September 18, 2026 4:45 am
Washington County Commissioners approved an expenditure to pay the law firm Eckert, Seamans $1,950 for legal services provided as a result of a Special Audit being performed by the County Controller regarding the 2024 cyber/ransomware attack on the county’s computer system. The measure was approved 2-1 with Commissioner Larry Maggi voting no. Maggi claims that the request for payment lacks transparency and is an effort to withhold information. County Controller Heather Sheatler received the invoice and in response asked Eckert Seamans to provide proof of work performed and the authorization to perform the work. Sheatler’s letter says that 7.5 hours were billed for work performed on behalf of Commissioners Nick Sherman, Electra Janis and County Administrator Daryl Price. The invoice detailed privilege research, strategy response and other conferences. Sheatler says that no engagement letter, fee agreement or retention letter appointing Eckert Semans exists pertaining to the special audit. Furthermore, the invoice does not break down work performed on behalf of the county versus work provided for Sherman, Janis and Price as individuals. Commissioner Nick Sherman says that the agreement to handle any concerns related to the cyber attack were spelled out by the insurance carrier three years ago when they appointed Eckert Seamans as special counsel. In a letter provided to Sheatler by County Solicitor Gary Sweat, he identified his office and Eckert Seamans as special counsel representing Sherman, Janis and Price in their official capacities on behalf of the county. Sheatler’s letter to Eckert Seamans requests response by September 18. Currently no response has been received. The special audit being performed is a result of the Office of Open Records citing inconsistencies and conflicting agreements surrounding the cyber attack in January of 2024 and the actions taken to regain control of the county computers. In one aspect of the audit, Sheatler points out that one of the vendors hired to aid in the recovery, DigitalMint, had several employees convicted of conspiracy for secretly feeding victim confidential information to ransomware attackers. DigitalMInt was hired to negotiate the terms and conditions to make ransom payments and release the digital keys to unlock the county computers.
September 18, 2026 2:50 am
Washington, PA – The Ebenezer Bridge and Henry Bridge sites of the EQT Washington & Greene Counties’ Covered Bridge Festival, scheduled for this weekend at Mingo Creek County Park, have been cancelled due to flooding and the potential of additional rainfall. The cancellation only involves the Ebenezer Bridge and Henry Bridge sites and does not currently affect the additional covered bridge sites involved in the festival. The decision was made in consultation with the Washington County Department of Parks & Recreation, Washington County Tourism Promotion Agency, who manages the Ebenezer Bridge site; and Mental Health Association of Washington County, who manages the Henry Bridge site; with public safety as the primary consideration. Recent heavy rainfall has resulted in significant flooding and challenging conditions at Mingo Creek County Park, while the potential for additional rainfall creates further concerns for safely hosting the festival at the park this weekend. “Each covered bridge site involved in the festival is operated by individual groups and we have been in contact with them to inform them of our decision. Currently, the other sites are moving forward with their festivities, but we encourage everyone to visit CoveredBridgeFest.net for all festival updates,” stated Jeff Kotula, president of the Washington County Tourism Promotion Agency. (Photo courtesy of WCTPA)
September 18, 2026 2:54 am
AAA East Central and the South Strabane Police Department gave a presentation about cybercrimes and identity theft at the AAA Washington Branch Office. Presenters talked about phone scams, credit card scams, and ways to protect your identity. AAA safety advisor J.J. Miller explains that anyone can fall victim to cybercrimes. Miller says that consumers must work to protect their identity at all costs, and she hopes that this program gave valuable information. Mike Schidlmeier, a detective with the South Strabane Police Department, says it is important to report anything suspicious to the police to help prevent scams. Schidlmeier reminds citizens that falling victim to a cybercrime is nothing to be embarrassed about because, in the world today, everyone is vulnerable.
September 18, 2026 2:10 am
239 years after the Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, members of W&J college came to the Courthouse to take turns to read aloud the document. Constitution Day is an American federal observance that recognizes the adoption of the Constitution and those who have become U.S. citizens. It is observed on Sept. 17, the day in 1787 that delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the document in Philadelphia. Constitution Day became a holiday in 2004 when Senator Robert Bryd from the state of West Virginia was concerned that American citizens were losing the connection to the document and we have been celebrating the day ever since then.
September 18, 2026 4:59 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge has ordered the Kennedy Center to provide 30 days’ notice before making any major physical changes to the building, including demolishing it as President Donald Trump has threatened. U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper said Thursday his ruling would “avoid any confusion on that score given more recent events.” Earlier, Matt Floca, the Kennedy Center’s executive director and chief operating officer, said he closed the iconic performing arts center temporarily due to “acute risks to public safety resulting from continued structural deterioration” of the aging building.
September 18, 2026 4:56 am
HENRICO, Va. (AP) — In-person voting for this year’s midterm elections is beginning, ushering in the final six weeks for Americans to decide who they trust to lead Congress through a cost-of-living crisis, a prolonged war in Iran and other pressing issues. Friday marks the start of early voting in Virginia. Voters in a handful of other states, including Idaho, Minnesota and South Dakota, are able to cast absentee ballots in person, typically at a local election office or voting center. More expansive early voting is scheduled to begin in those and other states in the coming weeks. Election administrators say they’re prepared and confident the vote will be accurate and secure.
September 18, 2026 4:57 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Postal Service has stopped developing a controversial computer system tied to President Donald Trump’s effort to limit mail voting. The Supreme Court rejected Trump’s executive order this week. Postmaster General David Steiner confirmed the halt Thursday. He emphasized the agency’s independence and operational focus. Trump’s order aimed to create state citizenship lists for mail voting, but the system faced criticism that it was riddled with errors. A memo to postal employees stated the agency won’t enforce new rules for the 2026 election. Despite the halt, concerns remain about postmark delays affecting mail-in ballots. Steiner urged voters to submit ballots early.
September 18, 2026 5:04 am
Voting has begun in Russia’s parliamentary election with the main Kremlin party poised to retain its overwhelming grip on the lower house. The political and economic environment, however, has visibly changed 4½ years after the start of Russia’s full-fledged invasion of Ukraine. Economic costs are increasing, Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries and logistical facilities have inflicted massive damage, and the public, which no longer sees the fighting as something distant, is increasingly nervous and fatigued by the war. The challenges have prompted the Kremlin to stifle even the slightest signs of dissent ahead of the election — the first since Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Voting started Friday in Russia’s Far East.
September 18, 2026 4:58 am
Anthropic has announced that its AI model, Claude, is significantly aiding in the development of building its successor. Claude is handling 26% of the model research and development for Anthropic, completing tasks under human supervision. Although Claude isn’t fully autonomous, it collaborates on about 90% of the company’s research and development work. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei and other AI leaders have been advocating for a slowdown in AI development because of safety concerns. They emphasize the importance of transparency and public understanding of AI advancements. Anthropic also highlights the need for sharing metrics to better understand AI’s progress toward self-improvement.
September 18, 2026 5:00 am
STRASBOURG, France (AP) — Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has embraced the prospect of his country becoming the European Union’s first associate member. He said Thursday that closer ties with the continent would ensure no country could control Canada’s markets or undermine its sovereignty. Carney’s speech to the European Parliament repeatedly extolled cooperation between Europe and Canada, but the relationship with the U.S. hung over the address. Trump’s tariffs, demands for economic concessions and repeated talk of making Canada the 51st state have pushed Ottawa to reduce its dependence on its neighbor and seek a far deeper economic, security and political relationship with Europe. Carney told the parliament that he welcomed European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s proposal.
