August 2, 2025 1:54 am
Washington County Commissioners held an emergency voting meeting Friday to authorize the hiring of special counsel to defend the District Attorney. In a unanimous vote, commissioners approved attorney Shohin Vance of the law firm Saxton & Stump to represent Jason Walsh at a fee of $480 per hour. The action comes after the Philadelphia law firm, The Atlantic Center for Capital Representation filed a petition with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court asking for a King’s Bench hearing to examine the practices of Walsh as they pertain to his use of the death penalty. That petition was filed last month. The Atlantic Center is representing Jordan Clarke, of Peters Township who is accused of a fatal assault of his 11 month old son in 2022. They are also representing Joshua George of Smith Township, who is accused of fatally assaulting his six month old son in 2021. Recently, Coroner Tim Warco stated that he filed a false autopsy in the Clarke case because he was coerced by Walsh to do so. During the meeting, two residents spoke against using taxpayer funds to defend Walsh, and also questioned why no means of defense was made for Warco. Commissioner Chairman Nick Sherman says that the county’s insurance policy will cover the costs of the case. He also said that Warco has not requested the assistance of the county for legal defense. Sherman explained that the quick nature of the action was necessary because briefs are due in front of the Supreme Court on Tuesday.
August 2, 2025 4:04 am
A 19-year-old was killed in a hit-and-run crash in Westmoreland County late Thursday night. The crash happened just before 11 p.m. on College Avenue near North Greengate Road in Hempfield Township. Westmoreland County Coroner Tim Carson said Jayden Lynch, 19, was driving a motorized bike in the westbound lane when another vehicle collided with him. Lynch was killed in the crash. Carson said he was not wearing a helmet at the time. The driver of the vehicle fled the scene. Pennsylvania State Police continue to investigate. Around Washington County Police are taking several approaches for traffic law enforcement of e-bikes. In Canonsburg, Mayor David Rhome says he and his officers are getting regular complaints about teens weaving in and out of traffic and popping wheelies. Police there are actively enforcing traffic laws and trying to educate residents about e-bikes. In Peters Township, they too have had complaints for months. In addition to enforcement of traffic, trespass and vandalism laws, they are mounting an educational program for adults and teens. On the township website is a video explaining regulations for all e-bikes and scooters and where they may be used and a web page that details all rules and regulations, including those of the state vehicle code that police will enforce.
August 2, 2025 4:14 am
SHREWSBURY, Pa. (AP) — A truckload of hot dogs has spilled across a Pennsylvania highway after a crash, clogging the road toward the end of the morning rush hour. The wreck took place on Interstate 83 a few miles north of the Maryland line Friday. It briefly clogged the heavily traveled artery in both directions. Crews were stuck with a job they didn’t relish — rolling up the scattered tube steaks for disposal. State police said the tractor trailer had an unspecified mechanical problem that caused it to push into a passenger vehicle. When the truck scraped along a concrete divider, its trailer was ripped open and the contents scattered. Four people had injuries that were not considered life-threatening. (PHOTO; AP)
August 1, 2025 5:20 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — Jeffrey Epstein’s former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, has been moved from a federal prison in Florida to a prison camp in Texas as her criminal case generates renewed public attention. The federal Bureau of Prisons said Friday that Maxwell was taken to Bryan, Texas, but did not explain the circumstances. Her attorney confirmed the move but also declined to discuss the reasons for it. Maxwell was convicted in 2021 of helping Epstein sexually abuse underage girls and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. She had been held at a prison in Tallahassee, Florida, until her transfer to the camp in Texas. (Photo: AP)
August 1, 2025 8:50 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. employers added just 73,000 jobs last month and Labor Department revisions showed that hiring was much weaker than previously reported in May and June. . The unemployment rate ticked up to 4.2%. The deterioration in the job market occurs as companies are paralyzed with uncertainty over President Donald Trump’s erratic trade policies. The Labor Department reported that revisions shaved a stunning 258,000 jobs off May and June payrolls.
