October 26, 2024 4:58 am
(AP) — Grateful Dead founding member Phil Lesh has died at age 84. Lesh was a classically trained violinist and jazz trumpeter who found his true calling reinventing the role of rock music’s bass guitarist. He was the oldest and one of the longest surviving members of the band that came to define the 1960s acid rock sound. His thundering arpeggios, played on a six-string electric bass, intertwined with Jerry Garcia’s soaring lead-guitar solos to give the Grateful Dead a unique, often-copied but never duplicated sound. He also co-wrote several Grateful Dead songs, including “Box of Rain.”
October 26, 2024 3:38 am
CANTON TOWNSHIP, PA — A man was arrested this week after several puppies were found tied shut in plastic bags dumped in the trash. Now, a woman is also facing charges. Three Pit bull-mix puppies were found buried in a trash can along Beacon Avenue on Oct. 20. One of them was dead and all had severe leg injuries. The puppies’ owner, Franklin Donley, is at the Washington County Jail and is facing several felony charges of aggravated animal cruelty. The criminal complaint said his dog had given birth. Donley said he thought he saw that the mother attacked and partially maimed the puppies and did not want his 10-year-old daughter to see what happened. Charges were also filed against Jessica Vanderlee Thursday. Court documents said Donley and Vanderlee mutually took care of the situation, disposing of at least four puppies and torturing them by packaging them into plastic grocery bags. The criminal complaint said Donley agreed to take the blame because Vanderlee was on State Parole for homicide by motor vehicle.
October 25, 2024 11:34 am
PITTSBURGH —(WPXI)- Pittsburgh Police Chief Larry Scirotto will be retiring next week. In a letter that was sent to the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police department, Scirotto announced his last day as chief will be Nov. 1, after nearly 25 years with the organization. “This decision is rooted in pride, duty, and a deep commitment to our organization and the community we serve. This choice is made by me alone, in the best interest of my officers and department,” Scirotto said. “Throughout my career, I have never shied away from a challenge. I have fought tirelessly for what is right, advocating for our officers and the community,” he continued. Scirotto came under fire last week after it was reported he was returning to refereeing college basketball, a gig he initially gave up when he took the job as Pittsburgh’s police chief. “While I have enjoyed this work and look forward to my upcoming officiating commitments, I recognize that this visibility has become a distraction for the department,” Scirotto continued, citing “substantial media coverage” surrounding his referee duties. On Tuesday, City Council voted unanimously to hold a public hearing questioning Scirotto. That same day, a news conference with the chief was abruptly canceled.
October 25, 2024 4:51 am
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Some voters living in areas that have seen rainy or humid weather have reported receiving ballot return envelopes that are already sealed shut. Elections officials in several states say that moisture can dampen mail and cause the envelopes to seal. The issue has been reported in parts of North Carolina, which was devastated by Hurricane Helene, as well as in Pennsylvania, Alabama and Oregon. Elections officials say this isn’t new and that humidity has sealed return envelopes in the past. Impacted voters should contact their county elections office to confirm what their next steps should be, as rules can vary across counties and states.
October 25, 2024 2:23 am
Washington City Police are investigating an altercation at the Brew House along S. Main Street this past weekend. Chief Steve Devenney tells us that an anonymous caller reported a disturbance or fight around midnight Sunday. At this time, Devenney says no potential victims have come forward and they are asking any potential witnesses to contact detectives. Police continue to investigate but are aware of some social media posts that they cannot confirm.
October 25, 2024 4:54 am
ALLEGHENY COUNTY, Pa. — (WPXI) – The Woodland Hills School District superintendent is leaving for Chartiers Valley. Thursday, the Chartiers Valley School Board announced that it approved the hiring of Daniel Castagna in a six to three vote in a special meeting. The news comes days after the Woodland Hills School Board voted to give Castagna a $26,000 raise. Chartiers Valley School District plans to pay Castagna $250,000 per year starting in January. Castagna said the following in a statement: “I look forward to working closely with our talented educators, engaged families, and wonderful students to create a culture of excellence and innovation. Together, we will ensure that every student has the opportunity to thrive and succeed.”
October 25, 2024 4:59 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump has said China’s leader would handle Vice President Kamala Harris “like a baby” if she’s elected to the White House. The former president and his top allies increasingly have moved to infantilize the Democratic nominee. Trump’s comment Thursday followed former Fox News Channel host Tucker Carlson telling a Trump rally that the former president might declare to Harris, “You’ve been a bad little girl, and you’re getting a vigorous spanking.” Trump has built his political career around name-calling, but has unleashed a special array of personal — often condescending — attacks against Harris. He spoke later Thursday at a rally in Arizona, where he criticized Harris’ handling of immigration.
October 25, 2024 5:01 am
CLARKSTON, Ga. (AP) — Bruce Springsteen and Barack Obama lent their star power to Kamala Harris’ quest for the presidency on Thursday as the vice president implored Georgia voters to consider the “brutally serious” consequences if Donald Trump wins a second term in the White House. The use of Springsteen and Obama highlights how Harris’ campaign is in an all-out sprint ahead of Election Day, leaning on some of the most noteworthy names in the party to both help her deliver her closing message and lambast her opponent, former President Donald Trump. On Friday, Harris travels to Texas for a Houston rally with Beyoncé, according to three people familiar with the matter.
October 25, 2024 5:05 am
A California-based produce company is the source of fresh onions linked to a deadly E. coli food poisoning outbreak at McDonald’s restaurants. That’s according to officials with the restaurant chain. Meanwhile, other fast-food restaurants across the nation pulled onions from their menus. Taylor Farms of Salinas, California, recalled fresh whole and diced onions this week because they could be contaminated with E. coli bacteria. The E. coli outbreak has sickened at least 49 people in 10 states, including one person who died.
October 25, 2024 4:57 am
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Four astronauts are back on Earth after a space station mission that lasted almost eight months. A SpaceX capsule carrying the crew parachuted into the Gulf of Mexico off the Florida coast before dawn Friday. The three Americans and one Russian should have returned from the International Space Station two months ago. But their homecoming was stalled by all the problems with Boeing’s new Starliner crew capsule, which came back empty in September because of safety concerns. Then Hurricane Milton interfered followed by more bad weather. The astronauts launched to the space station in March.
