Fayette County Chiropractor Accused Of Indecent Assault

December 21, 2023 4:51 am

DUNBAR TOWNSHIP, Pa. — (WPXI) – A Fayette County chiropractor is facing indecent assault charges. According to Pennsylvania State Police, Jon Rumbaugh, 58, of Connellsville, is accused of assaulting two female patients. Rumbaugh’s practice is located along Morrell Avenue in Dunbar Township. Investigators believe additional victims may come forward. State police are handling the investigation.

Man Involved In Thanksgiving Police Chase To Stand Trial

December 21, 2023 2:27 am

A Washington man who led police on a car chase through the city on Thanksgiving had his preliminary hearing on Wednesday. Demoreaze Betts, 34 will face trial on a felony flight charge and several misdemeanors including reckless endangerment and evading arrest. Betts was accused of trying to break into a woman’s home by removing an air condtioner and holding her at gunpoint during a domestic dispute. A felony burglary charge and misdemeanor terroristic threats, and theft charges related to the domestic dispute that started the incident were withdrawn by the district attorney. Betts is free on a $150,000 bond. He will be arraigned on January 25.

4 Injured In Monongahela House Fire

December 20, 2023 5:10 am

Two adults and two children were transported to Penn Highlands Mon Valley Hospital after a house fire early Wednesday morning in Monongahela.  Washington County 9-1-1 tells WJPA news that all four were on the roof of the home in the 400-block of Park Avenue when firefighters arrived just after 4 a.m.  There is no word on their identities or conditions.  Dispatchers say the fire began in the kitchen but an exact cause is not known.  The fire was brought under control before 5 a.m.

Top Hamas Leader Arrives In Cairo For Talks On War

December 20, 2023 5:04 am

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hamas’ top leader has arrived in Cairo for talks on the war in Gaza. The militant group is putting up stiff resistance in the territory after more than 10 weeks of heavy Israeli bombardment and fierce urban combat that has killed nearly 20,000 Palestinians. Ismail Haniyeh’s visit Wednesday comes a day after Hamas fired rockets that set off air raid sirens in central Israel. That was a show of strength during a war that has devastated much of northern Gaza and driven some 1.9 million Palestinians from their homes. Israel has called on the rest of the world to blacklist Hamas as a terrorist organization, but the sides have recently relaunched indirect talks.

Trump Defends Comments About Immigrants

December 20, 2023 5:04 am

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — Former President Donald Trump is defending his comments about migrants crossing the southern border, who he had said are poisoning the blood of America. He said at a campaign rally in Waterloo, Iowa, on Tuesday that he had not read “Mein Kampf,” referencing Adolf Hitler’s fascist manifesto. He reiterated his “blood” purity comments from over the weekend and said immigrants in the U.S. illegally are “destroying the blood of our country.” Trump has faced mounting criticism for his intensifying rhetoric as he seeks to make immigration policy a key piece of his second-term agenda. Experts have noted his language echoes writings from Hitler about the “purity” of Aryan blood, which underpinned Nazi Germany’s systematic murder of millions of Jews.

Putin Ratchets Up Military Pressure On Ukraine

December 20, 2023 5:02 am

After blunting Ukraine’s counteroffensive from the summer, Russia is building up its resources for a new stage of the war over the winter, which could involve trying to extend its gains in the east and deal significant blows to the country’s vital infrastructure. Russian President Vladimir Putin seems to be hoping that relentless military pressure, combined with changing Western political dynamics and a global focus on the Israeli-Hamas war, will drain support for Ukraine in the nearly 2-year-old war and force Kyiv to yield to Moscow’s demands. Amid signs of fraying Western support, Russia has stepped up its pressure on Ukrainian forces on several parts of the more than 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line.

Trump Banned From Colorado Ballot

December 20, 2023 5:01 am

DENVER (AP) — A divided Colorado Supreme Court is removing former President Donald Trump from the state’s primary ballot, saying in a historic ruling that he is ineligible to be president after his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. The ruling Tuesday marks the first time in history that Section 3 of the 14th Amendment has been used to disqualify a presidential candidate. Trump’s campaign spokesman called it a “flawed decision” and said they will appeal it to the U.S. Supreme Court, which has never ruled on Section 3. The provision forbids those who “engaged in insurrection” from holding office and was used mainly after the Civil War to keep former Confederates out of government.

PennDOT Plow Truck Hit By Train

December 20, 2023 4:54 am

DAWSON TOWNSHIP, Pa. — (WPXI) – A Pennsylvania Department of Transportation plow truck was hit by a train in Fayette County Tuesday morning. A Pennslyvania State Police spokesperson said the PennDOT plow truck was T-boned by a train at the intersection of Laughlin Street and Railroad Street just before 6 a.m. The plow truck driver was taken to a hospital with suspected minor injuries, according to police. PSP Belle Vernon is investigating the crash.

Arts And Culture Programs Receive Grants

December 20, 2023 2:34 am

Several county arts and cultural organizations were awarded grants to assist their operations. The Bradford House Historical Association received $10,178 to cover operations costs. The Little Lake Theatre Company received $16,927 to cover operating costs. The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum received $27,965 to offset lost revenues. The Washington County Historical Society received $10,000 to cover operating expenses and new programs and marketing. The grants were awarded through the PA Arts and Culture Recovery Program that looks to ensure the stability and recovery of arts and culture programs post pandemic.

Water And Sewer Projects Land Grants

December 20, 2023 2:33 am

20Several local water and sewer authorities are in line to receive funding for major water and wastewater improvement projects. The announcements coming from Harrisburg show that the following will receive Water Grant funds. In Washington County, the Mid Mon Valley Water Pollution Control Authority will receive $400,000 for sewage pump replacement at Pump Station 4 in Stockdale. The Carroll Township Authority received $700,000 for a sanitary sewer improvement project. South Strabane Township received $1,000,000 for the Quarry Road Pump Station project. Sewer Grant funding will be received by South Franklin Township for a $389,781 Paterson Road sewage pump rehabilitation. Center West Joint Sewer Authority received $37,150 to install Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition systems in Centerville. Hanover Township Sewer Authority received $88,115 for service line repair and control system replacement. The Tri-County Joint Municipal Authority received $196,520 for the repair of a water treatment plant in East Bethlehem Township. North Strabane Township received $200,000 for a Lindley Road sewer extension project. The funds were awarded through the Commonwealth Financing Authority and disseminated through the H2O and Small Water and Sewer programs.