WJPA News

The U.S. Attorney says 55-year-old Emily Roberts of Monessen has pled guilty in federal court to a charge of bank fraud.  Roberts, while providing cleaning services at the victims home, was accused of repeatedly, over a period of several years, stealing checks from the victims checkbook.  Authorities allege that she wrote checks out to cash and forged a signature on the checks before depositing the money into her own personal bank account.  They allege that Roberts obtained more than a million-dollars through the deposit of over six-hundred checks.  Sentencing for Roberts is set for February 10, 2027.  Roberts could face up to thirty-years in prison, a fine of greater than one-million-dollars or twice her gain from the offense, or both.

Severe flooding in September caused damage throughout Washington County. On Thursday and Friday, a Multi-Agency Response Center was open to residents and business owners who were affected by flooding. The event was held at the American Legion in Washington, and many organizations were there to provide information about insurance, repairs, and how to report damages. Clyde Chappell coordinates disaster action for the American Red Cross. He says it means a lot to the organization to be able to serve the community. Lieutenant Thomas Perez of the Salvation Army says having a one-stop shop for those who were affected is important, and he believes it will provide some hope for residents. Dustyn Montgomery, the emergency planner for the Washington County Department of Public Safety, encourages anyone with flood damage to report it.

More flooding talk in light of recent storms.  Washington Mayor Jo Jo Burgess addressed the issue at the end of City Council’s Thursday meeting.  The first thing Burgess asked is that everyone report damages to the Washington County website that is collecting damage reports on line. Burgess says that it is critical to report the damage so that the county and each municipality can meet minimum thresholds to qualify for PEMA and FEMA disaster funding. Burgess was also at the Multi-Agency Response Center event at the Washington American Legion. He said that he was told that some residents that are in older housing are fearful that if they report damage, that their home may be condemned and then they will have no place to live. Burgess says that they are not looking to displace anyone. If needed, he said the city could put those people in contact with organizations that may be able to help. He also heard stories of landlords that will not allow tenants to report damage. He asks that those reports be made so tenants can try and recoup their losses. He spoke directly, indicating that the city has no patience for predatory landlords. Burgess also relayed information on how the city and neighboring communities will begin cleaning out stream and creek beds. It will be simple tasks, removing tree limbs, rocks and even shopping carts that form dams and cause floods. Those efforts are in the preliminary stages. In official city business, the city is renaming Lincoln Terrace. It will now be called James R. “Cookie” McDonald Way. The street name is honoring the long time resident, business man and civil rights activist that was instrumental in founding the Washington Branch of the NAACP. McDonald died earlier this year at the age of 90.

Washington County Commissioners acted as planned and voted to withhold hotel tax revenues from the Washington County Tourism Promotion Agency. The vote was 2-1 with Commissioner Larry Maggi dissenting. Prior to the vote, Maggi asked that the measure be tabled in order to consider a letter received by commissioners from the WCTPA in the last 24 hours. Commissioner Chairman Nick Sherman expressed that he was frustrated by not getting the information that he has been asking for, above and beyond a standard accounting audit. He forcefully denied the request and called for a vote. Sherman says that the commissioners are able to withhold the funds based on county code. WCTPA president Jeff Kotula says that they have provided their audit and any information above that will not be recognized as a standard accounting audit and any withholding of funds by the commissioners and by the county treasurer would be illegal based on county code. In a written statement from the WCTPA that included a letter from Sherman to the WCTPA Sherman states that he wants the county to have a more active role in tourism spending and the appointment of decision makers on how hotel tax money is spent. According to Commissioner Larry Maggi, that goes against the reasoning that the County appointed the Washington County Chamber of Commerce and the WCTPA to conduct tourism activities on behalf of the County. It is unknown if any further communication between the parties will take place before funds are withheld.

Updated 2026-2027 COVID vaccines are available, but it seems as though less people are willing to get the shot. Dr. William Sharpnack, a family physician in Washington, believes this could be for several reasons, including COVID being less severe than it used to be, general apprehension of vaccines, and the fact that many people do not like seasonal shots. Sharpnack says it is still important to get the vaccine, and it is more important depending on a person’s risk factors. He says those with certain chronic illnesses, like asthma, cancer, and diabetes, children younger than two, and people older than 65 should all get vaccinated. Sharpnack says there is no question that COVID vaccines are safe.  (Photo:  AP)

