June 22, 2025 5:21 am
Firefighters battled a house fire in Independence Township on Saturday. Washington County 9-1-1 dispatchers said emergency crews were called to the 1600 block of Avella Road at 6:30 p.m. Multiple fire companies responded to the incident. No injuries were reported. (Photo: WPXI)
June 22, 2025 4:19 am
Western Pennsylvania is anticipating an extreme heat warning that will begin this Sunday and last well into next week. Temperatures will reach the mid 90’s beginning Sunday and likely last through Wednesday. Heat indexes will make the temperatures feel like they are between 100 and 105 degrees. Medical experts say that heat related illnesses are the biggest weather killer, greater than hurricanes or tornadoes. They say that it is important to prepare for the heat. Experts say that you should know the signs of heat exhaustion. They are dizziness, weakness and excessive sweating. Stay indoors whenever possible. If you must go outside, hydrate in advance.
June 22, 2025 4:16 am
The Canonsburg Volunteer Fire Department, this week, began collecting donations to aid victims of last weekend’s flooding that hit the West Alexander and the West Virginia panhandle area. The department is now asking that any donations be put on hold for the weekend. In an email sent by Fire Chief Tim Solobay, he said that they are putting a pause to the donations so that the department can assess exactly what is needed by the flood victims. He says the people are grateful for the donations. They are now at a point where they need to evaluate exactly what is needed. Solobay said that they will make an announcement when donations will resume.
June 22, 2025 12:54 am
Six affordable housing and community development projects in Washington County will receive funding through the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement fund. The Washington County Housing Authority will receive three grants, the largest being $250,000 to replace 88 air conditioning units at the Nathan Goff Junior Apartments. The Redevelopment Authority of Washington County will receive $500,000 for security enhancements at Liberty Tower High Rise , appliance replacement at Century Plaza Apartments and to replace carpet at the Crest Avenue Apartments. Additionally, Blueprints will use another $200,000 to promote financial independence and economic stability for individuals reintegrating into the county. The program is funded by the Marcellus Shale Impact Fee, the Realty Transfer Tax and the National Housing Trust Fund.
June 21, 2025 10:48 am
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel’s military says it struck an Iranian nuclear research facility and killed three senior Iranian commanders in targeted attacks, while emphasizing it was preparing for the possibility that the war could turn into a lengthy campaign. Early Saturday, smoke could be seen rising from an area near a mountain in Isfahan, where a local official said Israel had attacked the nuclear research facility in two waves. Iran continued to launch drones and missiles at Israel but there were no immediate reports of significant damage. Israel says its military has been targeting Iran’s missile launchers, and estimates it has now taken out more than 50% of them.
June 21, 2025 4:56 am
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A federal judge held a brief hearing over whether the Trump administration should continue its deployment of troops to Los Angeles. U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer Breyer on Friday put off issuing any additional rulings after an appellate court on Thursday gave President Donald Trump a key procedural victory, saying he can keep control of the National Guard during California’s legal challenge. Breyer instead asked for briefings from both sides by noon on Monday on whether the Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits troops from conducting civilian law enforcement on U.S. soil, is being violated in Los Angeles.
June 21, 2025 4:53 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge has granted a preliminary injunction blocking the Trump administration’s efforts to keep Harvard University from hosting international students. The order from U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs preserves the ability of Harvard to host foreign students while the case is decided. It marks another victory for the Ivy League school as it challenges multiple government sanctions amid a battle with the White House. Harvard sued the Department of Homeland Security in May after the agency withdrew the school’s certification to host foreign students and issue paperwork for their visas.
June 21, 2025 4:51 am
JENA, La. (AP) — Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil has been released from federal immigration detention. The former Columbia University graduate student left a federal facility in Louisiana on Friday after 104 days in custody. He said justice prevailed but was very long overdue. Khalil was released after a federal judge said it would be “highly unusual” for the government to keep detaining a legal U.S. resident who was unlikely to flee and hadn’t been accused of any violence. The Trump administration has filed notice it plans to appeal Khalil’s release. The government says Khalil must be expelled from the country because his presence could harm American foreign policy. His lawyers say the Trump administration is cracking down on free speech.
June 21, 2025 4:49 am
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel and Iran have struck at one another again a week into their war as President Donald Trump weighs U.S. involvement. Key European ministers met with Iran’s top diplomat in Geneva Friday in a scramble to de-escalate the conflict, but the meeting concluded after four hours with no sign of an immediate breakthrough. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with diplomats from the European Union, United Kingdom, France and Germany. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasized that Tehran had no interest in negotiating with the U.S. while Israel continues attacking Iran. European negotiators expressed hope for more negotiations in the future.
June 21, 2025 1:18 am
Detailing financial challenges and continued increases in costs, Penn Highlands Healthcare has announced it is laying off three dozen workers at Penn Highlands Mon Valley and Penn Highlands Connellsville. According to the Observer-Reporter, the Clearfield County based healthcare system says it is looking for financial stability and long-term strength. In a statement, Penn Highlands said it has struggled in the post-pandemic years with soaring inflation and rising costs of medication and equipment. In fiscal 2024, the healthcare company reported a $16 million operating loss. Some 26 layoffs are in leadership and non-clinical service positions. Anyone who is laid off is encouraged to apply for jobs elsewhere in Penn Highlands’ system. The company says that before laying off employees, they attempted to find other alternatives to reduce operating costs. That included eliminating positions through attrition, renegotiating contracts, restructuring management and consolidating office locations. Penn Highlands, which was formed in 2011, includes nine hospitals, pharmacies, surgery centers, senior living facilities and an ambulance service in 26 counties.
