WJPA News

PETERS TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Hundreds turned out Sunday at Trinity United Methodist Church in McMurray for a candlelight vigil honoring 18-year-old Karoline Heintz.  The Peters Township graduate, who was preparing to begin her freshman year at PennWest California,  was killed Wednesday night.  People leaving the church described the service as somber but fitting.  “Karoline had a lot of support from the community,” said Alexandra Brooks, who works for Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern PA. “It was really clear that there were a lot of people who knew her, but it was also very clear that there were a lot of people who were here to support the family and support her.”  State police say Heintz’s boyfriend, Royce Moser, stabbed and killed her following an argument. Authorities allege he then recruited his mother, Rachel Moser, to help move Heintz’s body and clean up the crime scene.  In a statement released last week, Heintz’s family said “This is a parent’s worst nightmare. Karoline was loved by all. She was a kind, smart, beautiful girl. We want justice for our ‘sweet’ Karoline.”  Sunday’s gathering was one of two vigils held in Heintz’s memory.  A church in Elizabeth Township also hosted a vigil Sunday evening.

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.

Health issues have forced musician Bret Michaels off the road for now.  The former Poison frontman and Butler native took a break from touring late last month after surgery for a kidney stone.   He returned to performing this weekend in Atlanta, but immediately ran into more problems.  According to a Saturday social media post, doctors and paramedics determined right after the show that Michaels needed more rest and recovery time from his “recent surgeries.”  Michaels will reportedly take the next several months to heal.  “We will be pulling Bret off the road for the time being,” his doctors, Dr. Abby Borhan and Dr. Patel, said. “He wanted to attempt this show, but we feel there is a much-needed period of rest and slow recovery ahead, especially considering the heat and humidity during the summer months and the effect it can have on his blood sugar levels.” Michaels, who has type 1 diabetes, said Sunday that he didn’t factor in the effect a coast-to-coast flight would have on his blood sugar and pressure, after switching to a new medication.  The remainder of Michaels’ 2026 tour dates have been canceled.

The head of Iran’s top security body says Tehran will see any country’s support for new U.S. economic measures against the Islamic Republic as an “act of war.” Iran’s president, meanwhile, said Sunday that the memorandum of understanding signed in June with the United States is the best way out of the stalled conflict. The U.S. treasury secretary on Monday is expected to announce new economic measures against Tehran. Also Monday, Pakistan’s army chief plans to travel to Tehran as mediators try to revive talks. Meanwhile in Gaza, health workers say an Israeli strike killed a 4-year-old child.

TORONTO (AP) — Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney drew international attention earlier this year by warning that middle powers such as Canada must resist economic coercion. Now President Donald Trump is putting that to the test in a deepening trade war. The United States has imposed 50% duties on about $20 billion worth of Canadian goods. Carney said Canada’s dollar-for-dollar retaliation will begin Sept. 8. Carney’s strategy is to accept economic pain rather than yield to pressure from a larger power. Whether Canada can withstand the cost could shape how Carney is viewed at home and abroad. And it could influence how other U.S. allies respond to Trump.

Officials say a fast-growing wildfire in Reno, Nevada, was human-caused. The Hawk Fire grew Sunday and is uncontained. Some 42,000 residents have been ordered evacuated and another 45,000 encouraged to leave so that firefighters can reach hot spots more easily. Authorities confirmed several structures have been destroyed and that six people have been hurt. Gov. Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency in Washoe County and mobilized the Nevada National Guard to support aerial firefighting and protect neighborhoods from unauthorized visitors. Authorities said that altogether more than 1,000 people are responding to the fire.

HONOLULU (AP) — Tropical Storm Moke is passing to the south of Hawaii’s Big Island, close enough to dump a foot or more of rain on communities dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Lala. The National Hurricane Center located the center of Moke about 320 miles south-southwest of Hilo, Hawaii, on Sunday. The storm has top sustained winds of about 40 mph, though the real impact is expected from rainfall in places where last weekend’s hurricane flooded communities, caused mudslides and washed out roads. Elsewhere, Tropical Storm Iselle formed Sunday in eastern Pacific waters well away from Mexico’s southwest coastline, posing no threat to land.