Two People Shot Outside City Bar

April 16, 2021 2:14 am

Police in Washington say two people were shot outside of the 50 Yard line Sports Pub early Friday morning.  Authorities say the incident happened around one o’clock after a fight broke out inside the bar and the customers were asked to leave.  Police say the fight continued outside and eventually escalated into gunfire resulting in two people getting shot.  Neither individual has been identified and police say they have not yet identified a suspect.  According to authorities, one of the victims is a female who was shot in the foot.  She was taken to a Pittsburgh hospital with non-life threatening injuries.  The other victim was a resident of Allison Avenue who was inside his house when a stray bullet hit him in the side.  Police say they believe he was not the intended victim.  They say his injuries were superficial and he drove himself to the hospital.  As for the suspect, police say those who were in the bar at the time, are not cooperating with police and the only lead they have at this time is that a “Black  male wearing dark clothing” was involved.

Watchdog To Testify On January 6th Riots

April 15, 2021 3:38 am

WASHINGTON (AP) – The top watchdog for the U.S. Capitol Police will testify to Congress for the first time about the department’s broad failures before and during the Jan. 6 insurrection. Among them was missed intelligence and old weapons that officers didn’t feel comfortable using. The Capitol Police inspector general, Michael A. Bolton, has investigated in the months since hundreds of President Donald Trump’s supporters broke into the building and sent lawmakers fleeing for their lives. In a report obtained by The Associated Press ahead of his House appearance Thursday, Bolton paints a dire picture of his agency’s ability to respond to future threats.

House Panel Advances Slavery Reparations Legislation

April 15, 2021 3:37 am

WASHINGTON (AP) – A House panel has advanced a decades-long effort to pay reparations to the descendants of slaves, approving legislation Wednesday night that would create a commission to study the issue. The commission would study possible remedies such as compensation and a formal apology. It’s the first time the House Judiciary Committee has acted on the legislation. Still, prospects for final passage remain poor in such a closely divided Congress. The vote to advance the measure to the full House passed 25-17 after a lengthy and often passionate debate that stretched late into the night.

U.S. – Taiwan Relations ‘Stronger Than Ever’

April 15, 2021 3:36 am

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) – Taiwan’s president and an unofficial delegation of former senior U.S. government officials sent by President Joe Biden have reaffirmed “rock solid” U.S.-Taiwan ties. “I can see with confidence that the United States’ partnership with Taiwan is stronger than ever,” former Sen. Chris Dodd said. U.S. support for Taiwan is coming at a time of increased naval maneuvers and flybys by China’s military in the waters and airspace around the self-ruled island. Taiwan said it would work with the US and other like minded countries to safeguard peace in the Indo-Pacific region.

Chinese Official Warns Of Foreign Interference

April 15, 2021 3:35 am

HONG KONG (AP) – Beijing’s top official in Hong Kong is warning foreign forces not to interfere with the bottom line of national security in the city, threatening retaliation amid tensions between China and Western powers. The U.S., Britain and their allies have condemned China’s tightening control over Hong Kong’s freedoms, including the sweeping national security law and electoral reforms that have all but silenced the once-vibrant opposition in the semi-autonomous territory. The director of the central government’s liaison office says everyone in Hong Kong needs to respect the legal responsibility of upholding national security in the city. Hong Kong’s leader Carrie Lam described the 2019 pro-democracy protests, which sometimes erupted in violence, as almost like terrorist activities.

Officer Charged In Shooting Appears In Court

April 15, 2021 3:34 am

BROOKLYN CENTER, Minn. (AP) – A white former Minnesota police officer has made her first court appearance in the traffic-stop shooting of Black motorist Daunte Wright. Kim Potter appeared alongside her attorney at a brief initial appearance Thursday over Zoom. She posted $100,000 bond after being arrested Wednesday. Potter’s next court appearance is set for May 17. The judge reminded Potter that while out on bond she must remain law-abiding, make all court appearances and not possess or transport any firearms or explosives. She’s charged with second-degree manslaughter in what her chief said appeared to be a case of confusing her Taser with her handgun. Wright’s family members, Black community leaders and others are calling for more serious charges.

Biden Administration Announces New Sanctions On Russia

April 15, 2021 3:27 am

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Biden administration has rolled out a sweeping set of sanctions on Russia over its election interference, hacking efforts and other malign activity.  They include Treasury Department sanctions against 16 people and 16 entities related to Russia’s election interference efforts.  President Joe Biden also has signed an executive order granting the Treasury Department new authorities to sanction Russian government hackers and the information technology companies supporting them. And, along with allies, the United States has sanctioned Russian individuals and entities that have supported Russia’s claimed annexation of the Crimean Peninsula, which is not recognized by the international community.

Multiple Departments Respond To Avella Garage Fire

April 15, 2021 3:19 am

AVELLA, Pa. – Multiple fire crews responded to a garage fire in Avella early this morning. According to Avella Fire Chief Eric Temple, that incident broke out on Campbell Street around 2:30 a.m. when a car sitting outside of the garage caught fire and spread to the structure. Avella Volunteer Fire Department had the flames out fairly quick according to the chief, who appreciated the mutual response from West Middletown and Brooke County, West Virginia crews.

Crews Respond To Canton Township Fire

April 15, 2021 3:15 am

CANTON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – One person was treated on scene for injuries after a house fire in Canton Township Wednesday night. According to reports, that blaze broke out around 8:30 p.m. on Dogwood Drive. When that 911 call was first placed, there was a fear of possible entrapment, but everyone made it out of the building. According to Ambulance and Chair, one person was treated for minor injuries on scene. Canton Township Fire Department responded to the call, along with the South Strabane Fire Department. Reports say the Fire Marshal was called to the incident, but there is no word on what started that fire. The scene was active until approximately 11:15 p.m. (Photo: Facebook)

Pa. Continues Its “Pause” On Use Of J&J Vaccine

April 15, 2021 2:41 am

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) – Pennsylvania has extended its “pause” on use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine by another four days after federal government health advisers said they need more time to investigate reports of rare blood clots. The state Health Department told vaccine providers on Thursday to refrain from using J&J’s COVID-19 vaccine until April 24, or until the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Food and Drug Administration issues new guidance. All six clotting cases were in women under the age of 50. The CDC said Wednesday that one of the cases involved a 26-year-old Pennsylvania woman who has since recovered.