October 8, 2025 5:56 pm
BOSTON (AP) — Joan Kennedy has died. The first wife of the late Sen. Edward Kennedy died Wednesday at the age of 89. She endured the assassinations of two brothers-in-law and stood by her husband through the Chappaquiddick scandal as well as through his failed 1980 run for president. The couple divorced in 1982. She worked for the mentally challenged and other causes but also struggled with mental health issues and alcoholism herself for much of her life, including several drunk driving arrests. Her son Patrick Kennedy praised her as a classically trained pianist and advocate for addiction recovery who helped break stigma and inspired others to seek help.
October 8, 2025 1:22 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — Toyota is recalling nearly 400,000 vehicles because the rear-view camera may not display when backing up, increasing the risk of a crash, federal traffic safety regulators said. Included in the recall are 2022-2025 Toyota Tundras and Tundra hybrids and 2023-2025 Sequoia hybrids. The number of automobiles in the recall total 393,838, with the non-hybrid Tundra making up more than half of them. The camera display malfunction is caused by a software problem, which will be fixed with an update by dealerships free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 16. Owners can contact Toyota’s customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
October 7, 2025 5:05 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney General Pam Bondi has repeatedly deflected questions while seeking to defend herself during a combative congressional hearing in the face of growing criticism that she’s turning the law enforcement agency into a weapon to seek vengeance against President Donald Trump’s political opponents. Democrats sought to use Tuesday’s hearing to warn of what they view as the politicization of a department that has long prided itself on remaining independent from the White House. The hearing comes on the heels of the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey, which has deepened concerns about the politicization of the department.
October 7, 2025 5:04 am
CAIRO (AP) — Peace talks between Israel and Hamas have resumed in Egypt. The second day of indirect talks Tuesday took place on the two-year anniversary of Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel that triggered the war. The talks focus on a plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump to end the fighting. Hamas is demanded guarantees that Israel will not resume the war after the remaining hostages are released. The plan envisions Israel withdrawing its troops and an international security force taking over. Israel has demanded that Hamas disarm, a condition the militants have yet to accept. Qatar’s prime minister and Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff are expected to join the talks Wednesday in a sign of their momentum.
October 7, 2025 5:39 pm
MIAMI (AP) — The U.S. National Hurricane Center says Tropical Storm Jerry has strengthened in the Atlantic Ocean on a path toward the Caribbean. Jerry has maximum sustained winds of 50 mph Tuesday. It was expected to strengthen into a hurricane in the coming days. Meanwhile, Hurricane Priscilla was near major Category 3 storm status in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Mexico. Its top winds were at 110 mph on Tuesday afternoon, just shy of major hurricane strength. A tropical storm watch is in place for Baja California Sur. Hundreds of miles further out in the Pacific, Tropical Storm Octave was weakening far from the southern tip of Baja California.
October 7, 2025 10:22 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney General Pam Bondi has repeatedly deflected questions while seeking to defend herself during a combative congressional hearing in the face of growing criticism that she’s turning the law enforcement agency into a weapon to seek vengeance against President Donald Trump’s political opponents. Democrats sought to use Tuesday’s hearing to warn of what they view as the politicization of a department that has long prided itself on remaining independent from the White House. The hearing comes on the heels of the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey, which has deepened concerns about the politicization of the department. (Photo: AP)
October 7, 2025 2:04 am
A McDonald man was killed in a motorcycle crash Monday evening. The Washington County Coroner’s office says 67 year old John Dinsmore was traveling east on Millers Run Road in Cecil Township just before 6 p.m. A witness says an SUV crossed the center line and collided with the bike in the 38-hundred block. He was pronounced dead at the scene. A cause and manner of death are pending. Cecil Township Police continue to investigate.
October 7, 2025 2:15 am
Police are investigating a fatal motorcycle accident that occurred sometime between nine o’clock Sunday night and eight-thirty Monday morning in Cecil Township. Washington County Coroner Tim Warco says 32-year-old Alexander Adams of Lawrence was operating a motorcycle, west, on Baker Road, when he went over an embankment and landed in the yard of a home at 960 Baker Road. Warco says his family had been searching for him, when they discovered the wreck. Warco says he was not wearing a helmet.
October 6, 2025 2:41 am
Testimony on day one of the homicide trial of Joshua George, 33 of Smith Township concluded early due to technical problems with computers. George is accused of shaking his infant son and delivering him injured, to the child’s grandparents for babysitting. The grandparents called for medical assistance when the child became lethargic and began vomiting and convulsing. Testimony came from the child’s mother Caitlyn Riffle who testified that the child was fine when she departed for work and left the child to be delivered by George to her father and step-mother, Cheska Rotellini. Rotellini contacted Riffle about the child’s condition but it was revealed under cross examination that the child’s condition was much worse than initially described. In the afternoon, Cheska Rotellini took the stand and described the child’s demeanor as inconsolable and he then vomited causing her to call 9-1-1. She then testified to the events that occurred with the baby being ambulanced to a hospital. Cross examination revealed that questionable decisions were made by Rotellini regarding other children previously in her care, often putting those children at risk. Rotellini’s recollection of events was sketchy, often times having her say that she did not recall events. Technical difficulties with computers ended the day. Testimony will continue Tuesday morning.
October 6, 2025 2:40 am
The Pennsylvania Drought Task Force has announced that Washington and a slew of other counties are now under a Drought Watch. “Pennsylvania received very little rain over the summer. We want residents to be aware of these dry conditions and be mindful of their water use,” said DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley. “DEP makes drought declarations based on long-term trends. A severe thunderstorm or a rainy week may not lift the drought status for a particular area.” There are different stages of drought declaration that can be declared by the Commonwealth:
- Drought Watch – a Drought Watch is typically declared for a county with three of the four factors in a “watch” status. Residents are encouraged, but not required, to voluntarily reduce their water use by five to ten percent.
- Drought Warning – a Drought Warning is typically declared for a county with 3 of the four indicators in “warning” status. Residents are encouraged, but not required, to reduce their water use by 10-15 percent.
- Drought Emergency – if conditions become more severe a Drought Emergency can be declared by the Governor and emergency water restrictions can be implemented. In the unlikely event of a drought emergency, water suppliers and/or municipal governments will guide residents about water use and conservation.
While not required, residents and businesses are encouraged to voluntarily conserve water by reducing nonessential water use.
