October 10, 2020 4:21 am
Local fire departments and emergency service departments will receive grants to assist with extra expenses due to the Covid-19 pandemic. These grants were announced by State Representative Bud Cook of the 49th district. $50 million was made available through the Office of the State Fire Commissioner and are part of the federal CARES Act. These funds are to be used to supplement operational expenses due to the inability to conduct fund raising activities and other revenue generating activities due to the pandemic. Twenty five departments throughout Washington and Fayette counties were awarded grants.
October 10, 2020 4:08 am
Two long time members of the Washington and Jefferson College Department of Athletics announced their retirements. Debby Lowe will be retiring after 20 years of service to the department. Lowe was an Athletic Secretary who was instrumental in arranging transportation, arranging game contracts and handling preparations for special events. Rich Stevens will be leaving after 41 years. Stevens started in 1979 and has served as W&J’s equipment manager since 1990. Director of Athletics, Scott McGuinness says “We are so thankful for the work that Debby and Rich have conducted for our student-athletes over the years and we wish them the best in their retirements”
October 9, 2020 3:55 pm
GENEVA (AP) – The World Health Organization has announced a record in new daily coronavirus cases confirmed worldwide, with more than 350,000 reported to the U.N. health agency. The new daily high surpasses a record set earlier this week by nearly 12,000 cases. In a press briefing on Friday, WHO emergencies chief Dr. Michael Ryan acknowledged that even as COVID-19 continues to surge across the world, “there are no new answers.” He said that although the agency wants countries to avoid the punishing lockdowns that have devastated economies, governments must ensure the most vulnerable people are protected and that numerous measures must be taken. (Photo: dw.com)
October 9, 2020 3:52 pm
UNDATED (AP) – Sometimes a person’s name is mud. In this case, Jon Oliver’s name is, well, sewage. The city of Danbury, Connecticut has signed off on naming its sewage plant after the comedian. The City Council voted 18-1 to approve the move last night. This all started in August, when Oliver went on a profane rant against Danbury on his HBO show – and the mayor responded with a social media video at the sewage plant saying the city would name it after Oliver because – quote – “it’s full of crap just like you.” Oliver was cool with that — only to be irked when the mayor said it was just a joke. Oliver offered a $55,000 donation to local charities if Danbury followed through and named the plant for him- and now, the city has officially agreed.
October 9, 2020 1:15 pm
Several Members of the clergy team at St. James Parish have been contacted that they were exposed to the coronavirus. Parish officials say that while none of them are experiencing any symptoms of the virus, they are following CDC guidelines and are quarantining out of an abundance of caution. Officials say Masses and all other scheduled activities in the parish will continue as usual. Church officials also tell WJPA News that the coronavirus exposure did not take place at the church, but rather, at a meeting outside of the facility. Officials say St. James Parish is comprised of Immaculate Conception and St. Hilary Churches in Washington and Sacred Heart Church in Claysville.
October 9, 2020 5:25 am
Police departments in Washington County are eligile for some of more than one-million dollars allocated through the federal CARES Act. That’s the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. Washington County Commissioners, Thursday, presented a check totalling $1,093,819. Canonsburg Police Chief Al Coghill, Bentleyville Police Chief Richard Young and Washington Police Chief Robert Wilson (pictured) were on hand. All three say any assistance is much needed and appreciated. Coghill telling commissioner’s that Canonsburg was experiencing great growth as the pandemic hit. At this time, it is unclear exactly what the department’s will use the funding for. Wilson told commissioner’s it will be spent wisely.
October 9, 2020 4:15 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – The final debates between President Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden have been thrown into uncertainty. The campaigns are offering dueling proposals for remaining faceoffs that have been upended by the president’s coronavirus infection. The nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates says the final debate, scheduled for Oct. 22, is still slated to go on in person as planned. But it says Trump’s campaign hasn’t yet said whether he’ll participate. And next Thursday’s town hall-style debate seems to be gone. The commission wanted it conducted virtually because of his coronavirus, but Trump objected, saying it must be face-to-face.
October 9, 2020 4:14 am
LAKE CHARLES, La. (AP) – Hurricane Delta is bringing bands of rain and blustery winds to Louisiana as it spins toward the state’s southwest coast. Forecasters said the 25th named storm of an unprecedented Atlantic hurricane season would likely make landfall on Friday evening. The question was how powerful Delta would be by the time it makes landfall. In its latest update,, the National Hurricane Center said Delta had weakened to a Category 2 strength with winds of 110 mph. The storm is approaching the part of Louisiana where Hurricane Laura caused more than 30 deaths in late August. Businesses have boarded up and people rushed to prepare before hunkering down or leaving for safety elsewhere. towards the state.
October 9, 2020 4:13 am
LANSING, Mich. (AP) – Hours after police foiled an alleged plot to kidnap her, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer argued in a speech Thursday that President Donald Trump’s words had been a “rallying cry” for extremists. Whitmer, a Democrat, said the Republican president has spent the last seven months of the coronavirus pandemic “denying science, ignoring his own health experts, stoking distrust, fomenting anger and giving comfort to those who spread fear and hatred and division.” She singled out Trump’s debate comments, when he didn’t condemn white supremacist groups and told one far-right extremist group to “stand back and stand by.” Trump criticized Whitmer’s remarks, saying she should thank him because federal authorities foiled the plot.
October 9, 2020 4:12 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump is eager to get back on the campaign trail. He insists he is ready to resume campaign rallies and feels “perfect” one week after his diagnosis with the coronavirus that has killed more than 210,000 Americans. His doctor says the president has “completed his course of therapy” for the disease. Trump has not been seen in public – other than in White House-produced videos – since his Monday return from the military hospital where he received experimental treatments for the virus. His physician, Navy Cmdr. Sean Conley, says Trump will be able to safely “return to public engagements” on Saturday.
