May 28, 2022 4:07 am
ELIZABETH TOWNSHIP, Pa.-(WPXI) – An investigation is underway to find out what caused a small plane to crash in Elizabeth Township on Friday evening. Officials told ours news partner WPXI the plane was taking off from a runway less than half of a mile from where it crashed. The plane was reportedly doing a touch and go maneuver when it lost altitude and went down. The plane was headed to the Finleyville Airport in northern Washington County at the time of the crash. The crash was reported in a wooded area along Skillet Hill Road, off of Route 136 just before 7 p.m. Elizabeth Township Police Chief Kenneth Honick told WPXI that area residents helped first responders find the aircraft. “We entered the wood line and found the plane that was crashed,” Honick said. “It’s a small Cessna. It had a single occupant. The occupant was conscious and alert at the time.” The pilot was taken by life flight to Allegheny General Hospital for life-threatening injuries. The Federal Aviation Administration Reconstruction Team has been called to investigate the crash.
May 28, 2022 3:57 am
(WPXI) – A Pennsylvania State Police trooper in Washington County is facing charges, including DUI, after investigators said he was found intoxicated with an open bottle of rum in his patrol unit.
According to authorities, Trooper Jared Johnson was on duty on May 12th when he was dispatched to reports of a deer in a section of Interstate 70 in Buffalo Township. Johnson marked himself at the scene and is said to have told dispatch that the deer was gone. The dispatcher had trouble understanding Johnson and asked him to repeat his information, with Johnson repeating that the deer was gone. But after continuing to receive calls about the deer – his supervisor went to find Johnson. He says Johnson had slurred speech, glassy eyes, and had trouble standing, and when he went to secure Johnson’s unit, he noticed a bottle of rum on the front passenger seat in a brown paper bag. Johnson was then taken to Washington Hospital where he refused to sign a consent form for a chemical blood test. He was then taken to PSP Washington and released. It was later discovered through his dashcam that he had been involved in an accident on Jefferson and Tyler Avenue while responding to the deer call. Johnson has since been suspended without pay pending the outcome of the case.
May 28, 2022 3:55 am
After two years, the swimming pool in Washington Park will be open. DeAnna Martin, the city’s parks and recreation director said on Friday that the pool will reopen for the Memorial Day Weekend, although on a limited basis. martin says the pool will have limited hours and staffing this weekend, but will open for the season on June 4th, when five to seven new lifeguards will be certified and ready to work. As for the holiday weekend, Martin says the pool will be open from noon to five on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, although some areas may have to be shut down because of what she calls a “skeleton crew.” Martin says the new lifeguards are all fifteen to twenty-year olds who are high school and college students. The pool has been closed for the past two seasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic and maintenance and electrical issues. Admission is six-dollars for residents, seven-dollars for non-residents.
May 27, 2022 4:18 am
UVALDE, Texas (AP) – Authorities say children repeatedly called 911 from inside a Texas elementary school where a gunman killed 19 students and two teachers, including a girl who told the dispatcher “Please send the police now.” Steven McCraw, the director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, said at a news conference Friday that teachers and students repeatedly called 911 during Tuesday’s attack at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde. He says police were at the scene for at least an hour before U.S. Border Patrol agents used a master key to open a locked classroom door. He says the agents then killed the gunman, 18-year-old Salvador Ramos, at about 12:50 p.m.
May 27, 2022 4:14 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – A bipartisan group of senators is trying to find a compromise on gun legislation. That’s after Democrats’ first attempt at responding to the back-to-back mass shootings in Buffalo and Uvalde, Texas, failed Thursday in the Senate. Republicans blocked debate on a domestic terrorism bill that would have opened debate on hate crimes and gun policy. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer says he will give negotiations about two weeks while Congress is in recess. The bipartisan group of senators met after the vote and focused on background checks for guns purchased online or at gun shows, red-flag laws designed to keep guns away from those who could harm themselves or others and school security measures.
May 27, 2022 4:13 am
HOUSTON (AP) – The National Rifle Association begins its annual convention in Houston on Friday, and leaders of the powerful gun-rights lobbying group are gearing up to “reflect on” – and deflect any blame for – the deadly shooting earlier this week of 19 children and two teachers at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. Former President Donald Trump and other leading Republicans are scheduled to address the three-day gun industry marketing and advocacy event, which is expected to draw protesters. Some scheduled speakers and performers have backed out, including two Texas lawmakers and “American Pie” singer Don McLean, who said “it would be disrespectful” to go ahead with his act.
May 27, 2022 4:10 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) – Just 910 votes separate the two leading candidates in Pennsylvania’s Republican primary for U.S. Senate. That means counties are preparing to start a recount in the race between celebrity heart surgeon Dr. Mehmet Oz and former hedge fund CEO David McCormick. Oz has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump. At least six counties – Bedford, Clinton, Crawford, Lehigh, Montour, Tioga and Warren – said they’ll begin Friday. Most other counties will begin next week. Some counties were still counting remaining votes from last week’s primary election. The winner will take on Democrat John Fetterman in November.
May 27, 2022 4:09 am
HARMAR TOWNSHIP, Pa. — (WPXI) – Officials said 17 tankers were reportedly derailed in Harmar Township on Thursday afternoon. Crews responded to the scene in the 2400 block of Freeport Road. Freeport Road (Route 1001) remains closed between the Hulton Bridge and Guys Run Road until further notice. Officials also said a train hit a construction truck, which caused the derailment. A waterline for Harmar Township was reportedly broken in the accident. According to Harmar Water Authority, the water flowing from the ruptured pipe was turned off. Resident’s water service was not impacted. The driver of the construction truck that the train hit and two train operators were taken to the hospital with minor injuries. Norfolk Southern confirmed that the derailed train was one of their trains. They issued the following statement: “Late this afternoon, one of our eastbound trains struck a dump truck carrying stone, which caused a derailment. Thank you to the first responders who assisted our crew members. At this time, our personnel are on-site and working with local authorities to determine next steps.”
May 27, 2022 3:23 am
SEATTLE (AP) – Alan White, the longtime drummer for progressive rock pioneers Yes who also played on projects with John Lennon and George Harrison, has died. He was 72. White’s death was announced on his Facebook page by his family. The post said he died at his Seattle-area home on Thursday after a brief illness. Just days earlier Yes had announced that due to health issues White would not take part in the band’s upcoming tour of the United Kingdom. White joined Yes in 1972, replacing original drummer Bill Bruford. In a band noted for frequent lineup changes, White was a constant and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Yes in 2017. (Photo: Facebook)
May 27, 2022 3:06 am
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Pa. — (WPXI)- A man is in jail after police say he shot and killed his neighbor after getting into an argument with him in Smith Township Tuesday afternoon. Bryce Tacy, 52, is accused of killing 44-year-old Jerry Anderson. Emergency crews responded to 18 Loffert Road in Smith Township around 2:30 p.m. The SWAT team was called in after Tacy allegedly refused to come out peacefully. Anderson’s says his nephew and Tacy had a history of disputes. Jason Walsh, the Washington District Attorney, said an argument is what fueled the shooting. Walsh alleges Tacy shot Anderson while he was on his lawnmower. “I believe there have been some disputes in the past,” said Walsh said. “The suspect fired two shots into the victim’s back and in the back of the head.” According to state police, the gun used was legally owned by Tacy. Anderson’s uncle tells Channel 11 he leaves behind a wife and two twin boys. Tacy is being held in the Washington County Jail without bond. His preliminary hearing is set for June 1st.