NEW YORK (AP) — Police bodycam footage shows officers arresting Luigi Mangione at a Pennsylvania McDonald’s in connection with the shooting death of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The footage that was released Friday captures officers identifying Mangione and finding a gun cartridge in his belongings. Mangione was arrested on Dec. 9, 2024, five days after Thompson was killed in Manhattan. A judge unsealed the recordings after CNN petitioned for their release. Mangione pleaded guilty to federal stalking charges in August and faces life in prison. He also faces murder charges in New York, though those proceedings are postponed.  (Photo:  AP)

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. employers added a disappointing 29,000 jobs and the unemployment rate ticked up last month, the government reported Friday, a month before voters go to the polls in pivotal midterm elections at a time of discontent over the high cost of living and the state of the economy. The Labor Department reported that hiring dropped from a revised 133,000 in August. The unemployment rose to a still-low 4.2% from 4.1% in August. Economists had expected 90,000 new jobs.

WASHINGTON (AP) — As midterm elections approach, some voters are worried about immigration enforcement officers at polling places. Department of Homeland Security officials say they don’t plan to send officers en masse to patrol the polls. They dismissed concerns as “fear-mongering.” Election law experts say federal law bars the government from deploying armed troops, agents or officers to election sites except to “repel armed enemies of the United States.” Organizations representing Latino, Black and Asian American voters are concerned about the rhetoric and ICE’s activity. They worry that any ICE activity near polling places could deter voters already on edge over immigration enforcement.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — State officials nationwide are focusing on rising gas and diesel prices tied to the war in Iran. They’re offering gas tax holidays and other measures to ease costs as affordability remains a top voter concern in the critical midterm elections. Lawmakers in Ohio passed a 90-day state gas tax holiday with broad bipartisan support on Wednesday. Ohio is among about one-third of states that have implemented some form of fuel tax relief, with many taking action within the past week. Some states have suspended their fuel taxes. Others have temporarily reduced taxes. And still more have targeted relief only to farmers, loggers, and others who use a special type of diesel fuel.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is launching an office of religious affairs at the Pentagon. He announced Wednesday that the office will provide “first-class religious support” and report directly to him. Hegseth, who often infuses his evangelical Christianity into his leadership, says the office will advocate for military chaplains and religious support. One critic, Rachel Laser from Americans United for Separation of Church, argues that the new initiative will elevate Christianity in military policy. The Pentagon says the new office will not compel religious participation or favor any particular faith. The leader of the new office has not been named, but it will coordinate spiritual resources for military families.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Attorneys for Christa Pike say the death row inmate is still alive but in critical condition a day after the state’s failed attempt to execute her for the 1995 murder of a woman. The state tried to execute Pike by lethal injection on Wednesday but neither the initial nor backup dose of pentobarbital killed her. Pike was still snoring when the execution chamber’s microphone was cut off more than an hour into the attempt, and she was later taken to a hospital for treatment. Her lawyers said Thursday that she is still being treated, but they didn’t know details about how she’s faring. Tennessee’s Republican governor, Bill Lee, called what transpired “deeply disturbing” and has ordered an independent review.

NEW YORK (AP) — The Trump administration has proposed a change to the 1040 tax form that will require Americans to disclose their citizenship and residency status. Officials argue the goal is to prevent immigrants lacking permanent legal status from receiving benefits like the Earned Income Tax Credit. Critics express privacy concerns, saying this information isn’t needed to process returns. It’s the latest effort by the Trump administration to use the IRS to pursue its immigration policies.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A bill aiming to permanently ban the sale of Chinese vehicles in the United States stalled in the Senate as lawmakers headed for the exits until after the November midterm elections. The bipartisan bill, sponsored by Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno of Ohio and Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, aims to prevent China’s auto industry from gaining a foothold in the U.S. market. It gained renewed energy last week during the summit in Washington between Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump. Slotkin and Moreno delayed the bill as they negotiated with the lone holdout, Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, who argued the legislation could unfairly sweep in Mercedes-Benz.

NEW DELHI (AP) — An Indian pilot hailed as a hero said he fought for his life after his co-pilot stabbed him and the FlyDubai flight began a steep descent. Capt. Smit Machchhar, who is recovering in an Abu Dhabi hospital after being seriously injured in Wednesday’s attack, said he opened the cockpit door, allowing passengers to enter and restrain the attacker. The flight, carrying 182 people, was diverted to Saudi Arabia for an emergency landing. Israeli authorities said the attacker, an Omani national, was arrested. Machchhar told Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a video call that he realized he had to get back on his feet to save the passengers.