January 10, 2020 4:11 am
DAISYTOWN, Pa. — (WPXI) – Three animals were found dead inside a Washington County apartment, and now humane officers are investigating it as abuse. State police said Dominique Cronin abandoned two cats and a dog inside an apartment on Whitehall Road in Daisytown. Investigators found the dead animals Sunday after receiving a tip, and now humane officers think the animals were left with no food or water for about a month. Vets believe each animal died from starvation, with no signs of other illnesses or conditions. Cronin was arraigned Wednesday and is awaiting a preliminary hearing on Jan. 22.
January 10, 2020 2:27 am
The Mayor of Washington and City Council all have an optimistic outlook for 2020. Council met for the first time on Thursday, and all members look forward to the challenges that the New Year will bring. One challenge that Mayor Scott Putnam would like to take on is bringing more home ownership to the city. Putnam explains that the city has a majority landlord base and is looking into ways to change that. He is looking into programs that will educate renters to become first time home buyers and the lending programs available. He feels that home ownership is one way that blight in the city can be battled. Director of Finance, Joe Manning states that the city is on good financial footing and is grateful to the Mayor and council for the cooperation of the group to keep the city on proper financial footing. Director of Streets and Public Improvements, Ken Westcott is looking at a busy paving season and points to the two year long PennDot Project beginning in April in Tylerdale and in the city, some larger projects like Springfield Ave. Director of Parks and Public Improvements, Matt Staniszewski is busy reserving pavilions at Washington Park but is working on funding for new pickle ball courts at the park and is looking into Councilman Joe Pintola’s suggestion of bocce ball courts. The next Regular Council Meeting will take place on February 6 at 7:00 P.M. in Council Chambers.
January 10, 2020 2:20 am
Community Bank has announced that Patrick G. O’Brien has announced his voluntary resignation as President and CEO of the Company and the Bank. He also resigned as a director of both companies. Mr. O’Brien has long been extremely active in the community and in numerous charitable organizations and seeks more time to devote to his family and these endeavors. He stated, “I am proud to have been the leader of Community Bank and to have played important roles in helping our community and many charities. I look forward to continuing to help improve our community. I wish Community Bank and my many friends there the best of everything in the future. I am pleased that my old friend and mentor Pat McCune will be available to take over the leadership of Community Bank.” Community Bank has started a search for its next leader. In the interim, the Bank’s former CEO, Barron P. (“Pat”) McCune, Jr., has been named as President and CEO of both CB Financial Services, Inc. and Community Bank. Mr. McCune has been associated with Community Bank for over 30 years, first as the Bank’s attorney, then joining the Bank in 1992 as a director, and assuming the position of President in 1999. He was appointed CEO in 2005. Under his leadership, the Bank grew many times over and the Company registered with the SEC as a public company trading on NASDAQ. Mr. McCune stated, “I am honored and pleased to be able to again assume leadership of Community Bank as it seeks the next generation of leadership.
January 9, 2020 3:11 pm
UNDATED (AP) – Comedian Bill Cosby is appealing a court decision last month that upheld his conviction for drugging and sexually assaulting a woman in 2004. The brief filed Thursday with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court focuses on four key trial issues. They include the judge’s decision to let five other accusers testify and to send Cosby to trial despite a prosecutor’s earlier promise not to charge him. The 82-year-old Cosby is serving a three- to 10-year prison term at a maximum-security state prison near Philadelphia. He calls the encounter consensual. But a jury in April 2018 convicted him on all three felony counts in the first celebrity trial of the #MeToo era.
January 9, 2020 4:13 am
NEW YORK (AP) – Justin Bieber says that he has been battling Lyme disease. In an Instagram post on Wednesday, the pop star wrote that it’s been a rough couple of years ábut he’s been getting the right treatment. Bieber’s post promised that he’ll “be back and better than ever.” Lyme disease is transmitted by Ixodes ticks, also known as deer ticks. Lyme can cause flu-like conditions, neurological problems, joint paint and other symptoms. Bieber says he will discuss battling the tick-borne infection on his upcoming YouTube docu-series, “Justin Bieber: Seasons,” which debuts on Jan. 27.
January 9, 2020 4:12 am
TOMERONG, Australia (AP) – Residents in the path of wildfires razing southeast Australia have been urged to evacuate if they don’t intend to defend their homes as hot and windy conditions are forecast to escalate the danger over the next two days. Authorities told fire-weary communities south of Sydney that northwesterly winds were likely to once again drive blazes toward the coast. Vacationers have retreated to beaches and into the ocean in the area in recent weeks as fires encroached on towns, scorching sand dunes in places. Last year was Australia’s hottest and driest on record, and a climate monitoring official said an upcoming increase in rainfall wouldn’t be enough to snuff out the blazes anytime soon.
January 9, 2020 4:10 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – The House moved toward approval of a non-binding measure limiting President Donald Trump’s ability to take military action against Iran as criticism of the U.S. killing of a top Iranian general intensified. Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said that while the war powers resolution does not require Trump’s signature, it nonetheless “has real teeth” because it is “a statement of the Congress of the United States.” Republicans denounced the House measure as little more than “a press release” designed to attack Trump. Trump and Vice President Mike Pence urged GOP lawmakers to oppose the plan.
January 9, 2020 4:09 am
BEIJING (AP) – China’s government says its economy czar will go to Washington next week for the signing of an interim trade deal. The Commerce Ministry announcement was the first official confirmation of expectations Vice Premier Liu He would attend the signing. The ministry said Liu would be in Washington from Monday to Wednesday. Under the “Phase 1” deal, China agreed to buy more American farm exports and Washington postponed additional planned tariff hikes on Chinese imports. The two sides have yet to release details.
January 9, 2020 4:08 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – Two U.S. officials say it was “highly likely” that an Iranian anti-aircraft missile downed a Ukrainian jetliner late Tuesday, killing all 176 people on board. President Donald Trump is suggesting he believes Iran was responsible. He is dismissing Iranian claims that it was a mechanical issue that brought down the plane. The officials, citing U.S. intelligence, spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive information. The crash came just a few hours after Iran launched a ballistic missile attack against Iraqi military bases housing U.S. troops amid a confrontation with Washington over a U.S. drone strike that killed an Iranian Revolutionary Guard general.
January 9, 2020 4:06 am
The newly elected treasurer in Uniontown says city officials plotted to block her from taking office because she is black. Uniontown Treasurer-elect Antoinette Hodge alleges in a lawsuit that a city councilman took action to prevent her from being sworn in as scheduled. She says he called her a “colored girl” in a discussion with officials at a bonding agency. Councilman Martin Gatti denies using racist language and says he had legitimate questions about Hodge’s financial background. Hodge is suing the city, Gatti and another official.
