The State Police Fire Marshal has been called in to investigate a fire late Thursday night in the City of Washington. Washington County 911 says fire crews were called to the 100-block of Buttonwood Avenue just before midnight. The home appeared to be vacant and no injuries were reported.
In a rare agreement among all three Washington County Commissioners, they will be talking to Motorola Solutions, Inc about a $1,147,201 change order for the Washington County P25 emergency radio system upgrade. During the agenda setting meeting on Wednesday, both Larry Maggi and Nick Sherman questioned why such a large change order is necessary. Chief of Staff Daryl Price explained that the increase is due to the need for three new support shelters that need to be delivered, built and outfitted. He said the original proposal did not include these because it was felt that the existing infrastructure at the antenna sites would be adequate. Further study indicated otherwise. Commissioners are reaching out to Motorola on Wednesday to get a detailed explanation about the charges. Commissioner Nick Sherman wants to know why this was not included in the initial contract. Commissioner Larry Maggi is also pushing back saying he needs a better explanation as to why this was not in the original contract. The original contract for the project came in at $24.4 million. If this change order is approved, it will push the contract price to $26,380,000. Completion for the project is anticipated for early 2027.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania regulators are seeking $2.6 million in penalties from UGI because of a gas leak and deadly explosion at a chocolate factory. The state Public Utility Commission on Wednesday asked an administrative law judge to issue the fines. Regulators argue UGI’s gas distribution equipment serving R.M. Palmer Co. in West Reading violates state and federal rules. The March 2023 blast killed seven workers and injured 10 people. It destroyed a factory building and a nearby apartment building. UGI is calling the explosion a heartbreaking tragedy and expressing sympathy for the victims’ families, people in West Reading and others who were affected.
BANGKOK (AP) — Global oil and natural gas prices have soared after Iran attacked a key natural gas facility in Qatar that can supply one-fifth of the world’s gas, and two oil refineries in Kuwait. The attacks raised fears the energy crisis triggered by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to tanker traffic may be longer and more extensive than feared, with lasting damage to oil and gas production. The international benchmark, Brent crude, rose to about $114 per barrel. It was under $73 per barrel on the eve of the war. The European TTF benchmark for natural gas prices traded 24% higher on Thursday. World shares retreated after stocks slumped Wednesday on Wall Street.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. government’s top intelligence official has told lawmakers that Iran’s government “appears to be intact but largely degraded.” However, Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence, repeatedly dodged questions about whether President Donald Trump had been warned about the fallout from the weeks-old war, including Iran’s attacks on Gulf nations and its effective closure of the vital Strait of Hormuz. Gabbard also stated in prepared remarks to the Senate Intelligence Committee that U.S. attacks on Iran last year had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear program and that there had been no effort since then to rebuild that capability. The statement was notable given Trump’s repeated assertions that a war with Iran was necessary.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The widening war in Iran is exposing big gaps at the State Department, especially in the bureau that handles the Middle East. In recent weeks, officials say, the Trump administration has cut staff, left key leadership jobs vacant and relied on a small circle of aides. Former officials describe an understaffed and demoralized workforce. They link the turmoil to mixed public messaging, weak planning and trouble helping Americans trapped in conflict zones. They say the department started evacuation planning late. The State Department now relies on temporary task forces and volunteers.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. national debt has hit a record $39 trillion. The deficit hit the milestone Wednesday just weeks into the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran. The Government Accountability Office says rising debt can raise borrowing costs for mortgages and cars. It can also squeeze wages and push up prices. Budget advocates warn that growing interest payments force tougher tradeoffs. The federal debt has surged under both Republican and Democratic presidents, most recently fueled by wars, large-scale pandemic spending and tax cuts. The U.S. national debt hit $38 trillion five months ago — and $37 trillion two months before that.
