February 12, 2020 4:26 am
The circus atmosphere continued at the City of Monessen Council Meeting on Tuesday night. A 52 minute audience comment section brought out pointed comments directed to all members of council regarding their business practices and their behavior among themselves. One instance in particular had a resident call out Councilman Gilbert Coles on his inability to accurately detail what bills are being paid by the city and how much money is in the bank. Coles was also criticized for not attending council meetings for an extended time just like Mayor Matthew Shorraw. Frustrated by the criticism, Coles asked the resident if he would like to go outside and straighten things out. That brought audience reactions of that statement being a threat of violence. When asked for a comment about that action, Coles declined to make a statement. Council opened the positions of Treasurer and City Controller. Both positions were opened because of a lack of residency proof and bond. Gerald Saksun was voted to retain his position as Treasurer pending receipt of the documentation and City Controller Maria Scuteri was voted out of her position. That is the second firing of a city controller since Shorraw returned to run the city as mayor. Councilman Anthony Orzechowski was critical of council because of lack of communication over agenda items that caught him by surprise and over the lack of detail in many of the agenda items. In audience comment sections, residents expressed their frustration with all city council members and the mayor for what they described as childish behavior.
February 12, 2020 4:21 am
DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) – Ford is recalling over 240,000 SUVs and cars worldwide because a suspension part can fracture and increase the risk of a crash. The recall covers the Ford Flex, Taurus police car, Taurus SHO and Lincoln MKT from the 2013 through 2018 model years. Most of the recalled vehicles are in North America. Ford says if the suspension moves a lot on the vehicles, the rear toe links can fracture. Toe links help keep the rear suspension stable and the tires on the pavement. The company says it’s not aware of any crashes or injuries caused by the problem in this batch of recalled vehicles. Dealers will replace toe links on both sides with new ones that are stronger. Owners will be notified starting March 2nd.
February 12, 2020 4:19 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump is suggesting that the Pentagon review the conduct of a former White House national security aide who played a central role in the Democrats’ impeachment case. Until last week Army Lt. Col. Alex Vindman was detailed to the White House as a National Security Council aide. He testified before the House impeachment panel that Trump inappropriately pushed Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden and son Hunter Biden. Trump says that any discipline of Vindman is up to the Pentagon but that he expects commanders to “take a look” at his conduct.
February 12, 2020 4:18 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – The four lawyers who prosecuted Roger Stone have quit the case after the Justice Department overruled them and said it would take the extraordinary step of lowering the amount of prison time it would seek for President Donald Trump’s longtime ally and confidant. The resignations raise immediate questions over whether Trump had at least indirectly exerted his will on a Justice Department that he often views as an arm of the White House. The president had blasted the original sentencing recommendation as “very horrible and unfair.” Both he and the Justice Department say there was no communication.
February 12, 2020 4:16 am
MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) – Bernie Sanders won New Hampshire’s presidential primary election Tuesday night, narrowly edging moderate rival Pete Buttigieg and scoring the first clear victory in the Democratic Party’s chaotic 2020 nomination fight. In his win, the 78-year-old Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist, beat back a strong challenger from the 38-year-old former Midwestern mayor — two men representing different generations and wings of their party. “This victory here is the beginning of the end for Donald Trump,” Sanders declared. Sen. Amy Klobuchar finished a strong third, giving her campaign an unexpected boost, while Elizabeth Warren and Joe Biden finished way behind.
February 12, 2020 4:12 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) – Jurors return Thursday to resume deliberations for a third day in the case against the remaining defendant in the slayings of five people and an unborn baby at a western Pennsylvania cookout almost four years ago. The Allegheny County panel deliberated Wednesday without a verdict in the trial of 33-year-old Cheron Shelton, who is charged with first- and third-degree murder in the March 2016 slayings in Pittsburgh’s Wilkinsburg suburb. Charges were dismissed earlier against 31-year-old Robert Thomas. Defense attorneys say prosecutors lack evidence. Prosecutors vow to seek capital punishment in the event of a first-degree murder conviction.
February 12, 2020 2:39 am
Complaints about the Washington County Food Bank have been circulating for several months. Allegations of spoiled food, not giving away food and gift cards and nepotism have been nagging Executive Director Connie Burd (pictured). Burd called a meeting with the local news media to defend the food bank against these allegations. In her meeting with reporters, Burd stated that it is her contention that these allegations are being levied because of recent efforts by the food bank to consolidate locations. Burd countered complaints about spoiled food by pointing out that once the food arrives at a pantry, it is not uncommon for those pantry volunteers to leave perishable items out in the open without proper refrigeration. Allegations of not distributing gift cards were defended with a list of what gift cards were given out by each pantry and to whom those gift cards were given. Burd pointed out that the individual making the complaint about not receiving a gift card actually was given one and a proxy for that person picked up the gift card designated for that person. Allegations of nepotism were met with a defense of Burd’s husband. Burd states that her husband worked as a volunteer for a year and a half before the board approved his hiring. Rumors circulated about Burd’s son working there but Burd stated that she does not even have a son. Burd also addressed the issue of recent pantry consolidations, saying they have been necessary because of volunteer attrition and the closing of spaces that once housed pantries. Burd added that even though clients may need to travel further to get their food, the quality control for refrigeration and the variety of food available in the larger locations will far outweigh any inconvenience
February 12, 2020 2:32 am
(WPXI) – The man convicted of killing New Kensington police Officer Brian Shaw was officially sentenced to death Wednesday. Rahmael Holt was found guilty in November and the jury unanimously decided to sentence him to death. The official sentence was handed down by a judge. Holt was convicted of shooting and killing Shaw while running from a traffic stop in November 2017. Holt is being taken to the State Correctional Institution at Rockview. That is where the judge has ordered his death by lethal injection. Defense attorneys said while Wednesday’s sentencing was procedural and expected, they will appeal.
February 11, 2020 3:28 pm
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – Samsung on Tuesday unveiled a new foldable phone, the Galaxy Z Flip. It is the company’s second attempt to sell consumers on phones with bending screens and clamshell designs. The company unveiled the phone at the start of a product announcement event in San Francisco. The new phone can unfold from a small square upward into a traditional smartphone. The foldable phones represent manufacturers’ attempt to energize a market where sales have slowed, although they are likely to appeal for now mostly to tech enthusiasts. Samsung is also updating refreshing its flagship phones with better cameras. (Photo: CNN)
February 11, 2020 3:25 pm
LONDON (AP) – The World Health Organization announced an official name for the new disease caused by a new virus that emerged in China last year and has since sickened tens of thousands of people: COVID-19. At a press briefing on Tuesday, the director-general of the U.N. health agency said it was necessary to find a name that did not refer to a geographical location, animal, individual or group of people but that was pronounceable and related to the disease. The new disease is caused by a coronavirus that was first identified in late 2019.
