WJPA News

South Strabane Township will now be in search of a new fire chief. Jordan Cramer, Chief of Fire and Emergency Services and Emergency Management Coordinator tells WJPA News that he tendered his resignation on Wednesday to take on a new position as the Director of Fire Services in Ross Township. Cramer said that his final day will be September 11. He will be at the annual September 11 memorial. He said he looks forward to working through the transition period and serving South Strabane residents. Cramer came to South Strabane Township in 2022 from Peters Township.  (File Photo)

The Washington County Coroner’s Office has been searched again, this time, by the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office.  They say they assisted Monessen Police in executing the search warrant to obtain documents needed for an investigation.  “This is uncharted territory for our office. As a law enforcement agency, the Monessen Police Department is entitled to material pursuant to a criminal investigation and prosecution. Pursuing justice and accountability shouldn’t come at a cost to the victim, the victim’s family, or public safety,” Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole W. Ziccarelli said. This is the second time the office was searched.  Last November, a search warrant was executed amid a dispute over access to autopsy reports.  The Washington County District Attorney’s Office, Pennsylvania State Police, Washington City Police and Canonsburg Police all searched for autopsy reports connected to five cases.  Officials said investigators and the DA’s office had repeatedly requested the documents and were denied.  The DA’s office said it was told three reports were available but would only be released for a fee of about $700 each. District Attorney Jason Walsh said those reports were essential to prosecuting crimes and serving victims.  Coroner Tim Warco at the time, said he had decided to charge fees because his office wasn’t receiving police reports needed to complete autopsies and related records.

PennDOT announced on Wednesday that landslide repairs are scheduled to begin on Locust Avenue between Hudack Hill and the Interstate 79 Interchange in South Strabane Township,  on Monday, July 13th.  On March 27th, the roadway was closed to traffic due to a landslide.  There was no word on how long the repairs will take, but officials say the existing detour utilizing Country Club Road and Locust Avenue will remain in place until mid-October.

Harrisburg, PA – Ahead of the 25-day closure of the Interstate 376 Commercial Street Bridge, PennDOT is encouraging drivers to plan their trip using the enhanced real-time travel information available on a specialized webpage at https://www.511pa.com/map/page/CommercialStBridge. These enhancements support Governor Josh Shapiro’s commitment to providing accessible, real-time digital services to every Pennsylvanian.  Hosted through the department’s www.511PA.com traveler information website, the page is dedicated to monitoring traffic conditions on primary travel routes to events and around the greater Pittsburgh area.  The new webpage includes links to traffic maps with travel time for primary routes around the City of Pittsburgh, as well as other helpful links and travel tips for navigating the closure. Users can see real-time incidents, construction, traffic cameras, traffic speeds, and message board displays on the maps.  Travelers using the “My Routes” option will also have access to a list of special points of interest when choosing their starting point or destination, making it easier than ever to find the best route around the closure. There will also be real-time travel information posted on changeable message signs and PennDOT will be utilizing cameras throughout the closure to enhance monitoring of current traffic conditions, as well as message boards to help direct travelers.

The Cecil Township Board of Supervisors held a public hearing on the Conditional Use Application for the Cool Valley Development. The site of the proposed development is 216 acres along Interstate I-79, Lewicki Rd., and Morganza Rd. It will be used for retail, town homes, and an apartment complex. Frank Egizio, the Chairman of the Board, believes that the applicant was not fully prepared for the hearing. He said that there are still a lot of unanswered questions, including what the traffic flow would be like and how the development would impact residents in the surrounding area. Residents who spoke at the hearing expressed concerns regarding traffic, public safety, and light pollution. One resident, Michelle Turbanic, was pleased with the number of residents who showed up at the hearing, because she believes that taking part in local government is extremely important. Supervisor Cindy Fisher ensures that the Board will represent the residents and make sure that their concerns are validated. John Haynes, who spoke on behalf of Cool Valley Development, refused to comment after the hearing. The hearing will be continued on Monday, August 3, 2026, at 6:00 PM, with a vote immediately following.

UPMC Hillman Cancer Center at UPMC Washington hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the installation of a new, second linear accelerator, an advanced radiation machine used to treat cancer. Beth Wild, the president of the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, says this addition not only ensures that patients receive the best care possible, but that they receive it as soon as they need it. Ziad Fawaz, a radiation oncologist and medical director at the Cancer Center, explains that this technology offers more advanced imaging and improved treatment accuracy. The system can accurately target tumors and minimize exposure to healthy tissue. Brook Ward, the president of UPMC Washington, says that this is an important milestone for the hospital, the Cancer Center, the Washington community, and the surrounding area. He also says that, while the technology is important, it is the great team at the Cancer Center that really makes a difference.

