January 21, 2026 4:50 am
Few details are available but Police are investigating a reported standoff in the 400 block of East Beau Street in East Washington early Wednesday morning. Washington County 9-1-1 confirmed that shots were fired but it is unclear if they were fired at police. According to reports, a suspect was wanted on an outstanding warrant. An unidentified man is said to be in custody.
January 21, 2026 4:45 am
North Strabane Township is not waiting to get their new year started. Items discussed at their agenda meeting will have supervisors considering several operational measures. They will consider authorizing the advertisement for the road paving program. They will also approve preliminary steps to hire a police lieutenant and a firefighter. Advertisements to authorize an ordinance that will allow the dissolution of the Parks and Recreation Board will also be considered. Finally, supervisors will look to approve amendments to their licenses and permits ordinance that governs fees for amusement devices. Voting will take place on January 27.
January 21, 2026 2:40 am
Pennsylvania American Water is encouraging customers throughout portions of its statewide service territory to voluntarily reduce their water consumption in response to a drought watch declaration expansion that was recently announced by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Pennsylvania American Water is asking residents and businesses to voluntarily reduce their nonessential water use by 10-15% (a reduction of approximately 11-16 gallons per day) in accordance with the DEP’s guidance. “We’re asking our customers in affected areas to observe the DEP’s request and be mindful of their nonessential water use during this drought watch,” said Brandy Braun, director of water quality and environmental compliance for Pennsylvania American Water. “Our sources of supply are currently adequate to meet the needs of our customers, but we want to prepare for the potential for more severe conditions that could lead to stricter conservation measures in the future. Of the 40 counties currently included in DEP’s drought watch declaration, 21 are within areas where Pennsylvania American Water provides water service. including Washington, Adams, Beaver, Berks, Butler, Chester, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Cumberland, Indiana, Jefferson, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lawrence, Lebanon, Monroe, Northampton, Pike, Schuylkill, and Union.
January 21, 2026 2:29 am
A California man accused of setting fire to his own apartment and then jumping from the building entered a guilty plea to one count of arson. Christopher Grasty, 40 will receive 3-6 years in prison. According to court records, in March of 2024, Grasty started a fire in his unit of the California Manor. The 30 unit complex is owned by the Washington County Housing Authority. The fire damaged 6 apartments and displaced 29 other residents and caused $750,000 in damage. In taking the plea to the single charge, Grasty avoided punishment on several other charges. He was charged with 27 counts of arson, 26 counts of reckless endangerment along with causing a catastrophe, risking a catastrophe and criminal mischief.
January 21, 2026 2:53 am
Republican lawmakers in Harrisburg touted their work in securing grants for their respective districts on Tuesday. The grant money is coming from the Commonwealth Financing Authority through the Multi-modal Transportation Fund and Small Water and Sewer Program. The grants will address various land, water and sewage issues throughout the county, including a 750-thousand-dollar grant to rebuild the railroad bridge over Georgetown Road in Cecil Township
January 20, 2026 2:46 pm
ATLANTA (AP) — Forecasters are warning that a new storm could bring ice and power outages across the South this weekend. Temperatures will be slow to warm in many areas, meaning ice that forms on roads and sidewalks might stick around. The exact timing and path remain uncertain, but an arctic air mass from Canada is expected to clash with rain, creating a major winter storm. An atmospheric river could pull moisture across the Gulf Coast, increasing the risk of ice storms in Georgia. Travel disruptions are likely, especially in areas with limited snow removal equipment. Northern states will remain in a deep freeze due to polar air. (Photo: AP)
January 20, 2026 3:50 pm
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Federal prosecutors have served six grand jury subpoenas to Minnesota officials as part of an investigation into whether they obstructed or impeded federal law enforcement during a sweeping immigration operation in Minneapolis-St. Paul area. A person familiar with the matter said Tuesday that the subpoenas, which seek records, were sent to the offices of Gov. Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her and officials in Ramsey and Hennepin counties. The person was not authorized to publicly discuss an ongoing investigation and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. Walz and Frey have called the probe a bullying tactic meant to quell political opposition.
January 20, 2026 2:43 pm
DAVOS, Switzerland (AP) — President Donald Trump’s tariff threats over Greenland have strained relations with America’s key NATO allies. European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, criticized Trump’s approach on Tuesday, warning of potential retaliation. The European Union’s top official calls the tariffs a “mistake,” questioning Trump’s reliability. Trump argues the U.S. needs Greenland to counter threats from China and Russia. Greenland’s leader insists on respect for international law. European leaders consider countermeasures, including tariffs and economic sanctions. As tensions rise, Trump plans to address the issue at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
January 20, 2026 4:46 am
South Strabane Township Supervisors held a three hour budget workshop that was witnessed by a residents, employees and community volunteers that filled their council chambers. Supervisors reopened their 2026 budget and went line by line with public works, police, fire and administration department heads to search out ways to weed out excessive spending. The current budget is set at $8.772 million. Revenues exceed expenses by $34,000. The session was not one where hacksaws were taken to each department budget. Thoughtful discussion was held between supervisors and department heads to justify spending or to agree to offer additional methods of budget savings. Newly elected supervisor Zack Morgan manned the computer making calculations, and on several occasions suggested increases to some line items if he thought they were needed. In all, supervisors are confident that they will accomplish their goal of decreasing township spending and establishing proper procedures for spending and establishing concrete reasons for spending. Department heads were pleased that supervisors took their needs into account. Not all were happy. Parks and Recreation Director Michelle Wrubleski was unable to get a final determination if her all volunteer department will be funded. Supervisors will further study that allocation. A final budget meeting will be held on Thursday January 22. Supervisors must approve any changes to the budget by February 15.
January 20, 2026 5:10 am
There is a battle within the Republican party between the State GOP party and the Washington County group. Last week, the County party voted 21-3 on a ‘no confidence’ vote for State Senator Camera Bartolotta. State party Chairman Greg Rothman, however, dubbed the move ‘null and void’. In a release provided to WJPA News, the County party says its executive committee exercised its lawful authority to express a political position on behalf of its membership. Bartolotta has announced her candidacy for a fourth term and will face a primary challenge by Al Buchtan. The County party recently posted that Bartolotta undermined President Trump during his re-election campaign in regards to Charleroi’s Haitan immigrant population. They also claimed that Bartolotta co-sponsored and helped push through Pennsylvania’s election reform bill that expanded the use of mail-in ballots which the County party claims “damaged the integrity of our elections”. Bartolotta told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that the County party is “this tiny little group of people who are in an echo chamber” and are “anti-everything”. She called the developments “nonsense” and a “distraction from the party’s intent”.
