June 26, 2024 3:54 am
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Pa. —(WPXI)-A brazen carjacking was caught on video in California. Police say a man pretended to help an elderly woman with her walker, then pushed her down and stole her car. The incident happened in front of Liberty Tower in California, Pa. According to police, James Sickles, who smiled for his mug shot, asked the elderly woman if she needed help getting out of her car, and offered to hold her walker for her. Police say he took off in her car toward Clarksville. Police found the car crashed into a guide rail, with Sickles nowhere in sight. According to detectives, he ran to his stepfather’s home nearby, and told him “I’m going to prison.” Sickles is now behind bars, he faces aggravated assault and robbery charges.
June 26, 2024 4:13 am
A Donora man has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of violating federal firearms and narcotics laws. The announcement from United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan names Tre Goins, 30 as the sole defendant in the three count indictment. According to the indictment, on May 24, 2024 investigators found Goins to be in possession of fentanyl and cocaine that he intended to distribute. He was also in possession of a firearm. Goins is a previously convicted felon and not allowed to possess a firearm. If convicted, Goins could be sentenced to 5-20 years in prison or a fine of $1 million or both.
June 25, 2024 4:37 am
EAST PALESTINE, Ohio (AP) — National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy says Norfolk Southern repeatedly tried to interfere with the investigation into the East Palestine, Ohio, derailment and shape its conclusions about what the agency called a flawed decision to blow open five tank cars and burn the vinyl chloride inside. The NTSB also confirmed at Tuesday’s hearing that a flaming wheel bearing caused the February 2023 derailment in East Palestine. The agency approved more than two dozen recommendations to prevent similar disasters. Investigators say the railroad and its contractors ignored data about the tank cars and failed to accurately present information to decision-makers from the chemical manufacturer.
June 25, 2024 4:49 pm
(AP) – Second gentleman Douglas Emhoff and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro are among the dignitaries marking the groundbreaking of a new structure replacing the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh. That’s where 11 worshipers were murdered in 2018 in the deadliest act of antisemitism in U.S. history. Plans for the new complex include a cultural center, sanctuary, educational center and museum along with a memorial to the worshipers from three congregations who were murdered on the Sabbath morning of Oct. 27, 2018. The new design is by renowned architect Daniel Libeskind, whose previous works include Jewish museums, Holocaust memorials and the master plan for the redevelopment of the World Trade Center after 9/11. (Photo: AP)
June 25, 2024 4:24 pm
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Floodwaters have breached levees in Iowa, creating dangerous conditions that prompted evacuations as the deluged Midwest faces another round of severe storms. The sheriff’s office in Monona County says the Little Sioux River breached levees in several areas Tuesday. Evacuation orders were issued and roads were closed in the area. No injuries were immediately reported. Iowa officials say they expect to close parts of two highways near Council Bluffs because of floodwaters. At least two deaths are being blamed on the storms. President Joe Biden has declared a major disaster for several counties in Iowa to free up federal aid. (Photo: AP)
June 25, 2024 4:12 pm
EAST PALESTINE, Ohio (AP) — The National Transportation Safety Board says Norfolk Southern and its contractors botched the decision to blow open five vinyl chloride tank cars after last year’s disastrous derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, and track-side detectors that might have prevented the crash failed to accurately detect the temperature of a burning wheel bearing 20 miles beforehand, according to the National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation. Investigators said the railroad and its contractors ignored data about the tank cars and failed to accurately present information to decision-makers from the chemical manufacturer. The NTSB also recommended that federal standards be established for the track-side detectors that are supposed to catch mechanical problems that cause derailments.
June 25, 2024 8:22 am
East Washington police arrested a man Sunday night after he allegedly tried to set his home on fire with a woman and a 4-year-old child inside. Thirty seven year old Donald Lee Kosek, of East Washington, faces felony charges of arson and terroristic threats. The criminal complaint states that Kosek tried to light a pair of boxer shorts on fire in front of his door. He also tried to pull a plastic pool from the trash and set it on fire. Kosek is in the Washington County Jail on $100,000 bond.
June 25, 2024 4:58 am
A shooting occurred Monday night in the City of Washington. According to Washington County 9-1-1, the incident happened at 555 Broad Street at 11:15 PM. One person was injured and taken to the hospital. No one has been apprehended for the shooting. No further details are available.
June 25, 2024 4:13 am
SAIPAN, Northern Mariana Islands (AP) — WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has arrived in Saipan ahead of an expected guilty plea in a deal with the U.S. Justice Department that will set him free to return home to Australia. The plane carrying the eccentric computer expert and internet publisher touched down more than two hours before the scheduled start of a plea hearing. He is set to admit to a felony for publishing U.S. military secrets under a deal that spares him prison time in America after years spent jailed in the United Kingdom while fighting extradition to America.
June 25, 2024 4:10 am
NEW YORK (AP) — A judge has modified Donald Trump’s gag order, freeing the former president to comment about witnesses and jurors in his New York hush money criminal trial but keeping court and prosecution staff off limits. Judge Juan M. Merchan issued his decision on Tuesday. Trump’s lawyers had wanted the gag order fully lifted. They argued there was nothing to justify continued restrictions on Trump’s First Amendment rights after the trial ended May 30 in his conviction for falsifying records to cover up a potential sex scandal. Prosecutors had urged Merchan to keep most of the gag order in place at least until Trump is sentenced on July 11, but said they’d be OK with modifying it.
