January 4, 2020 4:10 am
WILKINSBURG, Pa. (WPXI) — The two men accused of killing five people and an unborn baby at a backyard cookout in Wilkinsburg nearly four years ago are set for trial. The trial will start Monday with jury selection, as Cheron Shelton and Robert Thomas each face six counts of homicide after the mass shooting on Franklin Avenue in March 2016. Investigators said the two men were targeting a man at the cookout over an incident in 2013. He survived the shooting. Through court paperwork and testimony, investigators claim Thomas fired a shot near the backyard, causing people to run toward the porch to safety. That’s where Shelton was allegedly standing when he opened fire. It happened in 2016, a time frame defense attorney Phil DiLucente believes will work in the defense’s favor. DiLucente also said jury selection could make or break the case since jurors will have to decide who to believe. He told Channel 11 there is no “direct evidence,” such as DNA or the gun used, but rather a lot of testimony. The judge issued a gag order in the case, meaning no one involved in the trial is allowed to speak publicly. The actual trial isn’t scheduled to begin until February.
January 4, 2020 2:55 am
Swearing-in ceremonies were held Friday morning at the Washington County Courthouse for Washington County office holders and judges. Among those taking the oath of office, Republican incumbent County Commissioner Diana Irey Vaughn, who will now replace Democrat Larry Maggi as chairman of the board. Also being sworn in today, the newest County Commissioner, Nick Sherman (pictured) who will replace Democrat Harlan Shober who lost to Sherman in the November General Election. Both Irey-Vaughn and Sherman say one of their first orders of business will be to hire a new Human Services Director. Also being sworn in Friday morning were Republican Brenda Davis who will replace Democrat Frank Scandale as Clerk of Courts; Republican Laura Hough who replaces Democrat Joy Schury Ranko as Prothonotary: Republican James Roman as Register of Wills who replaces retiring Democrat Mary Jo Poknis and Republican Tom Flickinger who will replace retiring County Treasurer, Democrat Francis King. Traci McDonald Kemp was also sworn in Friday as the county’s new Common Pleas Court Judge.
January 4, 2020 2:48 am
GREENE COUNTY, Pa. — A state prison is on lockdown after officials said an inmate attacked two corrections officers. According to an official with the Department of Corrections, the incident occurred on Thursday evening in a housing unit at SCI Greene. Both officers were taken to area hospitals for treatment of their injuries. Corrections officials said the jail is locked down while the incident is being investigated and right now, there is no estimate for how long the lockdown will be in place. The exact nature of the incident remains unclear at this point.
January 3, 2020 7:19 am
The cause of a fire at 1429 Yorktown Drive in Cecil Township Friday morning is under investigation. Authorities say the blaze broke out just before six o’clock in a home that is part of a complex of four townhouses in the Georgetown Estates development. That house was destroyed and the fire did spread to a neighboring unit but damage there was minimal. Everyone inside of the house got out safely, including the family’s cat. Firefighters say they believe the fire may have started in the garage. (Photo: WPXI)
January 3, 2020 4:22 am
SYDNEY (AP) – Navy ships plucked hundreds of people from beaches and tens of thousands were urged to flee before hot, windy weather worsens Australia’s devastating wildfires. More than 200 fires are burning, and one fire official says the warnings of extreme danger to come means, “There are millions of sparks out there ready to go.” Hundreds of homes have been destroyed and 10 deaths have been confirmed from fires this week. The devastating early start to the summer wildfire season has made this Australia’s worst on record. One official noted the “fire fatigue” but told people not to wait to flee until it was too late.
January 3, 2020 4:21 am
BEIJING (AP) – Oil prices are surging and Asian stock markets are mixed after U.S. forces in Iraq killed an Iranian general. Benchmarks in Shanghai and Hong Kong declined while Australia and some Southeast Asian markets advanced. Markets in Malaysia and Indonesia, both oil producers, gained. News of the death of Gen. Qassem Soleimani prompted expectations of Iranian retaliation against American and Israeli targets. On Wall Street, the S&P 500 and Dow rose to new records, helped by technology stocks. Investors were encouraged by expectations of stronger global economic growth in 2020 and the planned signing of an interim U.S.-Chinese trade agreement.
January 3, 2020 4:20 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden says President Donald Trump has “tossed a stick of dynamite into a tinderbox” with the targeted killing of Iran’s top general in an airstrike at Baghdad’s international airport. The former vice president is joining other Democratic White House hopefuls in criticizing Trump’s order, saying it could leave the U.S. “on the brink of a major conflict across the Middle East.” Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is calling the attack “dangerous,” while Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren says it was “reckless.” The Pentagon says the U.S. military killed Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran’s elite Quds Force, in Baghdad Friday at the direction of Trump.
January 3, 2020 4:17 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – U.S. officials are sending nearly 3,000 more Army troops to the Mideast. As well, they’ve placed a brigade in Italy on alert to fly into Beirut if needed to protect the embassy there. Reinforcements were ordered as U.S. officials said they had compelling intelligence that the Iranian general killed in a U.S. strike áwas planning a significant campaign of violence against the United States. The reinforcements are part of a series of military moves to protect U.S. interests in the Middle East.
January 3, 2020 4:13 am
NORTH UNION TOWNSHIP, Pa. (WPXI) — A couple was found dead New Year’s Day in their North Union Township home after what Pennsylvania State Police are calling a murder-suicide. Investigators identified the couple Friday as William and Tina Allen. Both were found shot to death in their bedroom. Police said Tina came back to the house on Republic Street Wednesday morning. Not long after, a gunshot was heard. Relatives of the couple discovered the bedroom door was locked and became suspicious. Tina was found on the bed. Authorities said William was found in a chair with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Fayette County District Attorney Richard Bower said a suicide note was found, but he did not elaborate on what it said. Neighbors said Tina was well-known in the community for which she cared deeply. They said she was heavily involved in politics and the community, even decorating Uniontown City Hall for Christmas and helping to raise money to get lighted decorations for downtown.
January 2, 2020 5:28 pm
PHOENIX (AP) – U-Haul International has announced plans to stop interviewing and hiring nicotine users, including people who use e-cigarettes and vaping products. The Arizona Republic reported Wednesday that the well-known truck and trailer rental company approved the nicotine-free policy set to go into effect Feb. 1 in 21 states where the company operates. Company officials say people hired before the policy goes into effect won’t be affected. Officials say the company expects the nicotine-free hiring policy would help create a more healthy corporate culture. Officials say the company employs around 30,000 people across the U.S. and Canada.
