July 18, 2025 4:13 pm
On Friday, in front of a backdrop of a partially demolished wall and under the raindrops from a summer storm, local, county and state government officials gathered with members of the new owners and demolition team of the Washington Mall to celebrate the first steps in its demolition. Tony Rosenberger is a member of the development team 79/70 Associates that closed on the purchase of the mall two weeks ago for a purchase price of more than $12 million. He detailed the chronology of events that led up to the celebration of the demolition. Washington County Commissioner Nick Sherman described Washington County’s role in delivering $5.9 million in county blight mitigation funds to the project to spearhead the demolition. While everyone there was celebrating, one South Strabane Township resident did not share the same view. Thomas Lonich attended the event at the invite of Sherman. Lonich spoke out at the most recent commissioner’s meeting asking for transparency of the county’s involvement. He also questioned the logic in using taxpayer dollars for a demolition project that he feels could have been funded by the developers themselves. With no environmental issues to navigate, the project is set to begin. In addition to the funding. Washington County will be contributing debris from the Courthouse Square building demolition to use as fill on the Washington Mall site.
July 18, 2025 4:40 am
It is not often that questions arise over advertisements for bids on county services. That is what happened Thursday when Commissioners voted on a measure to advertise requests for proposals for payroll services. Commissioner Chairman Nick Sherman said that the idea is something that he has desired for several years. He said he is looking for ways to save taxpayers money and streamline government and this may be a way to do that. Commissioner Larry Maggi wanted to delay action and have more conversation about the idea. He said he is in favor of saving money, he just is questioning why it is being done now, right before an election in November that will elect a new County Controller. Regardless, the measure passed unanimously and formal requests for proposals will be sent out next week.
July 17, 2025 2:21 am
Washington County will soon be involved in a court dispute between two different energy companies looking to utilize the same portion of land in East Finley Township. Tunnel Ridge, LLC is currently seeking a temporary injunction to have Mark West Liberty Midstream & Resources, LLC cease using their gas transmission pipelines while Tunnel Ridge longwall mines coal underneath those lines. Tunnel Ridge is further seeking a permanent injunction. Washington County Solicitor Gary Sweat was alerted to the case by attorneys from Range Resources. According to Sweat, typically, in situations like this, gas companies would simply raise the pipelines above ground until all mining is complete. In this case that is impossible because these lines would then be located in protected wetlands. A second solution would be for Mark West to construct another cryogenic production plant. Unfortunately, that would be a 3-4 year construction process. The county is intervening because of the large loss of revenue that could occur if Tunnel Ridge’s injunction request is granted. According to figures submitted to Sweat from Range Resources, 40 percent of royalty owners would cease to receive payments. 156 wells would be idled. Locally, 6-7 townships would have royalty and/or impact fees affected by an injunction. Washington County alone would see a financial loss of nearly $60,000 per month of royalty payments. Compensatory figures are being exchanged between the two parties. A hearing on the injunctions is scheduled for August 27-29.
July 18, 2025 4:39 am
Community people, union leaders, and advocates gathered on the steps of the Washington County Courthouse for the “Good Trouble Lives On” demonstration, part of a global day of action to defend democracy and workers’ rights. A few days ago, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision allowing the Trump administration to proceed with large-scale layoffs in the U.S. Department of Education. The Washington and Greene Counties Central Labor Council organized the rally, which was part of a national coordinated movement against President Donald Trump’s policies and inspired by the legacy of civil rights icon Congressman John Lewis. His encouragement to generate “good trouble” in the face of injustice was mirrored in speeches and signs carried by attendees. The event drew a diverse crowd of labor activists, including teachers, health care workers, tradesmen, and retirees. Speakers highlighted what they regarded as escalating challenges to civil freedoms, attacks on working families, and moves to weaken protections for public employees. In addition to remembering John Lewis’ life, the demonstration served as a reminder of the strength of organized labor and grassroots activism. Participants encouraged continuing participation through voting, public advocacy, and union solidarity.
