August 19, 2025 2:22 am
The Rally on Main that was scheduled in the City of Washington for Saturday August 23rd has been canceled due to an incident that occurred in North Franklin Township over the weekend. City of Washington Police Chief, Steve Devenney says he consulted with the mayor, outside police agencies and the city solicitor and determined that it was in the best interest and safety of the community to cancel this event at this time. Mayor JoJo Burgess, after discussing with Washington Police Chief Steve Devenney, communicated with the organizers of the event who agreed to the cancellation. Burgess tells WJPA the incident that forced the cancellation happened Saturday in North Franklin township and involved two groups of bikers. Burgess says authorities found evidence that shots were fired after finding shell casings at the scene and blood as well. According to Burgess, everyone had left the scene and there were no witnesses to talk with. Meanwhile, officials with Forty Bar and Grille, where the incident occurred, posted this on their Facebook page Monday afternoon:
On the evening of Saturday the 16th, our establishment was the target of a brutal and unprovoked attack carried out by a motorcycle club. This violent act terrorized our business, traumatized our staff, and endangered the lives of our patrons. Several of our bartenders and guests were forced to hide in the basement, fearing for their safety, while chaos erupted above. We want to make it absolutely clear: our bar had no affiliation, engagement, or prior dealings with this motorcycle club. We were victims of their intimidation and violence. Our only priority in that moment was protecting the people inside our establishment. NOBODY WAS SHOT. The aftermath of this event has left our community shaken, and understandably, it has impacted larger events like the Rally on Main. While we share the disappointment that this years rally cannot move forward, it is important that blame is not misplaced on victims of this attack. The responsibility for this incident lies solely with those who carried out these violent acts. To our loyal patrons, our incredible staff, and the greater Washington community: please know that your safety will always remain our top priority. We are cooperating fully with law enforcement to ensure justice is served and that those responsible are held accountable. We ask for compassion and support for our bartenders, guests, and everyone affected by this senseless act of violence. Our doors remain open, and we will continue working tirelessly to provide a safe, welcoming space for all who walk through them. Burgess says Rally on Main will return next year on Saturday, August 15, 2026. (Photo: Rally on Main Facebook Page)
August 19, 2025 2:17 am
State Police say an eighteen-year-old man has been arrested in the shooting death late Sunday evening in Ellsworth. Troopers say the shooting happened at around 11:12 p.m. in the 20 block of Walnut Street in Ellsworth. Twenty-one-year-old Elijah Thomas Johnson of Carnegie was allegedly shot and killed by his friend, eighteen-year-old Christopher Tarkelo Harper while at Harper’s house. According to state police, Johnson and Harper were involved with the same woman. Harper is charged with criminal homicide, burglary, firearms charges and reckless endangerment. He was taken into custody in New Castle, Lawrence County Monday afternoon.
August 19, 2025 12:16 am
Business owners and property owners were invited to the Washington Downtown Business Authority’s Town Hall gathering to try make the City of Washington a more vibrant place. Bradley Martin, Director of the WDBA, prepared questions for all to answer with regards to challenges that business owners and property owners face in their day to day routine of business. Among the challenges that both face are uneven sidewalk issues, unkempt and vacant properties. Several owners cited parking as an issue. Lots are unmarked and the app available for people to use is not well advertised. Owners agreed that collaboration between businesses would be a meaningful way to try and drive business back downtown. Property owners and business owners both had issues that they would like to see the city address. The concrete boxes that cover light pole bases were mentioned often. Also mentioned was the lack of police presence. Some believed that a patrolman should be designated to make sure streets are safe for visitors to walk. Martin was pleased to have had 30 stake holders attend the meeting. He said that the collaborative effort between all parties is vital to the city’s success.
August 18, 2025 5:43 pm
If you’re traveling in Charleroi, the fire department is urging you to avoid the area of 7th Street and Cherry Alley in the borough. Authorities say 7th Street was closed after a tri-axle truck fell into a sinkhole. There were no reports of any injuries. (Photo courtesy of Charleroi Fire Department)
August 18, 2025 3:25 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President Donald Trump expressed hopes that talks with Ukrainian and European leaders at the White House could lead to trilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin to bring an end to Russia’s war on Ukraine. Monday’s hastily assembled meeting comes after Trump met on Friday with Russian President Vladimir Putin and has said that the onus is now on Zelenskyy to agree to concessions that he said could end the war. Trump said he would back European security guarantees for Ukraine, though he stopped short of committing U.S. troops to the effort. (Photo: AP)
August 18, 2025 9:47 am
Authorities say two police officers were shot and killed in Utah and a man was taken into custody after bystanders persuaded him to drop the gun. The officers were responding to a domestic disturbance call Sunday in a neighborhood in Tremonton. Police say Monday a sheriff’s deputy and a police dog who also responded were wounded. The deputy has been released from the hospital and the dog was hospitalized in fair condition. The man was arrested on aggravated murder charges. His name and the officers’ names have not been released. SWAT teams responded to clear the home and verify that there was no further threat.
August 18, 2025 9:44 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s two-term elected state Treasurer Stacy Garrity will seek the Republican nomination to challenge Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro’s reelection bid in 2026. Garrity’s announcement Monday comes after she teased a run for months and stepped up her criticism of Shapiro. Some top Pennsylvania Republicans hope Garrity will see a clear primary field, although those hopes have been buffeted in recent weeks by 2022’s losing gubernatorial candidate suggesting that he’ll run again. Shapiro carries a reputation as a disciplined messenger and powerhouse fundraiser. He’s grown into a national figure after he made Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris’ shortlist for vice presidential running mates last year.
August 18, 2025 5:15 am
Members of the African American Mayors Association started noticing last year declines in violent crime in their cities. But, those accomplishments, which they felt were already overlooked, became further buried this week with the Trump administration’s unprecedented law enforcement takeover in the nation’s capital. President Donald Trump has deployed the first of 800 National Guard members to Washington, D.C. But, the Republican president is setting his sights on other cities including Baltimore, Chicago, Los Angeles and Oakland, California. One thing they all have in common: They’re led by Black mayors. The federal government’s actions have heightened some of these mayors’ desires to champion the strategies they’ve used to help make their cities safer.
August 18, 2025 5:13 am
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas Republicans will resume pushing through U.S. House maps that would carve out a bigger GOP advantage in the 2026 elections after state Democrats indicated they were ready to end a two-week walkout. California Democrats are also moving ahead with their own reshaping of congressional districts to counteract Texas. Absent lawmakers signaled they were ready to return to Austin after Republican Gov. Greg Abbott ended a first special session on redistricting and California moved forward with its own plan. Abbott called the session at the urging of President Donald Trump, who wants to shore up Republicans’ narrow U.S. House majority. The Texas House was scheduled to try convening a quorum Monday.
August 18, 2025 5:10 am
TORONTO (AP) — Air Canada has suspended plans to restart operations after the union representing 10,000 flight attendants decided to defy a return-to-work order. The Canada Industrial Relations Board ordered staff back by Sunday afternoon, but the union refused, calling the order unconstitutional. Air Canada now plans to resume flights Monday evening. The shutdown, which began early Saturday, affects about 130,000 people daily. The airline has canceled hundreds of flights, and it could take days to stabilize operations. Passengers can request refunds or alternative travel options, but rebooking may be difficult due to peak travel demand.
