March 4, 2025 2:22 am
Washington City Council will have a largely procedural voting meeting when they meet on Thursday. Most of the meeting will be approvals of bills and contracts. One item that stands out will be the hiring of a new city administrator. Current city administrator Donn Henderson announced in February that he will be leaving the position on April 12. In other business council will vote on two ordinances. One will update the city maintenance code by adopting the 2021 edition of the International Property Maintenance Code. The second ordinance modifies the quality of life ordinance. It will increase fines from $25 to $50. Council will meet at 6:00 pm on Thursday.
March 4, 2025 2:18 am
Lent begins on Wednesday, as millions of people across the globe head to church to receive ashes in the shape of a cross on their foreheads. During Lent, Catholics observe days of fast and abstinence from meat in the Catholic Church and Ash Wednesday is regarded as one of the most sacred days of the year for all Christians.. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fast and abstinence and all Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence in the United States. Individuals who have a medical condition in which fasting may be considered harmful are not obliged to fast, but should perform some other act of penance or charity. According to the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh, the forty day Lenten season of prayer and penance is meant to convert hearts and minds back to God and Bishop David Zubik says this Lenten season is especially significant since it takes place during the Jubilee Year of Hope, a beautiful time for Christians to turn to the love and mercy of God. Distribution of ashes will be performed at all parishes. You’re urged to contact your parish for their schedule for distribution of ashes. Also during Lent, many churches and organizations host a fish fry. (Photo: AP)
March 3, 2025 5:51 pm
ROME (AP) — The Vatican says that Pope Francis has suffered two new episodes of acute respiratory crises and has been put back on noninvasive mechanical ventilation. Doctors extracted “copious” amounts of mucus from his lungs in another setback in what has become a more than two-week battle to overcome a complex respiratory infection and pneumonia. In a late update Monday, the Vatican said the episodes were caused by a “significant accumulation” of mucus in his lungs and bronchial spasms. “Two bronchoscopies were performed with the need for aspiration of copious secretions,” the Vatican said. Francis remained alert, oriented and cooperated with medical personnel. The prognosis remained guarded. (Photo: AP)
March 3, 2025 5:18 am
LOS ANGELES (AP) — “Anora,” a strip-club Cinderalla story without the fairy tale ending, was crowned best picture at the 97th Academy Awards on Sunday, handing Sean Baker’s gritty, Brooklyn-set screwball farce Hollywood’s top prize. Adrien Brody won best actor for his performance in “The Brutalist.” Mikey Madison won best actress for “Anora.” The Oscars spread the love around, dishing out awards to “Conclave,” “Wicked” and “The Substance.” Eight of the 10 movies nominated for best picture came away with at least one award at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday. Zoe Saldaña won best supporting actress, delivering a heartfelt speech thanking her family. The night’s first award, presented by Robert Downey Jr., went to Kieran Culkin for best supporting actor.
March 3, 2025 5:16 am
DETROIT (AP) — President Donald Trump’s trade wars threaten to claim a casualty on the home front: the American auto industry. If the president goes ahead with 25% taxes on imports from Canada and Mexico on Tuesday, he will disrupt more than $300 billion in annual U.S. automotive trade with its two neighbors, wreck supply chains that have been operating for decades and likely push up the already-forbidding price of new cars. One expert says the tariffs pose an “existential’’ threat to North American auto production.
March 3, 2025 5:14 am
LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has rallied his European counterparts to shore up their borders and throw their full weight behind Ukraine as he announced outlines of a plan to end Russia’s war. “Every nation must contribute to that in the best way that it can, bringing different capabilities and support to the table, but all taking responsibility to act, all stepping up their own share of the burden,” he said. Starmer’s exhortation to 18 fellow leaders that they need to do the heavy lifting for their own security comes two days after U.S. backing of Ukraine appeared in jeopardy when President Donald Trump lashed out at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
March 3, 2025 5:13 am
Israel has cut off the entry of all food and other goods into Gaza in an echo of the siege it imposed in the earliest days of its war with Hamas. The United Nations and other humanitarian aid providers are sharply criticizing the decision and calling it a violation of international law. Israel is trying to pressure the Hamas militant group to agree to what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government describes as a U.S. proposal to extend the ceasefire’s first phase instead negotiating its second phase.
March 3, 2025 5:10 am
Crews battled wildfires in North and South Carolina amid dry conditions and gusty winds as residents were forced to evacuate in some areas. In South Carolina, Gov. Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency Sunday to support the response effort and a statewide burning ban remained in effect. Crews have made progress containing a fire in the Carolina Forest area west of the coastal resort city of Myrtle Beach and evacuations were lifted by late afternoon. In North Carolina, evacuations for the town of Tryon remained in effect. A decision on whether to lift them was expected to be made Monday.
March 3, 2025 5:08 am
SPRINGDALE, Pa. — Crews attempted to demolish the last building standing at the old Cheswick power plant in Springdale on Sunday morning. The entire boiler house was set to be brought down with cables. However, when the demolition happened around 9:30 a.m., only part of the building collapsed, sending a cloud of dust into the air. The building didn’t fall entirely because of an issue with the cables. After assessing the building, engineers determined that around 70% had collapsed. In a press briefing on Sunday afternoon, officials said they planned to bring down the remaining structure on March 8 between 10 a.m. and noon, weather permitting. Officials said the Cheswick Power Station property owner and its contractor have ensured the remaining structure is currently stable.
March 3, 2025 5:02 am
Health officials have confirmed a case of measles in Pennsylvania. An investigation is underway into the case which involves an unvaccinated child in Montgomery County. Officials say they are working with the child’s guardians and health care providers for contact tracing and notifying anyone who might have been exposed to the virus. The case comes as measles cases are popping up around the country. One child has died from measles in Texas where an outbreak has infected more than 140 people.
