March 3, 2023 4:09 am
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Federal authorities say a Pennsylvania man admits packing explosive materials, fuses and a lighter into a suitcase he checked for a commercial flight to Florida. A judge on Thursday has denied bail for 40-year-old Marc Muffley of Lansford. Prosecutors say he fled the Lehigh Valley airport on Monday when he heard his name paged and feared being arrested. During a court hearing Thursday held over videoconference, a defense lawyer suggested the one-time construction worker only wanted to set fireworks off on a Florida beach. But the judge says he knew the items were prohibited on the flight.
March 3, 2023 4:04 am
Washington City Council worked through a largely procedural agenda Thursday night. The fire department was highlighted on spending measures. Council authorized the purchase of $2500 worth of replacement furnishings and appliances for the ongoing Tylerdale station renovation. In addition, council authorized fixtures equipment and furniture that qualifies under the 2023 Office of the State Fire Commissioner PEMA grant award. Fire Chief Chris Richer stated that many of the furnishings in Tylerdale are 20-30 years old and need replacement just like items in a home. The PEMA grant purchases will be for office equipment and training. Council also had the first reading of an ordinance amendment that concerns alarm systems in the city. Mayor Scott Putnam said that in a recent meeting with state officials, they recommended that the city move away from the Gamewell fire alarm system. Putnam says that the requirement will be phased out over several years. The measure will be up for a final vote in April.
March 3, 2023 2:38 am
A Bulger man accused of attacking his wife and threatening her with a gun waived his charges to court on Thursday. Brian Barish, 53 will face reckless endangerment and simple assault misdemeanor charges. Barish had felony aggravated assault and misdemeanor terroristic threat charges withdrawn by the district attorney. According to the criminal complaint, police responded to reports of a domestic incident at the Barish home on February 10. Barish’s wife told police that he grabbed her by the neck and threw her to the floor and held a gun to her head. Barish is free on $75,000 bond. He will be arraigned on April 27.
March 2, 2023 4:16 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House Ethics Committee is launching an investigation into embattled Republican Rep. George Santos. The committee on Thursday announced the probe of the New York congressman whose lies and embellishments about his resume and personal life have drawn deep scrutiny in Congress. The bipartisan leaders of the committee said the panel voted unanimously to look into the allegations. The investigation appears to be far-reaching. It seeks to determine whether Santos “may have engaged in unlawful activity with respect to his 2022 congressional campaign” and other actions. Santos has already removed himself from congressional committees. (Photo: ABC)
March 2, 2023 12:51 pm
STROUDSBURG, Pa. (AP) — Law enforcement officials have revealed more details regarding items seized from the Pennsylvania home where they arrested a graduate student charged with stabbing four University of Idaho students to death. Additional court documents made public Thursday stated that a knife, a pocketknife, and a Glock 22 handgun with three empty magazines were found at the home of Bryan Kohberger’s parents. The home, Kohberger’s car, the garage and a shed on the property were all searched when he was arrested there Dec. 30. Kohberger, a 28-year-old doctoral student at Washington State University, is charged with four counts of first-degree murder and burglary in connection with the stabbing deaths in Moscow, Idaho.
March 2, 2023 12:25 pm
(WPXI) – A woman and a man were shot in McKees Rocks Thursday morning. Police and EMS responded to reports of a shooting in the 100 block of Irwin Street just after 6 a.m., according to Allegheny County police. They found a woman with multiple gunshot wounds. In addition, a man walked into an area hospital with a gunshot wound to the stomach. Both victims are in stable condition. Homicide detectives are investigating. Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to call the County Police Tip Line 1-833-ALL-TIPS. Callers can remain anonymous.
March 2, 2023 10:47 am
DULLES, Va. (AP) — Officials say a Lufthansa flight that experienced “significant turbulence” was diverted to Washington Dulles International Airport and seven people on board were taken to area hospitals. Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority spokesman Michael Cabbage said flight 469 from Austin, Texas, had been headed to Frankfurt, Germany, but landed safely Wednesday evening at the airport in Virginia. He said crews responded to the flight and took seven people to local hospitals with injuries that were believed to be minor. The Federal Aviation Administration said the Airbus A330 reported severe turbulence at an altitude of 37,000 feet while flying over Tennessee. The agency is investigating.
March 2, 2023 9:34 am
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — A Spirit Airlines flight from Dallas to Orlando was diverted to a Jacksonville, Florida, airport after a battery on a passenger’s item in an overhead bin caught fire. The Florida-based airline said in a statement that Flight 259 landed safely Wednesday afternoon. A passenger told FirstCoast News in Jacksonville that a retired fireman onboard helped the flight crew put out the fire. Fire rescue crews initially took one person to the hospital, but nine more were transported later after feeling ill. The airline provided refunds, vouchers and ground transportation to Orlando.
March 2, 2023 6:26 am
A Pittsburgh man formerly of Amwell Township avoided trial on indecent assault of a minor charges among others. Stanley Luffy, 80 now of Pittsburgh pleaded guilty to a single charge of felony sexual assault. He faced indecent assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and corruption charges all related to minors. In a negotiated plea deal, Luffy will spend two and a half to five years in state prison followed by a three year term of probation. Luffy was arrested and accused by state police of assaulting a 12 year old child in his Amwell Township home dating back to June of 2021. Luffy will be formally sentenced on May 25 after a sexually violent predator assessment is performed. He will be required to register as a sex offender with the Pennsylvania State Police for the rest of his life.
March 2, 2023 5:42 am
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Pa. — (WPXI) – Weeks later, and still no charges have been filed in the Washington County suspicious packages incident. Washington County District Attorney Jason Walsh said after a three week long extensive investigation, they don’t feel there was any criminal intent. Walsh is not naming the person who sent at least six packages to local judges and officials, prompting a courthouse evacuation. All neighboring county buildings were evacuated and closed for the day as well. “If there was a threat or anything harmful, there would be charges,” Walsh said. “After a thorough investigation we determined there wasn’t a crime, the intent for a crime was not there, there were not any threats, and the envelops didn’t contain any substance or poisonous substance.” Walsh was asked about the intent if it wasn’t criminal. “I can’t speak for the individual and don’t want to give up the identity, so I don’t want to comment on that,” he said. Sources said it comes down to a serious mental health issue, and that the suspect has had similar behavior issues in the past. Walsh and Sheriff Tony Andronas commended the county response to the incident. The postal inspectors and FBI were also called in to investigate. The postal inspector will be brought in to provide training to courthouse personnel at the end of the month.
