December 11, 2025 6:50 am
NEW YORK (AP) — A judge has ruled that secret grand jury transcripts from Jeffrey Epstein’s 2019 sex trafficking case can be made public. The judge Wednesday joined two other judges in granting the Justice Department’s requests to unseal material from investigations into the late financier’s sexual abuse. U.S. District Judge Richard M. Berman in New York reversed his earlier decision to keep the material under wraps, citing a new law that requires the government to open its files on Epstein and his longtime confidant Ghislaine Maxwell. The judge previously cautioned that the 70 or so pages of grand jury materials slated for release are hardly revelatory. On Tuesday, another Manhattan federal judge ordered the release of records from Maxwell’s 2021 case.
December 11, 2025 6:48 am
A unique opportunity is taking place at the Tanger Outlets that will allow people to extend their holiday spirit to those in need. The Giving Machines made their debut on Wednesday. The idea comes from the Church of the Latter Day Saints. The vending machines allow people to purchase needed items for those less fortunate to get them through everyday life. Ryan Holder, Pittsburgh Joint City Lead for the Giving Machine says that anything can be purchased, from goats and chickens, utility payments and bedding. One of the local charities taking part is Auberle. They operate the Mt. Oliver Family Healing Center that allows entire families to live together while those suffering from addiction work on their recovery. Darla Poole, CEO of Auberle says that some of the items that they offer will be the standard cleaning products and diapers. They also will offer vacuum cleaners. She says that often times vacuum cleaners are too expensive an item for people to afford. The Giving Machines are located in 125 cities in 30 states and in 21 countries around the world. In this area, donations may be purchased for five area charities. They include Auberle, The Brashear Association, Catholic Charities, JFCS and SHIM. Global groups include Church World Services and the American Red Cross. The program is now underway and will last until January 4. Saturday December 13 will be Auberle Day.
December 11, 2025 5:58 am
A Washington man is facing numerous charges after police say he threatened employees and customers inside the Waffle House along Murtland Avenue late Monday night. Police say 30 year old Joshua King got into an argument inside the restaurant and then left to go to his vehicle in the parking lot. According to the criminal complaint, King retrieved a semi-automatic handgun and then pointed it thru the front windows of the restaurant towards occupants inside. King then allegedly went back inside and threatened to kill employees. Several customers fled or hid in the restroom. King then fled the scene but was stopped by City of Washington Police. A 9-mm handgun was found inside the vehicle. King is last reported in the Washington County Jail.
December 11, 2025 4:58 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House votes to pass a sweeping defense policy bill that authorizes $900 billion in military programs. The bill includes a pay raise for troops and an overhaul of how the Department of Defense buys weapons. It comes at a time of increasing friction between the Republican-controlled Congress and how President Donald Trump’s administration has handled the military. The White House has signaled “strong support” for the must-pass legislation and says it is in line with Trump’s national security agenda. Yet tucked into the over-3,000-page bill are several measures that push back on the Department of Defense.
December 11, 2025 4:57 am
RANDOLPH, Minn. (AP) — Farmers in the U.S. are feeling the strain from trade disputes, particularly with China. President Donald Trump has announced $12 billion in aid to help them, but many farmers say it’s not enough. Gene Stehly, a South Dakota farmer, believes the aid is insufficient to cover losses from low commodity prices and declining sales. Farmers like Charlie Radman and Bryant Kagay express frustration, saying they need more certainty and new markets, not just temporary payments. The aid is seen as a stopgap, with many farmers wanting solutions to rising costs and market access beyond China.
December 11, 2025 4:10 am
The methods used to distribute opioid settlement funds in Washington County has come under criticism once again. This time it is the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania leveling the complaint. The Pennsylvania Opioid Misuse and Addiction Abatement Trust is the committee that oversees Pennslyvania’s opioid settlement trust fund. According to the Observer Reporter, in a meeting on December 4, the committee rejected eight applicants and put nine other applicants under review. Singling out Washington County, the committee has decided to assign a liaison to monitor the awarding of future grants. Eight grants were considered non-compliant. The county now has the option to take back that grant money, or proceed to award those grants, however that money would come from county funds and not opioid settlement funds. This decision comes on the heels of criticism by the Washington County Drug and Alcohol Commission asking for clarity on the distribution of opioid settlement funds and the reasoning behind establishing a drug and alcohol treatment division in the county’s Human Services department.
December 11, 2025 2:50 am
Two people are wanted by police in Canton Township after a decomposed body was found last year in the home where they were living. Authorities say the couple was living with the body of 64-year-old Michael Bebout for some six months. On Wednesday, police filed charges against James and Debbie Bebout. Authorities say the couple was continuing to cash his Social Security checks, and deposited more than $20,000 from Michael Bebout’s government benefits into their accounts while his body lay in his bed. Police were called to the home in January, after James Bebout reported he thought his brother was dead. According to the criminal complaint, James told officers he found Michael “stiff as a board” when he went to give him breakfast. When officers checked the bedroom, they found only skeletal remains. James and Debbie Bebout are now charged with theft, conspiracy and abuse of a corpse. The two are wanted and believed to be in the Washington County area.
December 11, 2025 2:27 am
A Washington County jury deliberated about nine hours before returning a mixed verdict in the case against Jose Zaragoza of Washington. Zaragoza was accused of strangling and attempting to kidnap the mother of their child. The incident occurred in the parking lot of the Giant Eagle in South Strabane Township. Prosecutors wound up testimony with police accounts of their interaction with the victim Liliana Escobar both at the scene and in subsequent interviews during the investigation. Zaragoza took the stand in his own defense. His account was 180 degrees opposite of the victim. He says that he reached into the car to try and hug Escobar. Her reaction caused him to put his hand over her mouth and nose and her throat as he tried to back away from her reaction to his hug. When asked why he drove off after he offered to call police for help from his cell phone and strangers arrived to the victim’s cries for help, he said that he did not want to get into trouble. The jury returned a not guilty verdict on two counts, but rendered a deadlocked verdict on the remaining two charges. The commonwealth must now decide whether to re-try him on the two deadlocked verdicts. Zaragoza remains in the Washington County Jail.
December 10, 2025 5:44 pm
NEW YORK (AP) — A judge has ruled that secret grand jury transcripts from Jeffrey Epstein’s 2019 sex trafficking case can be made public. The judge Wednesday joined two other judges in granting the Justice Department’s requests to unseal material from investigations into the late financier’s sexual abuse. U.S. District Judge Richard M. Berman in New York reversed his earlier decision to keep the material under wraps, citing a new law that requires the government to open its files on Epstein and his longtime confidant Ghislaine Maxwell. The judge previously cautioned that the 70 or so pages of grand jury materials slated for release are hardly revelatory. On Tuesday, another Manhattan federal judge ordered the release of records from Maxwell’s 2021 case. (Photo: AP)
December 10, 2025 5:39 pm
(AP) – Federal health officials have expanded an outbreak of infant botulism tied to ByHeart baby formula to include any illnesses reported since the company began production in 2022. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday that at least 51 babies in 19 states have been sickened since 2023. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said new cases include any infants with botulism who consumed ByHeart formula since the product’s release. The outbreak was announced on Nov. 8. ByHeart recalled all of its products sold in the U.S. and around the world on Nov. 11th. (Photo: AP)
