Officers Placed On Leave Following Pittsburgh Standoff

August 25, 2023 5:11 am

PITTSBURGH — (WPXI) – Over 65 local officers will be off the job for about a week after Thursday’s hours-long standoff in Pittsburgh’s Garfield neighborhood that ended with a suspect’s death. Allegheny County Sheriff Kevin Kraus told our news partners at Channel 11 that William Hardison Sr. was pronounced dead at 5:08 p.m., nearly seven hours after the shootout started. On Thursday, a Pittsburgh Public Safety official told Channel 11 that about 40 Pittsburgh police officers are on paid leave as protocol. The officers had to turn in the weapons that were fired. They will have to see a psychologist and then give an interview to return to the job. About a dozen Allegheny County police officers are on leave and will return to duty at the discretion of the superintendent, officials told Channel 11. Sixteen Allegheny County Sheriff’s Deputies fired shots and are on paid leave. They must also undergo a psychiatric evaluation before returning to work.

Man Injured In Stowe Township Shooting

August 25, 2023 5:07 am

STOWE TOWNSHIP, Pa. — (WPXI) – A man was injured in a shooting in Stowe Township Thursday night. According to Allegheny County police, first responders were called to the 200 block of Oak Lane at 9:36 p.m. The victim was shot in the shoulder and taken to the hospital in a private vehicle. Allegheny County police are handling the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call 1-833-ALL-TIPS.

 

Storms Knock Out Power, Bring Down Trees

August 25, 2023 5:00 am

Strong storms rolled through the region overnight leaving thousands without power.  West Penn Power is reporting more than 6-thousand customers without service as of 10:30 a.m.  The outages are scattered throughout the county.   Washington County is certainly not alone.  West Penn is reporting more than 9-thousand outages in Fayette County, more than 6-thousand in Allegheny County and more than 12-hundred in Westmoreland County.  West Penn is not providing any estimated restoration times. There are numerous reports of trees down across the county with some blocking roadways.  The Bethlehem Center School District closed for the day.  District officials tell WJPA News they were forced to do so because of power outages and dangerous road conditions because of downed trees.

Victim In Fatal I-79 Crash Identified

August 25, 2023 2:56 am

The Washington County Coroner’s Office has identified the victim of a fatal multi-vehicle accident Wednesday morning as 58-year-old Gary Reinhardt of Lancaster, New York. Authorities say Reinhardt was driving a car south when another car in the northbound lanes lost control, crossed the median and collided with the victim’s car, causing a train reaction. Authorities say Reinhardt was wearing a seat-belt. Two others were also injured in the accident, but there’s been no word on the nature of those injuries. The interstate was closed in both directions for several hours.  (Photo:  WPXI)

EF-2 Tornado Confirmed In Fayette County

August 25, 2023 1:16 am

(WPXI) – The National Weather Service has confirmed that a tornado touched down in Fayette County. The agency conducted a site survey near Yogi Bear Campground Friday morning. Residents of Springfield Township said there was extensive damage to their farms, including a roof that had been torn from a building. Thousands in the region remain without power at this hour but there were no reports of serious injuries.

Woman Charged With Abandoning Dog At Airport

August 24, 2023 4:11 pm

(WPXI) – Charges have been filed against a woman who allegedly abandoned her dog at Pittsburgh International Airport. Allison Gaiser, 44, of Kittanning, is facing charges of cruelty to animals, neglect of animals and abandonment of animals by owner for allegedly abandoning the dog at the airport after she was told she didn’t have the right carrier for him. Police said Gaiser left the dog in a baby stroller near short-term parking as she continued to a resort destination. Animal Friends shelter is caring for the dog, which is in good shape and being fostered, according to officials. The 7-year-old dog is not available for adoption.  (Photo:  Allegheny County Police Department)

China Bans Seafood From Japan After Wastewater Release

August 24, 2023 5:06 am

OKUMA, Japan (AP) — Japan’s tsunami-wrecked nuclear power plant in Fukushima is releasing its first batch of treated radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean. In a live video from a control room at the plant Thursday, Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings showed a staff member turn on a seawater pump, marking the beginning of the controversial project that’s expected to last for decades. China responded by banning seafood from Japan, effective immediately. Shortly after China’s announcement, TEPCO’s president said the utility will compensate Japanese business owners for damages suffered by export bans over the wastewater release. The Japanese government and TEPCO say the treatment and dilution exceeds international safety standards. Still, some scientists say the long-term impact needs attention.

4 Dead In California Biker Bar Shooting

August 24, 2023 5:06 am

TRABUCO CANYON, Calif. (AP) — Authorities say three people were killed and five others were wounded in a shooting at a Southern California biker bar. The gunman was also killed by deputies. The shooting occurred after 7 p.m. Wednesday at Cook’s Corner in rural Trabuco Canyon in Orange County, a popular longtime watering hole for motorcycle riders and enthusiasts who gather for live music and other events. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department said the gunman was dead four minutes after reports of the shooting first came in. Six others were taken to a hospital, including five with gunshot wounds. The hospital said two were in critical condition.

Prigozhin Presumed Dead In Moscow Plane Crash

August 24, 2023 5:04 am

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Russia’s civil aviation agency says mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin was on a plane that crashed north of Moscow, killing all 10 people aboard. Prigozhin led a brief armed rebellion against the Russian military earlier this year. Wednesday’s crash immediately raised suspicions since the fate of the founder of the Wagner private military company has been the subject of intense speculation ever since he mounted the mutiny. At the time, President Vladimir Putin denounced the rebellion as “treason” and a “stab in the back” and vowed to avenge it. But the charges against Prigozhin were soon dropped, and the Wagner chief was allowed to retreat to Belarus, while reportedly popping up in Russia from time to time.

Ramaswamy Takes Center Stage At GOP Debate

August 24, 2023 5:02 am

Former President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis have dominated the Republican presidential nomination fight for much of the year. Neither dominated the debate stage Wednesday night. Trump skipped the GOP’s opening presidential primary debate. DeSantis showed up, but he was overshadowed for much of the night by political newcomer Vivek Ramaswamy. Ramaswamy has crept up in recent polls, leading to his position next to DeSantis at center stage. And he quickly showed why when he showcased his ready-for-video, on-message approach. His rivals, however, attacked him for his lack of political experience and his view that the U.S. should stop supporting Ukraine.