January 22, 2025 4:37 am
(AP) – The winter storm spreading snow, sleet and freezing rain across the southern United States has broken records, treating the region to unaccustomed perils and seasonal joy. From Texas through the Deep South, down into Florida and to North Carolina’s Outer Banks, the snow and ice made for dangerous driving and inventive sledding on Wednesday. At least three cold-weather deaths have been reported. The Arctic air also plunged much of the Midwest and the eastern U.S. into a deep freeze, grounding hundreds of flights. But while the United States shivers, the world as a whole is breaking heat records. It’s been the warmest winter yet in data tracked since 1940.
January 22, 2025 2:43 am
North Strabane Township Supervisors held a public hearing for a conditional use application for the proposed Hidden Acres development that would be built along Christy Road. Residents from the area filled the meeting room to hear details. The development proposed by Laurel Landings is a Conservation Subdivision plan that would see 161 homes built on 201 acres. The lot sizes for the homes average .8 acres. The developer’s presentation indicated that all conditions for approval have been met. The hearing only covered the concept plan and whether all ordinance conditions were met. A few minor issues need to be addressed before approval can be granted. Nearly all of the ten residents that took part in public comment spoke about the danger that additional traffic on Christy Road would present. Bob Cox likened the road to a paved over horse path. Others questioned the traffic study numbers and were concerned that package delivery vehicles and other such traffic was not considered. Even more pointed out other road challenges that increased traffic would present where sections of Christy and adjoining roads are narrow. Railroad abutments and single lane bridges also complicate traffic flow. The meeting remains open until February 25 when supervisors expect to vote on approval of the matter.
January 22, 2025 2:21 am
Warming Centers across Washington County will be open and operating for the next few days as a Polar Vortex descends on our area. The Salvation Army in Washington says it will open its warming center Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. Officials say they will provide hot and cold drinks, snacks and a place to come in out of the cold. Entrance will be in the rear of the building by the gymnasium entrance. The warming center is open to anyone who needs shelter from the cold. Here is a list of all available warming centers,
Click Here.January 22, 2025 1:48 am
One person has died and another taken to a hospital after a fire broke out around eight o’clock Wednesday morning in the Thomas Campbell Apartments in the 800 block of Beech Street in South Strabane Township. The Washington County Coroner’s Office says 68-year-old Kimberly Haines was found in her apartment on the fourth floor where the fire broke out. South Strabane Fire Chief Jordan Cramer tells WJPA that the fire is under investigation, but their initial thoughts are that Haines may have started the fire by smoking. This fire is reminiscent of another fatal fire in the building three years ago. Cramer says he took over the chief’s position a few months after that fire and his department worked closely with Thomas Campbell officials to upgrade its safety features, and since, then many upgrades have been made, like the installation of a state of the art fire alarm system and a state of the art sprinkler system. Cramer says if those safety features had not been in place, Wednesday’s fire could have been much worse.
January 22, 2025 12:04 am
Washington County Sheriff Tony Andronas has formally announced he will seek re-election. Andronas cited a proven record of accomplishments during his time as Sheriff, his 30-years of law enforcement experience and his dedication to the community and the families who call the county home. “Throughout my career, I have taken the police oath…’On my honor, I will never betray my badge, my integrity, my character, or the public trust. I will always have the courage to hold myself and others accountable for our actions’ and I have sworn to protect and to serve,” said Andronas. “As Sheriff, I have followed the principles of honesty, integrity and trust, and I am humbly requesting county residents to once again “trust Tony,” and pledge to continue working hard to earn your vote.” Prior to becoming Sheriff, Andronas served as a full-time police officer with the South Park Township Police Department in Allegheny County. He also srved several police departments in Washington County. Andronas is a graduate of Canon McMillan High School and lives in North Strabane Township.
January 21, 2025 6:12 pm
(AP) – The residents who question whether Norfolk Southern’s $600 million settlement offers enough compensation for the East Palestine train crash don’t plan to let a judge’s order requiring an $850,000 bond derail their appeal. Instead, they’ve asked an appeals court to reject the judge’s requirement that they put up that huge sum. The class-action attorneys who negotiated the deal say the appeal will add administrative costs for the firm distributing settlement money to those who lived or worked in the area of the February 2023 derailment. Nearly $300 million of the settlement has been on hold because of the appeal though a judge approved the deal in September.
January 21, 2025 6:08 pm
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s three statewide row officers have been sworn in to four-year terms, marking the first time that all three offices were filled by Republicans at the same time who were elected. Treasurer Stacy Garrity and Auditor General Tim DeFoor were sworn in to a second four-year term on Tuesday. Attorney General-elect Dave Sunday was sworn in to his first four-year term. They took their oaths in ceremonies in the Forum Auditorium, across the street from the state Capitol. The offices are often viewed as springboards to running for higher office. The row officers each have built-in watchdog duties that could affect how Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro governs.
January 21, 2025 3:51 pm
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order Monday to keep TikTok operating for 75 days, a relief to the social media platform’s users even as national security questions persist. TikTok’s China-based parent company ByteDance was supposed to find a U.S. buyer or be banned on Jan. 19. Trump’s order could now give ByteDance more time to find a buyer. Former President Joe Biden declined to enforce the bipartisan measure that he signed into law, while Trump has pledged to keep TikTok open after crediting it for helping his 2025 election victory. Trump’s legal authority to preserve TikTok is unclear under the terms of the law recently upheld unanimously by the U.S. Supreme Court. (Photo: AP)
January 21, 2025 1:45 pm
NEW YORK (AP) — Garth Hudson, the Band’s virtuoso keyboardist and all-around musician who drew from a unique palette of sounds and styles to add a conversational touch to such rock standards as “Up on Cripple Creek,” “The Weight” and “Rag Mama Rag,” has died at age 87. Hudson was the eldest and last surviving member of the influential group that once backed Bob Dylan. His death was confirmed Tuesday by The Canadian Press, which cited Hudson’s friend, Jan Haust. Additional details were not immediately available. Hudson had been living in a nursing home in upstate New York. No matter the song, Hudson summoned just the right feeling or shading, whether the tipsy clavinet and wah-wah pedal on “Up on Cripple Creek,” the galloping piano on “Rag Mama Rag” or the melancholy saxophone on “It Makes No Difference.” The only non-singer among five musicians – Hudson mostly loomed in the background, but he did have one showcase: “Chest Fever,” a Robbie Robertson composition for which he devised an introductory organ solo (“The Genetic Method”), an eclectic sampling of moods and melodies that segued into the song’s hard rock riff. (Photo: AP)
January 21, 2025 5:14 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has confirmed Marco Rubio as secretary of state, giving President Donald Trump the first member of his Cabinet. The vote was unanimous. Senators went back to work Monday night in the Capitol after Trump’s inauguration. Rubio is among the least controversial of Trump’s nominees. Another pick, John Ratcliffe for CIA director, is also expected to have a swift vote, as soon as Tuesday. Action on other Trump Cabinet picks, including former combat veteran and Fox News host Pete Hegseth for defense secretary, is expected later in the week. It’s typical for the Senate to confirm some of a new president’s top Cabinet positions on Inauguration Day.
