Hot Dog Spill Shuts Down Highway In Pennsylvania

August 2, 2025 4:14 am

SHREWSBURY, Pa. (AP) — A truckload of hot dogs has spilled across a Pennsylvania highway after a crash, clogging the road toward the end of the morning rush hour. The wreck took place on Interstate 83 a few miles north of the Maryland line Friday. It briefly clogged the heavily traveled artery in both directions. Crews were stuck with a job they didn’t relish — rolling up the scattered tube steaks for disposal. State police said the tractor trailer had an unspecified mechanical problem that caused it to push into a passenger vehicle. When the truck scraped along a concrete divider, its trailer was ripped open and the contents scattered. Four people had injuries that were not considered life-threatening. (PHOTO; AP)

Communities Struggle With E-bikes And E-scooters

August 2, 2025 4:04 am

A 19-year-old was killed in a hit-and-run crash in Westmoreland County late Thursday night. The crash happened just before 11 p.m. on College Avenue near North Greengate Road in Hempfield Township. Westmoreland County Coroner Tim Carson said Jayden Lynch, 19, was driving a motorized bike in the westbound lane when another vehicle collided with him. Lynch was killed in the crash. Carson said he was not wearing a helmet at the time. The driver of the vehicle fled the scene. Pennsylvania State Police continue to investigate. Around Washington County Police are taking several approaches for traffic law enforcement of e-bikes. In Canonsburg, Mayor David Rhome says he and his officers are getting regular complaints about teens weaving in and out of traffic and popping wheelies. Police there are actively enforcing traffic laws and trying to educate residents about e-bikes. In Peters Township, they too have had complaints for months. In addition to enforcement of traffic, trespass and vandalism laws, they are mounting an educational program for adults and teens. On the township website is a video explaining regulations for all e-bikes and scooters and where they may be used and a web page that details all rules and regulations, including those of the state vehicle code that police will enforce.

Commissioners Hire Special Counsel For DA Defense

August 2, 2025 1:54 am

Washington County Commissioners held an emergency voting meeting Friday to authorize the hiring of special counsel to defend the District Attorney. In a unanimous vote, commissioners approved attorney Shohin Vance of the law firm Saxton & Stump to represent Jason Walsh at a fee of $480 per hour. The action comes after the Philadelphia law firm, The Atlantic Center for Capital Representation filed a petition with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court asking for a King’s Bench hearing to examine the practices of Walsh as they pertain to his use of the death penalty. That petition was filed last month. The Atlantic Center is representing Jordan Clarke, of Peters Township who is accused of a fatal assault of his 11 month old son in 2022. They are also representing Joshua George of Smith Township, who is accused of fatally assaulting his six month old son in 2021. Recently, Coroner Tim Warco stated that he filed a false autopsy in the Clarke case because he was coerced by Walsh to do so. During the meeting, two residents spoke against using taxpayer funds to defend Walsh, and also questioned why no means of defense was made for Warco. Commissioner Chairman Nick Sherman says that the county’s insurance policy will cover the costs of the case. He also said that Warco has not requested the assistance of the county for legal defense. Sherman explained that the quick nature of the action was necessary because briefs are due in front of the Supreme Court on Tuesday.

Chartiers Valley To Unveil Extensive Security Measures

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.

Soulful Country Artist Jeannie Seely Passes At 85

August 1, 2025 9:58 pm

NEW YORK (AP) — Jeannie Seely, the soulful country music singer known for hits like “Don’t Touch Me,” has died at 85. Her publicist says she died Friday from complications of an intestinal infection. Known as “Miss Country Soul,” Seely was a trailblazer for women in country music, celebrated for her spirited nonconformity and hits in the ‘60s and ’70s. She was hospitalized in May after multiple surgeries and a bout of pneumonia. Seely never stopped working in country music. Since 2018, she’s hosted the weekly “Sunday’s with Seely” on Willie Nelson’s SiriusXM channel. She appeared nearly 5,400 times at Grand Ole Opry, which will dedicate its Saturday show to her.

South Fayette Police Say Elderly Man Abused By Caretakers

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.

Montana Shooting Kills Four, Suspect At Large

August 1, 2025 7:56 pm

(AP) Authorities have launched a manhunt after a shooting at a Montana bar left four people dead. State investigators said the shooting happened Friday morning at The Owl Bar in Anaconda. Public records show that the suspect lived next door to the bar. His home was cleared by a SWAT team, but he was still at large and believed to be armed, prompting warnings from officials to avoid the area. Authorities have yet to release details about what led to the shooting. Anaconda is a town of about 9,000 people and is about 75 miles southeast of Missoula. “He knew everybody that was in that bar. I guarantee you that,” Owl Bar owner David Gwerder said. “He didn’t have any running dispute with any of them. I just think he snapped.”

Paula Dean Shuts Down Her Savannah, Georgia Restaurant

August 1, 2025 5:22 pm

SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — Former Food Network star Paula Deen has abruptly closed the Savannah, Georgia, restaurant she started with her two sons nearly three decades ago. Deen said in a statement Friday on her website and on social media that she and sons Jamie and Bobby Deen had made a “heartfelt decision” to close The Lady & Sons, which they opened in downtown Savannah in 1996. She also shut down an attached takeout business called The Chicken Box. No reason was given. Deen said four restaurants she owns in Tennessee, South Carolina and Missouri will remain open. Deen’s flagship Savannah restaurant helped launch her to fame. Her Food Network show premiered in 2002 and ran for a decade.

Ghislaine Maxwell Transferred To Texas Prison Camp

August 1, 2025 5:20 pm

WASHINGTON (AP) — Jeffrey Epstein’s former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, has been moved from a federal prison in Florida to a prison camp in Texas as her criminal case generates renewed public attention. The federal Bureau of Prisons said Friday that Maxwell was taken to Bryan, Texas, but did not explain the circumstances. Her attorney confirmed the move but also declined to discuss the reasons for it. Maxwell was convicted in 2021 of helping Epstein sexually abuse underage girls and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. She had been held at a prison in Tallahassee, Florida, until her transfer to the camp in Texas.  (Photo:  AP)

Weak Jobs Report May Lead To Firing Of Agency Head

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.