August 6, 2023 5:08 am
PITTSBURGH — (WPXI) – Warm and humid conditions along with thunderstorms are expected in the next two days. According to our news partners at WPXI, scattered showers and storms are possible this afternoon and evening. A few isolated storms could become severe bringing heavy rainfall, strong winds, and lightning. The storm pattern continues to kick off the work week with a higher threat of severe weather Monday. Scattered showers and storms are expected around midday and through the afternoon hours. Storms could turn severe and produce damaging winds, large hail, flooding, and isolated tornadoes can’t be ruled out.
August 6, 2023 3:00 am
NORTH FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, Pa. – Columbia Gas has accepted blame for the 2019 explosion that leveled a home along Park Lane in North Franklin Township, damaged many others and injured several people. The company says it failed to include that home on maps for a gas line improvement project. The damaged and destroyed homes have all been rebuilt and repaired, but after years of investigating, Thursday, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission imposed a $990,000 civil penalty against Columbia Gas as part of an agreement reached by utility regulators and the gas company. The agreement also calls for enhanced training for Columbia’s employees and improved mapping protocols for work on gas lines, among other safety measures. In response to the settlement, a Columbia Gas spokesperson released a statement reading, in part, “This revised joint settlement reinforces our focus on operational excellence and commitment to system maintenance and modernization. We are confident that the enhanced procedures, training, and safety practices we have implemented will enable us to continue to maintain the safe operation of our system for our customers in North Franklin Township and across our Pennsylvania service territory.” Communications Manager Lee Gierczynski went on to say, “We thank the community of North Franklin Township for its patience and understanding throughout this process, and we will continue to work to earn the trust and confidence of our customers there by delivering on our mission to provide safe and reliable energy solutions to meet their needs.”
August 5, 2023 3:00 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) — A consultant has recommended that Pennsylvania spend $44.4 million to demolish a former state prison in Pittsburgh and rehabilitate the site for industrial reuse and a riverfront park, despite the prison’s popularity with television and film producers. It wasn’t clear when or if state officials would act on the recommendation made by Michael Baker International. The consultant’s plan calls for razing all 42 buildings at the former State Correctional Institution Pittsburgh, including the main penitentiary. It also recommends that just over 5 acres of the property along the Ohio riverfront be set aside as a public park, part of which would be integrated into the Three Rivers Heritage Trail that runs by the old prison.
August 5, 2023 3:00 am
Washington Mayor Scott Putnam has announced that the city and the Washington School District are finalizing plans to cooperatively make improvements to the Colt League baseball field in Washington Park. The field will be covered with artificial turf and will have a dual use as a baseball and softball field. The field will be used by the school district and city youth league baseball. In other business, Council took on an agenda full of personnel moves. First off, James Kubacki was sworn in as an officer for the City of Washington Police Department. Then, Sergeant John Hritz was promoted to Lieutenant and Corporal Kent Mitchell was promoted to Sergeant. Council approved the purchase of 6 additional body cameras for the police department at a cost of $24,152. Funding for the purchase is through a Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency grant. An $1800 funding gap for the purchase was filled by a $2000 donation from Neal and Dan Isiminger and their families. Fire Chief Chris Richer thanked council for the funding necessary to outfit the 2023 Pierce Saber Fire Engine. Richer stated that the truck will be in service on October 1. Council also hired three new public works employees and appointed Carole DeAngelo to the Washington Business District Authority.
August 5, 2023 3:00 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s state budget moved closer to completion on Thursday after Senate Republican leaders summoned their colleagues back to the Capitol to complete the work they held up when budget negotiations with Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro soured a month ago. More work remains to be done, with a billion dollars still in limbo. A final signature in the Senate sent the main spending plan to the governor’s desk on Thursday afternoon, allowing millions of dollars to begin flowing to counties and school districts that were preparing to empty out their reserves or consider taking out loans to continue necessary operations.
August 4, 2023 4:11 pm
NEW YORK (AP) — Actor Mark Margolis, who played murderous former drug kingpin Hector Salamanca in “Breaking Bad” “Better Call Saul,” has died at 83. The actor died at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City following a short illness. Margolis was nominated for an Emmy in 2012 for “Breaking Bad,” as Hector, the elderly don of his drug clan. Much of his character’s backstory later played out on “Better Call Saul,” the prequel in which he guest-starred from 2016 to 2022. Margolis also was known for many film roles, particularly in the films of Darren Aronofsky: “Noah,” “Black Swan,” “The Wrestler” and “Pi.” His breakout movie role was Alberto “The Shadow” in “Scarface.” (Photo: AP)
August 4, 2023 9:48 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. employers added 187,000 jobs last month, fewer than expected, as the higher interest rates continued to weigh on the economy. But the unemployment rate dipped to 3.5% in a sign that the job market remains resilient. Hiring was up from 185,000 in June, a figure that the Labor Department revised down from an originally reported 209,000. Economists had expected to see 200,000 new jobs in July.
August 4, 2023 9:45 am
MANCHESTER, Conn. (AP) — A cyberattack has affected computers at hospitals in multiple states, forcing some emergency rooms to close and ambulances to be diverted. The attack is disrupting facilities operated by Prospect Medical Holdings, which is based in California and has hospitals and clinics there and in Texas, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Pennsylvania. In Connecticut, the emergency departments at Manchester and Rockville General hospital were closed and their patients diverted for much of Thursday. Many primary care services remained closed Friday, including elective surgeries, outpatient appointments and blood drives. Officials said they’re still trying to determine the extent of the problem.
August 4, 2023 5:15 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — An appeals court is allowing a rule restricting asylum at the southern border to temporarily stay in place in a major win for the Biden administration. The court decided Thursday to grant the administration’s request to keep its policy in place while a longer legal battle plays out over the rule’s legality. The new rule makes it extremely difficult to be granted asylum unless a migrant first seeks protection in a country they’re traveling through or applies online. It was put in place back in May when the U.S. ended a different policy linked to the pandemic that also limited asylum. Rights groups sued over the new rule, saying it endangered migrants.
August 4, 2023 5:11 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — It was a routine part of a federal court hearing: The defendant was told not to discuss the case with any witnesses without lawyers present. But there’s nothing routine about this case. The defendant is Donald Trump, accused of orchestrating a conspiracy to overturn the results of the 2020 election. The potential witness pool is vast and includes members of the former president’s inner circle deeply involved in his reelection campaign, including some currently on his payroll. His lies about the election — which form the basis of the charges — are repeated in nearly every speech he gives.
