August 17, 2026 5:41 pm
HARRISBURG – Attorney General Dave Sunday announced that a former Western Pennsylvania-based Ukrainian Catholic priest is charged with theft and financial exploitation regarding more than $740,000 stolen from three churches, church affiliates, and the priest’s own mother. Gregory Allen Madeya, 69, is charged with felony dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, theft by unlawful taking, theft by failure to make required disposition of funds, financial exploitation of an older adult or care-dependent person, and access device fraud. Madeya, now residing in Florida, was arrested Friday in Vero Beach, and is awaiting extradition back to Pennsylvania. According to the investigation, Madeya is charged with thefts dating back to 2018. He stole from churches and the Knights of Columbus, and nearly $250,000 from his mother, who was of the age when she could not manage her own finances. “It is unconscionable to see a supposed man of God exploiting not only the churches he served, but his own mother,” Attorney General Sunday said. “This defendant abused the trust of those around him, and left them to recover from mammoth financial losses.” These charges stem from a multi-year, exhaustive investigation into Madeya’s conduct. On Madeya’s electronic devices, investigators found messages and photos related to narcotics as well as photographs of debit cards and bank documents related to his church, St. John the Baptist. In Madeya’s trash, agents found several church-offering collection envelopes.
August 17, 2026 3:46 pm
LATROBE, Pa. (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike McCarthy’s first training camp with the team ended a day early after storms disrupted the practice schedule. Bumpy weather in western Pennsylvania over the last few weeks forced the Steelers to modify their practice plans, but McCarthy says he doesn’t intend to suggest the team stop making its annual trek to the small college about an hour east of Pittsburgh. McCarthy said the intimate environment at Saint Vincent is an invaluable part of the team-building process.
August 17, 2026 4:49 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to scale back annual joint military exercises with South Korea. He explained the decision by saying South Korea had declined to help with the “denuclearization” of Iran and he cited his good relationship with North Korea’s leader. Trump said in a social media post on Sunday that the exercises are costly and “send a signal that is totally inappropriate and hostile” to North Korea, which he said “has been unthreatening and respectful” during his time in the White House. The 11 days of exercises involving 18,000 South Korean soldiers began Monday and were designed to beef up readiness against North Korean threats.
August 17, 2026 4:46 am
ETTRICK, Va. (AP) — Authorities are seeking additional people who fired weapons during a weekend shooting at Virginia State University that left five people wounded. A 19-year-old suspect remained in custody on Sunday. Investigators are trying to determine if others who fired weapons did so in self-defense or if they were aggressors. The shooting just after 1:30 a.m. Saturday came as students were getting ready for the new school year. The suspect is not a student but was found hiding in a dormitory closet Saturday afternoon. He faces four counts of malicious wounding and four counts of using a firearm during a felony. Only one of the victims is a student.
August 17, 2026 4:44 am
BOGOTÁ, Colombia (AP) — Colombia’s President Abelardo de la Espriella has asked U.S. President Donald Trump to suspend tariffs to help Colombia recover from a devastating earthquake. The 7.4 magnitude quake struck Monday, killing at least 289 people and injuring nearly 4,000. De la Espriella, who took office earlier this month, emphasized his connections with Trump, thanking him for $26.5 million in U.S. aid. The quake destroyed thousands of homes, including in western cities like Pereira and Cali. The government declared it a natural disaster, with at least143 people missing and extensive damage reported. Rescue efforts continue despite the challenging conditions.
August 17, 2026 4:43 am
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Hayden Panettiere has died at age 36. She starred in television series including “Heroes” and “Nashville.” Panettiere’s father, Skip, announced the actor’s death in a statement provided to ABC News Sunday. No cause of death was announced, and a publicist did not immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press. Panettiere had a prolific career dating to 1996, and her credits included the voice of Dot in “A Bug’s Life,” “Remember the Titans” and “Scream VI.” Her role as a cheerleader with superpowers in “Heroes” propelled her to fame, with the series revolving around the mantra “Save the cheerleader, save the world.”
August 16, 2026 4:38 am
Once again, strong storms rolled through Washington County and caused damage in several areas. Flooding and its damage were the main concern once again in Canonsburg. Our news partner Channel 11 was in Canonsburg talking to business owners along West Pike Street. This is the second time in two weeks that flooding has affected the area near Mcburney Road. Cheryl Homerosky owns a tanning salon, she is frustrated because she has to re do the work they did a few weeks back. Sharon Mastrangioli is a business owner and wants the appropriate people to step up and fix the flooding issues that are causing the frustration of business owners along West Pike Street.
August 17, 2026 4:32 am
Washington County 9-1-1 Dispatchers report that a fire occurred in Midway Borough overnight. They say a fire in a home broke out just after midnight. It happened in the 100 block of South Main Street in Midway. According to the Midway Fire Chief, a domestic situation may have occurred prior to the fire. As crews arrived, an occupant that lived with their family in the home ran off. Smith Township Police posted on their Facebook page that prior to the fire, they were dispatched to the home for a domestic incident. It states that Michael Higgins was seen by a witness intentionally setting fire to the home. After a brief chase, he was apprehended. He has been charged with causing or risking a catastrophe and terroristic threats, among other charges. Higgins is now in the Washington County Jail awaiting arraignment. The Fire Marshal is investigating.
August 17, 2026 3:48 pm
(AP) – Two weeks before classes, Darryl Canady learned students at the all-boys charter school he founded near Pittsburgh would not receive traditional bus rides. The Woodland Hills School District decided to provide Pittsburgh Regional Transit cards instead. The district’s decision aligns with a Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling allowing districts to end bus service for charter students if alternative free transportation is provided. This move has sparked concerns about safety and reliability among parents and charter school advocates. The court ruling provided clarity, but the issue isn’t settled. Republican lawmakers in Harrisburg are backing measures that would effectively undo pieces of the ruling, and charter school advocates are considering further court action.
August 16, 2026 4:34 am
Flooding occurred all over the area near Canonsburg. Local news reports had flooding on Interstate 79 North near the Southpointe interchange. A social media post showed Route 19 flooded near Demar Blvd. in North Strabane Township. In Cecil Township, Hahn Drive was reported to have been flooded. Cecil Township Police, in a social media post said that North Depaoli Road, Georgetown Road, Morganza Road and Valley street all were affected by severe flooding. And, in social media posts from Peters Township, Valleybrook Road near E. McMurray Road was flooded, as was a portion of E. McMurray Road near Donaldson’s Crossroads. Washington County 9-1-1 is reporting that there are no known road closures at this time. When you are out driving, exercise caution because ponding water is still evident in low lying areas.
