December 19, 2025 2:51 am
Washington County Commissioners authorized County Solicitor Gary Sweat to make modifications to the Hotel Tax Ordinance that governs how monies generated from the county’s hotel tax are used. The proposed ordinance will mimic an ordinance adopted in 2001 that will allow county commissioners input as to how to best use those tax funds. Currently 96% of tax revenue is sent to the Washington County Tourism Promotion Agency (WCTPA). Commissioners wish to return to a format where 76% of tax revenue would be deposited to a joint account where both the county and WCTPA would decide which projects to fund and how monies are spent. Under the current ordinance and the proposed ordinance, the County Treasurer would receive a 4% administration fee. The new proposal would also include a 20% payment to the WCTPA. Sweat says that communication between the two organizations has been essentially non-existent regarding spending. Sweat says that according to a 2024 audit, $3 million is being “parked” in certificates of deposit instead of being used for promotional uses. Commissioners are also questioning consultant fees and salaries. Sweat did say that this will be a several month process before the draft ordinance is ready for review. Public hearings will be held and further changes could result from those hearings. In a statement released by Jeff Kotula, President of the WCTPA, he says that he is shocked that the commissioners approved authorizing the ordinance change. He said that the agency is confident that as the solicitor continues his research, he will find that provisions of the ordinance changes are illegal.
December 19, 2025 4:52 am
Officials say a man who is suspected in last weekend’s mass shooting at Brown University and in the fatal shooting of a Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor has been found dead in a New Hampshire storage facility. Providence Police Chief Col. Oscar Perez says 48-year-old Claudio Neves Valente was found dead Thursday from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Neves Valente is a former Brown student and Portuguese national. Perez says they believe the suspect acted alone. U.S. attorney for Massachusetts Leah B. Foley says Neves Valente and MIT professor Nuno F.G. Loureiro attended the same academic program in Portugal between 1995 and 2000.
December 19, 2025 5:49 pm
(AP) – Ford is recalling more than 270,000 electric and hybrid vehicles in the U.S. because of a parking function problem that could lead to them rolling away. The Detroit automaker says that the recall includes some 2022-2026 F-150 Lightnings, 2024-2026 Mustang Mach-Es, and 2025-2026 Mavericks. At issue is the integrated park module, which may fail to lock into the park position when the driver shifts into park. Ford says that it will implement a park module software update for free. Vehicle owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 for additional information.
December 18, 2025 4:56 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s “blockade” of sanctioned oil tankers off Venezuela’s coast is raising new concerns about the legality of his military campaign in Latin America. It’s also fueling fears that the U.S. could be edging closer to war. The Trump administration says its blockade is narrowly tailored and not targeting civilians, which would be an illegal act of war. But some experts say seizing sanctioned oil tied to authoritarian leader Nicolás Maduro could provoke a military response from Venezuela. Trump says the South American country is using oil to fund drug trafficking and other crimes. Venezuela says the move would violate international law.
December 18, 2025 4:58 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. officials are proposing new restrictions that are designed to block access to gender-affirming care for minors. The announcement from Department of Health and Human Services is the latest step by the Trump administration cracking down on care for transgender Americans. The sweeping proposals include cutting off federal Medicaid and Medicare funding from hospitals that provide gender-affirming care to children. The proposals are not final or legally binding. They must go through a lengthy rulemaking process and are likely to face legal challenges. They also contradict the recommendations of major medical groups including the American Medical Association.
December 19, 2025 4:49 am
The Powerball jackpot has grown to an estimated $1.5 billion after there was no winner in Wednesday night’s drawing. It is the fifth-largest jackpot in the history of the Powerball. Although no one won the big prize in the drawing, someone in Pennsylvania did win $1 million. It’s not known yet where the ticket was sold, so check your numbers! The winning numbers were 25, 33, 53, 62, 66 and the Powerball was 18. The next drawing will be Saturday night.
December 19, 2025 4:53 am
STATESVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Federal investigators will begin sifting through the wreckage of a business jet that crashed in North Carolina and killed all seven people aboard, including retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and his family. Investigators will examine the crash site of the Cessna C550 at Statesville Regional Airport, north of Charlotte. Records show the plane was registered to a company run by Biffle. The cause of Thursday’s crash wasn’t immediately known, nor was the reason for the plane’s return to the airport in drizzle and cloudy conditions. NASCAR says the news is devastating. The 55-year-old Biffle won more than 50 races across NASCAR’s three circuits.
December 18, 2025 12:52 pm
STATESVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Retired NASCAR race driver Greg Biffle, his wife, and their two children are among the seven people killed in a plane crash in North Carolina. The Cessna C550 crashed at Statesville Regional Airport, north of Charlotte. Records show the plane was registered to a company run by Biffle. AccuWeather reports some drizzle and clouds at the time of the crash. The Statesville airport serves NASCAR teams and Fortune 500 companies. NASCAR says the news is devastating. The 55-year-old Biffle won more than 50 races across NASCAR’s three circuits.
December 18, 2025 2:18 am
A Washington man had his preliminary hearing and will face trial for causing a disturbance at the Waffle House restaurant in South Strabane Township. Joshua King, 30, faces charges of aggravated assault, terroristic threats and reckless endangerment. All charges were held for court. The criminal complaint says King got into an argument inside the restaurant and then left to go to his vehicle in the parking lot. He retrieved a semi-automatic handgun and then pointed it thru the front windows of the restaurant towards occupants inside. King then allegedly went back inside and threatened to kill employees. King then fled the scene but was stopped by City of Washington Police. A 9-mm handgun was found inside the vehicle. King remains in the Washington County Jail unable to post his $800,000 bond. He will be arraigned January 27.
December 18, 2025 4:59 am
MONESSEN, Pa. — A Monessen mother is offering a $1,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest after her 16-year-old son was shot in the head in broad daylight a month ago. She is also sharing newly obtained doorbell audio she hopes will prompt someone to come forward. Janae Michaux said her family is frustrated that there has not been an arrest and fearful because her son is still being threatened online. “It’s upsetting that nothing has been done, and this young man is taunting my family through social media,” Michaux said. Police said the shooting happened in the late afternoon on Nov. 11 on Rostraver Street in Monessen. Doorbell camera video captured the sound of 10 shots before a suspect ran from the scene. The teen was flown to UPMC Children’s Hospital and underwent surgery. His mother said he survived and has made a miraculous recovery. Michaux said her son was on his way to visit friends and a newborn baby when he was shot. She said she believes the shooting may be gang-related, but said her son was not involved in a gang. Police have not publicly identified a suspect or announced an arrest.
