WJPA News

The parents of Karoline Heintz have released a statement through the Pennsylvania State Police following their daughter’s death:  “This is a parent’s worst nightmare.  It has been devastating for family, friends and the whole community.  Karoline was loved by all.  She was a kind, smart, beautiful girl.  We want justice for our “sweet” Karoline.  Please respect our privacy as we grieve.” Meanwhile, PennWest University and the California (PA) athletic department released this statement:  “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Karoline Heintz, a first-year student and member of the California women’s soccer team.  California Athletics is devastated by the tragic loss of our student-athlete Karoline Heintz. Karoline was a bright and kind young woman with so much ahead of her. She will always remain in our hearts. Our deepest condolences are with her family, friends, teammates, coaches and all who knew and loved her.”  Members of the Counseling Center are available to support students and members of the University community. The California Campus Counseling Center is located in Carter Hall (Room G-65) and is open on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Heintz, a defender for the Vulcans, graduated from Peters Township High School this spring and was beginning her first year at PennWest.  With the support of PennWest California and Karoline’s family, the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) will observe a moment of silence at all conference athletic events held from Thursday, August 27, through Thursday, September 3rd. The tribute will provide an opportunity for the PSAC community to remember Karoline and stand in support of her family, friends, teammates, coaches and the PennWest California community. (Photo: PennWest California)

The body of 18-year-old Karoline Heintz, a first year student at PennWest California University, was found In the early morning hours of August 20. Heintz’s family contacted California Borough Police after they were unable to contact her as earlier planned. Her body was found stabbed and stuffed into an SUV in front of the California Public Library. Pennsylvania State Police were able to add more detail to her killing.  Heintz’s boyfriend Royce Moser and his mother Rachel Moser are facing multiple felony charges for Heintz’s killing. State Police Spokesperson Rocco Gagliardi provided the order of events that led up to the killing. According to Gagliardi, a party was held at Heintz’s Peters Township home. Heintz and Moser then went to Moser’s father’s home in North Strabane Township where an argument ensued. Royce went into his father’s home, retrieved a knife and stabbed Heintz. Moser took Heintz in her car to his mother’s home in Beallsville where they attempted to clean up blood evidence. They then took the vehicle to California Borough and dumped it in front of the library. Police apprehended the pair at Rachel Moser’s Beallsville home. Interviews with the pair took up most of the day before they were taken to the Washington County Jail at roughly 7:30 pm. Royce Moser is being charged with homicide abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence and other related charges. Rachel Moser is facing hindering the apprehension of a fugitive, abuse of a corpse and evidence tampering and other charges. Both are awaiting preliminary arraignment either late Thursday or first thing in the morning on Friday. The cause and manner of death are pending an autopsy. Police state that this is an isolated incident and there is no reason for further concern.

Back to school is coming up fast, and the Washington School District is ready to go! Superintendent Alisa King addressed a couple of topics that have been in the news recently, including a new executive order that lowers the number of recommended vaccines for children. King says that the district currently has a high vaccination rate. They are encouraging and working with families to ensure that students are getting all necessary vaccines. Cell phone bans in public schools have also been a big topic recently. King says that the district already uses Yondr pouches for students at the secondary level. The pouches have worked well. King explains that the district will be using Multi-Tiered System of Supports for students in middle school. The district already uses this system at the elementary school. This includes using data to find where students are struggling and ensuring that they get the support they need to improve in class. High school students can look forward to new electives this school year. The 2026-27 school year begins on August 26.

CHICAGO (AP) — After trade negotiations crumbled down to the eleventh hour, U.S. President Donald Trump’s 50% tariffs on scores of Canadian imports kicked in Saturday. The new levies are expected to affect roughly $20 billion of Canadian goods, ranging from hockey sticks to agricultural products. And Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney quickly promised that his government would roll out “dollar for dollar” retaliatory measures starting Sept. 8. The latest escalation between the two countries — which once held one of the world’s most durable trade alliances — plunges them deeper into a trade war that has kept both sides of the border on edge throughout Trump’s second term in office.

DALLAS (AP) — A Texas judge has denied a new trial for Karmelo Anthony in the stabbing death of an athlete at a high school track meet. The case drew national attention and spurred harassment of the families and demonstrations at the courthouse. The 19-year-old Anthony is serving 35 years in prison after being convicted of murder in the April 2025 death of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf. Judge Michael Chitty denied the retrial motion in a half-page order following a two-day hearing this week near Dallas. He cited a review of the evidence but did not elaborate. Anthony’s defense says there will be an appeal.

HONOLULU (AP) — The National Hurricane Center says Tropical Storm Moke has formed in the Pacific Ocean. It is on track to bring another round of heavy rain and wind to Hawaii as residents are still recovering from Hurricane Lala. The hurricane center’s advisory shows Moke was located about 425 miles southeast of Hilo as of Saturday morning. Maximum sustained winds were around 50 mph (85 kph). Like with Hurricane Lala, the Big Island is again expected to bear the brunt of the storm. It battered Hawaii last weekend without making landfall, downing trees and leaving roads covered in mud and rocks. Rain and heavy winds from Moke are expected to hit the Big Island late Saturday.

SAN MARINO (AP) — Pope Leo XIV has used a visit to San Marino and a major Catholic gathering in the nearby Italian city of Rimini to urge Catholics to reject division, conflict and social polarization, calling instead for dialogue, mercy and friendship across political and cultural differences. He spoke on Saturday at the annual Rimini Meeting, warning against a culture that “rearms minds, words and nations.” Leo said Christians should work to overcome poverty, inequality and war. He also delivered a strong message to young Catholics, describing them as “a sign that the future is promising, and not a threat,” and encouraging them to engage with society and help build a “civilization of love.”

Iran’s president has defended a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. as the best way to end a stalled conflict. He emphasizes the agreement aligns with Iran’s dignity and interests. The deal, signed in June, aimed to end the war and reach a nuclear accord, but key issues remain unresolved. Meanwhile, Iran’s new security chief warned neighboring countries against supporting U.S. sanctions, threatening retaliation. In the occupied West Bank, a Palestinian man reported on Sunday being beaten by an Israeli settler. Israel’s military is also pursuing a suspect in a separate stabbing incident, highlighting ongoing violence in the region.

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Deadly airstrikes in Gaza on Wednesday have raised doubts about new U.S. efforts to advance a ceasefire there. Local hospitals and the Palestinian Red Crescent say at least 10 people were killed in two strikes, days after a U.S. envoy met with Israel’s prime minister. Witnesses said Israeli troops also crossed the ceasefire line and detained a Hamas police colonel. Israel’s military said the strikes targeted Hamas commanders involved in previous attacks. The Palestinian Red Crescent said a strike on a police station killed at least nine people. On the diplomatic front, ceasefire negotiations appear stalled, with disagreements over Hamas’ disarmament and Israel’s withdrawal.