WJPA News

Libraries offer more than books on a shelf. Kathy Pienkowski, the operations manager at Citizens Library in Washington, says that libraries are the original data centers, and they promote digital literacy. The library offers access to Libby, which has audiobooks and e-books, free Wi-Fi, computer access, and multiple databases where patrons can receive accurate information. There are two study rooms that can be reserved for a quiet atmosphere. The library also hosts programs for all ages, including a Summer Reading program for children in the community. Pienkowksi says that the program is very popular this summer, thanks to the dinosaur theme and the free activities that are included. The library is keeping up with the times by promoting their programming and resources on social media, including Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Pienkowski explains that the library is a safe and welcoming place, and she encourages residents to learn more about what the library offers and to take advantage of the free resources available.

It will be another busy week for PennDOT crews maintaining roadways in Washington County. PennDOT District 12 says crews will conduct base repair along Route 519 (Western Avenue) in Chartiers and Mount Pleasant Townships, as well as Houston borough. Bridge Replacement continues on Waterdam Road in Mt. Pleasant Township. Workers will be cleaning inlets along various routes in the county, while culvert pipe replacement will take place on Noblestown Road in Robinson Township. Crews will be mowing on Rt. 22 at the ramp in Hanover Township, Interstate 70 at the Jefferson Avenue ramp in the city of Washington, as well as Rt. 221 at South Bridge Road in Buffalo Township and Rt. 837 in Donora. There will be patching work at various sites in the county, and seal coating in Carroll Township, Charleroi Borough and Donora. And look for similar work in Allenport, Speers, Long Branch Borough and Fallowfield Township. And crews will continue with slide repair along Rt. 221 S Bridge Road in Buffalo Township. Motorists can expect detours, flaggers and single-lane restrictions. All work is weather permitting.

A favorite supermarket brand of chips was sold earlier this week. Hanover, PA’s Utz Brands has agreed to be acquired by Germany’s Intersnack Group in a $2.9 billion go-private transaction. Under terms of the deal, shareholders will receive $14.25 per share in cash, and the company will transition from a public trading entity to being owned equally (50/50) by Intersnack as well as Utz’s founders, the Rice and Lissette family. News of the acquisition sent stock prices up from $6.78 to $14.11 a share this week. Utz Brands will continue managing its core U.S. snack lines—including Utz, Zapp’s, On the Border, and Boulder Canyon. The new ownership plans to keep the brand in Hanover.

ARCACHON, France (AP) — Massive forest fires are raging out of control in southwestern France and central Spain, forcing authorities to evacuate around 200,000 people. Dozens of firefighters have been injured, but no deaths have been reported. In France, 141,000 people have fled from the Gironde and Landes departments. In Spain, 60,000 have been evacuated. The fires have consumed large areas since Wednesday, with strong winds complicating efforts to control them. Both countries have requested help from the European Union. The fires are being fueled by a heatwave, with temperatures soaring and conditions worsening.

IRBIL, Iraq (AP) — The U.S. military says it has fired on a merchant vessel attempting to breach its blockade of Iranian ports, while Iran targeted American strongholds around the Persian Gulf. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia struck the port city of Hodeida in Yemen. The conflict shows no signs of easing after 13 nights of strikes. U.S. embassies in the Middle East have warned Americans that options to leave could become limited. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard advised residents of neighboring countries to avoid bases with U.S. troops. The Strait of Hormuz remains a focal point, with its closure causing economic turmoil. Diplomatic efforts appear stalled, with no signs of progress in negotiations.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration has again acknowledged in court documents that it terminated $7.6 billion in grants for hundreds of clean energy projects “based solely on the political identity of the grant recipient’s state,” in this case, 16 states that voted for Democrat Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. The statement contradicts repeated assertions by Energy Secretary Chris Wight and other officials that the projects were canceled because they did not adequately advance the nation’s energy needs or had other problems that made them a poor investment of taxpayer dollars. Democrats and environmental groups seized on the latest court filing, saying the administration had “weaponized” the federal government to kill good jobs and punish working families.