September 19, 2026 3:42 am
The Pennsylvania Department of Health released a statement that announced that 767 measles cases have been confirmed across 38 counties in Pennsylvania so far this year. Since September 16 there have been 36 new positive cases detected. There have been a total of 150 hospitalizations and 4 confirmed measles associated deaths. On September 16, the Department of Health began the formal process of requesting an Epi-Aid from the CDC to assist in the Department’s measles outbreak response. State health officials have administered nearly 4800 MMR vaccinations at 148 pop-up vaccination clinics in affected communities since the outbreak began in April. Dozens of additional vaccine clinics are scheduled for opening based on need in the next several weeks. State health officials have administered over 6900 MMR vaccines to Pennsylvania residents in 2026.
September 19, 2026 1:27 am
In recognition of Constitution Day, a special naturalization ceremony was held at the Washington County Courthouse. 27 individuals representing 21 countries took the Naturalization Oath of Allegiance to the United States. Before being presented with their naturalization certificates, the new citizens were given information about registering to vote. Antoinette Fitch, the President of the Washington County League of Women Voters, says this ceremony represented the best of America, and she was happy to see so many new citizens excited to participate in elections. Roberta Occhiuto was naturalized, and her family was there to witness the special moment. She says she looks forward to being an active member of society and voting in elections.
September 19, 2026 1:43 am
Have you been thinking about adding a pet to your family? Now that children are back in the classroom, this might be the right time! The Washington County Humane Society is making adoption fees more budget-friendly for the month of September. Adoption fees cover vaccines, deworming, and spaying and neutering. Executive Director Kelly Proudfit explains that this is a good time for families to adopt, because they are going on fewer trips. Proudfit also says that kids benefit from having a furry companion when they get home from a long day at school. In other business, the humane society has volunteer opportunities for students who need to fulfill community service requirements. Opportunities range from helping at food distributions to pulling weeds at the shelter. Anyone interested in adopting or volunteering can learn more at the humane society’s website.
September 19, 2026 3:43 am
PITTSBURGH — (WPXI)-UPMC has entered into an agreement with the Department of Justice to end pediatric gender-affirming care. On Friday, a DOJ spokesperson announced that New York University Langone Hospitals (NYU) and UPMC would end the care after an “investigation into potential violations of federal law arising from their provision of sex-rejecting procedures on children.” As part of the resolutions, UPMC is paying $950,000. Attorney General Todd Blanche claimed the hospitals were “targeting” children by offering this care. The care included puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and some surgical procedures. Several other large healthcare providers have reached similar agreements, including: Mount Sinai Health System in New York, Texas Children’s Hospital, the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and Connecticut Children’s Hospital. In Feb., 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at restricting the option of gender-affirming care for people under the age of 19.
September 18, 2026 4:36 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he is banning CNN, MSNOW and Politico from the White House due to what he called unfavorable coverage, and threatens that more such prohibitions of media outlets could follow. Trump wrote on his social media site Friday that effective immediately, “I am banning” CNN, MSNOW and Politico “from the White House as a result of their constant ‘reporting’ FAKE NEWS!” It is the administration’s latest test of constitutional First Amendment protections.
