Municipalities Receive Local Share Account Grants

October 23, 2024 2:21 am

Several local communities were the beneficiaries of Act 71 Local Share Account grants. More than $2.3 million was awarded to 9 communities. Municipalities and projects that benefited are:

North Franklin Twp.-$750,000 for sewer expansion

Chartiers Twp.-$375,000 for a pressure sewer segment in Arden Mines

Mt. Pleasant Twp.-$336,787 for community park improvements

Carroll Twp.-$200,000 for sewer laterals in Victory Hills and Craven Hills

McDonald Borough-$185,000 for Heritage Park improvements

City of Washington-$184,500 Washington Park Stone Pavilion floor rehabilitation

Houston Borough-$136,900 traffic signal upgrades at Pike and Main and Western

Morris Twp.-$38,017 for wastewater treatment plant planning for Prosperity

Washington County Redevelopment Authority-$135,000 for call for aid pull cords in senior housing facilities

Act 71 of 2004 provides for the distribution of LSA gaming revenues through the Commonwealth Financing Authority for projects of public interest.

Man Charged After Toddler Dies In Uniontown

October 23, 2024 2:16 am

UNIONTOWN, Pa. —(WPXI)-A man was charged in the death of a 2-year-old girl in Uniontown. The coroner’s office was called to Uniontown Hospital just after noon Monday, where the toddler, identified as Margaret Nunn, was pronounced dead. The Fayette County District Attorney’s Office said Emmanuel Dennis, 33, has been charged with homicide connected to Margaret’s death. Preliminary investigation indicates that Margaret died as a result of serious physical abuse at Dennis’ hands, the district attorney’s office said.  The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Pennsylvania State Police in Uniontown or the district attorney’s office.

Lower-Priced New Cars Gain In Popularity

October 22, 2024 5:01 am

DETROIT (AP) — An “affordability shift” is taking root in the U.S. auto industry. The trend is being led by people who feel they can no longer afford a new vehicle that would cost them roughly today’s average selling price of more than $47,000 — a jump of more than 20% from the pre-pandemic average. Yet there are other buyers who could manage the financial burden but have decided it just isn’t worth the cost. And the trend is forcing automakers to reassess their sales and production strategies. If the trend toward lower-priced vehicles proves a lasting one, more generous discounts could lead to lower average auto prices and slowing industry profits.

China Holds Live-Fire Drills Opposite Taiwan

October 22, 2024 5:00 am

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — China is holding live-fire drills off the coast of its southern Fujian province that faces Taiwan. The new exercises Tuesday are taking place just a week after China held a massive air-and-sea drill it described as punishment for Taiwan’s president rejecting Beijing’s claims of sovereignty. The Marine Safety Administration said the drills were being held near the Pingtan islands. It did not offer additional details. Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said China’s drills were part of an annual exercise but also could be part of China’s overall approach to warn off any ideas of independence for Taiwan.

In Georgia, Poor People See No Reason To Vote

October 22, 2024 5:00 am

MACON, Ga. (AP) — There are more than 47,000 people in Bibb County, Georgia, about 80 miles south of Atlanta, who are eligible to vote but don’t. That’s four times the number of votes that President Joe Biden carried the state by in 2020. But most of those voters are Black and poor, and not even the prospect of Vice President Kamala Harris’ historic candidacy is likely to get them to the polls. Nonvoters are the most complicated piece of the electoral puzzle in a state that could decide the presidency.

Trump Makes More Debunked Claims About FEMA

October 22, 2024 4:59 am

SWANNANOA, N.C. (AP) — Former President Donald Trump is blasting federal emergency responders whose work in North Carolina has been stymied by armed harassment and a deluge of misinformation. Trump’s campaign and that of his Democratic rival, Vice President Kamala Harris, are ramping up their campaigning in the final two weeks before Election Day. Trump had three stops in the state Monday. After the Asheville area, he held a rally across the state in Greenville and spoke at a faith leaders event in Concord, outside Charlotte. At the latter event, he appealed to Christian voters by repeating his criticism of transgender athletes and his proposal to conduct a large-scale deportation operation.

Storm Causes Deaths In Cuba As Power Outage Continues

October 22, 2024 4:57 am

HAVANA (AP) — Cuba’s capital was largely paralyzed on Monday and the rest of the island was bracing for the fourth night of a massive blackout. That has generated both a handful of small protests and a stern government warning that any unrest will be punished. Hurricane Oscar was crossing the island’s eastern coast with winds and heavy rain, leaving at least six dead after a night that saw protests of several dozen people each in urban neighborhoods. The Cuban government has a low tolerance for civil disobedience and President Miguel Díaz-Canel warned on national television Sunday that ‘we’re not going to allow any vandalism, or let anyone disturb people’s tranquility.’

Blinken In Israel To Renew Cease-Fire Efforts

October 22, 2024 4:55 am

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has arrived in Israel on his 11th visit to the region since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war. He is expected to meet with top officials as the United States looks to revive cease-fire efforts after the killing of top Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, but so far none of the warring parties appear to be backing down on longstanding demands. Israel is still at war with Hamas more than a year after the militant group’s Oct. 7 attack, and with Hezbollah in Lebanon, where it launched a ground invasion earlier this month. Israel is also expected to strike Iran after its ballistic missile attack on Oct. 1.

Game Commission Asks Hunters To Help Track Virus

October 22, 2024 4:52 am

PITTSBURGH — (WPXI) – The Pennsylvania Game Commission is asking for rabbit hunters to help track a contagious virus. Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus 2 is highly contagious and poses a threat to the state’s rabbits and hares. The Game Commission says it can cause mass die-offs, between 75 and 100% of local populations. There is no treatment for the disease and it can remain on the landscape for months. Early detection is the best way to stop the spread. Anyone who finds two or more dead hares or rabbits at the same location is asked to report it by calling 1-833-PGC-WILD or the Game Commission’s online wildlife health survey.

Arrest Made In Connection With Fatal Stabbing

October 22, 2024 4:48 am

MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. — (WPXI) – A man is charged with homicide after police say he stabbed another man to death on the Montour Trail Monday. Emergency crews were called to the trail near Hassam Road just before 3 p.m. Once on scene, first responders found the man suffering from a stab wound. The victim, later identified as 44 year old Benjamin Brallier of Coraopolis, was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. Anthony Quesan was arrested in connection to the stabbing. A bike found near the scene is believed to be Quesan’s, police said. It is being processed for evidence.