June 8, 2024 4:44 am
Several agenda items for Washington County Commissioners to consider on Thursday were intergovernmental agreements and memorandums of understanding for participation in the Washington County Land Bank. A unanimous vote found agreements between Fallowfield Township, Chartiers Township, the Charleroi School District and the Chartiers-Houston School District being approved for their participation. According to Commissioner Chairman Nick Sherman, the main reason that the entities are participating is to avail themselves to the county’s AA bond rating. Being able to partner with the county through the land bank gives the entities an additional avenue of funding should they be inclined to use it. Participation in the Washington County Land also allows municipalities to fight blight by demolishing unsightly structures and making Washington County a more attractive place to live, according to Sherman. Also approved was a measure to allow not more than $85,000 in blight remediation funds available through the County of Washington Redevelopment Authority to be used by Upper Crust Gourmet Italian Deli, LLC for blight remediation at 15 N. Main Street. The building is not the building that had been recently remodeled, but the one next door that fell down several years ago. Behind the plywood mural on that lot is debris that will be removed. It is unclear what may happen with the lot once it has been cleared.
June 8, 2024 4:33 am
PITTSBURGH – Mayor Ed Gainey signed a Declaration of Disaster Emergency after a fire at Second Avenue Commons homeless shelter this week. The declaration will help expedite repairs for the shelter, a news release says, and city leaders are ready to take action to be sure the shelter is repaired and reopened as quickly as possible. “Expediting the repair and reopening of the Second Avenue Commons is critical for the health and safety for some of our most vulnerable residents,” said Mayor Ed Gainey. “This order will ensure that we are able to move with the speed required to meet this moment in order to return this critical piece of our health and human services infrastructure to operation.” The declaration is in effect until Dec. 8, 2024.
June 8, 2024 3:44 am
CHARLEROI, Pa. — An I-70 off-ramp that was closed because of an unstable tractor-trailer has re-opened. The Charleroi Fire Department said the I-70 West off ramp to Route 88 was shut down Friday morning. The tractor-trailer was stuck at an angle on the barrier. There’s been no word on how the truck managed to land on the barrier. Charleroi Fire Chief Bob Whiten tells WJPA there were no injuries and no hazards.
June 8, 2024 4:50 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — America’s employers added a vigorous 272,000 jobs in May, accelerating from April and a sign that companies are still confident enough in the economy to keep hiring despite persistently high interest rates. Last month’s strong job growth reflected the durability of America’s consumer-driven economy. With the nation’s households continuing their steady spending, many employers have had to keep hiring to meet their customer demand. The unemployment rate edged up to a still-low 4%, from 3.9%, ending a 27-month streak of unemployment below 4%. That had matched the longest such run since the late 1960s. President Joe Biden is likely to point to Friday’s jobs report as a sign of the economy’s robust health under his administration.
June 8, 2024 2:12 am
Authorities say they now believe that one man is responsible for two separate bank robberies within seventy-two-hours of one another in Washington County this week. The first occurred Monday morning at the Washington Financial Bank on East Wylie Avenue in Washington and the second happened Wednesday morning at the First National Bank on Route Nineteen in North Strabane Township. The male suspect is described as being white and in the second robbery, was wearing a black jacket, a backpack, cargo pants and his face was partially covered by a hospital mask. North Strabane police say the FBI is now also involved and they are working with City of Washington police as well. Anyone with information on the robbery, including information on the suspect is asked to submit a tip at 724-746-4090 or tips@nstpd.com.
