October 23, 2021 4:37 am
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – Northern California residents are cleaning up Friday and preparing for a massive storm this weekend that could bring flash flooding to vast areas scorched by fire. Residents had been relieved when rain started falling this week for the first time in any measurable way since spring, helping contain stubborn wildfires and soaking dry gardens. The National Weather Service for the San Francisco Bay Area issued a flash flood watch for parts of the region Sunday. Rain and snow will soak northern and central California before spreading into Southern California Monday. This week’s storms won’t end the drought that’s plaguing California and the western United States.
October 23, 2021 4:36 am
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) – North Korea has accused the Biden administration of raising military tensions with Pyongyang’s closest ally China through its support of Taiwan. An official quoted by state media Saturday said the U.S. had engaged in “reckless” backing of Taiwan and said a growing U.S. military presence in the region constitutes a potential threat to the North. The comments by Vice Foreign Minister Pak Myong Ho came a day after President Joe Biden told a CNN townhall event that the United States was committed to defending Taiwan if it were to come under Chinese attack. North Korea has increasingly criticized the broader U.S. security role in the Indo-Pacific that has sharpened the competition with China, Pyongyang’s chief political and economic backer.
October 23, 2021 4:35 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – The U.S. military says it killed a senior al-Qaeda leader in an airstrike Friday in northwest Syria. Army Maj. John Rigsbee, a spokesman for U.S. Central Command, says in a statement that Abdul Hamid al-Matar was killed by a drone strike. Rigsbee says the killing of al-Matar will disrupt al-Qaida’s “ability to further plot and carry out global attacks threatening U.S. citizens, our partners, and innocent civilians.” The U.S. strike came two days after a U.S. military outpost in southern Syria was hit by a coordinated attack that included drones and rockets. U.S. officials said no American troops stationed there were injured or killed.
October 23, 2021 4:27 am
WASHINGTON, Pa. — Saturday is National Drug Take Back Day across the United States, and many local law enforcement agencies are taking part in the event between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Residents are encouraged to drop off all unused and expired prescription medication. There will be no questions asked when items are dropped off. In Washington County, there are 15 collection sites established including the Canonsburg Shop and Save, South Strabane Township Police Department, Mingo Creek County Sheriff’s Office, Troop B State Police Barracks and the Washington Health System. To find the nearest location for you, visit https://takebackday.dea.gov.
October 23, 2021 4:18 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) – A landmark synagogue building in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood remains dormant three years after it was the scene of a rampage that left 11 people dead in what was America’s deadliest anti-Semitic attack. The solemn anniversary is being observed by survivors, family members of victims and congregants. There’s still no trial date for the suspected shooter, former truck driver Robert Bowers. These days a renowned architect is among those now working to transform the site where the massacre took place. Some members of the congregations say their grief has been compounded by the coronavirus pandemic because it further isolated them from each other and from in-person worship.
October 23, 2021 4:15 am
The National Weather service has now confirmed six tornadoes hit the region Thursday night. An EF-1 twister hit an area east of West Finley in Washington County. Another was in Hopewell Twp, Washington County where reports say homes along Willow Road and Lowry Lane were damaged. In Peters Twp, another tornado was confirmed as officials say the Venetia area was hit hard with reports of numerous trees and wires down and roadways blocked. Both the Hopewell and Peters Township tornadoes will be surveyed to determine damage Saturday. In Allegheny County, an EF-0 tornado hit the Mt. Nebo area, while an EF-1 struck Hampton Township. Saturday morning, the NWS confirmed an EF-0 tornado in the City of Butler, while crews will also be heading out to survey damage in Lancaster Township, Butler County as well as Franklin Township, Beaver County Saturday. The weather service will continue to investigate damage throughout the area over the next several days. There have been no reports of any injuries. (Photo: Nick Wikes – Facebook)
October 23, 2021 1:47 am
Authorities in Fayette County say a house fire in Brownsville was likely accidental. Jordan Sealy is the fire chief for the Brownsville Volunteer Fire Department, Company #1, and he says the blaze broke out sometime around one o’clock Friday afternoon in a home on Lynn Road. Sealy says when firefighters arrived on the scene, all of the occupants were out of the house. He says, though, there were two civilians transported to Uniontown Hospital along with a firefighter who developed some medical issues. Sealy says he is expected to be okay. Sealy says there was a pretty good working fire on the second floor but they brought it under control quickly. Sealy says the Red Cross is helping two adults and six children who were displaced by the fire.
October 23, 2021 1:15 am
Pfizer says kid-size doses of its COVID-19 vaccine are safe and nearly 91% effective at preventing infections in elementary school children. Details of the study were posted online Friday as U.S. regulators consider opening vaccinations to youngsters 5 to 11. The shots could begin early next month if regulators give the go-ahead. If the FDA authorizes the low-dose shots, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will make the final recommendations on who should receive them. Full-strength Pfizer shots already are authorized for anyone 12 or older.
October 22, 2021 3:08 pm
LOS ANGELES (AP) – Peter Scolari, who appeared on the TV series “Newhart” and Girls,” has died. His manager says Scolari died Friday morning in New York after fighting cancer for two years. The versatile character actor first gained attention as Tom Hanks’ co-star in the sitcom “Bosom Buddies,” in which their characters disguised themselves as women to live in an affordable, females-only apartment building. The two actors became pals and went on to work together in Hanks’ film directorial debut, “That Thing You Do!” and in the Broadway play “Lucky Guy.” Scolari’s survivors include his wife and four children. He was 66.
October 22, 2021 5:28 am
Local State Representative Bud Cook (R-49) took Thursday afternoon to address constituents from the Washington County Courthouse steps. His concern, as it has been for the last five years, is the “fair, accurate and transparent” accounting of Local Share Account funds distributed annually from revenues generated from gambling at the Hollywood Casino at the Meadows. Cook detailed his investigation into how grants are applied for and awarded and came away making claims that the process is fraught with lack of accountability and cronyism. He made the claim that roughly $10 million is unaccounted for. Cook states that local government leaders need to be more transparent with how grants are approved. In an interview with WJPA, Commissioner Diana Irey-Vaughn detailed the process from start to finish, making the statement that when the process for grant awards was established, then Governor Tom Corbett hailed the procedure calling it the best he had seen across the Commonwealth. Cook called out LSA Grant Committee Chairman Jeff Kotula for conflict of interest as Kotula is President of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce and The Washington County Tourism and Promotion Agency. Those groups have received grants for marketing in 10 of the last 13 years. In an interview with WJPA Kotula used Cook’s words against him stating that Cook is working on a gut feeling and has no actual facts. Kotula went on to say that at no time did Cook ever contact him to discuss the process or even ask to attend a meeting. Cook states that he wants to stop being an investigator and get back to legislating. Cook promised more updates in early 2022.
