North Strabane Residents Appeal Development Approval

June 27, 2024 1:49 am

North Strabane Residents that live along North Spring Valley Road have appealed a conditional land use approval granted to Laurel Communities to build a development called the Collective At Peters Lake. Linda Lopez and Matthew and Pamela Maniet have engaged Joshua Ash at the University of Pittsburgh Environmental Law and Policy Clinic to help them with the appeal. Lopez and the Maniets are concerned about their water supply. They currently have wells and worry about impurities from earth moving during the construction phase and future impurities that may result from future fertilizer use. North Strabane has conditioned that the developer run public water lines to their street, but residents on North Spring Valley Extension would need to run their own piping to access the main pipe and pay tap in fees. According to Matt Maniet, early estimates are in the $10,000 to $30,000 range to access public water. They feel that they are being taken for granted because they may be forced into purchasing public water when it was not their wish to do that. The environmental non-profit group Friends of Peters Lake support the residents’ efforts as they wish to maintain the natural environment of Peters Lake Park. North Strabane Township officials referred comment to their solicitor. The solicitor said they just received the large packet of information and have not had time to review it. Additionally, they do not comment on pending litigation. The case is in the early stages and hearings have yet to be scheduled.

Washington Man Arrested In Connection To Homicide

June 27, 2024 4:24 am

WASHINGTON, Pa. -(WPXI)- A Washington man has been arrested in connection to a homicide in Braddock Hills. Abdullaah Francken, 23, is charged with criminal homicide after a shooting on June 7. The shooting happened early in the morning in the parking lot of J Cats Bar. William Coffey, 24, was killed. Detectives identified Francken through interviews with witnesses and surveillance video. He was arrested on Wednesday and taken to the Allegheny County Jail.

SCOTUS Sides With Biden In Social Media Dispute

June 26, 2024 5:37 pm

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court has sided with the Biden administration in a dispute with Republican-led states over how far the federal government can go to combat controversial social media posts on topics including COVID-19 and election security. The justices in a 6-3 vote on Wednesday threw out lower-court rulings that favored Louisiana, Missouri and other parties in their claims that officials in the Democratic administration leaned on the social media platforms to unconstitutionally squelch conservative points of view. Justice Amy Coney Barrett wrote for the court that the states and other parties did not have the legal right to sue.

Waynesburg Residents Killed In Car Crash

June 27, 2024 1:35 am

The Greene County Coroner released information regarding a fatal car accident that occurred on June 25 at approximately 12:38 PM. Linda Phillips, 76 was a passenger in a car travelling south on Rt. 19 in Franklin Township. The vehicle that she was riding in crashed with another vehicle travelling north on Rt. 19. Phillips was pronounced dead at the scene. According to police, 70 year old Denny Phillips also died from injuries sustained in the accident at Ruby Memorial Hospital. Police identified 52 year old Stacey Lewis as the driver of the vehicle. She sustained minor injuries. Fifty Six year old Angela Miltz was also riding Lewis’ vehicle, she also sustained minor injuries. It is not clear if Lewis will face charges for the accident.

Assange Returns To Homeland A Free Man

June 26, 2024 4:34 am

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has returned to his homeland Australia aboard a charter jet hours after pleading guilty to obtaining and publishing U.S. military secrets. Assange raised his right fist as he emerged for the plane to a cheer from supporters at the Canberra airport. The deal with the Justice Department concludes a drawn-out legal saga. It came to a surprise end in a most unusual setting with Assange entering his plea in a U.S. district court in Saipan, the capital of the Northern Mariana Islands, on Wednesday.

Most Americans Plan To Watch Biden-Trump Debate

June 26, 2024 4:30 am

WASHINGTON (AP) — A new poll finds that most U.S. adults plan to watch or listen to some element of Thursday’s presidential debate. And many think the stakes are high for both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. The poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds Biden and Trump remain broadly unpopular as they prepare to spar for the first time since 2020. Nearly 6 in 10 U.S. adults say they are “extremely” or “very” likely to watch, read or listen to commentary about the debate.

Rep. Lauren Boebert Wins GOP Primary

June 25, 2024 4:27 am

DENVER (AP) — U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado has won the Republican primary in a House race she jumped into last year after switching districts. Boebert’s victory comes despite a scandal over a video of her at a Denver theater and accusations of carpetbagging. Her resounding win showcases her political cachet among Republicans and positions her for a likely easy win in the November general election. It is also a victory for the far-right flank of the House GOP, a group that takes no prisoners, makes no concessions and stays on the attack. In two other closely watched GOP state primaries, attorney Jeff Hurd and political consultant and talk radio host Jeff Crank also notched wins Tuesday.

A US Journalist Goes On Trial In Russia

June 25, 2024 4:25 am

YEKATERINBURG, Russia (AP) — Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, arrested in Russia on espionage charges, appeared in a court in Yekaterinburg for the start of his trial. The 32-year-old journalist appeared in the court in a glass defendants’ cage, with his head shaved and wearing a black-and-blue plaid shirt. Gershkovich was detained while on a reporting trip to the Ural Mountains city in March 2023. Russian authorities alleged he was “gathering secret information” on orders from the CIA about Uralvagonzavod, a facility that produces and repairs military equipment, but authorities have not publicly disclosed any evidence to back up the accusations. Gershkovich, his employer and the U.S. government vehemently deny the charges. He faces a sentence of up to 20 years.

FDA Issues Warning To Makers Of Sara Lee & Others

June 26, 2024 5:40 pm

(AP) – Federal food safety regulators are warning Bimbo Bakeries USA to stop using misleading labels that say products contain potentially dangerous allergens when they don’t. Bimbo is the company behind major baked goods brands such as Sara Lee, Thomas’, Oroweat and Entenmann’s. U.S. Food and Drug Administration inspectors found that the company listed ingredients such as sesame or tree nuts on labels when they weren’t in the foods. FDA officials said Tuesday that food labels must be truthful. They also say labeling is not a substitute for preventing cross-contamination. Bimbo says it’s working with FDA to resolve the issue.

Locust Avenue Paving Underway

June 27, 2024 4:20 am

City of Washington officials are alerting residents of paving work that continues on Locust Avenue. Locust Avenue will be milled and resurfaced from Highland Avenue to Oak Springs Road. The project will take several days. Work will begin at 7:30 AM and end at 4:30 PM each day. Parking will be prohibited on Locust Avenue between Highland Avenue to Wilson Avenue during operational hours. Officials warn of traffic congestion and ask residents to seek an alternative route.