October 17, 2021 7:55 am
PITTSBURGH (WPXI)— Crews were called out to a home near the intersection of Bandera Street and Ater Way just after 7 p.m. Saturday for a 3-alarm fire. Firefighters worked for multiple hours trying to extinguish the flames. As they doused the three-story home from above, flames persisted, pouring out of the roof. Several streets nearby were blocked by fire trucks, and many people just stood by watching crews get to work. Fire officials believe no one was present in one of the homes. Pittsburgh Public Safety says a firefighter had to be checked out by a medic on scene for breathing issues and another had to be taken to the hospital. There’s no word yet on what sparked the flames or how much damage was done.
October 17, 2021 4:31 am
WASHINGTON, Pa. — A Washington County Commissioner has been reappointed to serve on two national committees of The American Legion. Earlier this month, Larry Maggi was re-selected by the National Executive Committee of the Legion to serve on the Youth Cadet Law Enforcement and the Law and Order & Homeland Security committees. Maggi says the Youth Cadet Law Enforcement Committee oversees, organizes and conducts youth law enforcement programs throughout the nation, while the Law and Order & Homeland Security Committee discusses law and order, homeland security issues and writes policies why lobbying national legislators. Maggi says that this year’s theme is “No Veteran Left Behind” and he has been asked to focus on that message as an appointee. The Commissioner is a lifelong resident of Claysville who served in the U.S. Marine Corps, is a member of the American Legion, the Mon Valley Leathernecks, the Marine Corps League, Sons of the American Legion and the American Legion Riders.
October 16, 2021 4:46 am
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) – President Joe Biden says he would prefer to slash the length of the new and expanded programs in his $3.5 trillion social safety net and climate change legislation, rather than eliminate programs entirely. Biden is trying to reassure progressives who are worried their priorities may get cut in the negotiations. Democrats on Capitol Hill are working to reduce the sweeping package down to about $2 trillion in spending, which would be paid for with higher taxes on corporations and the wealthy. The proposal includes everything from free child care and community college to significant provisions meant to combat climate change.
October 16, 2021 4:44 am
GOLDEN, Colo. (AP) – A truck driver accused of causing a fiery pileup that killed four people and injured six others on a Colorado highway has been convicted of vehicular homicide and other charges. Rogel Lazaro Aguilera Mederos was convicted by a Jefferson County jury on Friday in connection with the April 2019 crash on Interstate 70 west of Denver. The Denver Post reports that Aguilera Mederos faces decades in prison when he is sentenced Dec. 13. The driver testified that the brakes on his semitrailer failed before he plowed into vehicles that had slowed because of another wreck in the Denver suburb of Lakewood. Prosecutors argued he could have used one of several runaway ramps.
October 16, 2021 4:43 am
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – A crowd of 100 people wreaked havoc in downtown Portland, Oregon, this week, smashing storefront windows, lighting dumpsters on fire and causing at least $500,000 in damage. But police officers didn’t stop them. Portland Police Bureau officials say that’s because legislation passed by Oregon lawmakers this year restricts the tools they can use as people vandalize buildings and cause mayhem. The measure prohibits the use of things like pepper spray and rubber bullets for crowd control. However there are exceptions, and lawmakers say police should still be able to use the tools they need to quell riots. Portland has seen ongoing, often violent protests since the murder of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis.
October 16, 2021 4:42 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – The U.S. Defense Department says it is committed to offering condolence payments to relatives of the 10 people who were killed in an errant U.S. drone strike in Kabul, Afghanistan, in August. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said in a statement Friday that the Defense Department is also working with the State Department to help surviving family members relocate to the United States. Kirby did not say how much money would be offered. He says Dr. Colin Kahl, under secretary of defense for policy, discussed the matter Thursday with Dr. Steven Kwon, founder and president of the nonprofit group Nutrition & Education International.
October 16, 2021 2:42 am
The Meadows Casino has taken the final step in its three year journey since being sold to Penn National Gaming in 2019. At a Friday morning unveiling of the new marquee, the casino is now officially named the Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. Vice President and General Manager Tony Frabbiele announced the name change and highlighted renovations that ran $25 million in investments. The Eatery by Fabio Vivani, The H Lounge and Embers Lounge by the racetrack are just a few upgrades that visitors will see. The casino will celebrate all weekend long with a “Pink Out” event and Family Fun night with Corgi Dog races, food trucks and entertainment. The Casino along with the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association will also have a check presentation to the American Cancer Society in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Saturday events include hourly lucky draws and merchandise giveaways, food trucks and music. The weekend will come to an end with fireworks at 7:15 pm and an 8:00 pm grand prize drawing for a brand new Mercedes Benz. The celebration will continue all month long with more giveaways and lucky draws.
October 16, 2021 2:21 am
After years of preparation and construction, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has opened the Southern Beltway. The $800 million project links with the already operating Findlay Connector at this point, which will give Washington County residents and others a direct shot to Pittsburgh International Airport and other points north from Southpointe. The opening happened in phases Friday, with the entire highway now completely drivable. Some ramps at the Interstate 79 Interchange are still closed as work continues in that area. Drivers will encounter three toll points along the route, where two-axle vehicles will pay $1.30 with an EZ Pass, or $2.60 via the state’s toll-by-plate system. This means it will cost regular cars just under $4.00 to take the whole highway with an EZ Pass, and just under $8.00 without one. Construction will continue on Interstate 79 at the Southern Beltway ramps between Bridgeville and Southpointe until work is completed on that highway around Memorial Day of 2022.
October 16, 2021 1:53 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – A panel of U.S. health advisers has endorsed booster doses of Johnson & Johnson’s single-shot COVID-19 vaccine. The Food and Drug Administration panel said Friday that the booster should be offered at least two months after immunization but didn’t suggest a firm time. The FDA isn’t bound by the vote but its ultimate decision could help expand the nation’s booster campaign. Booster doses of Pfizer’s vaccine began last month for people at high risk of COVID-19, and the FDA advisory panel has recommended the same approach for Moderna.
October 16, 2021 1:21 am
ORANGE, Calif. (AP) – Bill Clinton is recovering from a urological infection in a Southern California hospital. An aide said Friday the former president was in an intensive care section of the hospital, though not receiving “ICU care.” The aide, who would not allow his name to be used, did not elaborate on the reason Clinton was in the ICU. He said Clinton had a urological infection that spread to his bloodstream, but is on the mend and never went into septic shock, a potentially life-threatening condition. Hillary Clinton was with him in the hospital, though not his daughter, Chelsea Clinton. There was no immediate word on any timeline for Clinton’s release.
