May 28, 2025 11:49 pm
In a public hearing that lasted well over two hours, Mt. Pleasant Township residents voiced their opposition to the construction of a tank pad by Range Resources. The proposed site of the tank pad would be on the Yonker well site on Baker Road near the intersection of Fort Cherry Road and Walnut Road. That intersection is governed by a four way stop sign configuration. During the presentation of the project, it was stated that the tanks on the pad would be temporary structures housing fresh and reused water. The total operational time would be 30-60 days twice each year with operations being conducted 24 hours a day. Late summer construction would then lead to first usage in the fall. Residents that spoke during the hearing largely support gas drilling in the township. Most people pre-qualifying their statements with that support. Most of the arguments centered on safety. It was stated that the intersection is deficient for large trucks. People were concerned about the proximity of the site to nearby schools. Paul Salansky, whose farm is adjacent to the would be site, called on supervisors to not just “do the lawful thing, how about we do the right thing.” Supervisors now have 45 days to render their decision.
May 28, 2025 5:19 pm
(WPXI) – A local war hero accused of raping a teenage girl faced a judge on Wednesday. At the hearing, it was determined that Brandon Rumbaugh will stay behind bars, as the judge denied him bond. He wasn’t able to make it to the bond hearing because his defense attorney, David Shrager said there weren’t accommodations for Rumbaugh, who is a double amputee, to get into the magistrate. That issue was one of the arguments Shrager had for letting Rumbaugh out on bond. “We’re dealing with someone who is a double amputee who has special medical needs and medication. Quite frankly, I don’t know if the jail is capable of handling that in an appropriate way. They couldn’t even bring him here safely,” Shrager said. Rumbaugh is a decorated Marine veteran who lost both of his legs after stepping on an IED in Afghanistan. For the last week, he’s been in jail after police say he raped a 13 year old girl multiple times in his Pleasant Hills home. Investigators say Rumbaugh and the girl watched military movies together, then eventually he sexually assaulted her. Shrager says he plans to ask for bond again in a higher court.
May 27, 2025 2:57 am
National Weather Service officials confirm a fourth tornado blew through a Western Pennsylvania community during storms on May 21st. In addition to a single tornado that hit in the East Finley area, the NWS says there was also a “brief tornado” just east of Cross Creek County Park. Through damage reports and radar data, the agency labeled the tornado as an EF-0 with estimated peak winds of 65 mph. NWS officials say the tornado, which was on the ground for less than two miles, mostly damaged trees and removed the fascia from a home.
May 28, 2025 5:00 am
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Pa. — (WPXI) – The drowning death of 12-year-old Rontae Lester has sent shockwaves through Washington County after the young boy lost his life while swimming with friends in the Monongahela River near Donora in May. State Sen. Camera Bartolotta, R-Washington, is leading a multi-level conversation with state, county and local leaders on how to make the area safer and prevent future tragedies. One key focus is improving education about water safety. Washington County Commissioner Electra Janis emphasized that although Pennsylvania doesn’t have oceans for drownings, the risks in local rivers and parks are real. Leaders are hoping to provide water safety education in schools, teaching students about hidden dangers like water temperatures, currents and drop-offs. Another immediate step being taken is signage. Bartolotta said she personally ordered warning signs online while visiting the site. Beyond signage and education, Bartolotta is seeking grant funding to build a proper launch point for water rescue operations in Donora, as the site where Lester drowned is also where local emergency crews access the river and right now it’s just a clearing.
May 28, 2025 4:56 am
The South Strabane Township Board of Supervisors voted to add a discussion item regarding sidewalks in the Burkett Manor development to a future meeting agenda, following concerns raised about safety and compliance with township codes. Supervisor Jeff Bull, joined by other board members, led the push to address the issue, citing that sidewalks in Burkett Manor do not meet the minimum width requirement of 5 feet as mandated by the Township’s Subdivision and Land Development Code. Currently, the sidewalks measure only 4 feet in width and also lack required structural reinforcement as outlined in township construction specifications. Bull emphasized the importance of addressing these inadequacies for the safety of residents. If the sidewalks are rebuilt to meet compliance standards, the cost will be covered by the developers, meaning there would be no financial impact on taxpayers. In other business, Vice-Chairman Mark Murphy and Supervisor Bull motioned to table the approval of the final land development plan from the Washington County Transit Authority (Freedom Transit) for its proposed operations facility at 375 Berry Road. Bull cited the need for further review due to ongoing changes in the project’s details. The board also approved, by a 4-1 vote, the annual resolution for the destruction of specific public records. Supervisor Bull cast the lone dissenting vote, expressing concern over the permanent loss of potentially important documentation.
