WJPA News

The Commonwealth Financing Authority’s Local Share Account (LSA) Program has awarded nearly eight-million-dollars in state grants to communities across the 46th Senatorial District.  The funding will support 26 projects across Beaver, Greene and Washington counties, including improvements to public safety, infrastructure, recreation, municipal services, stormwater management, transportation, broadband access and community facilities.  The LSA Program uses gaming revenue to support projects that advance community improvement, public interest, and economic development.  In Washington County, many communities will receive financial assistance:

• Canonsburg Borough:  $104,025 to install three ADA-compliant concrete restroom facilities at Canonsburg Town Park, replacing temporary portable restrooms.
• Carroll Township:  $140,735 to stabilize the slope along Columbia Road following significant landslide damage and restore the affected roadway.
• East Finley Township:  $270,872 to purchase a new mower for maintaining rural road shoulders, drainage ditches and steep embankments.
• Fallowfield Township:  $122,000 to expand and improve its Veterans and Fire Fighters Honor Roll, including new memorials, walkways, lighting, landscaping, benches and flagpoles.
• Greene County Industrial Developments, Inc.:  $90,993 for the Blueprints Foster Transportation Initiative to purchase two vehicles providing reliable transportation for children and youth in foster care and independent living programs.
• Houston Borough:  $983,665 to construct a new municipal building, replacing its flood-prone facility and allowing borough operations to continue during future flooding.
• Houston Borough:  $120,691 to replace an aging work truck used for borough maintenance and public services.
• Independence Township:  $147,000 to replace the failing #408 Bridge with a permanent prefabricated aluminum box culvert, improving safety and access for vehicular traffic.
• Morris Township:  $116,450 to construct a new sports court with pickleball and basketball amenities, expanding recreational opportunities for residents of all ages.
• Mount Pleasant Township, on behalf of the Northern Washington County Regional Police Department:  $399,569 to purchase and equip six new police vehicles to support 24/7 regional patrol services.
• North Franklin Township:  $200,000 for stormwater improvements along Hazelwood Drive, including a detention pond to help address recurring flooding.
• North Franklin Township:  $38,000 to purchase a utility vehicle for its 90-acre Waterside Park, assisting with trail maintenance, debris removal and snow and ice clearing.
• North Strabane Township:  $300,000 for the first phase of Alexander Park improvements, including ADA-accessible parking and walking surfaces, a renovated basketball court, three pickleball courts, new fencing and updated playground equipment.
• Peters Creek Sanitary Authority:   $450,000 to extend public sewer service to 43 properties along Church Hill Road and eliminate the Old Trail Lift Station.
• Peters Township:  $1 million to replace the existing soccer field at Peterswood Park with a high-performance turf system supporting soccer, football and lacrosse.
• Redevelopment Authority of the County of Fayette, on behalf of Food Helpers:  $92,000 to pave the receiving area and parking lot at the Greater Washington County Food Bank in Centerville Borough, improving access for food deliveries.
• Smith Township:  $200,000 for Phase I of a new community park, including parking, a pavilion, recreational amenities, utilities and landscaping.
• Somerset Township:  $600,000 to extend public water service along Hixon Road and surrounding roads, providing reliable water to residents, agricultural operations and a business currently relying on wells, cisterns and hauled water.
• Union Township:  $200,000 to purchase equipment for its Public Works Department, improving efficiency and reducing the need to rent equipment for township projects.
• Washington City:   $254,875 for the Tyler Avenue Drainage Project, including new stormwater infrastructure to address recurring flooding and erosion affecting residential properties.
• Washington County Redevelopment Authority:  $37,100 to reseal the Century Plaza parking lot and replace deteriorated sidewalks, improving safety and accessibility for its residents age 62 and older.

CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A Western Pennsylvania man accused of buying a gun and ammunition with intent to commit terrorism was arrested outside of a local hotel over the weekend.  Federal agents arrested Jonathan Kramer, 21, of Valencia, Butler County, on Saturday in Cranberry Township. After Kramer was released from a juvenile detention facility in March of this year, someone submitted an anonymous online tip to the FBI, saying Kramer was ordering “mysterious” packages and “talking to his friends from before” his juvenile adjudication. Authorities said they confirmed he had been using an online persona who claimed affiliation with ISIS. He allegedly offered to share explosive manuals with others and expressed his intent to prepare for his “mission” and that he was just missing a “weapon.”   The FBI executed search warrants on Kramer’s person, his hotel room and his home.  According to court documents, agents seized a semiautomatic rifle, five rifle magazines (two loaded and the other three each offering a 30-round capacity), a rifle bipod and scope, a total of 190 rounds of rifle ammunition, an entrenchment tool, a prayer rug, pepper spray, and approximately 30 knives, along with a handwritten note stating “DoNt look For me[.] IDK what I did buT I cant live In constant Fear[.]”

The Peters Township Council was met with a nearly full house of residents that were interested in a subdivision. That subdivision was applied for by Smith Packet. They intend to build a 136 resident assisted living and memory care facility on a parcel of land on East McMurray Road just west of the township’s Fire Station #1. The subdivision would dedicate an area for the construction of a new public road. Jim McLaughlin is a neighbor of the facility and he spoke about the geological deficiencies of the land as a reason the facility should not be built. Michael Bane spoke to council about the need to have road specifications outlined before a vote was taken. Both men were frustrated with the process because the item up for vote only provided for a subdivision showing where the road would be built. Council continually explained that any of their concerns cannot be voted on tonight as those concerns would be addressed in future planning stages. They were further frustrated in the fact that legally, the subdivision met all ordinance criteria and council was obligated to approve it. If denied, council would be sued for their lack of performance. Because the item was on its final day for approval, if council tabled the matter, the subdivision would become effective anyway. Council approved the subdivision. The Planning Commission cancelled a September 10 hearing concerning the development of the facility. A rescheduled hearing will take place on October 8.

Canonsburg Borough Council approved a Municipal Public Safety Drone Program, which will allow Borough police, fire, and public works personnel to operate drones for various reasons. Alexander Coghill, the Chief of Police for the Canonsburg Borough Police Department, explains that the department currently has one drone, but there are only three certified pilots within the department. This program will increase the number of certified pilots and expand capabilities. Coghill says it will help with missing persons cases and allow for a better look at forestry and flooding incidents. Council also authorized fundraising efforts and acceptance of grants to support the program. Council President Eric Chandler explains that the program is still in the developmental phase. They are deciding what drones work best for Canonsburg and how many pilots are necessary. Chandler says they will need between $20,000-$50,000 for the program. Coghill expects the program to be running in the next six months to a year.

Washington Mayor JoJo Burgess tells WJPA News that the city has reached out to government representatives, Republican State Senator Camera Bartolotta and U.S. Senator Guy Reschenthaler for funding help following flooding that occurred from heavy rains over the weekend.  Burgess says the city has spoken with Bartolotta and is waiting on a response from Reschenthaler on whether they’ll be able to receive federal financial assistance.  In the meantime, Burgess is encouraging anyone with damages to keep receipts to document and issues.  In the city, emergency responders were out most of the afternoon, answering calls regarding flooded roadways and basements, downed trees and vehicles stuck in rising flood waters.  Burgess says the usual areas flooded again, including Park Avenue and W&J College field.  Both were under water and the W&J Football came was called around half-time because the field was flooded.  In South Strabane, the fire department says a “significant event” at their Oak Spring Road location occurred – the main stormwater pipe under their parking lot had collapsed and within minutes, the lot filled with water. The department says no one was hurt, but the parking lot collapsed, and the station flooded.  About 80 people were inside the fire hall for an annual community event when the storms arrived, and the pavement gave way.  Brown said none of the equipment was damaged.  Township leaders are asking homeowners and business owners to self-report storm damage as crews conduct assessments this week and determine the next steps for repairs.  Brown said firefighters will continue operating from the Oak Spring Road station as long as the building remains safe.

