July 16, 2024 4:12 pm
(WPXI) – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) Safety Division concluded its investigation into the August 2023 deadly house explosion in Plum. On August 12, 2023, a house on Rustic Ridge Drive exploded, killing six people and injuring others, as well as destroying three homes and damaging at least a dozen more. Tuesday, the PUC Safety Division concluded that there was no evidence that linked public utility jurisdictional assets to the cause of the explosion and fire. “While the PUC’s portion of the investigation has concluded, the Commission recognizes and deeply appreciates the profound level of concern this incident has generated within the community and our hearts go out to everyone impacted by this tragic event. The PUC remains steadfast in our commitment to public safety and our Safety Division experts are available as a resource to the Allegheny County Fire Marshal and other investigators who continue examining the cause of the Rustic Ridge Drive incident,” the report said.
July 16, 2024 4:50 am
BUTLER, Pa. — (WPXI) – Channel 11 News uncovered dramatic new details Monday in the moments leading up to the assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump. According to multiple law enforcement sources, Thomas Crooks was spotted by law enforcement on a roof nearly 30 minutes before shots were fired that injured Trump, killed a former fire chief and injured two others in the crowd. Channel 11’s Nicole Ford confirmed that Beaver County’s ESU team had eight members at the rally, including snipers and spotters. According to Ford’s sources, one of them noticed a suspicious man on a roof near the rally at 5:45 p.m., called it in and took a picture of the person. We have learned from our sources the person in that picture is Thomas Crooks. We’re told it’s not clear if Crooks had a gun with him at that point. According to multiple sources, a law enforcement officer had also previously seen Crooks on the ground and called him in as a suspicious person with a picture prior to 5:45 p.m. Our sources tell us an officer checked the grounds for Crooks at that point, but did not see him where the first picture was taken. 26 minutes after the second picture of Crooks was taken by law enforcement and the information called in, shots were fired from the roof of the American Glass Research building. Seconds later, a Secret Service sniper returned fire and killed Crooks.
July 16, 2024 2:10 pm
NEW YORK (AP) — Sen. Bob Menendez has been convicted of all charges at his corruption trial, including accepting bribes of gold and cash from three New Jersey businessmen and acting as a foreign agent for the Egyptian government. His two codefendants also were found guilty. Prosecutors said the Democrat abused his power to protect allies from criminal investigations and enrich associates, including his wife. They also said he took bribes for helping Egypt access military aid worth millions of dollars. Menendez insisted the cash and gold were legally earned and that he was only doing his job. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer says he should resign. (Photo: AP)
July 16, 2024 2:12 pm
MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Republican National Convention is resuming with a focus on immigration. The issue is central to former President Donald Trump’s political brand that helped endear him to the GOP base when he began his first campaign in 2015. Tuesday’s primetime program also includes remarks from two of Trump’s top GOP primary rivals, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Their planned remarks are the latest signal the party is solidifying its fight to take on President Joe Biden in November.
July 15, 2024 4:44 am
The fourth day of testimony in the murder trial of North Strabane Township physical therapist Scott Edmonds was fraught with technical difficulties. Defense attorneys had trouble getting smart board televisions in the courtroom to work causing testimony to begin at 1:00 PM. First to the witness stand was former Assistant District Attorney Chad Schneider who was recalled to verify crime scene photos. Next was forensic pathologist Dr. Adel Shaker, MD from Corpus Christi, TX. His testimony on the manner of death differed from that of prosecutorial experts indicating the manner of Louise Weis-Edmonds death was undetermined, and not homicide. A second forensic pathologist, Dr. John Hunsaker of Lexington, KY stated that his review of medical records show that Weis-Edmonds’ injuries were indicative of suicide. Cross examination of both witnesses had them agree that their opinions do not rule out homicide. Day five of testimony will begin on Tuesday.
July 16, 2024 4:43 am
A Washington man has been sentenced for drug delivery resulting in death charges of a Canton Township couple. Lorenzo Lloyd, 37 will spend the next 4 ½ to 9 years in state prison. Lloyd pleaded guilty to two felony charges of drug delivery resulting in death and two misdemeanor charges of intent to possess a controlled substance back in April. Lloyd was one of three men accused of helping supply stamp bags of fentanyl to David and Nanette Dennick at their home in February of 2021. The other two men involved in the case, Zaeshown Kimbrew, 22 of Aliquippa is serving a 6-12 year sentence on similar charges. The third man, Mitchell Logan, 31 of Washington has recently pleaded guilty to one possession with the intent to deliver charge. He was sentenced to time served and is now on probation for the next three years.
July 16, 2024 4:53 am
MIDDLETOWN, Pa. — (WPXI)- Pennsylvania Turnpike officials have issued a warning about a scam targeting random people. The smishing scam aims to deceive people into sharing their personal financial information to settle outstanding toll amounts. The scam text messages will be from “Pennsylvania Turnpike Toll Services” and will center around urgent requests with the account that would result in additional charges if the overdue balance doe not get settled. Those who receive these messages should not click the link, officials said. Those who receive a fraudulent text can file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.
July 16, 2024 4:58 am
PITTSBURGH — A visually-impaired man was robbed at the Steel Plaza “T” Station Wednesday. Pittsburgh Regional Transit officials said the man, 52, from Dormont, uses a cane for mobility. He is visually impaired but not blind. While at the T Station, the suspect approached the victim and offered to help him with the elevator so he didn’t have to take the stairs. The victim agreed and got into the elevator with the suspect, who then asked if he had any money, officials said. The victim said no, and the suspect took his wallet out of his pants pocket and removed $2. The suspect threw the wallet back at the victim and ran. Officials said the victim described the suspect as possibly being a dark-skinned man wearing a yellow vest.
July 15, 2024 5:05 am
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Former President Donald Trump has appeared triumphantly at the Republican National Convention’s opening night with a bandage over his right ear. Delegates cheered wildly when he was seen onscreen two days after being injured when a would-be assassin opened fire at his rally in Pennsylvania. Republicans have nominated Trump to lead their presidential ticket and cheered enthusiastically after he unveiled Ohio Sen. JD Vance as his running mate. Republican Party Chairman Michael Whatley hailed the ticket as an ideal team to defeat President Joe Biden and Democrats in November.
July 16, 2024 5:09 am
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Ohio Sen. JD Vance is supposed to help Donald Trump win the Midwest this fall. But almost immediately after he was announced as Trump’s vice presidential pick on Monday, one thing became clear: Vance, a 39-year-old Republican with less than two years in Congress, is barely known among many Republicans even in the swing states Trump hopes he’ll deliver. Trump’s team has less than four months to strengthen Vance’s profile. Already, a collection of political foes — Democrats and Republicans — is working to fill the information void with a series of attacks seizing on Vance’s inexperience in government, his nationalist views and his history of condemning Trump himself.