May 27, 2025 11:28 am
PITTSBURGH (WPXI) — A bridge in Pittsburgh is closed until further notice following an inspection. The city said the Herron Avenue Bridge in Lawrenceville closed after recommendations from structural inspection consultants. According to PRT, the bridge was deemed “deficient.” “Following emergent findings from the City’s bridge inspection consultant and PennDOT, we are moving quickly to close the Herron Avenue Bridge in the interest of public safety,” said Zack Workman, P.E., Acting Chief Engineer. “Barricades and ‘Bridge Closed’ signage will be in place starting Wednesday. A designated detour route will guide motorists via the Bloomfield Bridge.” The City of Pittsburgh’s Department of Mobility and Infrastructure is currently in the preliminary planning stages of a full bridge rehabilitation, with construction planned to start in 2028. Before then, DOMI is working with PennDOT and the inspection team for a safe and earlier opening. “Since the start of my administration, I’ve had to make the tough call to close bridges more than once—but I’ve never regretted putting public safety first,” said Mayor Ed Gainey. “Proactive steps like this are how we ensure our infrastructure remains safe for every Pittsburgher.” The following detours are in place during the closure: Southbound traffic: Southbound detour route will utilize Liberty Avenue to the Bloomfield Bridge to Bigelow Boulevard Northbound traffic: Northbound detour will utilize Bigelow Boulevard to the Bloomfield Bridge to Liberty Avenue For PRT riders, this impacts the North Side, Oakland and South Side routes.
May 27, 2025 11:34 am
(WPXI) The southbound lanes of a major highway in Allegheny County were temporarily closed during the afternoon commute on Tuesday while emergency crews responded to a multi-vehicle crash. The crash on Route 28 southbound at the 40th Street Bridge, which reportedly involved nine vehicles, happened just before 4 p.m. A 911 official tells Channel 11 one person was taken to an area hospital from the crash scene. Southbound Route 28 was closed between the 40th Street Bridge and 31st Street Bridge for around two hours. The crash caused miles-long backups and drivers were asked to consider alternate routes.
May 28, 2025 12:11 pm
(WPXI) PITTSBURGH — The Roberto Clemente Bridge in Downtown Pittsburgh will close on Thursday for the Post Malone concert at PNC Park. The bridge will be closed from 7 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
May 27, 2025 11:36 am
(WPXI) MONROEVILLE, Pa. — A portion of a road in Monroeville is scheduled to close for several months for construction. Patton Street will close between Monroeville Boulevard and Mount Pleasant Drive starting at 9 a.m. on June 9. The closure is expected to be in place until September. Southbound traffic will be detoured using Monroeville Boulevard, Stroschein Road, William Penn Highway (Business Route 22), I-376 West, Beulah Road (Route 130), Brown Avenue (Route 130), and the Tri-Boro Expressway (Route 130). Northbound traffic will be detoured using the Tri-Boro Expressway (Route 130), Brown Avenue (Route 130), Beulah Road (Route 130), Churchill Road, I-376 East, William Penn Highway (Business Route 22), Stroschein Road, and Monroeville Boulevard.
May 27, 2025 12:08 pm
(WPXI) DARLINGTON, Pa. — A Beaver County drug task force recovered large quantities of drugs while executing a search warrant at the home of a suspected drug trafficker on Tuesday. According to information from Pennsylvania State Police, the multi-agency task force began investigating Cedric Fitzgerald Turner, 55, for suspected narcotic distribution in November 2024. On Tuesday, investigators obtained an arrest warrant and surveilled his Darlington Borough home. He was later arrested during a traffic stop. PSP says during a subsequent search of Turner’s home, investigators found two kilograms of cocaine, one kilogram of fentanyl, five pounds of marijuana, over $13,000 in cash and a revolver. Turner, who was previously convicted of second-degree murder and robbery, is not allowed to possess a firearm. He is being held at the Beaver County Jail with a $25,000 bond on several drug charges pending the federal adoption and prosecution of the case.
