May 28, 2026 2:40 am
After more than six years of waiting, visitors to the Washington County Courthouse can finally walk through the front doors once again. What was originally projected to be a brief, two-month, 200-thousand-dollar fix turned into a prolonged seven-year, three-million-dollar restoration project. The Main Street entrance had been completely sealed off since 2019 due to severe weather damage. Officials say the extensive delays were caused by unforeseen structural challenges and the strict requirements needed to preserve the 1900 historical landmark. The three-million-dollar price tag was funded by the Federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. At a ribbon-cutting ceremony on the courthouse steps Wednesday morning, County Commissioners and Elected officials declared the opening of the six new mahogany doors as the start of a major revitalization chapter for Washington County. While the entrance retains its grand look, it is debuting some high-tech security. The courthouse is installing the Evolv Weapons Detection System—an AI-powered, touchless design that is the first of its kind in Pennsylvania, aimed at streamlining long security lines. Officials note that while the Main Street entrance is again open for business, the Cherry Street, handicap accessible entrance will also remain open to the public.
May 28, 2026 1:26 am
HARRISBURG — Attorney General Dave Sunday announced charges Wednesday against a Montgomery County man regarding the installation of hidden cameras in a southwestern Pennsylvania home to produce child sexual abuse material. Adam Benjamin Arena, 46, was charged this week with more than 100 felonies — including production and possession of child abuse material — and dozens of misdemeanor counts of invasion of privacy. Arena, who moved to Montgomery County after the conduct was discovered, was denied bail at arraignment. The Office of Attorney General’s Child Predator Section and the Brownsville Police Department conducted an investigation that revealed Arena had installed hidden cameras at a Fayette County home, primarily in a shower/bathroom area, to record a child in various states of undress. Investigators determined Arena concealed at least one camera in a shampoo bottle, which was discovered by the child victim. During a search warrant in June 2024, investigators found multiple devices owned by Arena with videos and images he obtained via hidden cameras. Some videos show Arena installing the camera and retrieving it.
May 28, 2026 4:56 am
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Kuwait says it was targeted with a missile and drone attack. That’s another challenge to the shaky ceasefire in the Iran war following strikes by both Washington and Tehran. Kuwait’s military made the announcement, without providing further details on what had been targeted. Iran said hours later that it launched an attack in the region. It did not say exactly what was targeted. Kuwait is a close ally of the U.S., and it repeatedly came under fire from Iran and Iranian-backed Shiite militias in Iraq during the war. Kuwait’s announcement Thursday comes as the Middle East is on the edge. U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed confidence that his administration is making headway in negotiations with Iran to end the war, but the talks remain in flux.
May 28, 2026 4:59 am
The Trump administration has placed additional sanctions on Iran as part of a sprawling economic pressure campaign during the war, this time targeting the country’s newly created agency that is trying to control shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The move Wednesday, first reported by The Associated Press, is the latest U.S. effort to use economic leverage on top of military action to push Iran’s leadership into an agreement to end the war and open the waterway. The sanctions were announced late Wednesday after U.S. forces carried out strikes on an Iran military facility after downing Iranian attack drones, according to U.S. officials who were not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.
May 28, 2026 5:01 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military has struck another vessel suspected of transporting drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing two men. U.S. Southern Command posted video on social media Wednesday showing a boat resting on the water before being struck by an explosion. A day earlier, U.S. forces had launched a strike on an alleged drug boat in the eastern Pacific, killing one man and leaving two survivors. The Trump administration’s campaign of blowing up alleged drug-trafficking vessels in Latin American waters has gone on since early September and killed at least 196 people in total. The military has not provided evidence that any of the vessels were carrying drugs.
May 28, 2026 4:58 am
NEW YORK (AP) — The proportion of Americans without health insurance held steady at around 8% of the population in 2025, according to new findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The national survey results published Thursday show the uninsured rate has stayed down from where it was a few years ago. However, changes from the Trump administration could increase this rate in the years ahead. Massive changes to Medicaid and the expiration of Affordable Care Act subsidies may lead to more uninsured individuals. The survey also indicates a possible increase in the percentage of insured Hispanic Americans, which could be due in part to immigration changes.
May 27, 2026 5:00 am
South Strabane Township Supervisors are nearing the end of their journey to
develop a data center ordinance and other ordinances that would be closely
affiliated with that ordinance. Supervisors authorized a motion to have their
solicitor advertise an ordinance governing fossil fuel generating facilities. This is
vital as plans for data centers may hinge on the ability to burn natural gas and
other combustibles as a means to generate sufficient electricity. Supervisors
tabled a measure that would have updated their noise and dust ordinance. Public
comment during the meeting stated some inconsistencies in contractor operating
times exist. Supervisors scheduled a vote on the ordinance in conjunction with
their vote on the actual data center ordinance. As far as the actual approval of the
data center ordinance, supervisors scheduled a public hearing on the ordinance
for June 9 at 6:30 pm. in the municipal building. Immediately following that
meeting, supervisors will hold a vote on the ordinance. In conjunction with that,
supervisors will vote on their updated noise and dust ordinance.
May 27, 2026 5:07 am
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Warrant Unit has announced the arrest of 35 year old Mason Smith of Washington. He was wanted on an outstanding Washington County Adult Probation warrant. Smith was also wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant out of Allegheny County on a multitude of charges including 4 felony counts stemming from a sexual assault. He also faced two arrest warrants out of Washington County for PFA violations. A month-long investigation determined that Smith was staying at a motel in Oakdale and set up surveillance in the area and were able to positively identify him and took him into custody without incident. He is last reported in the Washington Countu Jail.
May 27, 2026 5:11 am
Gas prices are seven cents lower this week here in Western Pennsylvania. AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report puts the average this week at $4.69 per gallon. The national average is down four cents to an average of $4.49. Even though the average is lower than last week, gas prices are still the highest they have been in four years. With gas demand on the rise and prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz, pump prices are likely to remain elevated as the summer travel season gets underway. This weeks national average is 40-cents more than one-month ago and $1.32 higher than one-year ago.
May 27, 2026 5:20 am
PLANO, Texas (AP) — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has won the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate. He defeated four-term Sen. John Cornyn. Paxton was endorsed by President Donald Trump last week. His victory in Tuesday’s runoff makes Cornyn the first Republican senator from Texas to lose the party’s nomination for reelection. Trump endorsed Paxton as part of his effort to dislodge GOP officeholders he views as less than devout in their support of him. Cornyn said in 2023 as Trump was running to return to the White House that his time “has passed him by.” Paxton will run against state Rep. James Talarico in November.
