WJPA News

The Cecil Township Board of Supervisors hosted a public Data Center Workshop Monday evening. The purpose of this workshop was to give residents a chance to offer feedback on future ordinances, ask questions, and express concerns. The Board would like to get ahead of the curve and have conditions in place before a company would propose developing a data center in the township. Supervisor Tom Casciola says that the first step, and ultimately the hardest part, is deciding where the best location for a data center would be. Supervisor Cindy Fisher says that the Board will be spending a lot of time writing an ordinance that would allow data centers in a safe area. Fisher also says that even if the township would benefit from allowing a data center, the safety and well-being of residents is her first priority. Lee Sahene, a resident of Cecil, spoke during the workshop and said he was grateful that the Board was allowing residents to voice their opinions. The Board says that there will be a public hearing once an ordinance is written.

Canonsburg Borough Council approved the acquisition of a road management program called Vialytics several months ago. According to Council President Eric Chandler, the borough’s engineer suggested the program that he saw used in other municipalities. Council got an update on the program at their agenda meeting.  The artificial intelligence based program takes the guesswork and emotion out of road paving projects. A cellphone is mounted to the dashboard of a vehicle and it records road conditions as it drives. The program not only records road conditions, but road signs as well, giving council a comprehensive view of road conditions. The program rates the roads and their conditions and then processes the information on PennDot standards to allow officials to make the best decisions on roadwork. Chandler says that the analysis of roads will be used to make decisions for the 2027 road paving program. In business to be addressed next week, council will vote on a measure that will allow the combination of the mayor and borough manager to temporarily close portions of or all of a parking lot or lots when they deem necessary for the sake of  public safety or property protection.

Gas prices are nine cents lower in Western Pennsylvania this week at $4.140 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.  As millions of drivers filled up and hit the road for the long Independence Day weekend, gas prices were the lowest they’ve been in several weeks. The national average is down 40 cents from a month ago at $3.79 for a gallon of regular. While that number is higher than last year, it’s a relief from this past spring, when the national average peaked at $4.56 on May 21. Crude oil prices have fallen to their lowest levels in months, dropping to the $65 per barrel range.  According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand increased last week from 8.77 million barrels per day to 9.13 million. Total domestic gasoline supply decreased from 216.3 million barrels to 214 million. Gasoline production increased last week, averaging 10 million barrels per day.

WEST HOMESTEAD, Pa. — Sandcastle Waterpark is implementing a new chaperone policy.  General Manager Richard Spicuzza announced the policy on Monday.  Guests who are 15-years-old and younger are now required to be with an adult who is 21 or older while at the park.  Kennywood Park announced an Identical policy last month following reports of possible unauthorized meetups.  Spicuzza also serves as Kennywood’s general manager and said the change at Sandcastle was sparked by positive feedback coming from the historic amusement park’s guests.  “I’ve had the opportunity to see firsthand the positive impact this policy has had at Kennywood this summer. We’ve heard from many guests who appreciate the welcoming atmosphere it has helped reinforce, and that feedback gave us confidence to introduce the same policy at Sandcastle,” Spicuzza said.  A chaperone is able to look after six guests who are teens 15-years-old or younger. They must be present at the park at all times during the teens’ visit, but are not required to accompany them at all times.  The new policy goes into effect on Friday.

NEW YORK (AP) — Officials say an under-construction high-rise in Manhattan remains unstable after columns buckled and floors sagged. Officials said Tuesday that the building, a former Pfizer headquarters being converted to luxury apartments, was still moving. Nearby buildings, including a school, were evacuated. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani says engineers are working to stabilize the structure, using drones for monitoring. The Fire Department of New York Chief John Esposito confirmed the building continues to move, making it a dangerous situation. Builders say the 37-story tower is part of the city’s largest office-to-residential conversion project, with over 1,600 planned units.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A tanker traveling off the coast of Oman in the Strait of Hormuz has caught on fire after being struck by a projectile. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said Tuesday that the tanker had been hit near Limah, Oman, in the strait. It said the projectile hit the port side of the vessel while trying to traveling south out of the strait toward the Gulf of Oman. It said there was no environmental impact from the strike and that authorities were investigating. Iranian state television said the liquefied natural gas tanker came under attack after ignoring warnings but did not directly claim the assault.

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — NATO will showcase new military projects worth billions in an effort to convince President Donald Trump that allies are boosting defense spending. Tuesday’s event, called the “big reveal,” will see leaders announcing deals with defense companies, many in the U.S. It’s happening on the sidelines of a summit in Turkey. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte says the contracts will provide crucial military equipment. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposes selling F-35 jets to Turkey out of concern over the balance of power in the Mideast. The summit is focused on a stronger Europe for a stronger NATO, as the U.S. shifts focus to China and the Indo-Pacific.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is claiming credit for Walmart’s recent price cuts, though the retailer’s statement doesn’t mention his administration’s involvement. Trump faces backlash over inflation, which rose after his tariffs and the Iran war’s impact on energy costs. He blames Democrats for the ongoing issue. In a social media post Monday, Trump says Walmart lowered prices at his request to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday. However, Walmart’s statement describes the cuts as a seasonal strategy, with no mention of government interaction. Inflation has climbed 4.2% over the past year, higher than the rate Trump inherited.

Politico reports that a woman has accused Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner of sexual assault. Platner denied the allegations Monday, but said he’d consider the next steps for his campaign. He states that any accusation of non-consensual behavior is categorically untrue. He says he will be considering next steps for his campaign. Jenny Racicot claims Platner entered her home in 2021 while drunk and assaulted her. She says they had been in an on-and-off relationship but cut off contact after the incident, which she says wasn’t consensual. Monday’s report pushed several supporters away from a candidate who has long been controversial.

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Explosions rocked Damascus shortly after French President Emmanuel Macron entered the presidential palace to meet Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, wounding at least four people. Syrian authorities did not immediately comment on the incident. Two explosions happened near the Four Seasons Hotel, where Syrian media reported that Macron was staying. The French president’s office said he was safe and that his visit to Syria was continuing. Citing an unnamed security official, state media reported that the two blasts in the heart of the capital were caused by explosive devices. No group immediately claimed responsibility. The incident comes days after an explosive device was detonated in a cafe near the Justice Palace, killing at least 10 people.