March 12, 2025 2:11 am
Washington County’s Public Affairs Director has resigned his position, following his arrest in Mahoning Valley, Ohio, on misdemeanor charges of engaging in prostitution and possession of criminal tools. The Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force says 55-year-old Patrick Geho responded to an ad and arranged to purchase sex from some females. Geho reportedly pleaded not guilty and was released on a personal recognizance bond. He is due in court June 2nd. Washington County Commissioners subsequently released the following statement: “When we became aware of the charges in Ohio, the commissioners immediately acted to place Mr. Geho on unpaid leave, pending further details. While this is now a matter for the Ohio courts, Pat and the commissioners understand that his continued employment would serve only as a distraction. Consequently, Pat has made the decision to leave his position, a decision we all agree is in the best interest of the people of Washington County.”
March 12, 2025 1:46 am
The second day of testimony in the child rape trial of Anthony Ardeno, Sr. has ended with the defense resting its case after Ardeno took the stand in his own defense. Morning defense testimony centered on Ardeno’s family members offering their views on his life in the community as a law abiding citizen. They described his demeanor and the victim’s demeanor at large gatherings where he and the victim were both in attendance. In afternoon testimony, Ardeno took the stand and described photos from large gatherings in which he and the victim were together and their proximity to each other after the assault allegations were made. In testimony pertinent to the time frame of the allegations, Ardeno said he had not been able to have sex since his mid 60’s because of debilitating back issues and erectile disfunction. Ardeno admitted to having a pornography collection. Under cross examination, prosecutors asked why he had a pornography collection if he had ED. They pushed further asking if his performance issues were because he preferred a six year old girl to an adult. Ardeno denied the allegation. Closing arguments and deliberations will take place on Thursday.
March 11, 2025 2:48 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he will double his planned tariffs on steel and aluminum from 25% to 50% for Canada, escalating a trade war with the United States’ northern neighbor and standing unmoved by recent stock market turmoil and rising recession risks. Trump said on social media that the increase of the tariffs set to take effect on Wednesday is a response to the price increases that the provincial government of Ontario put on electricity sold to the United States. After a brutal stock market selloff on Monday and further jitters Tuesday, Trump faces increased pressure to show he has a legitimate plan to grow the economy instead of perhaps pushing it into a recession. But so far the president is doubling down on the tariffs.
March 11, 2025 2:47 pm
JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — The Trump administration said Tuesday that it would immediately lift its suspension of military aid to Ukraine and its intelligence sharing with Kyiv. The announcement came a week after the measures were imposed to push Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to enter talks to end the war with invading Russian forces. The administration statement emerged at talks between Ukraine and the United States in Saudi Arabia. Ukraine also said it was open to a 30-day cease-fire in the war with Russia, subject to Kremlin agreement.
March 11, 2025 7:23 am
The State Police Fire Marshal is investigating a house fire in the City of Washington late Monday night. Washington County 9-1-1 says it broke out around 10 p.m in the 900-block of Bruce Street. Dispatchers say no injuries were reported.
March 11, 2025 5:16 am
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The owners of Brough Brothers bourbon in Kentucky are ready to put their business plan into action. They have a new distillery set to open soon. They hope to cultivate new markets in Canada and Europe, but those plans have been complicated by an emerging trade war instigated by President Donald Trump. Victor Yarbrough, the distiller’s CEO, says efforts to gain a foothold in Canada are on pause, as are plans to break into Germany and France with its bourbon. Other U.S. whiskey makers face similar dilemmas. Yarbrough calls distillers “collateral damage” in the disputes.
March 11, 2025 5:15 am
BENGALURU, India (AP) — Most of the world has dirty air, with just 17% of global cities meeting WHO air pollution guidelines, a report Tuesday found. The report, from the air quality monitoring database IQAir, looked at data from 138 countries and found that India is home to the greatest number of polluted cities, and Los Angeles ranked as the most polluted city in the United States. Air pollution is a major killer, with studies estimating it kills 9 million people worldwide a year and sickens millions more.
March 11, 2025 5:14 am
ROME (AP) — Pope Francis has woken up to good news from his doctors. They upgraded his prognosis and say he is no longer in imminent danger of death as a result of pneumonia. The 88-year-old pope isn’t out of the woods yet, however. Doctors are still cautious and have decided to keep him hospitalized for several more days to receive treatment, not to mention a period of rehabilitation he will likely need. The Vatican said Francis woke up Tuesday morning just after 8 a.m. after a quiet night.
March 11, 2025 5:13 am
NUUK, Greenland (AP) — The single polling station in Greenland’s capital city is ready. This big Arctic island with a tiny population holds early parliamentary elections on Tuesday that are being closely watched. U.S. President Donald Trump has made clear he wants to take control of the strategic North Atlantic location that holds rare earth minerals key to driving the global economy. Trump’s overtures aren’t on the ballot, but they are on everyone’s minds. This self-governing region of Denmark has been on a path toward independence since at least 2009. Now, Greenlanders are debating the best way to ensure they control their future.
March 11, 2025 5:12 am
Russia’s military says air defenses have shot down 337 Ukrainian drones over 10 Russian regions in a nighttime attack in what appeared to be the biggest Ukrainian drone attack on Russia in the three-year war. It came hours before the start of key Ukraine-U.S. talks in Saudi Arabia on how to stop Europe’s biggest conflict since World War II. Officials said the Ukrainian The attack caused the death of two people and injured 18 others, including three children. The drones didn’t cause large-scale damage. A senior Ukrainian delegation, meanwhile, was to meet with America’s top diplomat in Saudi Arabia about ending the three-year war with Russia. There was no immediate comment from Ukrainian or U.S. officials on the attack.
