September 15, 2023 3:00 am
Washington City Council has tabled selection of a solid waste removal contract. Council opened bids at their agenda meeting Monday night. Bids from all three contractors were submitted in totally different fashions. Council tabled a vote on the award of the contract so that they can go over exactly what each proposal entails and then decide what will serve residents best according to Mayor Scott Putnam. He also cautioned residents that a rate increase is in order, possibly in the range of 30% more than current rates. Council also received a presentation on the financial audit of the city for the year 2022. Auditors presented a sturdy audit of the city’s finances. Auditors cautioned the city to remember that payments from the American Rescue Plan Act no longer exist and not to rely on those figures for city budgeting. A truly bright spot in the audit reminded council that all things remaining the same, the city’s long term debt should be retired in 2026. Based on 2022 figures, that would return $1.6 million in spending power to the city.
September 14, 2023 4:42 pm
Essential units remain on the scene on I-76 West at milepost 75.8 for an accident involving a flatbed tractor-trailer and a tanker tractor-trailer that happened just before two o’clock Thursday afternoon. A tanker overturned and went down an embankment. Authorities say one person was injured and taken to an area hospital. One lane has been blocked in the area to allow emergency crews to access the scene and that is causing traffic delays. There are currently no hazmat issues. Officials with the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission say that in order to allow for the safe removal of the tanker that went over the embankment and to make repairs to the roadway, they will need to close down westbound lanes between the Breezewood (Exit 161) and New Stanton (Exit 75) interchanges from 11 p.m. until approximately 6 o’clock Friday morning. The following suggested detour will be in place for motorists exiting at the Breezewood Interchange:
- Exit at the Breezewood Interchange (Exit 161) and follow U.S. Route 30 west (18.7 miles).
- Follow I-99 north (30.1 miles).
- Follow U.S. Route 22 west (64.5 miles).
- Follow PA Turnpike Route 66 south (13.9 miles).
- Reenter the PA Turnpike (I-76) at the New Stanton Interchange (Exit 75).
Officials say the more than 100-mile detour is necessary to safely accommodate the volume of diverted traffic, including commercial vehicles. Travelers should expect higher than normal traffic volumes on this detour route during the closure and should plan accordingly.
September 14, 2023 1:44 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — Hunter Biden has been indicted on federal firearms charges. A federal indictment filed in Delaware says Biden lied about his drug use when he bought a firearm in 2018 while struggling with addiction to crack cocaine. President Joe Biden’s son has also been investigated for his business dealings. The special counsel overseeing the case has indicated tax charges could be filed in Washington or California. Thursday’s indictment comes as congressional Republicans pursue an impeachment inquiry into the Democratic president, in large part over Hunter Biden’s business dealings. Defense attorneys argue part of a plea deal sparing Hunter Biden prosecution on the gun count if he stays out of trouble remains in place.
September 14, 2023 5:07 am
HOUSTON (AP) — A federal judge has declared illegal a revised version of a federal policy that prevents the deportation of hundreds of thousands of immigrants brought to the U.S. as children. But the judge declined to order an immediate end to the program and the protections it offers to recipients. U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen on Wednesday agreed with Texas and eight other states suing to stop the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program. The ruling is ultimately expected to be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, sending the program’s fate before the high court for a third time. Hanen had previously declared the 2012 Obama-era program illegal.
September 14, 2023 5:04 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House is working to stay above the fray on the historic impeachment proceedings launched ahead of the 2024 election by House Republicans. GOP lawmakers are trying to link Biden to the business dealings of his son, Hunter, while deflecting attention from Donald Trump’s own legal peril. Biden’s strategy for countering the impeachment is reflective of his broader approach to reelection — the idea that if he puts his head down and governs, Americans will see results and reward him with another four years. The White House is trying to shrug off the charges as baseless, stay focused on policy, leave impeachment question to the lawyers and chide those who give too much credence to it all.
September 14, 2023 5:00 am
LEOMINSTER, Mass. (AP) — A hurricane watch is in place for portions of Maine, while a large area of coastal New England is under a tropical storm watch as Hurricane Lee is expected to reach the region later this week. The threat of another storm comes as the region still deals with the impact of days of wild weather that produced torrential rain, flooding, sinkholes and a likely tornado. The National Hurricane Center said Wednesday night that the hurricane watch extends from Stonington, Maine, to the U.S.-Canadian border. The tropical storm watch covers Watch Hill, Rhode Island, to Stonington, Maine — including Block Island, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. Rainfall earlier this week inundated parts of Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire.
September 14, 2023 4:58 am
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is to tour a Russian aircraft plant that builds fighter jets and then visit the country’s Pacific Fleet, but his exact whereabouts remain uncertain, as South Korea on Thursday expressed “deep concern and regret” that his visit has focused so far on expanding military cooperation. Washington has warned that the summit on Wednesday between Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin could lead to a deal for North Korea to supply ammunition for Moscow’s war in Ukraine. There’s widespread concern in Seoul that North Korea in return would receive advanced weapons technologies from Russia, including those related to military spy satellites, which would increase the threat posed by Kim’s military nuclear program.
September 14, 2023 4:55 am
UNIONVILLE, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania authorities say they were able to capture escaped murderer Danelo Cavalcante thanks to thermal imaging equipment in the air, search teams working through a stormy night, a search dog and the element of surprise. The 34-year-old Brazilian fugitive was apprehended Wednesday morning after a 14-day hunt across rolling Pennsylvania farmlands and forests. A burglar alarm first alerted searchers after midnight Tuesday. Soon, a plane picked up a heat signal that searchers on the ground encircled. After a storm delay, a team moved in on Cavalcante in heavy underbrush. Authorities say Cavalcante didn’t realize he was surrounded until he was already encircled. He tried to crawl away but was subdued by a search dog.
September 14, 2023 4:52 am
WASHINGTON COUTNY, Pa. — (WPXI) – Emergency crews were called to a fire at Reaxis Specialty Chemical in Washington County on Wednesday night. Crews were called to the 900 block of Robinson Highway at 9 p.m. for an industrial fire. A 1,000-gallon tank inside the facility was involved in the fire. Washington County 911 dispatchers say the tank contained hydrochloric acid. It’s not clear how much was in the tank at the time. There were no reports of injuries. Officials on scene reported the fire was out just after 9:30, but were working to prevent any possible flare-ups.
September 14, 2023 2:19 am
A Monessen man has entered a guilty plea to assault charges in his connection with a bar brawl that took place this past winter in California Borough. Joey Lipscomb, 27, was arrested on February 5th 2023 outside of Legends Bar on Wood St. after pulling out a handgun and hitting a man with the weapon, which caused the gun to fire. According to police, no one was hit by the stray bullet, and Lipscomb never intended for the gun to discharge. Lipscomb’s girlfriend was assaulted during the incident, which prompted him to step in to the altercation. Lipscomb faces nine to 23 months in jail and will also have two years of probation.
