July 4, 2024 7:13 am
A fire broke out Wednesday night in Bentleyville, according to their fire department Facebook page. An alarm came in just before 10 pm in the 400 block of Main Street for a commercial structure fire. Crews found an active fire inside a wall, which they quickly extinguished. No injuries reported and no cause of fire has been released. (Photo: Bentleyville Fire Facebook Page)
July 4, 2024 6:51 am
Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July hot dog-eating contest is today. The yearly bun fight, which dates back to 1972, sees large crowds of fans in foam hot-dog hats gather in front of the original Nathan’s Famous’ restaurant in Coney Island, Brooklyn, to cheer on the competitors as they chow down. The contestants are allowed to dunk the dogs in cups of water to soften them up, creating a stomach-churning spectacle. The field has shifted this year as Joey “Jaws” Chestnut, the reigning champion of the contest, will not participate in Thursday’s event after signing a deal with a rival brand. Instead, Chestnut will take his hot dog-downing talents to an army base in Texas for America’s Independence Day. Chestnut, of Indiana, will compete against soldiers in Fort Bliss, in El Paso, in a 5-minute hot dog eating contest. In 2021, Chestnut set the current record of 76 hot dogs, in 10 minutes. With Chestnut out, those vying for second place in Brooklyn in the past might have renewed hope to chomp their way to victory this year. Last year’s second-place winner was Geoffrey Esper from Oxford, Massachusetts, who downed 49 dogs to Chestnut’s 62. Third place went to Australia’s James Webb with 47. Miki Sudo, of Tampa, Florida, holds the women’s record of 48.5 in 10 minutes. Miki won her ninth title at the Nathan’s Famous contest last year with 39.5 hot dogs and buns eaten. Contestants hail from 13 states and several countries. (Photo: AP)
July 4, 2024 5:54 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s Senate has passed legislation to encourage school districts to effectively ban students’ use of cellphones during the school day. The bill passed 45-5 on Wednesday. It would help school districts pay for locking bags after the district creates a policy requiring students to leave their phones in such bags for the whole school day. The bill now goes to the state House for consideration. Its sponsor, Republican state Sen. Ryan Aument of Lancaster, says he hopes that limits on phone use will result in improvements in students’ mental health and academic performance. Participating school districts must track changes in student mental health, bullying, violence and academic performance.
July 4, 2024 5:25 am
All signs point to big celebrations for Americans this Fourth of July. Travel records are projected to fall as people gather for cookouts, parades and fireworks. Some unique celebrations are also planned. In Down East, Maine, lobster boat races will be held off the rocky coast. In Philadelphia, descendants of the signers of the Declaration of Independence will ring the Liberty Bell. An annual tug-of-war contest is being held in California. And, of course, there’s the annual hot dog eating contest in Coney Island, New York.
July 4, 2024 5:22 am
PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico (AP) — Hurricane Beryl ripped off roofs in Jamaica, jumbled fishing boats in Barbados and damaged or destroyed 95% of homes on a pair of islands in St. Vincent and the Grenadines before rumbling toward the Cayman Islands and taking aim at Mexico’s Caribbean coast with at least seven dead in its wake. What had been the earliest Category 5 hurricane in the Atlantic has weakened slightly but remained a major hurricane. Its eye was forecast to pass just south of the Cayman Islands overnight. Mexico’s popular Caribbean coast prepared shelters, evacuated some small outlying coastal communities and even moved sea turtle eggs off beaches threatened by storm surge.
July 4, 2024 5:17 am
FAYETTE COUNTY, Pa. (WPXI) — Charges have been filed in a nearly 13-year-old cold case in Fayette County. A letter from Fayette County District Attorney Michael Aubele says Frank Timothy Campbell, 37, of Merrittstown, has been charged in the 2011 murder of Leon Mickens. Mickens was shot in the head in Masontown on Aug. 15, 2011, the night before his 36th birthday. At the time of the crime, Aubele says police spoke with witnesses, gathered evidence and even identified a person of interest, but charges were not filed. Leon’s cousin told Channel 11 four years after the crime that she was worried his killed would go scot-free. Aubele says when he took office in January, he promised the Mickens family that his office would do their best to secure justice for Leon. The charges against Campbell come after a new lieutenant took over the cold case investigation and authorities were able to locate witnesses and evidence, Aubele said. Reportedly police have statements, photographs, and circumstantial items that have “long supported” the charges, but now they have DNA evidence that places Campbell at the scene of the crime. Online court records show Campbell is facing several charges, including criminal homicide and aggravated assault.
July 4, 2024 5:03 am
WASHINGTON – U.S. job openings rose slightly to 8.1 million in May despite the impact of higher interest rates. The Labor Department reported Tuesday that vacancies were up from a revised 7.9 million in April, the first reading below 8 million since February 2021. Layoffs rose slightly, and the number of Americans quitting their jobs — a sign of confidence in their prospects — was basically unchanged. The U.S. economy and job market have been remarkably resilient in the face of the Federal Reserve’s campaign to raise interest rates to rein in inflation. The Fed hiked its benchmark rate 11 times in 2022 and 2023, lifting it to a 23-year high.
July 4, 2024 5:02 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is vowing to keep running for reelection as he rejects pressure from within his Democratic Party to withdraw after a disastrous debate performance raised questions about his readiness. But in an ominous sign, one of his top allies publicly suggested on Wednesday a way that the party might choose someone else. According to a campaign aides, Biden told his staff that “no one is pushing me out” of the race. But there are signs that support for Biden is rapidly eroding among Democrats on Capitol Hill. Rep. Jim Clyburn, a longtime Biden ally, says he’d support a “mini-primary” in the run-up to the Democratic National Convention next month if Biden were to leave the race.
July 3, 2024 10:37 am
Canonsburg police are investigating after someone fired a gun in the east end area of the borough. On Monday and Tuesday night, several shots were fired in the area of Franklin and Highland avenues. Police said there was no apparent motive or target. “We are devoting all of our resources into finding the actor or actors as we review video surveillance footage, and follow up on the leads we have generated,” the police chief said in a social media post. Residents are advised to call 911 if they hear anything. Those with home security systems are asked to review the footage and report anything suspicious at 724-745-8020 ext. 519.
July 3, 2024 5:01 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — General Motors will pay nearly $146 million in penalties to the federal government because 5.9 million of its older vehicles don’t comply with emissions and fuel economy standards. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in a statement Wednesday that certain GM vehicles from the 2012 through 2018 model years didn’t comply with federal fuel economy requirements. The fine comes after the Environmental Protection Agency said its testing showed the GM pickup trucks and SUVs emit over 10% more carbon dioxide on average than GM’s initial compliance testing claimed. GM says it complied with all regulations in pollution and mileage certification of its vehicles.
