January 28, 2023 3:15 am
The man who allegedly robbed the Citizens Bank branch inside the Giant Eagle supermarket in Strabane Square and killed a man trying to stop him will stand trial. After nearly ten years, 39-year-old Keith Wilk of Pittsburgh, will face homicide, robbery and aggravated assault charges for his alleged killing of 46 year old Vincent Kelly. During Wilk’s preliminary hearing witness testimony traced Wilk’s actions from the time he approached a bank teller wearing all black and using an umbrella and mask to hide his identity while robbing the bank, to his fleeing the scene and his shooting Kelly as Kelly tried to stop him from getting away. Wilk sat quietly in the courtroom as witnesses told their accounts of the story. The most important testimony came from his former girlfriend Tina Vennebush. Vennebush testified that Wilk confessed to the robbery and killing in a phone call he made to her. She initially did not believe him but internet research she performed made her believe that he did commit the crimes. Police testimony presented DNA evidence found on the umbrella that eventually linked Wilk to the crimes that were committed in June of 2013. The judge held all charges for court. Wilk will be formally arraigned on February 23. He is being held in the Washington County Jail without bond.
January 27, 2023 4:18 am
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian authorities say Russia has fired more missiles and self-exploding drones at nearly a dozen Ukrainian provinces, causing the first war-related death in Kyiv this year and killing at least 11 people overall. The attacks came a day after Germany and the United States announced they would send advanced battle tanks to Ukraine. The spokesperson for Ukraine’s State Emergency Service announced the casualty toll. The mayor of Kyiv said earlier that one person was killed in the capital, the city’s first attack-related death of the year. Authorities say three other people died in a strike on an energy facility in Zaporizhzhia province. The attacks adhered to Russia’s recent pattern of launching widespread infrastructure strikes about every two weeks.
January 27, 2023 4:17 am
HONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong will ban CBD starting Wednesday, labeling it a “dangerous drug.” Cannabidiol, derived from the cannabis plant, was previously legal in Hong Kong, where bars and shops sold products containing it. But last year, Hong Kong authorities decided to prohibit its use. Customs authorities announced Friday that the ban would go into effect starting Feb. 1. CBD is one of many chemicals found in cannabis, a plant known more commonly as marijuana. Unlike its cousin THC, CBD doesn’t get users high. Supporters say CBD can treat a range of ailments. Others, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, say there’s not enough evidence to confirm its safety as a supplement.
January 27, 2023 4:15 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The National Archives has asked former presidents and vice presidents to recheck their personal records for any classified documents following the news that President Joe Biden and former Vice President Mike Pence had documents in the possession after they left office. The Archives sent a letter Thursday to the representatives of former presidents and vice presidents from former President Ronald Reagan to the present to ensure compliance on the issue of compliance with the Presidential Records Act, which states that any records created or received by the president are the property of the U.S. government and will be managed by the archives at the end of the administration.
January 27, 2023 4:14 am
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) – The city of Memphis and the nation are awaiting the release of a police video depicting five officers viciously beating a Black man who later died. Tyre Nichols’ death prompted murder charges Thursday against the officers and outrage at the country’s latest instance of police brutality. Nichols died three days after a confrontation with the officers during a traffic stop on Jan. 7. Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy says video of the traffic stop will be released to the public sometime Friday evening. Nichols’ family and the Memphis police chief say they expect protests, but urged people to demonstrate peacefully.
January 27, 2023 4:04 am
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Pa. — (WPXI) – A water main break in Monongahela is impacting 75 customers. According to a Washington County 911 supervisor, the break happened at 3:15 p.m. Thursday at the intersection of West Main Street and 4th Street. Crews with Pennsylvania American Water are making repairs. Pennsylvania American Water said 75 customers are experiencing low or no water pressure due to the break. Service should be restored early this morning.
January 27, 2023 2:30 am
A Pennsylvania State Police Trooper charged with two DUI offenses entered into the ARD Program on Thursday. Trooper Jeffrey Tihey will serve 12 months probation for his actions that occurred in September of 2021. Tihey was in an unmarked state police vehicle when he ran into a North Strabane Township firefighter’s private vehicle in the station parking lot on Johnson Road. The firefighter was able to retrieve the keys from Tihey as he tried to flee the scene before nodding off at the wheel of his car. Tihey was taken to a hospital and a blood draw found his blood alcohol level to be three times the legal limit of that presumed for intoxication. Tihey has been on administrative duty since the incident. It has not been determined if Tihey will lose his job with the Pennsylvania State Police.
January 27, 2023 2:15 am
Washington County Controller April Sloane faced trial for a summary harassment offense stemming from an argument at a Christmas Party and received a favorable outcome. Sloane was charged by Cecil Township police after victim Kevin Hill reported that he had a drink thrown in his face by Sloane at the Peters Township Republican Party Christmas Party in December. Victim testimony stated that a discussion between him and Sloane became intense regarding his possible candidacy for Washington County Clerk of Courts. Sloane testified that the discussion was intense also. Both testified that they retreated away from the party while the argument continued. Sloane testified to feeling threatened by Hill. She walked away and got a drink and threw it at Hill. Sloane left the party and Hill called 9-1-1. Attempts to settle the case prior to the hearing were unsuccessful. Defense attorney Sean Logue called the case a “He said/She said” case where Sloane felt threatened and used the drink as self defense. The judge agreed and found Slone not guilty.
January 26, 2023 4:54 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) – U.S. special operations forces have killed a senior Islamic State group official and 10 other terrorist operatives in remote northern Somalia. áDefense Secretary Lloyd Austin says the operation in a mountainous cave complex targeted Bilal al-Sudani, a key financial facilitator for the global terrorist organization. President Joe Biden was briefed last week about the proposed mission that was months in the planning. He gave the final approval this week, according to two officials who briefed reporters on the operation on the condition of anonymity. Pentagon officials say no civilians were injured or killed in the operation.
January 26, 2023 2:08 pm
MEMPHIS, Tenn.. (AP) – Five fired Memphis police officers have been charged with second-degree murder and other crimes in the arrest and death of Tyre Nichols, a Black motorist who died three days after a confrontation with the officers during a traffic stop. Shelby County Sheriff’s Office records showed Thursday that Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Desmond Mills, Jr., Emmitt Martin III and Justin Smith were in custody. They are all Black. Each is charged with second-degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct and official oppression. Attorneys for Nichols’ family say officers beat the 29-year-old father for three minutes during the Jan. 7 stop. Nichols’ stepfather told The Associated Press he and Nichols’ mother are “fine with” the second-degree murder charges. (Photo: ABC News)