June 7, 2024 2:54 am
Washington County Commissioners are moving forward with a plan to purchase the City of Washington’s parking garage. Commissioners unanimously approved a measure on Thursday to authorize the County Solicitor to issue a Letter of Interest to purchase the garage located on North Franklin Street. According to Commissioner Chairman Nick Sherman, the garage was appraised by Owen Appraisal Service for approximately $4 million. The county is currently weighing its options on what to do with the Courthouse Square building. Sherman says engineering studies have been performed and it is now up to the board to determine the best way to deal with the building, fix it or demolish it for a new public safety building. Regardless of which decision is made, county employees would need a place to park their vehicles and the purchase of the parking garage is the most logical course of action. Sherman says that the garage that is majority owned by the city and minority owned by the Washington School District has been losing money for years. It would be a win for all parties if the county would purchase the garage. Funds would be coming from the American Rescue Plan Act funds. Sherman also said that it may be possible to take over an existing bond on the building if that is feasible. No exact timeline has been established but Sherman did say that decisions need to be made soon on the course of action to be taken on Courthouse Square.
June 7, 2024 4:44 am
Washington City Council worked through a day to day business agenda on Thursday night. The agenda was highlighted by two measures that will save tax money and free up spending. The first measure approved was the authorization to pay off the city’s $1 million Tax Anticipation Note. According to Director of Finance Ken Wescott, revenues arrived earlier this year so that enabled the city to pay off its note about three months earlier than normal. Council then agreed to refinance the City’s Bond Issue and extend the payment by one year. Instead of the remaining $1 million dollars being paid off in September of 2026, the bond will now be retired in September of 2027. According to Westcott, the action will free up approximately $500,000 of available cash to city coffers annually over the next three years. The city will also be saving money on electricity. Council approved a $125,500 LED Lighting Conversion Project to install LED lighting to all city lampposts. Westcott said the money will be provided by a State LSA grant and no city funds will be expended.
June 7, 2024 4:50 am
CANONSBURG, Pa. — (WPXI) – A senior at Canon-McMillan who was badly hurt in a house fire in February was able to walk the stage at graduation. Dominic Mansmann is being released from the West Penn Hospital burn unit Friday after a 102-day stay. Dominic overcame incredible obstacles and walked last Friday night at his high school graduation. In February, Dom was rushed to the hospital with burns covering 70% of his body, after a terrible house fire. The fire miraculously missed his face and feet. “He was on the ventilator for weeks, it was surgery after surgery,” said his mother, Joni Mansmann, who has been by his side since February. “Honestly, at the beginning of this, I didn’t think we’d have him, let alone have him walk at graduation. I’m very, very proud of him.” The Canon Mac hockey player couldn’t walk or stand, but through excruciating pain, he gave himself a goal. “I’m going to get out of the bed every day and walk these halls so I can walk on the turf and show these people thank you,” he said. Dominic’s entire care team showed up for his graduation, including his doctor who shot a video of him walking.
June 7, 2024 2:51 am
A Washington man accused of shooting and injuring a man last month will avoid attempted homicide and several other charges. Justice Walden, 29 was accused of shooting in the direction of Charles Paith and striking him as he was standing outside of his Burton Avenue home back in May. During the preliminary hearing on Thursday, victims in the case did not appear for the hearing. The only testimony taken was from the police officer investigating the incident. A search warrant executed on the apartment of Walden found four spent shell casings. Charges of attempted homicide, aggravated assault and three reckless endangerment charges were dismissed. Prohibited possession of a firearm and one reckless endangerment charge were held for court. Walden will be arraigned on July 18th.
June 7, 2024 4:56 am
SOUTH STRABANE TOWNSHIP, Pa. – (WPXI) – Pennsylvania State Police are continuing to investigating the homicide of a Washington County teenager from 1977. Brenda Ritter, 17, from South Strabane Township, left her boyfriend’s house on May 18, 1977 in a bad storm. Her car was found abandoned a few miles away the next day. Searchers in a state police helicopter found Ritter’s nearly nude remains on a hillside off rural Roupe Road, about three-quarters of a mile from her car, state police said. Her clothes were found within around 50 feet of her body. State police said Ritter had been sexually assaulted and strangled. Any persons with information regarding this incident are asked to contact the PSP Washington Station at 724-223-5200 or you can contact PSP Tips. All callers could be eligible for a cash reward.
