5 killed In Russian Strikes On Ukraine

September 12, 2026 11:13 am

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian strikes have killed five civilians and wounded dozens in Ukraine, according to local officials. President Vladimir Putin has warned that sending European troops into Ukraine would mean direct conflict with Russia. Ukraine faces mounting pressure from Russia’s intensified air campaign. Moscow’s attacks target Ukraine’s power grid ahead of winter, aiming to demoralize civilians. Putin, speaking at the BRICS summit in India, denied that Russia poses any threat to Europe. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that he would meet Putin if both leaders were invited to the Group of 20 summit in December in Miami.

Waynesburg Woman Accused Of Beating Stepson

September 12, 2026 10:49 am

A Waynesburg woman is set for a preliminary hearing next week after being accused of severely assaulting her 18-month-old stepson. According to the Observer-Reporter, Delaney Girvin, 24, is charged with aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of children and other charges after the child’s grandmother noticed a contusion on the boy’s head and bruises after a visit in May. According to the Criminal Complain, Girvin said the boy received the injuries by falling “a couple of times.” The grandmother took the boy to a hospital where the staff there found a skull fracture and bruising. Pennsylvania State Troopers were called in and charges were filed. Girvin’s bail was set at $75,000. She is free after posting a self-surety bond. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 15.

Kitchen Fires Keep Local Firefighters Busy

September 12, 2026 4:52 am

A couple of kitchen fires overnight kept local firefighters busy. According to Washington County 9-1-1, the first was in the 1300 block of St. Route 18 in Hanover Township around 11 last night. And then another in North Charleroi on Liberty Avenue at 2:00 a.m. Local fire departments quickly responded to both incidents. No one was injured in either fire, no evacuations and everything was reportedly under control.

Homicide Suspect Arrested In Virginia

September 12, 2026 4:01 am

On Friday, the City of Washington Police Department says they have arrest and taken into custody, Karl Kevin Sullivan II.  They say Sullivan was found in Virginia during the late evening hours of September 10th, following a standoff with authorities.  Sullivan was wanted in connection with the October 11, 2025, homicide of Jullian Lassic, which occurred in the 100 block of North Main Street in the City of Washington.  This arrest is the result of an agency-wide effort involving the dedicated work of the department’s patrol officers and investigators. The City of Washington Police Department also acknowledges the assistance of the Virginia authorities involved in taking Sullivan into custody.  Because criminal proceedings remain pending, no additional information will be released at this time.

Washington County Prayer Gathering Is Sunday

September 12, 2026 4:42 am

The 2026 Washington County Prayer Gathering will be held at the Washington County Fairgrounds tomorrow, from 1:00-6:00 p.m. The event, which will be hosted by various partners, will feature a meal, guest speakers, live musica and public baptisms. There will be congregations and ministries from across the region. Pat O’Brien, the President of Men of Honor Ministries, explains that the day will be full of great fellowship and community, while also offering time for worship, prayer and testimony. O’Brien says he appreciates the support of the community and the Washington County Commissioners, who made a proclamation naming September 13 as the Washington County Day of Prayer. The event is open to the public and admission is free. More information can be found at www.PrayerGathering.com.

BRICS leaders Meet In India As Tensions Mount

September 12, 2026 4:27 am

NEW DELHI (AP) — Leaders of the BRICS nations are meeting in New Delhi today for a summit focused on trade, investment, and global conflicts. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is hosting Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, and others. The summit comes amid wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, along with rising U.S.-China tensions. BRICS, founded in 2006, now includes 11 members and represents about half the world’s population. The leaders are expected to discuss economic cooperation, energy, food security, and reducing reliance on the U.S. dollar. Russia and China see BRICS as a way to reduce Western dominance.

Saudi Arabia Has Few Options Against Iran And Allies

September 12, 2026 4:21 am

[AP]-Houthi rebels in Yemen are advancing toward a crucial trade chokepoint. Attacks blamed on Iraqi militias forced the closure of a major pipeline. Iran and its allies are unleashing a nightmare scenario for Saudi Arabia and unsettling global markets. Control over the Bab el-Mandeb Strait could allow the Iran-backed rebels to cut off another major export route for Saudi oil as Iran disrupts the Strait of Hormuz. The Saudis could use U.S. support to fight back. But President Donald Trump seems reluctant to widen an already unpopular and stalemated war in the Middle East.

Trump To Meet Ireland’s Leaders And Golf In Doonbeg

September 12, 2026 4:19 am

DUBLIN (AP) — President Donald Trump has arrived in Dublin for talks with Ireland’s president and prime minister. It’s part of a weekend trip that has more to do with a major golf tournament being played at a club he owns in Doonbeg. The American president is set to hold separate meetings Saturday with Irish President Catherine Connolly and Prime Minister Micheál Martin. Trump also plans remarks to U.S. and Irish business leaders at the U.S. ambassador’s official residence before he travels to Doonbeg, on the country’s Atlantic coast. The Irish Open ends Sunday. Trump then returns to Washington.

Washington County Marks Anniversary Of 911 Attacks

September 12, 2026 4:23 am

Friday marked 25 years since terrorists hijacked airliners and crashed them into the  World Trade Center, The Pentagon and a vacant field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. South Strabane Township police and fire departments held their annual 9/11 memorial on a bright, blue sky morning honoring the 2977 people that were killed that day. More than 100 people were on hand as a single bell tolled to open the ceremony. Pastor Gary Gibson, Chaplain of the Washington Health System reflected on the unity the nation felt immediately after the event and how our seemingly divided nation needs to return to that unity, knowing we are all children of God. Pastor Robert Grewe, South Strabane Fire and Washington County Sheriff’s Chaplain drew comparisons between the hymn “Amazing Grace” with the lyric ‘once blind, but now I see’ and the experience first responders must have felt when they heroically were blinded by smoke as they entered and exited the rubble of the World Trade Center trying to save anyone they could. Donna Gmitter was working as a Service Director for United Airlines that day. She recalled how difficult it was trying to answer questions for victim’s families when they had no answers themselves and, in fact, were looking for 17 aircraft that could not be traced. Departing South Strabane Township Fire Chief Jordan called for understanding among people and to make sure that first responders and victims and their families remain supported by the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund and advocacy for them is never diminished.

US Marks 25 Years Since The Sept. 11 Attacks

September 11, 2026 4:58 am

NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. is commemorating the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks that left nearly 3,000 people dead and the nation shaken. On Friday’s anniversary people will mark memorials by laying wreaths, flying flags, reading victim names and holding moments of silence and vigils. President Donald Trump plans to attend a ceremony at the Pentagon. Other administration officials are expected at the observance at the National Sept. 11 Memorial in New York and the Flight 93 National Memorial in Pennsylvania. In 2001 attackers took command of four commercial jets and rammed them into New York’s World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The attacks left a decades-long trail of aftermath, from personal grief to far-flung wars.