Hall (Room G-65) and is open on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Heintz, a defender for the Vulcans, graduated from Peters Township High School this spring and was beginning her first year at PennWest.  With the support of PennWest California and Karoline’s family, the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) will observe a moment of silence at all conference athletic events held from Thursday, August 27, through Thursday, September 3rd. The tribute will provide an opportunity for the PSAC community to remember Karoline and stand in support of her family, friends, teammates, coaches and the PennWest California community. (Photo: PennWest California)

The body of 18-year-old Karoline Heintz, a first year student at PennWest California University, was found In the early morning hours of August 20. Heintz’s family contacted California Borough Police after they were unable to contact her as earlier planned. Her body was found stabbed and stuffed into an SUV in front of the California Public Library. Pennsylvania State Police were able to add more detail to her killing.  Heintz’s boyfriend Royce Moser and his mother Rachel Moser are facing multiple felony charges for Heintz’s killing. State Police Spokesperson Rocco Gagliardi provided the order of events that led up to the killing. According to Gagliardi, a party was held at Heintz’s Peters Township home. Heintz and Moser then went to Moser’s father’s home in North Strabane Township where an argument ensued. Royce went into his father’s home, retrieved a knife and stabbed Heintz. Moser took Heintz in her car to his mother’s home in Beallsville where they attempted to clean up blood evidence. They then took the vehicle to California Borough and dumped it in front of the library. Police apprehended the pair at Rachel Moser’s Beallsville home. Interviews with the pair took up most of the day before they were taken to the Washington County Jail at roughly 7:30 pm. Royce Moser is being charged with homicide abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence and other related charges. Rachel Moser is facing hindering the apprehension of a fugitive, abuse of a corpse and evidence tampering and other charges. Both are awaiting preliminary arraignment either late Thursday or first thing in the morning on Friday. The cause and manner of death are pending an autopsy. Police state that this is an isolated incident and there is no reason for further concern.

Back to school is coming up fast, and the Washington School District is ready to go! Superintendent Alisa King addressed a couple of topics that have been in the news recently, including a new executive order that lowers the number of recommended vaccines for children. King says that the district currently has a high vaccination rate. They are encouraging and working with families to ensure that students are getting all necessary vaccines. Cell phone bans in public schools have also been a big topic recently. King says that the district already uses Yondr pouches for students at the secondary level. The pouches have worked well. King explains that the district will be using Multi-Tiered System of Supports for students in middle school. The district already uses this system at the elementary school. This includes using data to find where students are struggling and ensuring that they get the support they need to improve in class. High school students can look forward to new electives this school year. The 2026-27 school year begins on August 26.

The hard-line new leader of Iran’s top security body is threatening neighbors against joining new U.S. efforts to squeeze Tehran’s economy and saying the U.S. has increased global nuclear insecurity. Egypt is trying to revive Iran-U.S. negotiations. And Iraq and Iran say Tehran has helped some ships carrying Iraqi oil to transit the Strait of Hormuz. Other developments include an expected meeting between French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on plans to bypass the crucial waterway. And Israel has carried out strikes in Syria and Gaza.

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Deadly airstrikes in Gaza on Wednesday have raised doubts about new U.S. efforts to advance a ceasefire there. Local hospitals and the Palestinian Red Crescent say at least 10 people were killed in two strikes, days after a U.S. envoy met with Israel’s prime minister. Witnesses said Israeli troops also crossed the ceasefire line and detained a Hamas police colonel. Israel’s military said the strikes targeted Hamas commanders involved in previous attacks. The Palestinian Red Crescent said a strike on a police station killed at least nine people. On the diplomatic front, ceasefire negotiations appear stalled, with disagreements over Hamas’ disarmament and Israel’s withdrawal.