July 18, 2025 4:48 am
Washington County District Attorney Jason Walsh says members of the District Attorney’s Drug Task Force executed a search warrant along Brownstown Road in Avella Thursday. Walsh says it resulted following a several week long investigation concerning the distribution of Methamphetamine from the residence. The Washington Regional SWAT also took part in the operation. Detectives seized methamphetamine, paraphernalia associated with the distribution of methamphetamine and two handguns. Michael Boyer, 43 was arrested and lodged in the Washington County Prison on an outstanding probation warrant. According to Walsh, narcotics charges are pending against the occupant of the residence identified as 58 year old James Lucas. Smith Township Police along with State Police Washington assisted. The investigation is ongoing.
July 17, 2025 2:50 am
A contracted IT worker who operates out of Peters Township High School is in the Washington County Jail on child porn charges. Authorities say 46 YEAR Jason Ayres was taken into custody on the high school’s campus Wednesday morning by the Attorney General’s Office Child Predator Unit. Police said they found disturbing downloaded videos, including those of children between 4 and 6 years old. According to the criminal complaint, Ayres admitted to police that he had been viewing child porn on and off for a couple of years, including AI-generated child porn, which is also illegal in Pennsylvania. Ayres is charged with child sexual abuse material and criminal use of communication facility. His bail has been set at $250,000.
July 18, 2025 2:25 pm
Two Weirton residents, 29 year old Ashley Shelton and 34 year old Joshua Lockerbie, were arrested on Wednesday in connection with the drowning of Reese Hanshaw in the Ohio River last month. Hanshaw was a 13 year old girl from Burgettstown. On June 30, police said the pair brought six children, as young as 4 and as old as 13, to swim in the river near the Veterans Memorial Bridge. According to Weirton Police, Officer Adam Mortimer responded quickly and entered the river to bring Reese ashore. Life-saving efforts were immediately performed by first responders transporting Reese to Weirton Medical Center, where she later died. Family members said that Reese was pulled away by the current while trying to help her younger cousin out of the water. Authorities said there were no flotation devices, and both Lockerbie and Shelton knew that none of the children were strong swimmers. They’ve been charged with child neglect causing death and gross neglect of a child creating a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury. They’re being held in a West Virginia jail on $150,000 bail.
July 17, 2025 2:17 am
An investigation is underway into the death of a Monongahela man who barricaded himself inside his home Wednesday night following a report made to Washington County 911 around seven-thirty. Authorities say at this time, they believe the death of 36-year-old Zachry Hamilton is a suspected suicide. SWAT crews from Washington and Beaver counties were called to the home along with the Charleroi Regional Police, Carroll Township Police and Tri-Community and Southeast Regional EMS. SWAT used a drone and observed him unresponsive with an apparent gunshot wound. An autopsy is pending.
July 18, 2025 3:29 pm
(WPXI) PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Regional Transit is reminding drivers that enforcement on the new red bus lanes in Downtown Pittsburgh will begin on Sunday. PRT said that Port Authority Police have been issuing warnings since the lanes were installed last month. According to Pennsylvania law, drivers using bus-only lanes may be issued a citation of $25 with associated fees that will bring the total cost to nearly $200. All private vehicles are prohibited from entering, stopping or parking in the bus lanes, even if it’s briefly. “These dedicated bus lanes are reserved exclusively for buses and emergency vehicles and are clearly marked to ensure the smooth and efficient flow of public transit. Drivers should pay close attention to street signage and lane markings to avoid violations,” PRT said in a release.
July 18, 2025 5:18 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The controversy over President Donald Trump’s handling of records from the Jeffrey Epstein investigation entered a new dimension Thursday as his administration struggles to make good on its promises to release details on the sex trafficking case involving a one-time friend of the now-president. Trump threatened a lawsuit after The Wall Street Journal on Thursday described a sexually suggestive letter that the newspaper says bore Trump’s name and was included in a 2003 album for Epstein’s 50th birthday. Trump denied writing the letter. Trump in recent days has berated supporters vying for more records from the Epstein probe, after years of courting political support from those who have stoked claims of a coverup in the case.
