February 19, 2025 3:59 am
ROME (AP) — The Vatican says Pope Francis slept peacefully and ate breakfast after developing pneumonia in both his lungs. An early update Wednesday came from the Vatican spokesman. The Vatican said late Tuesday that Francis’ respiratory infection also involves asthmatic bronchitis, which required the use of cortisone antibiotic treatment. “Laboratory tests, chest X-ray, and the Holy Father’s clinical condition continue to present a complex picture,” the Vatican said. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said in a late update that the pope is in good spirits and is grateful for the prayers for his recovery,
February 19, 2025 3:55 am
A robbery suspect in Cecil Township was arrested shortly after the crime occurred. Cecil Township Police were dispatched to the Marathon Oil station on Millers Run Road shortly after 8:00 o’clock Tuesday night. The suspect left on foot and was captured two hours later. The unidentified suspect is being processed at the Washington County Jail and is awaiting preliminary arraignment. Assisting Cecil Township in the pursuit was the South Strabane Township K-9 Unit, the McDonald Police Thermal Drone Unit, Sheriff’s Department and Canonsburg and North Strabane Township police departments.
February 19, 2025 3:28 am
PITTSBURGH —(WPXI)- A Butler County native who was imprisoned in Russia for more than three years is back in Pittsburgh. Police and airport officials said Marc Fogel landed at Pittsburgh International Airport late Tuesday afternoon. Fogel’s family also confirmed he’s back in Pittsburgh, saying that he’s happy to be back and is adjusting. His return comes just days after completing the “medical phase” of the State Department’s transition protocol, according to a statement issued on Saturday. He was in Texas undergoing medical evaluations. Fogel, a Butler County native, had been serving a 14-year sentence in a Russian penal colony for having a small amount of medical marijuana prescribed by a doctor for chronic back issues. He was teaching in Russia when he was detained at an airport in 2021. Fogel returned to the U.S. on Feb. 11 after being released from prison in exchange for Alexander Vinnik, according to the Associated Press. Sasha Phillips, the Fogel family attorney, issued a statement requesting privacy for Marc. “After an extended period of being held hostage, Marc has finally returned to Pittsburgh, but his journey to recovery is only just beginning. He has been strongly advised to limit public exposure as he embarks on the slow and challenging process of healing from the harrowing trauma experienced by him and his loved ones,” the statement reads in part. Fogel’s Saturday statement read in part, “I cannot wait to rejoin our community but this will take a bit of time and I ask for some patience in replying to you all. I look forward to reaching out to all of you in due time.”
February 18, 2025 12:55 am
A standing room only crowd of more than 50 people packed a courtroom to hear the sentencing of a Greek Orthodox priest that pleaded guilty to stealing funds from the All Saints Greek Orthodox Church in North Strabane Township. Fr. George Athanasiou, 38, a preist at the church received a sentence of 5 years probation with one year on electronic home monitoring. He has already paid $155,000 in restitution to the church. Rev. Fr. Dimitrios Kyritsis was pleased with all the court took into account for the sentencing and said everyone is in a process of healing and particularly prayed for Fr. Athanasiou’s personal mental and spiritual health. Athanasiou said that he is looking forward to his healing from a gambling addiction and wants to help the community at large with gambling addictions. In addition to his probation and restitution, Athanasiou was ordered to perform 300 hours of community service.
February 18, 2025 4:07 am
NEW YORK (AP) — Justice Department lawyers and New York City Mayor Eric Adams are set to face a federal judge who is signaling that he’s unlikely to rubber stamp their request to drop corruption charges weeks before an April trial. Judge Dale E. Ho scheduled Wednesday’s afternoon hearing after three government lawyers from Washington made the dismissal request on Friday. Manhattan’s top federal prosecutor resigned after she refused an order to do so. Ho already indicated the hearing was unlikely to resolve the issue when he wrote in an order Tuesday that one subject on the agenda will be a discussion of “procedure for resolution of the motion.”
February 17, 2025 4:44 am
PITTSBURGH — Gear up for the coldest day of the week as you head out Tuesday, with single-digit temperatures and below-zero wind chills to start the day. Washington will see wind chills as low as -5 to -10 degrees possible. A Cold Weather Advisory has been issued for Butler, Armstrong, Clarion, Indiana, and the ridges of Westmoreland and Fayette counties until 10 a.m. Tuesday. Wednesday will also be cold with wind chills near zero — which will set the stage for the next system heading our way Thursday, bringing the chance for snow.
February 18, 2025 4:54 am
The Bentworth School district sent a letter to parents and guardians in the district Monday informing them of ‘a potential student threat’. In the letter, the district says the situation was reported around 5 p.m. through the Safe2Say system and State Police were immediately notified. A thorough investigation was conducted and police informed the district that ‘the matter has been fully resolved and determined to be not credible’. The district says its own investigation will continue and they will follow their student discipline policy. No other details were released. Superintendent Scott Martin thanked the student and their family for bringing “this concerning information to our attention so quickly”.
February 18, 2025 10:37 am
JENKINTOWN, Pa. (AP) — Officials say schools are closed and residents have been ordered to shelter-in-place after a large fire broke out at an aerospace manufacturer’s facility in a town north of Philadelphia. Abington Township Police say the fire broke out at SPS Technologies in Jenkintown on Monday night and witnesses said there was an explosion and flames could be seen inside. Police say the building was evacuated, all employees were accounted for and no injuries were reported. SPS Technologies describes itself as a developer, manufacturer and global supplier of a line of aerospace fasteners and precision components. Schools in the area are closed and officials say the shelter-in-place order is in effect because smoke and particulates are filtering across the area.
February 18, 2025 1:57 am
EIGHTY FOUR, Pa. – (WPXI) – The Washington Area Humane Society said it’s looking to find new homes for its animals as the shelter is at full capacity. Its executive director said that in the past month, they’ve taken in around 17 puppies. Nine of them were surrendered by someone facing eviction. Six of the puppies were found in a cardboard box along Chestnut Street. Some have already been adopted. You can view the shelter’s available animals online or in person during viewing hours. If you are interested in viewing in person, you must submit an application first. The shelter said all of the animals it adopts out are spay/neutered, up-to-date on vaccines, tested (Lyme, Heartworm, FIV/FELV, Giardia), microchipped and flea and tick treated.
February 18, 2025 4:58 am
(AP) – Southwest Airlines is eliminating 1,750 jobs, or 15% of its corporate workforce, in the first major layoffs in the company’s 53-year history. The Dallas-based airline said Monday that the job cuts would be focused almost entirely on “corporate overhead and leadership positions,” including senior leadership and directors. Eleven senior leadership positions, representing 15% of the company’s senior management committee, are also being eliminated. Southwest CEO Bob Jordan said the job cuts are part of a plan by the airline to slash costs and transform the company into a “leaner, faster, and more agile organization in a statement.
