July 31, 2025 2:44 am
South Strabane Township Supervisors needed some time to review several housekeeping issues, so therefore they continued their July 22 meeting to July 30. Chief among the issues voted on was a lease agreement for a ladder truck that has been ordered for the fire department. According to Fire Chief Jordan Cramer, the 10 year lease agreement has a more than $600,000 balloon payment at the end of the contract. Cramer says that it is a cost savings mechanism for the township. He says that there are bond issues coming up in the next several years, and if interest rates are lower than the lease payments, the payment for the remainder of the $1.3 million dollar apparatus could be rolled into that bond issue. Cramer says that it is conceivable that could provide additional interest savings. The item passed 3-2 with supervisors Jeff Bull and George Rowand dissenting. Bull still feels that the ladder truck is an expense that should not have been approved. He points to mutual aid companies that he says could provide adequate ladder truck services. Cramer disagrees. He pointed to the December 2022 fire at the Thomas Campbell Apartments. He says the township’s current truck was unable to adequately serve the purposes needed that day. One person died in that fire. An area that both Bull and Cramer agree on is the idea of countywide services for organizations like fire departments. Bull feels that would be a better use of public funds. Cramer agrees, pointing to increasing costs of equipment and struggles to find fire fighters. In other township business, supervisors approved a plan put forth by township Roadmaster Kevin Montgomery to reopen Berry Road. He says that he can reopen the road for just over $2500 in materials and township manpower in a period of a couple of days. He was extremely direct in warning supervisors that this would be just a temporary fix to reopen the road. The proper solution would be to repair the road correctly by using a box culvert system to better manage storm water runoff. Berry Road has been closed since a severe rainstorm collapsed part of the road during Father’s Day weekend.
July 31, 2025 4:57 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration says billions of dollars in aid to Pennsylvania’s schools and human services will be delayed, as he and the politically divided Legislature struggle to end a monthlong budget stalemate. Shapiro’s administration said in letters sent Tuesday that state-supported universities, libraries, early-childhood education programs and county health departments also will see payment delays. Shapiro and top Republican lawmakers have said they’re trying to find a compromise. Without the governor’s signature on a new spending plan, the state lost some of its spending authority starting July 1. Budget stalemates are also playing out in Michigan and North Carolina, where Democratic governors are sharing power with Republican legislators.
July 31, 2025 2:46 am
PennDOT has announced that the scheduled closure of Bebout Road between East McMurray Road and Sugar Camp Road in Peters Township, that began on May 27th, will now remain closed until mid-to late August. They say no access remains from Bebout Road to East McMurray Road. Crews from Plum Contracting are reconstructing the intersection of Bebout and East McMurray Road – an infrastructure investment of $4.1 million. The scope of work includes widening East McMurray Road to accommodate northbound and southbound left-turn lanes, along with a minor alignment shift, and widening Bebout Road to include a westbound right-turn lane. They say construction is anticipated to last through late November, depending on weather and operational conditions.
July 31, 2025 2:15 pm
(WPXI) MCKEESPORT, Pa. — A man is dead and a woman is in critical condition after what police believe was an attempted murder-suicide in McKeesport early Thursday. Allegheny County Police said 911 was called around 12:29 a.m. for a shooting in the 2300 block of Grandview Avenue. When first responders arrived, they found a man and a woman shot inside a home. The woman was taken to a hospital in critical condition. The man was pronounced dead on the scene. The medical examiner’s office identified the man as 50-year-old Carlos Watts. Police said the preliminary investigation shows Watts shot the woman and then shot himself. Allegheny County Police continue to investigate.
July 31, 2025 2:37 pm
(WPXI) A man is accused of stealing a delivery driver’s truck, then dragging him the length of a football field on Pittsburgh’s South Side. Robert Howard, 27, is facing charges of aggravated assault, robbery, theft by unlawful taking, fleeing from police and more. The victim told police he ran inside while making a delivery along South 21st Street. When the victim came back out, he told police Howard was in his truck. The victim said Howard hit the gas as he grabbed one of the door handles and was dragged roughly 100 yards, according to the criminal complaint. Police tracked the truck using surveillance cameras – and eventually arrested Howard at gunpoint on Saint Thomas Street in the South Side Slopes. Howard was taken to the Allegheny County Jail, where he was unable to post bond.
July 31, 2025 3:05 pm
(WPXI) PITTSBURGH — A water main break along Arlington Avenue in Pittsburgh’s South Side Slopes has shut off the water for some residents. Neighbors say it’s the third water main break this summer, and they are growing frustrated living without water. Two of the water main breaks, including Thursday’s, were lines from Pennsylvania American Water. The first was on June 17. “It’s the cost of no water. My wife and I are both disabled, so it makes things a lot more difficult, especially when we have to carry water in for drinking,” said Donald Dieterle. Neighbors said that during the last water main break, there was a sinkhole in the middle of the road. Around 100 customers are impacted by this break, and water is expected to be restored this afternoon.
July 31, 2025 5:13 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says the United States and India are still negotiating on trade despite new tariffs slated to begin in a few days. Trump told reporters Wednesday he’ll “see what happens.” India’s government says it’s studying the implications of Trump’s announcement he’ll impose a 25% tariff on goods from India, plus an additional import tax because of its purchasing of Russian oil. Trump intends to charge an additional “penalty” starting Friday as part of the launch of his administration’s revised tariffs on multiple countries. India’s Trade Ministry says it remains committed to negotiating a “fair, balanced and mutually beneficial” bilateral trade agreement.
July 30, 2025 2:24 pm
ISLAMABAD (AP) — The United States and Pakistan say they have reached a trade agreement that is expected to allow Washington to help develop Pakistan’s largely untapped oil reserves and lower tariffs for the South Asian country. Pakistani officials did not specify where the exploration would take place, but most of Pakistan’s reserves are believed to be in the insurgency-hit southwestern province of Balochistan, where separatists oppose any foreign investment. Early Thursday, U.S. President Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform: “We have just concluded a deal with the country of Pakistan, whereby Pakistan and the United States will work together on developing their massive oil reserves.” Pakistan’s premier also hailed the agreement.
July 31, 2025 5:14 am
TORONTO (AP) — Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada will recognize a Palestinian state in September, the latest development in a push against Israel’s Gaza policies. Carney convened a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday to discuss the situation there. Pressure to formally recognize Palestinian statehood has mounted since French President Emmanuel Macron announced his country will become the first major Western power to recognize a Palestinian state in September. The United Kingdom made a similar announcement on Tuesday. Though mostly symbolic, Canada’s recognition comes as part of a global shift against Israel and could increase diplomatic pressure for an end to the conflict. More than 140 countries recognize a Palestinian state, including a dozen in Europe.
July 31, 2025 5:14 am
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — At least 48 Palestinians have been killed while waiting for food at a crossing in the Gaza Strip. That’s according to a hospital that received the casualties Wednesday. It was the latest violence around aid distribution came as the U.S. Mideast envoy was heading to Israel for talks. Shifa Hospital in Gaza City said the dead and wounded were among crowds massed at the Zikim Crossing, the main entry point for humanitarian aid to northern Gaza. It wasn’t immediately clear who opened fire. The Israeli military controls the crossing. Israeli strikes and gunfire had earlier killed at least 46 Palestinians overnight and into Wednesday, most of them among crowds seeking food, health officials said.
