May 27, 2026 2:40 pm
After more than six years of waiting, visitors to the Washington County Courthouse can finally walk through the front doors once again. What was originally projected to be a brief, two-month, 200-thousand-dollar fix turned into a prolonged seven-year, three-million-dollar restoration project. The Main Street entrance had been completely sealed off since 2019 due to severe weather damage. Officials say the extensive delays were caused by unforeseen structural challenges and the strict requirements needed to preserve the 1900 historical landmark. The three-million-dollar price tag was funded by the Federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. At a ribbon-cutting ceremony on the courthouse steps Wednesday morning, County Commissioners and Elected officials declared the opening of the six new mahogany doors as the start of a major revitalization chapter for Washington County. While the entrance retains its grand look, it is debuting some high-tech security. The courthouse is installing the Evolv Weapons Detection System—an AI-powered, touchless design that is the first of its kind in Pennsylvania, aimed at streamlining long security lines. Officials note that while the Main Street entrance is again open for business, the Cherry Street, handicap accessible entrance will also remain open to the public.
May 27, 2026 2:26 pm
HARRISBURG — Attorney General Dave Sunday announced charges Wednesday against a Montgomery County man regarding the installation of hidden cameras in a southwestern Pennsylvania home to produce child sexual abuse material. Adam Benjamin Arena, 46, was charged this week with more than 100 felonies — including production and possession of child abuse material — and dozens of misdemeanor counts of invasion of privacy. Arena, who moved to Montgomery County after the conduct was discovered, was denied bail at arraignment. The Office of Attorney General’s Child Predator Section and the Brownsville Police Department conducted an investigation that revealed Arena had installed hidden cameras at a Fayette County home, primarily in a shower/bathroom area, to record a child in various states of undress. Investigators determined Arena concealed at least one camera in a shampoo bottle, which was discovered by the child victim. During a search warrant in June 2024, investigators found multiple devices owned by Arena with videos and images he obtained via hidden cameras. Some videos show Arena installing the camera and retrieving it.
May 27, 2026 5:00 am
South Strabane Township Supervisors are nearing the end of their journey to
develop a data center ordinance and other ordinances that would be closely
affiliated with that ordinance. Supervisors authorized a motion to have their
solicitor advertise an ordinance governing fossil fuel generating facilities. This is
vital as plans for data centers may hinge on the ability to burn natural gas and
other combustibles as a means to generate sufficient electricity. Supervisors
tabled a measure that would have updated their noise and dust ordinance. Public
comment during the meeting stated some inconsistencies in contractor operating
times exist. Supervisors scheduled a vote on the ordinance in conjunction with
their vote on the actual data center ordinance. As far as the actual approval of the
data center ordinance, supervisors scheduled a public hearing on the ordinance
for June 9 at 6:30 pm. in the municipal building. Immediately following that
meeting, supervisors will hold a vote on the ordinance. In conjunction with that,
supervisors will vote on their updated noise and dust ordinance.
May 27, 2026 5:07 am
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Warrant Unit has announced the arrest of 35 year old Mason Smith of Washington. He was wanted on an outstanding Washington County Adult Probation warrant. Smith was also wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant out of Allegheny County on a multitude of charges including 4 felony counts stemming from a sexual assault. He also faced two arrest warrants out of Washington County for PFA violations. A month-long investigation determined that Smith was staying at a motel in Oakdale and set up surveillance in the area and were able to positively identify him and took him into custody without incident. He is last reported in the Washington Countu Jail.
May 27, 2026 5:11 am
Gas prices are seven cents lower this week here in Western Pennsylvania. AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report puts the average this week at $4.69 per gallon. The national average is down four cents to an average of $4.49. Even though the average is lower than last week, gas prices are still the highest they have been in four years. With gas demand on the rise and prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz, pump prices are likely to remain elevated as the summer travel season gets underway. This weeks national average is 40-cents more than one-month ago and $1.32 higher than one-year ago.
May 27, 2026 5:20 am
PLANO, Texas (AP) — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has won the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate. He defeated four-term Sen. John Cornyn. Paxton was endorsed by President Donald Trump last week. His victory in Tuesday’s runoff makes Cornyn the first Republican senator from Texas to lose the party’s nomination for reelection. Trump endorsed Paxton as part of his effort to dislodge GOP officeholders he views as less than devout in their support of him. Cornyn said in 2023 as Trump was running to return to the White House that his time “has passed him by.” Paxton will run against state Rep. James Talarico in November.
May 27, 2026 5:24 am
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Win or lose, billionaire Democrat Tom Steyer will leave a mark in the history books in his bid to become California’s next governor. He’s running the most expensive political advertising campaign in the country this year. Data from ad tracker AdImpact shows Steyer has spent or booked over $195 million in ads for broadcast TV, cable and radio, with the tally still growing. The lavish spending has lifted the former hedge fund manager turned liberal activist into contention in the crowded race. But he’s not breaking away from the field. Still, the cash advantage could give him an edge in the race’s final days.
May 27, 2026 5:23 am
LONGVIEW, Wash. (AP) — Authorities have confirmed that one person died and 9 others remain unaccounted for after a chemical tank imploded at a pulp and paper mill in Washington state. They say there is no hope to rescue those missing. Nine others were injured in Tuesday morning’s spill, some severely. Emergency responders plan to resume recovery efforts at Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. in Longview on Wednesday morning. Authorities say those efforts are being hampered by the danger posed by 90,000 gallons of the dangerous liquid that remain in the unstable tank.
May 27, 2026 5:16 am
Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainees are taking their own lives at a pace that’s unprecedented in the agency’s two-decade history, highlighting what experts call failures in care and oversight. An Associated Press investigation finds that at least 10 ICE detainees have died by suicide since President Donald Trump returned to office in January 2025 and ordered ICE to increase arrests and deportations. That includes seven deaths since October, already the most in one fiscal year with several months remaining. The increased pace of suicides exceeds the growth in ICE’s detainee population. The deaths happened at detention facilities operated by private contractors and local jails run by sheriffs. All were men, and most were Hispanic.
May 26, 2026 5:43 pm
LONGVIEW, Wash. (AP) — Authorities have confirmed that 10 people — including a responding firefighter — were injured after a chemical tank imploded at a pulp and paper mill in Washington state. But they declined to immediately say how many workers had been killed or remained missing. In a joint statement, Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. and local law enforcement said Tuesday that the tank’s rupture caused “multiple critical injuries” as well as fatalities. Authorities said some victims had suffered burns or inhalation injuries. There was no immediate threat to the public. The statement, issued more than four hours after the tank imploded at 7:15 a.m., said crews were continuing recovery operations and that no identifying information would be released about victims pending notification of relatives.
