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.
August 1, 2025 12:42 pm
(WPXI) NORTH FAYETTE TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Neighbors in North Fayette were woken up by police early Thursday morning after three cars were stolen in their neighborhood. “The cop was pounding on our door around 5 am,” said Tonya Belonzi. “He said, ‘Are you Tonya? Do you own an Audi? Well, it’s stolen.’” A video posted to the Ring Neighbors app shows someone wearing a mask walking up to a car and trying the door handle. When he realizes the car is locked, he walks away. Neighbors who live along nearby Farmcrest Drive were shocked to see that video. North Fayette police are asking anyone with doorbell cameras to look at their footage to see if they spot anything suspicious and give them a call at 724-693-8400.
August 1, 2025 2:04 pm
(WPXI) Four people allegedly involved in a drug and firearms trafficking ring in Westmoreland County have been arrested, resulting in the seizure of over 47,000 doses of heroin and fentanyl. Attorney General Dave Sunday made the announcement Friday. David Jefferies, 34, James Womack, 33, and Shelton Payne, 34, were charged with illegal possession of firearms and felony drug trafficking. “Fentanyl continues to fuel the opioid crisis in the Commonwealth and nationwide, and dealers use firearms to protect their lucrative trade,” Attorney General Sunday said. The investigation led to the execution of a search warrant at Jefferies’ home, where officers said they discovered a Glock 9mm handgun, approximately 382 grams of fentanyl and black tar heroin. The Office of Attorney General Agents were assisted by the Westmoreland County Drug Task Force and the Police Departments of North Huntingdon, Monessen, Rostraver, New Kensington and Irwin in this operation.
August 1, 2025 8:30 pm
(WPXI) SOUTH FAYETTE, Pa. — Lt. John Leininger with the South Fayette Police Department saw video from an 89-year-old man’s room at Celebration Villas of Lakemont Farm. He told Channel 11, the video showed two employees, LaMont Deonta Mitchell, 29, of Pittsburgh, and Joseph Dexter Love, 28, of Pittsburgh, assaulting the elderly man, which kicked on the camera’s sensor to start recording. According to the criminal complaint, the video shows the two employees antagonizing the man, and Joseph smacking the victim on the top of his head. Then, police say Lamont grabs the elderly man, throws him onto the ground, and drags him to the door. When the incident was reported to the home’s director, investigators say he called police. Channel 11 has also learned that the elderly man has dementia. When we went to ask the facility director about the incident, we were asked to leave the property. We also reached out to the parent company, and never received a response. The two men are charged with misdemeanors and no longer work at the nursing home.
August 1, 2025 11:05 pm
(WPXI) COLLIER TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Chartiers Valley School District has unveiled a major investment in campus safety, powered by artificial intelligence and advanced mapping technology, ahead of the upcoming school year. The district has installed 514 AI-enhanced security cameras designed to detect and alert administrators if someone enters restricted areas.\ In addition, staff ID badges now include access control, limiting which doors employees can use throughout the day so the district has a better idea of who is coming and going. Alerts are sent to administrators and security personnel anytime a door is opened allowing for immediate investigation. These changes come after a teen was charged with making threats to the district last year, prompting a comprehensive review of existing protocols. Security measures now also include officers at every school campus entrance and wearable emergency badges for staff that can connect directly to emergency services. The upgrades represent a more than a million-dollar investment, which district leaders said is well worth the cost. Castagna plans to present a full overview of the upgrades at the next school board meeting on August 12th.