August 1, 2025 5:17 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Friday that he has directed his team to fire the head of the agency that produces the monthly jobs figures, after a weak report showed hiring slowed and was much weaker in April and May than previously reported. Trump in a post on his social media platform alleged that the figures were manipulated for political reasons and said that Erika McEntarfer, the director of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, who was appointed by former President Joe Biden, should be fired.
August 1, 2025 7:37 am
Pennsylvania American Water officials say 28 customers were without service following a water main break early Friday morning along McCombs Road in Peters Township. An eight-inch main ruptured causing water to shoot into the air and the roadway to buckle. One home was flooded and the company says its disaster restoration company is responding. Service was expected to be restored by 6 p.m.
August 1, 2025 2:54 am
It is now August and that means that the Washington County Agricultural Fair is just about ready to kick off. Opening day for the fair is August 9 and it will run through August 16. The cost of entry is $15. According to Wayne Hunnell, Vice President of the Board of Directors of the Fair, that price is hard to beat. Attendees will be able to see all of the agricultural displays including fruits and vegetables and the always popular animal competitions. Todd Richards, Board President says it is “electric” when you see a youngster’s face when they are awarded a blue ribbon for their efforts over the course of the last year. Traditional events include concerts. This year some of the groups booked are the Skyliners, Ruff Creek, Scott Blasey and Bon Journey. A traditional favorite, the School Bus Demolition Derby is being given a run for its money as far as favorite event. Last year the board brought back the Rodeo. Attendance for last year’s Rodeo was 300 people less than the School Bus Demolition Derby. Richards says that he hopes to see the rodeo surpass the demolition derby. Hunnel says that the format for the rodeo has changed to include more local participation. He looks forward to seeing his granddaughter participate in the barrel competition. There have been several renovations to the fair grounds since last year. Hall 3 has renovated restrooms, the historic horse barn and the 4-H barns have seen renovations and painting as well. Hunnell says that as soon as the fair closes, Building #1 will see extensive renovations including an extension and new restrooms. According to Hunnell, last year’s attendance was 64,000 people. That had an economic impact of $23 million on Washington County. Special event ticket pricing is available, for details go to the website www.washingtonfair.org .
August 1, 2025 1:52 am
Peters Township residents will now be able to enjoy themselves on a hot day at a splash pad that has been in the works for a number of years. Township officials and staff gave the splash pad in Rolling Hills Park a workout as they held a ribbon cutting event Thursday evening. Frank Kosir made sure that the bucket portion of the splash pad worked as he got drenched with several of the youngest of his constituents. He called it a great day to deliver the facility to the residents. Dave Brooks is the Director of Parks and Recreation for the township and he said that what the township now has is one more venue to make sure that Peters Township has anything residents want for recreation and not have to search for it elsewhere. Also on hand was state senator Camera Bartolotta. State representative Natalie Mihalek and Bartolotta were instrumental in delivering a $3.2 million grant to Peters Township to help offset the cost of the facility. Township Manager Paul Lauer called the splash pad something that cannot be found anywhere else in southwestern Pennsylvania. The facility also has outdoor picnic areas, an indoor party room available for rent and restrooms. The facility will officially open on August 4 and will remain open daily until September 1. The hours of operation are from 11-7. The cost is $2.50 per person for residents, $5.00 per person for non-residents. Annual passes for 4 people are available for $25, non-residents pay $50.
August 1, 2025 4:57 am
CONNELLSVILLE, Pa. — A fire Thursday at a funeral home in Fayette County. Firefighters were called to the Paul G. Fink Funeral Home in Connellsville in the 400 block of Pittsburgh Street at 2:03 p.m. on Thursday. “As we got here, there was heavy smoke showing from the attic area, really thick brown smoke,” said New Haven Assistant Fire Chief Sam Spotto. Spotto said the fire in the attic was knocked down rather quickly, but there was a lot of water damage that could not have been prevented. Two firefighters were taken to a hospital for heat exhaustion out of precaution. Firefighters said they believe the fire was started accidentally by workers who were trying to strip paint.
