June 17, 2023 3:46 am
The Center For Coalfield Justice held a gathering in North Strabane Township Thursday to help introduce a program for people in the region who have concerns about rare cancers in children and adults who feel that the oil and gas industry plays a large roll in the cause for those cancers. Mad Facts, Mothers and Dads-Family Awareness of Cancer Threat Spike is a grass root effort developed by Jodi Borello, Washington County Community Organizer for the Center for Coalfield Justice whose family developed breathing problems and rashes related to fracking operations near their home in South Franklin Township, and Janice Blanok of Cecil Township who lost her 19 year old son Luke to the rare cancer Ewing Sarcoma. The meeting broke out into four separate discussion groups before coming back together to discuss the group’s ideas about driving attention to the rare cancer issues throughout southwestern Pennsylvania. The groups discussed lack of media coverage, gas and oil company influence on local governments, schools and hospital systems. They also discussed how fracking companies place their well pads and explain how safe they are. The group will hold several additional meetings to gather support for one another and support for the overall community. Gatherings are scheduled for July 26 and August 23 where author Kristina Marusic will discuss her book “The New War On Cancer”. Additional information may be obtained by contacting the Center For Coalfield Justice.
June 17, 2023 3:46 am
The Washington County Planning Commission held an open house on Thursday to seek input on the draft of the County Comprehensive Plan. The plan is a blue print of how Washington County would like to see development on several fronts. Jason Theakston, Development Manager for Washington County Planning calls the plan “the guiding document of development” for the county over the next 10 years. It addresses issues like community and economic development and how the two intertwine. Redevelopment of cities and transportation issues are also addressed. Natural resource management and attention to the agriculture industry are all concerns taken into account in the comprehensive plan. According to Theakston, the Planning Commission is seeking further input from residents over the next 45 days. A final draft of the plan will be available on the county website in the next week. Commissioners are expected to adopt the plan in either August or September.
June 17, 2023 3:45 am
CANONSBURG, Pa. — (WPXI)- Investigators said a group of teenagers is responsible for causing tens of thousands of dollars in damage at Canon-McMillan High School’s football stadium. Officials said the fire got so hot, it burned right through the metal bleachers. “It definitely was very suspicious, no reason for it to burn there, and as hot as it burned to melt that aluminum on the bleachers,” said Fire Chief Tim Solobay. Investigators believe a group of young teenagers, likely around 8th grade, set the fire that spread to the roof of the concession stand. It happened around 2 a.m. Police spent the morning reviewing the surveillance video that show the teens before and after the fire. The state police fire marshall spent Thursday investigating. Canon-McMillan said they’re waiting for the insurance company report as well as a report from the fire marshall. They have no estimate on how much damage this caused, but Solobay said he guesses $150,000 at the very least.
June 17, 2023 3:44 am
The Catholic Partnership Parishes of St. James in Western Washington County and St. Katharine Drexel in Southeastern Washington County are hosting a series of outreach and social programs this summer. The events planned include bi-weekly “Eat n Pray in the Park” on Thursday evenings at community parks around the county, featuring scriptural and spiritual talks as well as cookouts. The parishes are also hosting “Up In Holy Smoke,” a fellowship event to learn and share in the basics of cigar smoking, with donations benefiting JFK Catholic grade school. They are also hosting the “Holy Wheels Ministry Car Show” three times this summer–the first one happening today at 4:00 p.m. at St. Hilary Church on Henderson Avenue in Washington. The event will include a blessing of the cars at 5:30 p.m., followed by a car show until 7:30 p.n., plus food, a DJ, and a 50/50 raffle.
June 16, 2023 5:18 am
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The United States has deployed a nuclear-powered submarine capable of carrying about 150 Tomahawk missiles to South Korea. The USS Michigan’s arrival Friday was the first of its kind in six years. It came a day after North Korea resumed missile tests in protest of the U.S.-South Korean live-fire drills. South Korean officials say the submarine’s arrival is part of a recent bilateral agreement on enhancing “regular visibility” of U.S. strategic assets to the Korean Peninsula in response to North Korea’s advancing nuclear program. President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol agreed at their summit in April that that the United States would enhance the visibility of its strategic assets to the region.
June 16, 2023 5:18 am
TORONTO (AP) — Canadian police say a bus carrying seniors to a casino collided with a semi-trailer truck at a highway intersection in a rural part of the Canadian province of Manitoba Thursday, killing 15 people and injuring 10 more. Rob Hill, Commanding Officer of the Manitoba Royal Canadian Mounted Police, said the bus was carrying 25 people and authorities in Manitoba were deploying all their resources to the scene. TV broadcasters aired images of what looked like a large van or bus smoldering in a ditch near a transport truck with a smashed engine on a road. The pavement was littered with debris, including what looked like a walking aid.
June 16, 2023 5:16 am
PERRYTON, Texas (AP) — Three people have been killed after a tornado tore through the Texas Panhandle town of Perryton, leaving dozens more injured widespread damage. The National Weather Service in Amarillo confirmed that a tornado hit the area shortly after 5 p.m. Thursday. Local officials said Thursday night that two people were missing. Perryton Fire Chief Paul Dutcher said at least one person was killed in a mobile home park that took a “direct hit”First responders from surrounding areas and from Oklahoma descended on the town, which is home to more than 8,000 people and about 115 miles northeast of Amarillo, just south of the Oklahoma line.
June 16, 2023 5:15 am
ROME (AP) — Pope Francis has been discharged from the Rome hospital where he had abdominal surgery nine days earlier to repair a hernia and remove painful scarring. The 86-year-old Francis left in a wheelchair on Friday. He smiled and waved and said “thanks” to a crowd of well-wishers. He then stood up so he could get into the small Vatican car awaiting him. His surgeon told reporters that Francis “is better than before” the surgery. Francis will make his traditional Sunday noon appearance at an Apostolic window overlooking St. Peter’s Square to greet the public in an appointment that lasts about 10 minutes.
June 15, 2023 1:18 pm
Charleroi Borough Council has suspended its Borough Manager for ten days without pay – following public complaints about his behavior and actions during a meeting earlier this month. Matt Staniszewski was not present at last night’s meeting but issued a brief statement following council’s unanimous vote saying he has retained legal counsel to deal with what he called the “inappropriate actions of council.” Council’s meeting Wednesday night was filled with citizens who were concerned about the future of the Authority of the Borough of Charleroi. No action was taken though, with council members hinting that a deal is being finalized and an announcement may be made at the board’s next meeting.
June 15, 2023 8:41 am
NEW YORK (AP) – A man charged with manslaughter for putting an agitated New York City subway rider in a fatal choke-hold has been indicted. Daniel Penny was charged last month in the death of Jordan Neely. New York City Mayor Eric Adams confirmed the indictment Wednesday, a procedural step that allows the criminal case to continue. Neely was shouting at passengers and begging for money when Penny pinned him and held him in a chokehold on May 1. Penny’s lawyers said Wednesday that Neely had not intended to kill Neely, just hold him until police arrived. They said they’re confident a trial jury will find Penny’s actions fully justified.
