April 21, 2024 3:40 am
Washington County Commissioners on Thursday voted unanimously to hire the law firm of Cozen O’Connor to act as special counsel on options for future use of Courthouse Square. The building has been suffering structural issues for several years. Those issues and a diminishing availability of space for county workers led to the purchase of the Crossroads Building in 2021. They will advise the county on construction, finance and bond related issues concerning the Courthouse Square building and garage and other related issues. Commissioner Chairman Nick Sherman says that no firm plan is in place for the building. It could be repaired and renovated or it could be razed. He says no decisions have been made. This is the first step in the process to determine the best use of the site.
April 21, 2024 6:09 am
WEST MIFFLIN, Pa. —(WPXI)- Despite some chilly winds, Kennywood Park fans came out to check out some new treats and upgraded rides on opening day. Among the new attractions “Jeeters Pub” and the “Carousel of Burger Company” were made available to visitors. The bumper cars have also officially been upgraded and are now known as “Potato Smash.” The name of the ride was decided during a week-long sweepstakes held in March. The upgraded cars now share the same theme as one of the park’s most popular food stops, The Potato Patch. With the good, comes the bad. Kennywood’s Steelers-themed rollercoaster “The Steel Curtain” is closed for this season. It is going through an extensive modification project. Park officials say the temporary inconvenience will pay off in the future. “We want it back just as much as our guests,” said Kennywood’s communications manager Tasha Pokrzywa. Kennywood will be open daily starting Memorial Day weekend.
April 21, 2024 6:06 am
PITTSBURGH — (WPXI)-A man and woman are facing charges after a woman was stabbed at Point State Park Friday night. Cody Linder-Heck, 22, and Janelle Moore, 20, are both being held in the Allegheny County Jail without bail. Court documents say they pose a threat to the community. According to criminal complaints, Janelle Moore told police that a man wearing all-black clothing, and a mask, who was about 5 feet 11 inches tall and had a tattoo under his right eye had cut the victim’s neck and dragged her on the ground. Police found a man who matched the description near the park’s entrance. The man was identified as Cody Linder-Heck. The victim confirmed that Linder-Heck was the attacker after he was detained by police. Officers then received information that the victim told them Janelle Moore had also been one of the attackers. Police took her into custody for questioning. The criminal complaint says that Linder-Heck told police that his fiancée, Janelle Moore, told him she wanted him to kill the victim because she had been “setting them up.” He also told police it had been Moore’s idea to attack the victim in the park. Police say the victim told them that Linder-Heck was dragging her by the skirt toward the river after the initial assault. Moore allegedly told him to stop and then told the victim that if she told anyone what had happened they would “finish the job.” Linders-Heck also told police a similar story. Moore told police she had no idea Linders-Heck was going to attack the victim and said that she did not plan the attack, court documents say. She faces conspiracy aggravated assault charges and Linder-Heck faces aggravated assault and criminal conspiracy charges.
April 20, 2024 4:17 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House is preparing to vote on approval of $95 billion in foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel and other U.S. allies. Congressional leaders are pushing aside opposition from hard-right conservatives to near the completion of a months-long, grueling effort to renew American support for repelling Russia’s invasion into Ukraine. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson — putting his job on the line — relied on Democratic support this week to bring to the House floor a series of three votes on the aid packages, as well as a fourth on several other foreign policy proposals. The Senate would still need to approve the House bill in votes expected next week.
April 20, 2024 4:15 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has voted to reauthorize a key U.S. surveillance law after divisions over whether the FBI should be restricted from using the program to search for Americans’ data nearly forced the statute to lapse. The legislation approved 60-34 with bipartisan support shortly after midnight Saturday would extend for two years the program known as Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. It now goes to President Joe Biden’s desk to become law. U.S. officials have said the surveillance tool, first authorized in 2008 and renewed several times since then, is crucial in disrupting terror attacks, cyber intrusions and foreign espionage. But concerns over Americans’ civil liberties almost blocked its reauthorization.
April 20, 2024 4:25 am
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) — Employees at a Volkswagen factory in Chattanooga, Tennessee, have voted overwhelmingly in favor of joining the United Auto Workers union, boosting the UAW’s nationwide effort to organize nonunion factories. The union wound up getting 73% of the ballots cast in an election run by the National Labor Relations Board that ended Friday. Twice in recent years, workers at the Chattanooga plant have rejected union membership. But this time, they voted convincingly for the UAW, which is operating under new leadership directly elected by members for the first time and basking in a successful confrontation with Detroit’s major automakers.
April 20, 2024 4:22 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — This month’s unprecedented direct attacks between Iran and Israel are revealing deeper insights into both militaries. Experts say Friday’s apparent precision strike by Israel deep into Iran demonstrated Israel’s military dominance on almost all fronts. Israel has not taken responsibility for the airstrikes, which are believed to have hit near military and nuclear targets in central Iran. Charles Lister is a senior fellow at the Washington-based Middle East Institute. Lister says the unprecedented rounds of strikes between Iran and Israel make clear that Israel is the Goliath in the equation, outmatching Iran. Lister points to Iranian-allied militias in the Middle East, especially Hezbollah, as Iran’s one potential advantage.
April 20, 2024 3:52 am
PITTSBURGH — (WPXI) – A man and a woman are in custody after a stabbing at Point State Park on Friday night. Emergency crews were called to the area at 9:48 p.m. Multiple people witnessed a woman being stabbed. A Pittsburgh police lieutenant said these witnesses saved the victim. “There were people around when it happened, and in fact, this woman is probably still alive because of their actions and their assistance in saving her life” according to the police officer at the scene. The woman was taken to a hospital and is in stable condition. Police have not identified either suspect, but did say the woman in custody is allegedly the man’s accomplice.
April 20, 2024 3:44 am
WEIRTON, W.Va. — A tin plant in West Virginia will shut down this weekend, putting nearly 1,000 people out of work. WTOV in Steubenville reports that Cleveland Cliffs will officially idle its plant in Weirton on Saturday. Cleveland Cliffs announced the closure in February. The plant, which is less than an hour from Pittsburgh, said an International Trade Commission ruling made it difficult to compete with foreign manufacturers.
April 20, 2024 3:49 am
ROSTRAVER TOWNSHIP, Pa. —(WPXI)-A man died in a crash along Interstate 70 in Rostraver Township on Friday morning. Westmoreland County Coroner Tim Carson said a Ford Focus was traveling near mile marker 45.7 when it left the roadway and hit a guide rail. The car traveled over an embankment and landed on its roof. The driver, Joseph Eli Troyer, 35, was pronounced dead at the scene. State police are handling the investigation.
