August 9, 2025 1:03 am
The United States is celebrating its 250th birthday in 2026 and the America 250 PA organization helped Washington County celebrate their part in the history of the United States. America 250 Pa held a Bells Across PA celebration in the LeMoyne House Garden to unveil Washington County’s commemorative bell that celebrates America’s history from the Revolutionary War to today. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania will have a commemorative bell. James Sulkowski (pictured) is a world-renowned artist from Canonsburg and he was chosen to design Washington County’s version of the Liberty Bell replica. His design is centered on George Washington flanked by the original American Flag. He steps through Pennsylvania’s early history with depictions of the Whiskey Rebellion, glass manufacturing, and agriculture. He included river commerce with the Monongahela River, and modern history such as the Meadows Race Track and the Pony League World Series. In his remarks to the approximately 100 people on hand, Clay Kilgore, Executive Director of the Washington County Historical Society, reminded the audience that the final western battle in the Revolutionary War was fought in Washington County. He emphasized the Whiskey Rebellion and the importance Washington County played in the Underground Railroad with the LeMoyne House. He called Washington County the ‘Gateway to the West” in the 18th and early 19th centuries. The bell was donated to the Washington County Historical Society by the Washington County Chamber of Commerce and the Washington County Tourism Promotion Agency for permanent display.
August 8, 2025 5:41 pm
CHICAGO (AP) — Astronaut James Lovell, who was commander of the 1970 Apollo 13 mission that managed to get back to earth safely after an oxygen tank explosion, has died. He was 97. NASA confirmed his death in a statement Friday. Lovell was also part of the Apollo 8 flight that became the first to circle the moon and was one of NASA’s most traveled astronauts through its early years, going into space four times. Lovell was supposed to be the fifth man to walk on the moon in 1970. But Apollo 13’s service module, carrying Lovell and two others, experienced a sudden oxygen tank explosion on its way to the moon. (Photo: AP)
August 8, 2025 12:54 pm
(AP) – An autopsy has been conducted on a man who officials say killed his neighbor in rural Pennsylvania before unleashing a hail of gunfire on first responders. Sixty-one-year-old Carmine Faino was fatally shot by police Thursday after authorities say he killed his neighbor and then ambushed first responders, wounding two state troopers, running an EMT off the road and sniping a police drone from the sky. Officials praised the wounded troopers, particularly one who commandeered a tractor trailer to block the roadway after being shot twice in the chest. They were listed in fair and good conditions on Friday morning. (Photo: AP)
August 8, 2025 5:20 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Thursday signed a memorandum requiring colleges to prove they do not consider race in admissions. This follows a Supreme Court ruling in 2023 against affirmative action. The court allowed colleges to consider how race has shaped students’ lives if applicants shared that information in essays. Trump’s Republican administration accuses colleges of using personal statements as proxies to consider race. The policy issued Thursday has similarities to parts of agreements with Brown and Columbia universities, which agreed to provide data on race as part of settlements to restore their federal funding. Conservatives argue colleges still consider race through proxy measures, but no clear pattern emerged in the racial makeup of last year’s freshman class.
August 8, 2025 5:16 am
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel says it plans to take over Gaza City in another escalation of its 22-month war with Hamas. The decision, made after a late-night meeting of top officials, drew Palestinian rejection, fueled mounting international calls to end the war and provoked worries in Israel over the fate of hostages still held by Hamas. Israel’s air and ground war has already killed tens of thousands of people in Gaza, displaced most of the population, destroyed vast areas and pushed the territory toward famine. Another major ground operation would almost certainly exacerbate the humanitarian catastrophe. Hamas in a statement rebuffed Netanyahu’s plans and vowed remain defiant.
August 8, 2025 5:03 am
A Washington teenager accused of cutting off his ankle monitor and then shooting a man multiple times in the city of Washington has been arrested. Sixteen-year-old Tristan Lassic was taken into custody Thursday night after a SWAT situation in Banksville in Allegheny County. The city shooting happened on July 29th around 1:30 a.m. when police allege Lassic shot Rashard Carter multiple times near Lassic’s home at 47 Shannon Ave. Carter was taken to UPMC Presbyterian in Pittsburgh, but there has been no information on his condition. Authorities say that earlier this year, Lassic appeared before a judge on a firearms charge, but was released on bond and sent home with an ankle bracelet. Lassic is being held in the Washington County Jail without bond.
August 8, 2025 2:50 am
Washington City Council voted on a measure Thursday to approve a Conciliation Agreement with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Mayor JoJo Burgess was limited on the amount of information that he was able to disclose. He did say that the nature of the infraction stemmed from a paperwork filing error. There is no fine involved with the infraction either. In other business, council approved a resolution moving the final day for solid waste collection payments to December 31. Burgess also recognized two individuals and a community resource. Grady Hinkler was given a proclamation for his Eagle Scout award and his work installing garden boxes at JFK Catholic School. Burgess also bestowed the “Pride In Washington” award to The LeMoyne Community Center for its work in making the community a better place to live. He also honored the LeMoyne Community Center’s Executive Director Teresa Burroughs for her work at the center. Burgess said that the center was on the brink of collapse, and Burroughs, through her hard work brought it back making it a resource for individuals of all ages, all over the city.
August 7, 2025 3:29 pm
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that to destroy Hamas Israel intends to take full control of the Gaza Strip. He said Israel would eventually transfer Gaza’s administration to friendly Arab forces, as the Security Cabinet discussed a widening of its 22-month offensive. Asked in an interview with Fox News if Israel would “take control of all of Gaza,” Netanyahu replied: “We intend to, in order to assure our security, remove Hamas there, enable the population to be free of Gaza.” The Security Cabinet would still need to approve such a decision. Hospitals in Gaza meanwhile said at least 42 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes and shootings. (Photo: AP)
August 7, 2025 2:56 pm
THOMPSON, Pa. (AP) — Authorities say two Pennsylvania State Police Troopers responded to an incident in the area of State Route 171 in Thompson Township, Susquehanna County on Thursday morning and during the encounter, a male suspect opened fire on the responding Troopers, wounding two of them. Authorities say Trooper Joseph Perechinsky and Trooper William Jenkins suffered serious injuries as a result of the gunfire and were airlifted to a medical facility for emergency treatment. Both are hospitalized and are currently listed in stable condition. The investigation is active and ongoing. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.
August 7, 2025 2:51 pm
(WPXI) PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh police are searching for a man who they say attacked a woman in the Hill District on April 23. Police said an active arrest warrant is out for Bryant Garrett, 62. He’s charged with criminal attempted homicide, aggravated assault, robbery and terroristic threats. The woman who was attacked on April 23 in the 2200 block of Webster Avenue sustained significant injuries. Police said Garrett is known to frequent the Hill District and may have shaved his head and goatee to avoid being arrested. Anyone with information is asked to call detectives at 412-255-6787.
