March 3, 2023 4:28 pm
WEXFORD, Pa. (AP) — The Lenten fish fry is a popular tradition in many Catholic communities. In Pittsburgh and the towns around it, people looking for fish fries between Ash Wednesday and Easter have a very modern tool to find their fish fix — an interactive map. It’s done by volunteer coders who want to foster community engagement, and it points the way to fish fries at churches, in fire halls and in restaurants. For western Pennsylvania, it represents a mashup of a tradition that many hold dear and the technological innovation that’s helping to push the region forward. As the founder of the interactive map says, fish fries are an adventure.
March 3, 2023 10:30 am
WALTERBORO, S.C. (AP) — A judge has sentenced South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh to life in prison a day after he was convicted of murder in the shooting deaths of his wife and son. The sentence issued Friday carries no chance of parole or early release. The Colleton County jury deliberated for less than three hours Thursday before finding Murdaugh guilty of killing his 22-year-old son, Paul, with a shotgun and his 52-year-old wife, Maggie, with a rifle on June 7, 2021. Murdaugh soon will be taken to a state prison where he will be held in the highest security.A
March 3, 2023 9:49 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Gov. Josh Shapiro wants lawmakers to pass a three-year incentive of up to $2,500 a year for newly certified teachers, police officers and nurses in Pennsylvania. Administration officials say the Democrat will formally propose the idea to lawmakers when he unveils his budget plan Tuesday. The incentive is a tax credit to help address complaints from school boards, police departments and hospitals about the difficulty in filling critical positions. Much of Shapiro’s forthcoming budget proposal remains under wraps, and any new tax credit will require legislative approval. Under the proposal, the tax credit would apply to new certifications starting in 2023, and could be included on tax returns starting in 2024.
March 3, 2023 4:17 am
Residents are saying they’re still suffering from illnesses nearly a month after a train carrying toxic chemicals derailed in Ohio. They confronted the railroad’s operator Thursday at a town forum. Some demanded to know whether they’d be relocated from homes they’re afraid to live in. The railroad announced it was ready to begin moving more contaminated soil from underneath the tracks. But it says buying homes and moving people out of East Palestine hasn’t been discussed. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says it is ordering Norfolk Southern to begin testing for dioxins. The toxic chemical compounds can stay in the environment for long periods of time.
March 3, 2023 4:15 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department says former President Donald Trump can be sued by injured Capitol Police officers and Democratic lawmakers over the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. In court papers, the Justice Department told a federal appeals court in Washington on Thursday that it should reject Trump’s argument that he is absolutely immune from the claims and allow the lawsuits to move forward. A Trump spokesperson said that the president “repeatedly called for peace, patriotism, and respect for our men and women of law enforcement” on Jan. 6. The spokesperson said the courts “should rule in favor of President Trump in short order and dismiss these frivolous lawsuits.”
March 3, 2023 4:13 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is visiting the White House on Friday for a private meeting with President Joe Biden. Both allies have become increasingly vocal about their concerns that China may step off the sidelines and supply weapons to Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. Such a step could dramatically change the war’s trajectory by allowing Moscow to replenish its depleted stockpiles. China is Germany’s top trading partner, and European nations have generally been more cautious than the United States in taking a hard line with Beijing. However, there are signs that may be shifting as global rivalries grow more tense.
March 3, 2023 4:09 am
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Federal authorities say a Pennsylvania man admits packing explosive materials, fuses and a lighter into a suitcase he checked for a commercial flight to Florida. A judge on Thursday has denied bail for 40-year-old Marc Muffley of Lansford. Prosecutors say he fled the Lehigh Valley airport on Monday when he heard his name paged and feared being arrested. During a court hearing Thursday held over videoconference, a defense lawyer suggested the one-time construction worker only wanted to set fireworks off on a Florida beach. But the judge says he knew the items were prohibited on the flight.
March 3, 2023 4:04 am
Washington City Council worked through a largely procedural agenda Thursday night. The fire department was highlighted on spending measures. Council authorized the purchase of $2500 worth of replacement furnishings and appliances for the ongoing Tylerdale station renovation. In addition, council authorized fixtures equipment and furniture that qualifies under the 2023 Office of the State Fire Commissioner PEMA grant award. Fire Chief Chris Richer stated that many of the furnishings in Tylerdale are 20-30 years old and need replacement just like items in a home. The PEMA grant purchases will be for office equipment and training. Council also had the first reading of an ordinance amendment that concerns alarm systems in the city. Mayor Scott Putnam said that in a recent meeting with state officials, they recommended that the city move away from the Gamewell fire alarm system. Putnam says that the requirement will be phased out over several years. The measure will be up for a final vote in April.
March 3, 2023 2:38 am
A Bulger man accused of attacking his wife and threatening her with a gun waived his charges to court on Thursday. Brian Barish, 53 will face reckless endangerment and simple assault misdemeanor charges. Barish had felony aggravated assault and misdemeanor terroristic threat charges withdrawn by the district attorney. According to the criminal complaint, police responded to reports of a domestic incident at the Barish home on February 10. Barish’s wife told police that he grabbed her by the neck and threw her to the floor and held a gun to her head. Barish is free on $75,000 bond. He will be arraigned on April 27.
March 2, 2023 4:16 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House Ethics Committee is launching an investigation into embattled Republican Rep. George Santos. The committee on Thursday announced the probe of the New York congressman whose lies and embellishments about his resume and personal life have drawn deep scrutiny in Congress. The bipartisan leaders of the committee said the panel voted unanimously to look into the allegations. The investigation appears to be far-reaching. It seeks to determine whether Santos “may have engaged in unlawful activity with respect to his 2022 congressional campaign” and other actions. Santos has already removed himself from congressional committees. (Photo: ABC)
