August 21, 2024 4:49 am
North Strabane Township Supervisors set their agenda for their Legislative Meeting next week. Supervisors anticipate awarding two contracts, for parks and recreation and road construction. Supervisors will open bids on Friday for the reconstruction of McDowell Lane. According to Township Manager Andrew Walz, if there is an acceptable bid, the goal is to award the contract for that construction next week. Supervisors will also look to approve a contract to replace the synthetic field in North Strabane Park. That contract is just under $550,000. Supervisors will also look to approve a takeover agreement with an insurance agency to restart construction on the Public Safety building. The project has been stalled because of the inability of the contractor of record, Spartan Construction, to be able to complete the project. Supervisors will meet on August 27 at 7:00 pm.
August 21, 2024 5:04 am
CHICAGO (AP) — Warning of a difficult fight ahead, former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama have called on the nation to embrace Kamala Harris in urgent messages to the Democratic National Convention that were at times both hopeful and ominous. “America, hope is making a comeback,” the former first lady declared. She then tore into Republican Donald Trump, a sharp shift from the 2016 convention speech in which she told her party, “When they go low, we go high.” Barack Obama, the first Black president in U.S. history, insisted the nation is ready to elect Harris, who is of Jamaican and Indian heritage and would be the nation’s first female president.
August 20, 2024 2:19 am
In a Facebook post, Fire officials are warning residents about the potential dangers of lithium-ion batteries after two incidents involving hoverboards on the charger. The Chartiers Township Fire Department said a family who lives in the Piatt Estates development in Chartiers Township was woken up by their smoke alarms last Friday. When firefighters arrived, they found a garage full of black smoke which was caused by a small fire that started from the hoverboard’s lithium-ion battery pack – which was on a charger. Coincidentally, they say, another resident in the same development woke up to find their hoverboard, which was also on the charger, had burned overnight. They say the original chargers for the hoverboards were being used in both incidents. No one was hurt. (Photo courtesy of Chartiers Township Fire Department)
August 20, 2024 2:57 am
A Washington County man who recently retired for the second time won a $1 million jackpot from a Pennsylvania Lottery ticket. Michael Matyas, 70, was presented with a commemorative check Tuesday after he won $1 million from a Pennsylvania Lottery ticket last month. Matyas bought the ticket at Giant Penn LLC (Exxon) in Charleroi the day of the July 19 drawing, but didn’t check it until two days later. Matyas said he retired 10 years ago and recently retired from working a part-time job. He said he plans to use his prize money to help his children, pay off bills and spend more time enjoying his favorite hobby: golfing. “I’m still taking it all in. This whole experience has been fantastic,” Matyas said.
August 20, 2024 5:08 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Tim Walz and JD Vance have vaulted themselves out of national obscurity as they hustle to introduce themselves to the country, but the senator from Ohio has had a rockier start than the Minnesota governor. A new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows that Walz had a smoother launch as a running mate to Vice President Kamala Harris than Vance did for former President Donald Trump. Overall, about one-quarter of Americans have a positive opinion of Vance, and about one-third have a favorable view of Walz. Significantly more also have an unfavorable view of Vance than Walz, 44% to 25%.
August 21, 2024 5:06 am
PHOENIX (AP) — Voters in Arizona and Montana will be able to decide whether they want to protect the right to an abortion in their state constitutions. The Arizona Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that a 200-word summary that advocates used to collect signatures is valid, clearing the way for the issue to remain on the ballot. Montana’s secretary of state on Tuesday certified its abortion measure to appear on the November ballot. Both measures protect the right to an abortion until the fetus could survive outside the womb and allow later-term abortions to protect the mother’s life or health.
August 20, 2024 4:53 am
Washington school teachers will be starting the year Thursday with a new contract. The board voted unanimously to approve a 5 year deal that will include salary increases of 4.2 percent annually. In addition to increases, the two sides agreed to freeze medical contributions and enhance provisions for modified family leave. The board also announced a meeting scheduled for next Tuesday regarding the potential sale of the Crossroads parking garage. Representatives from the city, district and parking authority are gathering to share information and work towards clearing up communication issues regarding the proposed sale. Forget the gas and plug in the bus. That’s what Wash High school bus drivers will be doing between dropping off students for classes later this week. The district is rolling out a new fleet of electric vehicles made possible by a 3.2 million dollar grant. Geographically, Washington is ideal for electric busing due to the condensed radius in which vehicles need to travel.
August 20, 2024 6:37 am
The Peters Township School Board quickly disposed of their agenda filled largely with procedural voting items. The board of directors is looking forward to a new year that will begin Wednesday August 21. Superintendent Dr. Jeannine French says she is looking forward to greeting the students this year. She says that crews were hard at work making sure the facilities are nice and fresh for students when they arrive. She says that the district will keep focusing on the basics of education. That way the district should be able to maintain its local, state and national recognition that it has enjoyed for the last several years. According to USNews.com, the district ranks third in the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Region, 11th in Pennsylvania and 503rd in the nation last year. French also expressed her gratitude to the union leaders, teachers negotiating team and staff for coming together on a five year labor agreement last month.
August 13, 2024 4:54 am
Peters Township Council spent the majority of their agenda authorizing bids and proposals for several future projects. Council first approved a $45,000 contract to help the library reimagine its space and help it better utilize that space for programming that was not thought of when the building was built 25 years ago. They also approved solicitation for bids for a new pumper truck for the fire department. Finally, council approved the execution for a grant agreement with the state in order to lock in grant funding for the splash pad that is proposed for Rolling Hills Park. Once all of the paperwork is finalized bids can be submitted. It is hoped that in late September or early October, council will be able to vote on recommendations for a final contract.
August 19, 2024 4:59 am
HENRY CLAY TOWNSHIP, Pa. — (WPXI) – A homeowner who shot a burglary suspect in Fayette County will not face any charges, District Attorney Michael Aubele announced Monday. Aubele said his office determined the homeowner’s actions were “appropriate” and have cleared him of any wrongdoings. Just before midnight on Saturday, police were called to a home on Mae West Road in Henry Clay Township for a burglary in progress. During the burglary, the homeowner retrieved a gun and confronted the intruder, who PSP identifies as David Luczak, 62, of Cleveland. PSP said when Luczak didn’t leave after being approached by the homeowner, the homeowner fired the gun several times. Luczak was struck twice in the face and was treated on scene by troopers and medics, then life-flighted to a hospital. He was last listed in stable condition. Aubele said his office, along with state police, reviewed several pieces of evidence including witness statements and surveillance footage. The DA’s office also considered the remote location of the home and Luczak’s criminal history, which includes involvement in a 2013 homicide in Cleveland. “Most importantly, we acknowledge the absolute right of every citizen to make reasonable, split-second decisions to use deadly force to defend themselves and others,” Aubele said in a press release. Luczak is facing several charges including burglary and remains in the hospital.
