October 17, 2025 2:53 am
Pennsylvania is now some three and a half months into its fiscal year and still has no budget. That problem has many counties looking at ways to survive. Worker furloughs and program cuts are now being instituted statewide. Commissioners Nick Sherman and Larry Maggi both expressed frustration with the lack of a budget because about 80% of the Washington County budget is dependent on the state. Both commissioners agree that the county is holding its own, but not for long. According to Maggi, prudent spending of past administrations have allowed the county to build up a prudent reserve. Sherman says recent actions such as its fleet services campaign and privatization of senior meals have contributed to helpful savings. Both commissioners are concerned that a continued stand off in Harrisburg will threaten services to the most vulnerable of citizens, children and the elderly. Sherman says that the county is working with the finance department daily to keep up with expenses. He is hoping that furloughs are not in the offing. He says that borrowing money is out of the question because of the interest that would be paid on the loan for however long the loan would last. Sherman and Maggi are calling on State Legislature and the Governor to work on finding a resolution.
October 17, 2025 4:55 am
Washington County Director of Elections Melanie Ostrander says that preparations for Election Day on November 4 are well underway. Mail in ballots that have so far been requested are now in the mail. Tests on voting equipment are now complete and machines have been registered. All machines have been sealed and are now ready for delivery to polling locations. Ostrander says that all mail in ballots will be treated strictly by the rules set down by the Pennsylvania State Supreme Court and the United States Third Circuit Court of Appeals. The PA Supreme Court says that signatures are required, but if an envelope is returned without a signature, that ballot is to be marked in the state SURE system as received no signature and an email sent to the voter alerting them that they may vote provisionally at their regular polling location. The US Third Circuit Court of Appeals says that dates are not a disqualifying factor. Ostrander says that decisions could change on short notice and they monitor those possible changes daily. Ostrander outlined upcoming deadline dates. October 20 is the last day to register or make changes in voter registration. October 28 is the last day to request absentee or mail in ballots. All mail in ballots must be in the elections office by 8 PM on Election Day. And, Election Day is November 4. Polls open at 7 AM and close at 8 PM.
October 17, 2025 5:00 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats are calling on President Donald Trump to get more involved with negotiations to end the government shutdown. Trump is showing no interest in interjecting in the fight that has stretched through three weeks with little movement. Republican leadership in Congress is hoping it stays that way, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune reiterating Thursday that negotiations are possible “once the government opens up.” But some in Trump’s party are expressing frustration with the lack of movement. Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski said she thinks some in the Trump administration are happy that the role of Congress is being diminished.
October 17, 2025 4:58 am
GREENBELT, Md. (AP) — John Bolton has pleaded not guilty in the Justice Department case accusing him of sharing classified information. Bolton was ordered released from custody after making his appearance before a judge in the third Justice Department case brought in recent weeks against an adversary of the Republican president. Bolton has signaled he will argue he is being targeted because of his criticism of the president, describing the charges as part of a Trump “effort to intimidate his opponents.” The case, however, appears to have followed a more conventional path toward indictment than other recent cases against perceived Trump enemies.
October 17, 2025 4:58 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has signaled to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that he’s leaning against selling long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles to Kyiv. Zelenskyy at the start of Friday’s White House talks said he had a “proposition” in which Ukraine could provide the United States with its advanced drones, while Washington would sell Kyiv the Tomahawks, which Ukrainian officials say they desperately need to motivate Russian President Vladmir Putin to get serious about peace talks. But Trump said he had “an obligation also to make sure that” the United States is “completely stocked up.” The U.S. leader added he was optimistic the war would soon end, mitigating Ukraine’s need for the powerful weapon.
October 16, 2025 5:01 am
CHICAGO (AP) — A judge says she will require federal immigration officers in the Chicago area to wear body cameras after the use of tear gas used against protesters. Federal Judge Sara Ellis also ordered a senior official to court next week to talk about an enforcement operation that has led to more than 1,000 arrests. Ellis says she was a “little startled” after seeing TV images of clashes between agents and the public during President Donald Trump’s administration’s immigration crackdown. Ellis says it seems her earlier order related to handling encounters with protesters isn’t being followed, and she wants to talk with both sides next week about the use of body cameras. A lawyer for the government says media reports have been “one-sided.”
October 16, 2025 4:59 am
ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar (AP) — Col. Michael Randrianirina has been sworn in as Madagascar’s new leader after seizing power in a military coup. This rapid takeover ousted President Andry Rajoelina, who fled the country. Randrianirina, the commander of an elite army unit, took office at the nation’s High Constitutional Court. The United Nations has condemned the military takeover as unconstitutional. The coup followed weeks of anti-government protests led by young people. Randrianirina plans to run the country with a military council for up to two years before elections. The situation has led to Madagascar’s suspension from the African Union.
October 17, 2025 3:55 pm
(AP) – Ford is recalling more than 290,000 vehicles in the U.S. because the rear-view camera system may not display images properly in certain lighting conditions, which could increase the risk of a crash. The recall includes certain 2020-2022 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, and F-450 SD vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s safety recall report said that Ford reviewed customer complaint data and warranty information to understand customer occurrences. The automaker said that as of Sept. 20, it was aware of 10 reports, with the first report occurring on Jan. 20, 2022. Ford is not aware of any reports of accident or injury related to this condition. The automaker’s dealers will update the image processing module software of the impacted vehicles for free.
October 17, 2025 5:04 am
Ace Frehley, the original lead guitarist and founding member of the glam rock band Kiss who captivated audiences with his elaborate makeup and smoke-filled guitar, has died. He was 74. Frehley’s agent says he died peacefully Thursday surrounded by family in Morristown, New Jersey, following a recent fall. Family members say in a statement that they are “completely devastated and heartbroken” but will cherish his laughter and celebrate the kindness he bestowed upon others. Kiss’ hits included “Rock and Roll All Nite” and “Detroit Rock City.” It was known for theatrical stage shows with fireworks, smoking instruments and fake blood. Band members famously wore body armor, platform boots, wigs and their signature black-and-white face paint.
October 16, 2025 2:34 am
Washington City Police Chief Steve Devenney issued a release Wednesday afternoon, saying that the city police department , along with the District Attorney’s Office, Pennsylvania State Police, Washington Regional SWAT Team and East Washington Borough Police served a search warrant at 147 N. Main Street in the city, which is currently being leased and occupied by “Sin City Disciples Motorcycle Club.” Devenney says the goal of the warrant was to obtain vital video information/evidence leading up to and after the shooting that occurred the morning of 10-11-2025. He says this information/evidence may also aid in identifying those individuals who may have crucial information that would aid in this investigation. He says the investigation is ongoing, and they continue to ask those who were present before, during, and after the shooting to please come forward with information. Twenty-year-old Julian Lassic was killed and another individual critically injured. WJPA also spoke with Washington County District Attorney Jason Walsh, who said this is an ongoing investigation and he can not comment on details – other than to say the law enforcement officers were armed but no shots were fired. Walsh says one individual was found, but at this time, no further information was released. There was one minor injury when a police officer fell through a ceiling during the search.