A group of former justices from Pennsylvania and Ohio and a former Pennsylvania Governor are on a barnstorming bus tour to discussing democracy, public trust and the importance of an independent judiciary. The “Justice In Motion” tour is organized by the nonpartisan civic organization Keep Our Republic. They are dedicated to strengthening trust in American democracy, constitutional norms and the rule of law. Their stop at the LeMoyne Community Center found a group of teenagers looking to find out more about an independent judiciary. Former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett spoke of freedom and how the judicial process works in concert with the idea of freedom. Retired Ohio Supreme Court Justice Michael Donnelly explained how current political party fighting is threatening the independence of the courts. Retired Ohio Supreme Court Justice Maureen O’Connor specifically stated that there is no room for politics in the court of law. According to tour organizers, the tour is designed to create space for direct, unscripted conversations about democracy, constitutional government, and the role courts continue to play in American civic life.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The U.S. military says it is carrying out another round of strikes on Iran after the Islamic Republic attacked ships in the Strait of Hormuz a day earlier. The announcement on Wednesday came hours after President Donald Trump threatened to unleash more military action against Iran after saying that the Iranian attacks signaled the end of the ceasefire. Iranian state media reported explosions in several locations, including the port city of Bandar Abbas on the strait, Sirik, another southern coastal city, and Bushehr, home to Iran’s nuclear power plant complex.

BANGKOK (AP) — Oil prices have surged about 6% after U.S. President Donald Trump said the interim agreement with Iran is “over,” though he will allow talks to continue. Trump made the comments following U.S. strikes on Iran in reaction to attacks on three ships in the Strait of Hormuz. The price of Brent crude oil jumped 5.4% to more than $78 a barrel. In other trading Wednesday, stocks in South Korea dipped 5.4% following a retreat on Wall Street as the AI roller-coaster took tech shares sharply lower. AI stocks worldwide have been swinging because of worries their prices have shot too high.

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — President Donald Trump announces the U.S. will license its Patriot air defense systems to be made overseas for Ukraine. This decision comes as a significant boost for Ukraine, which has been in a prolonged conflict with Russia. Trump made the announcement during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the NATO summit in Turkey. Zelenskyy has long sought more defense systems to counter Russian missile attacks. Meanwhile, Trump criticized NATO partners for not supporting his efforts in Iran and Greenland. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte praised Trump for recent U.S. strikes on Iran, highlighting increased defense spending by NATO allies.

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Democratic nominee Graham Platner hasn’t resigned from the Maine U.S. Senate race following an allegation of sexual assault. But the battle to take his place is already underway. The allegation reported Monday prompted a chorus of calls for Platner to depart the high-stakes race against Republican Sen. Susan Collins, which could decide party control of the Senate. Platner’s long-time backer, Sen. Bernie Sanders, “recommended that he step aside.” Then, Tuesday evening, The Washington Post reported that an ex-girlfriend of Platner’s had accused him of removing condoms during sex without her consent. Platner, who has denied all the allegations, has been mum on whether he’ll step aside.

PROVO, Utah (AP) — Prosecutors played a video clip of suspect Tyler Robinson after he had turned himself into to Utah authorities following the shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk as a weeklong hearing resumed. Robinson is charged with aggravated murder. Prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty. State District Judge Tony Graf will decide at the conclusion of this week’s hearing if they have enough evidence to bring Robinson to trial on an aggravated murder charge. A state investigator says Robinson’s roommate, Lance Twiggs, was interviewed twice as part of the investigation. Twiggs was given immunity from potential prosecution over his statements.

NEW YORK (AP) — An under-construction Manhattan high-rise at risk of collapse after columns buckled has been stabilized and some evacuations of nearby buildings have been lifted. The commissioner of the New York City Department of Buildings says the building hasn’t moved since they started monitoring it earlier Tuesday. The building is a former Pfizer headquarters and is being converted to luxury apartments. Nearby buildings, including a school, had been evacuated earlier Tuesday. Builders say the 37-story tower is part of the city’s largest office-to-residential conversion project, with over 1,600 planned units.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — “The Pitt” led all nominees with 25 in a dominant sophomore season, while “Hacks” led all comedies with a record-breaking 24 for its final season as the Emmy nominations were announced. HBO Max’s emergency room series “The Pitt” owned this year’s acting categories. Previous winners Noah Wyle and Katherine LaNasa were nominated again. Taylor Dearden, Fiona Dourif and Sepideh Moafi also got nominations, with “The Pitt” taking four of the seven supporting actress spots. “Hacks” star Jean Smart was nominated again, having won best actress in a comedy for all four previous seasons. Her sidekick, Hannah Einbinder, got a fifth nomination.