Abandoned House Burned In Donora

November 26, 2023 6:41 am

A fire broke out just after midnight Sunday in Donora. Washington County 9-1-1 officials state that the Donora Fire Department responded to a call for a fire at an abandoned house in the 300 block of Third street. The fire was extinguised quickly. No injuries are reported.

Rozzi Elected Speaker Of Pennsylvania House

January 4, 2023 4:05 am

HARRISBURG, Jan. 3 – State Rep. Mark Rozzi, D-Berks, today was elected by his peers as Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. After taking the oath of office in the state Capitol this afternoon to commence his sixth term, Rozzi was then elected speaker by a vote of 115 to 85.  “I’m proud to say that I’ve served the residents of the 126th Legislative District for the last decade, and I’m humbled to now serve every Pennsylvanian,” Rozzi said. “As speaker, my goal is to remain nonpartisan in order to deliver a sense of unity within the legislature. It’s past time that we work together and restore trust in the people’s House.” Rozzi pledged to caucus with neither Democrats nor Republicans. He affirmed that while at the rostrum, typical politics and the division they subsequently create will have no place in the House chamber. “Sometimes Republicans will win, and sometimes Democrats will win, and that is fine, so long as the beneficiaries are the people of this commonwealth,” he said.

Charleroi Man Sentenced On Drug Charges

February 22, 2022 2:40 pm

A Charleroi man who pleaded guilty to felony drug possession charges learned his sentence on Tuesday. Christopher Roberts, 34, pleaded guilty to six possession with the intent to deliver, three conspiracy charges and one endangering the welfare of children charges. His home was raided in February of 2020 after state police set up purchases by confidential informants in the previous three weeks. During the raid, police recovered 35 grams of cocaine and $7200. A fifteen year old child was also present during the raid. Roberts will serve 18-36 months in state prison followed by four years state supervised probation. He is scheduled to turn himself over to authorities on March 8. His wife and accused accomplice, Krystal Roberts has her case working its way through the court system.

Record Rains Leave At Least Four Dead In Flash Flooding

March 29, 2021 4:22 am

(AP) – Heavy rain across Tennessee has flooded homes and roads, prompting officials to carry out numerous rescues. The flooding is being blamed for at least four deaths. Metropolitan Nashville Police say the body of a man whose car was submerged in a creek was recovered Sunday. Another man’s body was found on a golf course, while two bodies were found near a homeless camp. Nearly 6 inches of rain fell Saturday in Nashville. A portion of Interstate 40 was temporarily shut down due to high water. Some rivers and creeks are at or near their highest level since 2010.

Major Protests Raise Fears Of New Virus Outbreaks

May 31, 2020 8:25 am

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The mayor of Atlanta, one of dozens of U.S. cities hit by massive protests in recent days, has a message for demonstrators: “If you were out protesting last night, you probably need to go get a COVID test this week.” As more beaches, churches, schools and businesses reopened worldwide, civil unrest in the United States over repeated racial injustice is raising fears of new coronavirus outbreaks in a country that has seen more infections and deaths than anywhere else in the world. Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms warned that “there is still a pandemic in America that’s killing black and brown people at higher numbers.” Violent protests over the death of George Floyd have shaken the country from New York City to Minneapolis, from Atlanta to Los Angeles. Some protests have turned into riots and clashes with police, leaving stores burned and torched cars in the streets. City officials have ordered overnight curfews to quell the violence. Floyd, a black man, died on May 25 in Minneapolis after a white police officer pressed a knee into his neck. It was the latest in a series of deaths of black men and women at the hands of police in America. Health experts fear that silent carriers of the virus who have no symptoms could unwittingly infect others at protests where people are packed cheek to jowl, many without masks.

Booker Says Dems Must Have ‘Faith In Our Ideals’

August 10, 2019 9:18 am

CLEAR LAKE, Iowa (AP) – New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker is calling on Democrats to take on President Donald Trump with “faith in our ideals” and to “overcome his darkness with our light.”
Speaking at the Iowa Democratic Wing Ding fundraiser, Booker is reminding the crowd that “we have overcome worse times and darker times.” Booker, with his voice fading after a week of outspoken advocacy for gun control on the campaign trail, is comparing the current political era to major moments in civil rights history. He argues that “this is a referendum on us, and who we are going to be to each other.” The sermon-like speech drew huge applause from the crowd.

Seven Injured In Multi-Vehicle Crash On I-70

September 23, 2024 5:09 am

SOUTH STRABANE, Pa. – Seven people were injured in a crash in Washington County on Sunday afternoon. The crash happened on westbound I-70 between Exit 21 to I-79 South – Morgantown and Exit 20 to PA 136 – Beau Street. It involved four vehicles and a boat on a trailer. A Washington County 911 supervisor tells Channel 11 that police, fire and EMS personnel were called to the scene around 1:50 p.m. The South Strabane Fire Department said multiple people were entrapped. Four medical helicopters responded to the scene. South Strabane Township Fire Chief Jordan Cramer says a total of 7 patients were transported. One was taken by ground to the helipad at UPMC Washington Hospital for a crew from STAT MedEvac while three additional helicopters were landed on the highway. Three other patients were transported by ambulance to Washington Hospital We have no word on any identities or conditions. Cramer says “the incident today again highlights the exceptional response available for residents in Washington County because of the ability of many public safety agencies working together to ensure we provide the absolute best care possible”. The highway was reopened to traffic around 5 p.m.

Fragile Gaza Truce Is Back On Track

November 26, 2023 6:33 am

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — The tense cease-fire between Israel and Hamas appears to be back on track after the release of a second group of militant-held hostages and Palestinian prisoners. But an hourslong delay underscored its fragility. Hamas had accused Israel of violating the agreement, which has brought the first significant pause in seven weeks of war. Israel appeared set to resume its devastating air war and ground offensive until Qatar and Egypt, which mediate with Hamas, announced late Saturday that the obstacles had been overcome. The militants released 17 hostages, including 13 Israelis, while Israel freed 39 Palestinian prisoners. The release of a third group of hostages and prisoners is expected later Sunday. Hamas also said one of its top commanders had been killed, without saying when or how.

Tractor-Trailer Crash Closes I-70 Lanes

January 3, 2023 12:30 pm

State Police say the left lanes, both east and westbound, of Interstate 70 in the area of the 7 1/2 mile marker – between Taylorstown and Claysville were closed for several hours Tuesday afternoon due to an overturned tractor-trailer.  No further information has been released and there’s been no word on the vehicles involved, how the accident happened or whether anyone was injured.  The accident happened shortly before noon and the left westbound lane was re-opened to traffic shortly before five o’clock.

All Three Convicted Of Hate Crimes In Arbery Killing

February 22, 2022 10:42 am

BRUNSWICK, Ga. (AP) –  The three men convicted of murder in Ahmaud Arbery’s fatal shooting have been found guilty of federal hate crimes. A jury delivered its verdict Tuesday after several hours of deliberations. The jury found that father and son Greg and Travis McMichael and neighbor William “Roddie” Bryan violated Arbery’s civil rights in the fatal chase and targeted him because he was Black. During the trial, prosecutors showed roughly two dozen text messages and social media posts in which Travis McMichael and Bryan used racist slurs and made derogatory comments about Black people. The McMichaels and Bryan had pleaded not guilty to the hate crime charges.