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WJPA News Archive

Georgetown Estates Fire Ruled An Accident

October 23, 2023 2:26 am

CECIL TOWNSHIP, Pa. (WPXI) – A fire in Cecil Township that destroyed five townhomes and damaged 11 others was sparked by “careless smoking,” according to state police. The fire raged from home to home on May 31 in Georgetown Estates, a townhouse community. It started in a garage around 4 p.m. that day, and neighbors rushed to save people. The aftermath was devastating. Nearly five months later state police fire marshalls have completed their investigation, citing “careless smoking” that started the fire. The cause was ruled an accident and no charges will be filed. The fire left multiple families homeless and left neighbors with fears about how quickly the fire spread, questioning whether the townhomes had firewalls. The fire marshall confirmed the homes do have firewalls. At the time of the fire, the chief had said the fire traveled through the attics. The state police investigation is completed and the report is now in the hands of the insurance companies.

Man Extricated After Crash In North Strabane

October 23, 2023 2:00 am

NORTH STRABANE TOWNSHIP, Pa. — One man was trapped inside a vehicle following a rollover crash along Route 19 early Sunday morning. According to reports, the vehicle was on its roof near the Sheetz gas station when crews from the North Strabane Fire and Police Department, Peters Township Fire Department and Ambulance and Chair EMS arrived just after 1:00 a.m. Officials say the man was not responsive at first, but after getting him out of the vehicle he was conscious. There was no word on the man’s identity or condition following the crash.

Venezuelans Now Largest Nationality Coming Over Border

October 22, 2023 8:11 am

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Venezuelans became the largest nationality arrested for illegally crossing the U.S. border last month, replacing Mexicans for the first time on record. Figures released Saturday also show that September was the second-highest month for arrests of all nationalities. U.S. Customs and Border Protection says arrests for the government’s budget year ended Sept. 30 topped 2 million for the second year in a row. Venezuelans were arrested nearly 55,000 times by the Border Patrol after entering from Mexico in September. That’s more than double the number from August and well above the previous monthly high of about 34,000 arrests in September 2022.

Protesters March In London As War Roils The World

October 22, 2023 8:10 am

LONDON (AP) — Tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators are marching in London and other cities to demand Israel stop its bombardment of Gaza. Protesters gathered at London’s Marble Arch before marching to the government district, Whitehall on Saturday. Police estimate the crowd snaking through central London at “up to 100,000.” They called for an end to Israel’s blockade and airstrikes launched in the wake of a brutal incursion into southern Israel by Hamas militants. The war has sparked both pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli protests around the world. In Australia, thousands marched through central Sydney, shouting “Shame, shame Israel” and “Palestine will never die.” Several hundred marched in the Italian capital, Rome. Police in Berlin banned a pro-Palestinian rally on Sunday.

Death Toll In West Bank Surges

October 22, 2023 8:07 am

JERUSALEM (AP) — Deadly violence has been surging in the Israeli-occupied West Bank as the Israeli military pursues Palestinian militants in the aftermath of the Hamas attack. As of Sunday, at least 90 Palestinians have been killed there in the past two weeks, mainly in clashes with Israeli troops. The violence threatens to open another front in the 2-week-old war and puts pressure on the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority. The PA administers parts of the West Bank and is deeply unpopular among Palestinians, in large part because it cooperates with Israel on security matters. Israel has carried out airstrikes on two occasions in recent days. The rare use of aerial attacks in the territory suggests a shift in military tactics.

Two Hurricanes Make Landfall

October 22, 2023 8:06 am

CABO SAN LUCAS, Mexico (AP) — Hurricane Norma came ashore near the Pacific resort of Los Cabos at the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula. Hours later, Hurricane Tammy made landfall on the Caribbean island of Barbuda. After making landfall Saturday afternoon, the U.S. National Hurricane Center says Norma threatens heavy rainfall and flash flooding early Sunday while moving into mainland Mexico. Once a Category 4 hurricane, Norma came ashore as a Category 1 hurricane. The center says Hurricane Tammy is moving north-northwest around 10 mph with hurricane warnings in effect for the islands of Barbuda, Anguilla, St. Martin and St. Barthelmy.

Six Dead In Russian Rocket Strike On Ukraine

October 22, 2023 8:05 am

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian officials say six people have died in a missile strike on a mail depot in the eastern city of Kharkiv. A further 16 people were injured in the blast, which is believed to have been caused by a Russian S-300 rocket, the Kharkiv governor said on social media. Meanwhile, officials in southern Ukraine said Sunday that the Russian military had used a record number of aerial bombs over the country’s Kherson region. A spokesperson for the Ukrainian military’s Operational Command South said that 36 missiles had been recorded over the area in the past 24 hours.

Israel Strikes Gaza, Syria And West Bank

October 22, 2023 8:04 am

RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli warplanes have struck targets across Gaza as well as two airports in neighboring Syria as the 2-week-old war with Hamas in Gaza threatens to spiral into a broader conflict. Israel has traded fire with Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group on a near-daily basis since the war began, and tensions are also soaring in the Israeli-occupied West Bank where Israeli forces have battled militants in refugee camps and carried out two airstrikes in recent days. For days, Israel has seemed to be on the verge of launching a ground offensive in Gaza as part of its response to Hamas’ deadly Oct. 7 rampage. A convoy of 17 aid trucks was allowed to enter Gaza from Egypt on Sunday, the second shipment in two days.

County Chamber Sponsors Candidates Forum

October 22, 2023 3:48 am

The Washington County Chamber of Commerce held a County Commissioners Candidates Forum on Friday. The forum was moderated by Jezree Friend, Assistant Vice President of the Manufacturer and Business Association. Keeping in mind the Chamber’s “Washington County Forward” initiative, questions centered on the development of a diverse economy, ground development and redevelopment, population growth and effective government. All four candidates for County Commissioner, incumbents Larry Maggi (D), Nick Sherman (R) and their running mates Cindy Fisher (D) and Electra Janis (R), were on hand to answer questions. On creating a diverse economy, Maggi indicated that local government can assist but the best thing they can do is stay out of the way and let business people, large and small, do what they do best. Sherman indicated that the ongoing merger between the Washington Health System and UPMC is a positive in an effort to grow the medical and pharmaceutical industries in the county. Fisher looks to refill Southpointe with hydrogen and carbon capture businesses. Janis wants to increase emphasis on the trades and trade schools. Jeff Kotula, President of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce called the event a success. He said it allowed the audience a good look at the candidates and their stances on driving business success for the future.

Rt. 519 To Close In Houston

October 22, 2023 3:27 am

PennDot is announcing the upcoming closure of Rt. 519 in the Borough of Houston. They will be replacing the railroad crossing on South Main Street between Boone Avenue and Collier Street. This segment of Rt. 519 is scheduled to be closed on Thursday, October 26 through Tuesday, October 31. A detour will be in place. That detour will be utilizing Rt. 519, W. Pike Street, Racetrack Road, Interstate 79 back to Rt. 519. Motorists can be updated on traffic conditions by visiting www.511PA.com.