January 22, 2025 5:19 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes, the far-right extremist group leader convicted of seditious conspiracy in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack, has visited Capitol Hill after President Donald Trump commuted his 18-year prison sentence. Rhodes’ appearance on Wednesday came the day after he was released from prison as a result of Trump’s order of clemency benefiting the more than 1,500 people charged with federal crimes in the Jan. 6 attack. Rhodes was convicted in one of the most serious cases brought by the Justice Department over the riot that left more than 100 police officers injured. Meanwhile, Trump has defended his decision to pardon people convicted of assaulting police officers during the attack on the Capitol and suggests there could be a place in U.S. politics for the Proud Boys extremist group. (Photo: AP)
January 22, 2025 4:11 pm
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Police say a female student was killed and another student was wounded in a shooting in a Nashville high school cafeteria. Metro Nashville Police spokesperson Don Aaron said during a news conference that the 17-year-old shooter later shot and killed himself with a handgun. Aaron says the shooting happened Wednesday morning at Antioch High School, where the gunman and his victims were students. Police Chief John Drake says the shooter “confronted” a 16-year-old female student in the cafeteria and opened fire, killing her. Drake says police are looking into a motive and whether the students who were shot were targeted.
January 22, 2025 5:05 am
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Pa. — (WPXI) -Greene County Regional Police are investigating why the death of a loved one wasn’t reported sooner after Chief Will DeForte said family members were living with the decomposing body for several months. Officers found Michael Bebout, 64, dead in his bed inside a home on Hayes Avenue in Canton Township in Washington County. Chief DeForte said they made the gruesome discovery on Thursday, Jan. 16 after a family member called 911 for a welfare check. “Upon arrival, we met the brother. The brother was distraught and basically stated that his brother had passed away,” he said. “That’s where things took a turn, a very interesting turn.” DeForte told Channel 11 the body had been in the home since the start of summer. “My officer who was dispatched to that particular location, found the decedent in an advanced state of decomposition,” DeForte said. “The estimates right now are roughly around six to seven months.” DeForte said at least three family members were living in the home with their dead relative during those months and in filthy conditions. Detectives don’t believe Bebout died from any foul play, but Chief DeForte said they’re investigating whether Bebout’s checks were illegally cashed after he died.
January 21, 2025 2:21 am
Authorities say the body of a woman who was reported missing from Scenery Hill Monday night was found in West Virginia. State Police say the body of 76-year-old Ellen Donahoo was found Tuesday in Fairmont, along with her car. Donahoo, who suffered from dementia, left her home in her car, a 2020 Lincoln and family and friends reported her missing after they were unable to contact her. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office is investigating. However, Pennsylvania police said they do not believe foul play was involved and believe her death was due to natural causes.
January 22, 2025 2:43 am
North Strabane Township Supervisors held a public hearing for a conditional use application for the proposed Hidden Acres development that would be built along Christy Road. Residents from the area filled the meeting room to hear details. The development proposed by Laurel Landings is a Conservation Subdivision plan that would see 161 homes built on 201 acres. The lot sizes for the homes average .8 acres. The developer’s presentation indicated that all conditions for approval have been met. The hearing only covered the concept plan and whether all ordinance conditions were met. A few minor issues need to be addressed before approval can be granted. Nearly all of the ten residents that took part in public comment spoke about the danger that additional traffic on Christy Road would present. Bob Cox likened the road to a paved over horse path. Others questioned the traffic study numbers and were concerned that package delivery vehicles and other such traffic was not considered. Even more pointed out other road challenges that increased traffic would present where sections of Christy and adjoining roads are narrow. Railroad abutments and single lane bridges also complicate traffic flow. The meeting remains open until February 25 when supervisors expect to vote on approval of the matter.
January 22, 2025 12:04 am
Washington County Sheriff Tony Andronas has formally announced he will seek re-election. Andronas cited a proven record of accomplishments during his time as Sheriff, his 30-years of law enforcement experience and his dedication to the community and the families who call the county home. “Throughout my career, I have taken the police oath…’On my honor, I will never betray my badge, my integrity, my character, or the public trust. I will always have the courage to hold myself and others accountable for our actions’ and I have sworn to protect and to serve,” said Andronas. “As Sheriff, I have followed the principles of honesty, integrity and trust, and I am humbly requesting county residents to once again “trust Tony,” and pledge to continue working hard to earn your vote.” Prior to becoming Sheriff, Andronas served as a full-time police officer with the South Park Township Police Department in Allegheny County. He also srved several police departments in Washington County. Andronas is a graduate of Canon McMillan High School and lives in North Strabane Township.
January 22, 2025 4:41 am
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — As President Donald Trump cracks down on immigrants in the U.S. illegally, some families are wondering if it is safe to send their children to school. In many districts, educators have sought to reassure parents that schools are safe places for their kids, despite the president’s campaign pledge to carry out mass deportations. But many migrants’ fears intensified when the Trump administration announced Tuesday it would allow federal immigration agencies to make arrests at schools, churches and hospitals, ending a decades-old policy.
January 22, 2025 4:40 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s administration is moving to end affirmative action in federal contracting and is directing that all federal diversity, equity and inclusion staff be put on paid leave and eventually be laid off. The moves follow an executive order Trump signed on his first day ordering a sweeping dismantling of the federal government’s diversity and inclusion programs that could touch on everything from anti-bias training to funding for minority farmers and homeowners. Trump has called the programs “discrimination” and insisted on restoring strictly “merit-based” hiring. The executive order on affirmative action revokes an order issued by President Lyndon Johnson, and curtails DEI programs by federal contractors and grant recipients.
January 21, 2025 4:39 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has defended his decision to pardon people convicted of assaulting police officers during the attack on the Capitol and suggests there could be a place in U.S. politics for the Proud Boys extremist group, quickly evoking some of the controversies of his first term. Trump on Tuesday defended his decision to use his first hours in office to pardon hundreds of people who participated in violence at the Capitol siege on Jan. 6, 2021, including the former leaders of the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys, who were convicted of seditious conspiracy charges but released from prison after Trump signed his order.
January 22, 2025 4:37 am
(AP) – The winter storm spreading snow, sleet and freezing rain across the southern United States has broken records, treating the region to unaccustomed perils and seasonal joy. From Texas through the Deep South, down into Florida and to North Carolina’s Outer Banks, the snow and ice made for dangerous driving and inventive sledding on Wednesday. At least three cold-weather deaths have been reported. The Arctic air also plunged much of the Midwest and the eastern U.S. into a deep freeze, grounding hundreds of flights. But while the United States shivers, the world as a whole is breaking heat records. It’s been the warmest winter yet in data tracked since 1940.