Gas prices are 23 cents higher in Western Pennsylvania this week at $4.537 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.  The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline has gone up 16 cents over the past week to $4.31 as crude oil prices continue climbing. Volatility in the Strait of Hormuz has pushed crude oil back in the $100 per barrel range for the first time since July. Pump prices are currently comparable to early June. The national average is increasing during a season when gas prices typically go down due to lower gasoline demand.  According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand decreased last week from 8.92 million barrels per day to 8.55 million. Total domestic gasoline supply increased from 205.7 million to 206.9 million barrels. Gasoline production decreased last week from 9.8 million barrels per day to 9.3 million barrels.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Prosecutors in California say they won’t pursue the death penalty for Rob Reiner’s son Nick in the killings of his parents. Nick Reiner was charged Dec. 16 with first-degree murder in the stunning killings of the couple, ages 78 and 70. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said Tuesday it was deferring the death penalty decision. Nick Reiner has twice pleaded not guilty in the case. His former attorney said that under the laws of California, he is not guilty of murder. The district attorney said the maximum sentence Reiner will be eligible to receive if convicted will be life without the possibility of parole.

The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected President Donald Trump’s attempt to limit mail voting by imposing new Postal Service regulations for the midterm elections. The decision announced late Monday allows mail voting to continue as usual. It also suggests that the court is unlikely to support similar efforts in future elections. Voting rights advocates and state officials expressed relief, given that roughly a third of voters in the U.S. use mail ballots. The decision, which came as mail voting is already underway in some states, was especially welcome in states that conduct elections primarily by mail.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve is widely expected to lift its short-term interest rate Wednesday for the first time in three years to fight stubbornly high inflation, a move that would put the central bank at odds with President Donald Trump’s demands. An increase in the Fed’s rate, currently about 3.6%, isn’t guaranteed but most analysts and economists expect a hike after a speech two weeks ago in which Fed Chair Kevin Warsh argued that the central bank had not yet achieved its goal of putting inflation in check.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The technology industry is urgently warning about the potential harm of artificial intelligence, but political inaction in Washington poses a challenge. President Donald Trump leads opposition to calls for greater oversight, dismissing them as a “conspiracy” on Monday. Democrats are pushing for a stronger response, with private discussions and briefings planned this week. The divide highlights a disconnect between tech warnings and government action. Some bipartisan efforts exist, but progress is slow. With elections approaching, swift legislative action seems unlikely. The debate underscores Washington’s struggle to address significant issues amid partisanship and election pressures.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky has returned to the Senate after a long absence. The 84-year-old senator has not been to the U.S. Capitol since June 14, when he was hospitalized for a fall in his home. His three-month absence from the Senate generated a flood of criticism and online speculation, as the Kentucky senator initially remained quiet for weeks about his condition. The 84-year-old senator eventually disclosed that he had been “briefly unconscious” due to a fall and had also been treated for mild pneumonia in the hospital. In a statement Monday McConnell said his recovery has been a “long and often frustrating process.”

VILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) — NATO jets have shot down a drone in Lithuanian airspace overnight. The incident came less than a day after NATO leaders pledged that strikes close to the alliance’s territory would drive the trans-Atlantic organization to increase support for Kyiv. Officials said Tuesday that the drone was downed about 60 miles or 100 kilometers west of the country’s capital Vilnius. The incursion follows a speech by NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on Monday when he said that strikes “close to NATO territory” showed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “desperation and also his desire to sow fear and terror.”

LOS ANGELES (AP) — “Widow’s Bay” has stormed the Emmy Awards, breaking a record for a comedy series with 14 awards including best comedy series and three acting wins. The first-season horror comedy was created by Katie Dippold about a New England island community reckoning with a centuries-old curse. It spoiled the going-away party for “Hacks,” which had gotten the most comedy nominations of any show in its fifth and final season. It broke the comedy record set last year by “The Studio” when it won 13. Star Matthew Rhys won best actor, Stephen Root won best supporting actor and Kate O’Flynn won best supporting actress. Dippold won for writing.