September 18, 2026 4:45 am
Washington County Commissioners approved an expenditure to pay the law firm Eckert, Seamans $1,950 for legal services provided as a result of a Special Audit being performed by the County Controller regarding the 2024 cyber/ransomware attack on the county’s computer system. The measure was approved 2-1 with Commissioner Larry Maggi voting no. Maggi claims that the request for payment lacks transparency and is an effort to withhold information. County Controller Heather Sheatler received the invoice and in response asked Eckert Seamans to provide proof of work performed and the authorization to perform the work. Sheatler’s letter says that 7.5 hours were billed for work performed on behalf of Commissioners Nick Sherman, Electra Janis and County Administrator Daryl Price. The invoice detailed privilege research, strategy response and other conferences. Sheatler says that no engagement letter, fee agreement or retention letter appointing Eckert Semans exists pertaining to the special audit. Furthermore, the invoice does not break down work performed on behalf of the county versus work provided for Sherman, Janis and Price as individuals. Commissioner Nick Sherman says that the agreement to handle any concerns related to the cyber attack were spelled out by the insurance carrier three years ago when they appointed Eckert Seamans as special counsel. In a letter provided to Sheatler by County Solicitor Gary Sweat, he identified his office and Eckert Seamans as special counsel representing Sherman, Janis and Price in their official capacities on behalf of the county. Sheatler’s letter to Eckert Seamans requests response by September 18. Currently no response has been received. The special audit being performed is a result of the Office of Open Records citing inconsistencies and conflicting agreements surrounding the cyber attack in January of 2024 and the actions taken to regain control of the county computers. In one aspect of the audit, Sheatler points out that one of the vendors hired to aid in the recovery, DigitalMint, had several employees convicted of conspiracy for secretly feeding victim confidential information to ransomware attackers. DigitalMInt was hired to negotiate the terms and conditions to make ransom payments and release the digital keys to unlock the county computers.
September 18, 2026 2:50 am
Washington, PA – The Ebenezer Bridge and Henry Bridge sites of the EQT Washington & Greene Counties’ Covered Bridge Festival, scheduled for this weekend at Mingo Creek County Park, have been cancelled due to flooding and the potential of additional rainfall. The cancellation only involves the Ebenezer Bridge and Henry Bridge sites and does not currently affect the additional covered bridge sites involved in the festival. The decision was made in consultation with the Washington County Department of Parks & Recreation, Washington County Tourism Promotion Agency, who manages the Ebenezer Bridge site; and Mental Health Association of Washington County, who manages the Henry Bridge site; with public safety as the primary consideration. Recent heavy rainfall has resulted in significant flooding and challenging conditions at Mingo Creek County Park, while the potential for additional rainfall creates further concerns for safely hosting the festival at the park this weekend. “Each covered bridge site involved in the festival is operated by individual groups and we have been in contact with them to inform them of our decision. Currently, the other sites are moving forward with their festivities, but we encourage everyone to visit CoveredBridgeFest.net for all festival updates,” stated Jeff Kotula, president of the Washington County Tourism Promotion Agency. (Photo courtesy of WCTPA)
September 17, 2026 2:54 am
AAA East Central and the South Strabane Police Department gave a presentation about cybercrimes and identity theft at the AAA Washington Branch Office. Presenters talked about phone scams, credit card scams, and ways to protect your identity. AAA safety advisor J.J. Miller explains that anyone can fall victim to cybercrimes. Miller says that consumers must work to protect their identity at all costs, and she hopes that this program gave valuable information. Mike Schidlmeier, a detective with the South Strabane Police Department, says it is important to report anything suspicious to the police to help prevent scams. Schidlmeier reminds citizens that falling victim to a cybercrime is nothing to be embarrassed about because, in the world today, everyone is vulnerable.
September 17, 2026 2:10 am
239 years after the Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, members of W&J college came to the Courthouse to take turns to read aloud the document. Constitution Day is an American federal observance that recognizes the adoption of the Constitution and those who have become U.S. citizens. It is observed on Sept. 17, the day in 1787 that delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the document in Philadelphia. Constitution Day became a holiday in 2004 when Senator Robert Bryd from the state of West Virginia was concerned that American citizens were losing the connection to the document and we have been celebrating the day ever since then.
September 17, 2026 4:59 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge has ordered the Kennedy Center to provide 30 days’ notice before making any major physical changes to the building, including demolishing it as President Donald Trump has threatened. U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper said Thursday his ruling would “avoid any confusion on that score given more recent events.” Earlier, Matt Floca, the Kennedy Center’s executive director and chief operating officer, said he closed the iconic performing arts center temporarily due to “acute risks to public safety resulting from continued structural deterioration” of the aging building.
