August 10, 2019 9:21 am
BEIJING (AP) – China has dismissed Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters as clowns and criminals while bemoaning growing violence surrounding the monthslong demonstrations.
That’s partly out of concern that protesters’ demands for expanded democracy could inspire like-minded officials and intellectuals on the mainland. Still, experts say, China shows no signs of preparing for a major crackdown, content to ignore the protests in the hopes that violence will turn Hong Kong’s silent majority against the movement.The protests also come at a sensitive time for President Xi Jinping, who after removing term limits last year effectively made himself leader for life. That has intensified criticism over his concentration of power even as his propaganda machine relentlessly promotes his achievements ahead of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic on Oct. 1.
September 23, 2024 9:41 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The man accused in the apparent assassination attempt of Donald Trump wrote a note months earlier saying that he intended to kill the former president. That’s according to the Justice Department. The note, addressed “Dear World,” was dropped off at the home of an unidentified person who contacted federal authorities following the arrest last Sunday of Ryan Wesley Routh. The box, which also contained ammunition, a metal pipe and other items, was not opened by the person until after Routh was taken into custody. The person who received the box and contacted law enforcement was not identified in the Justice Department’s detention memo Monday.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
