WJPA News

For a second straight weekend,  residents in Washington County are dealing with flood damage.  Canton Township declared a state of emergency Sunday.  In the City of Washington, many of the usual places were flooded once again, including Park Avenue by W&J’s Cameron Stadium, parts of Country Club Road, Jefferson Avenue was shut down at Wylie Avenue, and there were also reports of a retaining wall collapsing on Arch Street in Canonsburg.  A man had to be rescued after trying to cross a flooded road in South Strabane Township.  Police say the man tried to cross Valley Road Extension in a kayak, but was swept downstream and pinned against a tree. First responders were able to safely pull him out.  The rescue happened around 1 p.m., according to the Penn Township Ambulance Association. Washington County Emergency Management is urging residents, businesses, and municipalities to report any new storm-related damage as quickly as possible.  Residents and businesses will find a new link to report any damage from this new round of storms separate from Sept 12’s damage at the county’s online damage reporting system, photos and details should be included, if possible.  Municipalities should also report any storm impacts and must turn in any Disaster or Emergency Declaration related to today’s storm to Washington County’s Emergency Management team. “We are continuing to see the impacts of severe weather across the county, and with more rain possible, it is critical that we receive information as quickly as possible,” said Deputy Director of Washington County Emergency Management Dan Harvey. “Every report helps us understand the scope of the damage and determine what resources and assistance may be needed. Report online: https://crisistrack.juvare.com/public/washingtonPA/request.html.  Click here to submit a damage report. (PHOTO: Penn Township Ambulance Association) 

Washington City Police are investigating a reported stabbing incident early Monday morning.  Police tell WJPA News that officers responded to the 900-block of Jefferson Avenue around 1:15 a.m.  In a release,  Police say an adult female was found with an apparent non-life-threatening injury.   Evidence was collected from the scene and the investigation is on-going. Police say it appeared to be an isolated incident and there is no threat to the public.  No other information is being released at this time.

ALLENPORT, Pa. — A man struck and killed by a train in Allenport on Friday was in on a motorized wheelchair. It happened in the 1800 block of Main Street in Allenport at 5:13 p.m.  Washington County Coroner Tim Warco said the victim was crossing the railway at the Bridge Street crossing when he was struck by a Norfolk Southern train. The victim has been identified as Anthony Chilzer, 43, of Allenport.  Warco said it is unclear why Chilzer was trying to cross, but added that video shows the warning signals and crossing gates were working at the time of the incident.  Chilzer’s cause and manner of death are still under investigation.

The Pennsylvania Insurance Department has approved its rates for the 2027 Affordable Care Act insurance premiums. The rate approvals cover both the individual and small group health insurance markets. According to the PID, Pennsylvanians that buy their own insurance will see an average increase of 15.97%. Small businesses will see an average increase of 10.28%. Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Michael Humphries cites health care cuts by the federal government as the main driver of the spike in premiums. Contributing to the rise in rates are rising costs, the use of prescription drugs, and medical care. PID says that consumers should shop around on Pennie, the state’s official health insurance marketplace. They say that no two circumstances are alike. Premiums are decided on several factors such as age, location, household income, family size and market competition. Pennie also offers financial assistance to help lower monthly premiums and out of pocket costs. Open enrollment on Pennie is approaching. The enrollment period is November 1 through December 15 for coverage that will start on January 1, 2027. For information visit pennie.com or call 1-844-844-8040.

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Local authorities say a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot and wounded a man in Austin, Texas, where anti-ICE protesters gathered for hours. The Austin police chief says the man was in serious but stable condition at a hospital after being shot Sunday afternoon. An immigration attorney identified him as Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, a 28-year-old Venezuelan man. The Department of Homeland Security says the man is in custody pending removal from the country. Austin police officers were not involved in the shooting. The city’s mayor, Kirk Watson, said he wants local police involved in the investigation to provide what he called “clear, third-party eyes” in the process.

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — World leaders are meeting under a global cloud of wars and bitter divisions for their annual meeting at the United Nations this week. And they’re facing new fears that runaway artificial intelligence could threaten humanity, and more earthly worries that climate shocks and escalating prices are already making life much tougher for hundreds of millions of people. The meeting, starting Tuesday, will also be consumed with the major wars in Iran, Gaza, Sudan, Congo and Myanmar and a burning question:. Can the leaders do anything to end them?

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says that communism is the greatest threat the U.S. has ever faced. But he’s hosting the leader of the world’s most powerful communist country this week — Chinese President Xi Jinping. Trump has denigrated Democrats for being communists ahead of the midterm elections, yet boasts about his relationship with Xi. And his political attacks have come even as he directs his administration’s economic policies, which some have criticized as corporate socialism. The contradictions between Trump’s words and actions risk muddying his message ahead of the November midterms, but the White House did not respond to questions about the discrepancies.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says the massive arch he wants to build between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery would become a “top grade military complex” able to host drones and snipers while storing ammunition. Trump said in a social media post Sunday about the arch that he was acting at the “strong request” of the military. The Pentagon says it had no information beyond the president’s statement. Meanwhile, a lawyer for a group of people suing over the project says the arch hasn’t won congressional approval and shouldn’t be allowed to move ahead without it.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Presley Gerber, the son of supermodel Cindy Crawford, has died at age 27. Medical examiner records show Gerber Sunday died at a rehab facility. The death was confirmed by Allie Jenkins, a representative for Crawford and her husband, businessman Rande Gerber. Jenkins says the family is asking for privacy. Presley was the older brother of model and actress Kaia Gerber.