WJPA News

One of the men implicated in a massive communication wire theft ring is in the Washington County Jail and facing more charges. Pennsylvania State Police say they talked to Donald Edward Martin III, 36 of Bulger, earlier this week and he said he had nothing to do with the crime. Police say in February and March of this year, Martin sold 568 pounds of copper that was once telecommunication wire to a scrap yard in Steubenville, Ohio for more than $2,100. On a tip, troopers went to 140 Hart Avenue in Washington to serve a felony warrant. They entered a detached garage, where Martin was found hiding in the rafters. He was taken into custody and arraigned. He and six others are set for an August 26 Preliminary Hearing. One suspect in the five-month investigation, Lee Fusarelli, 43, of Avella, remains at large. Police are asking anyone with information about his whereabouts to call them at 724-223-5200.  The State Police were assisted in the five-month investigation by the Washington County District Attorney, the Sheriff’s Department, and several municipal police departments.

The Canon McMillan School Board is looking forward to the new school year. The School Board is looking forward to a number of academic and construction projects that will take place this year. Superintendent Dr. Greg Taranto says that the Wylandville Elementary School project is progressing well. He spoke of an elementary school playground project as well. South Central Elementary is looking to have its outdoor space totally renovated. Taranto says that drainage issues are a problem and once the renovations are complete, the space will be available for year round activity. Academically, the district will implement its chromebook policy for students in kindergarten through second grade. Those students will be free of any electronic learning devices. Taranto says that in grade 3-12, electronics will be deemphasized and more teacher to student learning will take place. The High School To College program will also be enhanced to allow those students that choose college the opportunity to earn college credits while still in high school. Taranto also wanted to make sure parents are aware of the district’s motto of “Make every day count” and they are ready to make that happen. School starts on August 20, 2026.

If it is mid-August, the Washington County Agricultural Fair will be going on. This year the fair will have several attractions to compliment the traditional animal shows, baking contests and rides. According to Board Treasurer Joe McCloskey, a new addition to the popular rodeo event will be Women’s Bronc Riding.  The demolition derby will take on a new look with a figure 8 travel pattern as opposed to the traditional oval travel path. And, monster trucks will be brought back after a brief hiatus. Kids will be able to watch the always popular High School Marching Band presentation followed by the school bus demolition derby. Wayne Hunnell is the board secretary, and he says improvements to the fairgrounds continue. This year attendees will see upgraded bathrooms and an addition that was added on to building 1. A new fence borders the race track and three new flagpoles were added to the memorial plaza. Trolley travel to the fair will go on for the 115^th year. Jenine DeBor, Executive Director and CEO of the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum says that they will provide trolley service from the Eaton parking lot and museum parking lots to the fairgrounds for $5 per rider (kids 2 and under are free). Unlimited rides are available on day of purchase and that ticket entitles the rider to admission to the museum on the day of purchase. The fair kicks off on Saturday August 15 at 9:00 am and ends Saturday August 22. Admission is $15, tickets maybe purchased at the door or online.

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania departments of Health and Education announced on Thursday that schools in southwestern Pennsylvania will receive $590,844 to continue providing free period products to their students. The funding is part of the $3 million allocated in the recently signed 2026-27 budget that will be distributed to more than 750 Pennsylvania school districts, intermediate units, career and technical centers, and brick-and-mortar charter schools.  Building on the historic, first-time investment of $3 million in the 2024-25 budget, the Shapiro Administration has now invested a total of $9 million over three budgets to help ensure that girls can focus on their schoolwork and remain in the classroom.  The funding enables schools to provide students with access to period products at no cost, in line with the Shapiro Administration’s work to improve health equity for 650,000 girls in Pennsylvania.  All qualifying school entities in the state will receive funding proportional to the total number of students enrolled at a rate of $1.81 per student. Applications and reimbursement requests will not be required.  Schools may use the funding for period product purchases made between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027.  In our area, Washington County will receive $50,246; Greene County will utilize $8,379; and Fayette County schools will get $28,084.

NEW YORK (AP) — Luigi Mangione is expected to plead guilty Friday in the federal case stemming from the killing of the former UnitedHealthcare CEO on a Manhattan sidewalk. That’s according to a person familiar with the matter who was not authorized to talk publicly about the case and spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity. The person cautioned that Mangione might still change his mind. Mangione is accused of stalking UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and killing him outside a New York City hotel. Lawyers for Mangione and the Justice Department declined comment prior to Friday’s hearing, which was hastily requested by prosecutors and defense lawyers earlier this week.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pacific-based aircraft carrier USS George Washington has begun heading toward the Middle East as reports have emerged of mental health and supply issues aboard the long-deployed USS Abraham Lincoln. The Lincoln has been supporting the U.S. war against Iran, and its deployment has included a record-setting uninterrupted time at sea of more than 240 days. Several Democratic lawmakers are pressing the Pentagon for accountability over conditions aboard the carrier. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday said those were “completely misrepresented.” The Navy acknowledges that the war has created an environment “where traditional supply hubs in the Middle East were disrupted by combat actions.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump plans to highlight his record on crime and safety during a visit to a New York police academy on Friday. The White House says he will release new FBI crime statistics showing a decrease in violent crime for 2025. Trump’s visit is aimed at boosting Republican candidates in closely contested races across his home state. But just how much his presence will help is in question as he faces lagging approval ratings and a deeply unpopular war in Iran with no end in sight. Trump will be joined by Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel in his visit to Nassau County.

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A judge has dismissed Nevada’s fake electors case. Thursday’s decision marks the latest setback in swing states’ efforts to prosecute six Republicans who tried to keep Donald Trump in the White House after he lost to Joe Biden in 2020’s presidential election. The Nevada Attorney General’s Office plans to appeal. The six Republicans pleaded not guilty. They include Michael McDonald, the chair of the Nevada Republican Party, and Jesse Law, the former chair of the Clark County

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A company that operates a vast nationwide network of automated cameras that record the license plate numbers and other characteristics of all passing vehicles every day is making changes to its platform. The changes announced Thursday by Flock Safety are intended to quell privacy concerns and address documented abuses of its system by some members of law enforcement. They will make what were once optional guardrails mandatory by Jan. 1. Among them: All law enforcement customers will have to implement an audit tool that’s intended to flag abnormal search behavior. The company is increasingly under scrutiny from lawmakers from both parties, civil liberties advocates and citizens across the U.S.

NEW YORK (AP) — As summer fades and kids head back to school, the pressure to stand out or fit in with the right footwear is colliding with higher prices. The jump in price is straining family budgets that are already being squeezed by rising costs for food, gas and other essentials, so analysts and retailers say parents and kids are spending more time looking for deals or buying fewer pairs. Michelle Wlazlo, JCPenney’s brand chief executive officer, says families are being choosy when buying back-to-school shoes. Lisa Will, who runs the children’s outdoor footwear company Stonz Shoes, says customers are gravitating toward neutral-colored shoes that can be passed down to younger siblings.

HONOLULU (AP) — Forecasters say Tropical Storm Lala has formed in the Pacific Ocean and a hurricane warning has been issued for the Big Island of Hawaii. The National Hurricane Center says the storm could become a hurricane and bring rain to the Hawaiian Islands starting late Friday as well as high winds and dangerous surf. A hurricane warning is in effect for Hawaii County and a tropical storm watch is in place for Maui County including the islands of Maui, Lanai, Molokai and Kahoolawe. The Miami-based center said Thursday that Lala was about 530 miles east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaii, and about 740 miles east-southeast of Honolulu with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph while moving west-northwest.