October 16, 2019 4:12 am
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) – A fraternity has revoked its chapter at West Virginia University, citing multiple violations of alcohol and risk management policies. WBOY-TV reports the national Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity’s board of directors unanimously voted to revoke the WVU chapter’s charter following an investigation. SigEp CEO Brian Warren’s statement says the national headquarters provided support to help develop a positive culture, but current members have “squandered this assistance” and seem more interested in being a “drinking club.” The chapter responded on Twitter that it is “saddened” by the decision. It said members have been held to high standards and participated in several activities to help the community, but were met with “disdain and mistreatment” by the national headquarters.
October 16, 2019 4:11 am
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Pa (WPXI) – A man is in custody after leading police on a chase in Washington County, according to police. A South Strabane officer pulled over a stolen car after spotting it at Tanger Outlets, but the driver, Walter Maryland, 50, rammed the officer’s car and took off, police said. Police said Maryland struck a vehicle before getting on I-79. When he attempted to take the Houston exit on I-79, he struck another vehicle, disabling the car he was driving, according to police. Maryland ran away on foot, but he was arrested nearby, according to police. He was injured in the crash and was taken to a hospital. Police said he will be charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, fleeing and attempting to elude, receiving stolen property, multiple counts of accidents involving damage to attended vehicle or property, reckless driving and other traffic offenses. Maryland has a current arrest warrant from the Washington County Adult Probation Office, according to police. (Photo: WPXI)
October 16, 2019 4:05 am
Nearly 200 North Strabane Township residents tried to convince officials from Crown Castle Incorporated to move a proposed cellular antenna at a town hall meeting at Frank Sarris Library on Tuesday night. Jonathan Hart, Director of Government Affairs for Crown Castle described the antenna as a small cell node that would be attached to a 33 foot high wooden utility pole. Crown Castle had hoped to be able to attach the antenna to an existing pole, but none had the capacity to house the unit. Residents called for a halt to the installation looking to have it moved to a different location. Engineers for Crown Castle explained that the unit needed to be located in the public right of way on Giffin Ave. to best remedy the cellular traffic issues now being experienced by their clients. The pole would be located between Borland Manor Elementary School and the Canon McMillan Intermediate School. Residents are concerned about the possibility of children developing cancer from RF radiation waves. The concern is born of the incidence of Ewing Sarcoma and other rare children’s cancers that is currently plaguing the Canon McMillan School District.
October 16, 2019 3:39 am
The United States Geological Survey has confirmed that a small earthquake occurred overnight just southwest of the Washington County Airport. Details are sketchy but government officials say the quake occurred just before three a.m. and registered a 2.2. magnitude. Residents in and around the area were posting on Facebook overnight that they had felt their homes shaking and some items in their homes moved. There was no damage reported and no known injuries. Earthquakes of such magnitude cause little damage and are barely felt, USGS geophysicist Julie Dutton said. If you felt it, you can go online and report the intensity to the USGS.
October 15, 2019 5:18 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump’s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani has notified lawmakers that he will not comply with a subpoena issued in the impeachment inquiry. A letter sent by attorney Jon Sale says the subpoena is “overbroad, unduly burdensome, and seeks documents beyond the scope of legitimate inquiry.” Sale is describing the impeachment inquiry itself as “unconstitutional” and “baseless.” Democrats set a Wednesday deadline for Giuliani to provide documents.
October 15, 2019 3:18 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump’s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani is acknowledging he earned $500,000 for work for a company run by a business associate who has been charged with federal campaign finance violations. Giuliani says he received two payments totaling $500,000 related to the work for Lev Parnas’ company, Fraud Guarantee, which is based in Boca Raton, Florida. Giuliani says he was hired to consult on Fraud Guarantee’s technologies and provide legal advice on regulatory issues, and that he is confident the money came from a “domestic source.” Giuliani also is playing down the $500,000 total, saying he’s had larger contracts with other clients. Parnas and an associate were arrested last week trying to board an international flight. The charges against them relate to a $325,000 donation to a group supporting Trump’s reelection. The men had key roles in Giuliani’s efforts to launch a Ukrainian corruption investigation against Democratic presidential contender Joe Biden and his son Hunter. The payments were first reported by Reuters.
October 15, 2019 7:40 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – Former Vice President Joe Biden’s son Hunter is rejecting assertions by President Donald Trump and his Republican allies that he did anything wrong in engaging in foreign work in Ukraine and China. Hunter Biden also says he failed to take into account potential implications on his father’s political career. In an ABC interview airing Tuesday, Hunter Biden concedes he may have made a mistake “in the grand scheme of things” for failing to see the political repercussions. But he adds: “Did I make a mistake based on some ethical lapse? Absolutely not.” Trump and Republicans have targeted Hunter Biden for his work in Ukraine and China, although there’s no evidence of wrongdoing. In a July 25 phone call, Trump pressured Ukraine’s leaders to investigate the Bidens. (Photo: ABC)
October 15, 2019 4:56 am
Peters Township Council reached the limit of its patience with an eyesore property and authorized its township manager to proceed with plans for demolition. The St Petersburg Center at 214 Valleybrook Road in Peters Township has been in disrepair for many years. In 2017 authorization was given to demolish the building. Property owners Ed and Susan Courtney have delayed the demolition several times citing unclear direction from the township and delays in permitting from state departments for not being able to finish the project. The refurbishing of the building has taken on several forms and the most recent one, making it a single floor building has been dragging on for most of this year. After debate between council and the Courtneys, Councilman James Berquist made the motion to demolish the building completely. The motion passed unanimously. Berquist stated that he was not happy that this had to end this way, but council has been more that accommodating to the Courtneys. When asked for their thoughts, the Courtneys had no comment. Demolition could begin in the next 2 weeks.
October 15, 2019 4:21 am
DUBLIN, Calif. (AP) – A representative for Felicity Huffman says the actress has reported to a federal prison in California to serve a two-week sentence in the college admissions scandal. The Federal Correctional Institution, Dublin is a low-security prison for women in the San Francisco area. A federal judge in Boston sentenced Huffman last month to 14 days in prison, a $30,000 fine, 250 hours of community service and a year’s probation. The “Desperate Housewives” star pleaded guilty in May to fraud and conspiracy for paying an admissions consultant $15,000 to have a proctor correct her daughter’s SAT answers. A statement Tuesday from Huffman’s representative says that she “is prepared to serve the term of imprisonment Judge Talwani ordered as one part of the punishment she imposed for Ms. Huffman’s actions.”
October 15, 2019 4:20 am
NEW YORK (AP) – The late musical icons Whitney Houston and the Notorious B.I.G. are among the 16 acts nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 2020 class. The prestigious organization announced Tuesday that Dave Matthews Band, Motorhead, Pat Benatar, Soundgarden, The Doobie Brothers, T.Rex and Thin Lizzy join Houston and B.I.G. as first-time Rock Hall nominees. The 35th annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place May 2, 2020, at the Public Auditorium in Cleveland, Ohio. Nine Inch Nails, Judas Priest, Rufus featuring Chaka Khan, Depeche Mode, Kraftwerk, MC5 and Todd Rundgren round out the 16 nominees for the 2020 class. The official inductees will be announced in January. Acts are eligible for induction 25 years after the release of their first commercial recording.
