January 10, 2023 4:15 am
LOS ANGELES (AP) – The latest in a relentless string of California storms is swamping roads, battering coastlines with high surf, turning rivers into gushing flood zones and forcing the evacuation of thousands in towns with histories of deadly mudslides. At least 14 people have died since the storms began last week, including two people killed by falling trees. Forecasters expect the rain to continue through Tuesday after dumping up to 14 inches at higher elevations in central and Southern California. The storm on Monday prompted evacuation orders for 10,000 people along the central California coast, including the entire town of Montecito – home to Prince Harry and other celebrities – which saw 23 people killed in a mudslide five years ago.
January 10, 2023 4:12 am
LIGONIER TWP, Pa. — (WPXI) – Ligonier Valley police are searching for a man suspected in an attempted kidnapping in Ligonier Township. Assistant police chief Michael Matrunics says a young woman jogging Sunday morning near a shaded area on a popular walking trail on Route 381 was approached by a man with a gun. “A girl was running on a back road, and she was approached by a male in a rural area (in Rector) where there are no homes and then this incident occurred,” said Matrunics. Police are unsure if the suspect had been following the woman. They said he pulled his sedan in front of her, got out of the car, and demanded she get in the trunk. The suspect fired multiple shots. The victim was not shot, but police believe the suspect may have been trying to scare her into following his orders. The jogger was able to fight off her attacker until a passer-by arrived, and she got to safety unharmed. Police are searching for the suspect who they described as a white male between 50 to 60 years old, about 5 feet, 7 inches tall, with a “scruffy” white beard. The suspect was driving an older model blue sedan with chipping paint. Anyone with information about the vehicle or the suspect is asked to contact 911.
January 10, 2023 4:06 am
A Washington woman accused of forcing her way into an apartment and robbing the occupant will face trial. Victim testimony in the preliminary hearing of Brittany Molinaro, 35 of Washington accused Molinaro of falsely identifying herself at approximately 3:30 AM Christmas morning. A visitor staying with the victim was told to let the person in. As soon as the door opened, Molinaro forced her way into the apartment and argued with the victim. Molinaro then went into the kitchen and returned with a knife pointing it at the victim. Molinaro stole the victim’s purse that contained her ID and several bank cards.During the argument the victim called 9-1-1 looking for police help. Police did apprehend Molinaro who is now in the Washington County Jail on $100,000 bond. Molinaro will face felony charges of burglary and robbery and a misdemeanor charge of terroristic threats. Molinaro will be arraigned on February 23.
January 10, 2023 2:36 am
(AP) – Doctors who treated Damar Hamlin say the Bills safety is back in Buffalo in an uplifting sign of the remarkable progress he’s made a week after going into cardiac arrest and having to be resuscitated on the field during a game in Cincinnati. Hamlin, who is from McKess Rocks, was discharged from the University of Cincinnati Medical Center in the morning and flown to Buffalo, where Dr. William Knight said he was “doing well.” He will continue his recovery at a Buffalo hospital. Hamlin’s return comes a day after he cheered on the Bills from his hospital bed during their 35-23 win over the New England Patriots. The game proved to be a cathartic outpouring of support for the Bills and Hamlin. (Photo: ABC)
January 10, 2023 2:15 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) – The Pennsylvania state House Republican who nominated and voted for Democratic state Representative Mark Rozzi to serve as speaker says Rozzi is waffling on whether he will register as an independent and should resign. A letter sent to Rozzi on Monday by Representative Jim Gregory says “bonds of trust” between the two have been broken. The men have worked closely together on child sexual abuse issues. Rozzi was the surprise choice as speaker last week, breaking a deadlock caused by the two parties’ photo finish results in November. Rozzi promised that day to govern as an independent, but questions were raised whether he would change his party registration.
January 9, 2023 3:34 pm
NEW YORK (AP) – Thousands of nurses have gone on strike at two of New York City’s major hospitals. The walkout began Monday after contract negotiations stalled over staffing and salaries nearly three years into the coronavirus pandemic. As many as 3,500 nurses at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx and about 3,600 at Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan are off the job. The privately owned, nonprofit hospitals are postponing nonemergency surgeries, diverting ambulances to other medical centers and pulling in temporary staffers. Talks at are set to resume Monday afternoon at Montefiore, but there’s no immediate word on when bargaining might resume at Mount Sinai.
January 9, 2023 2:48 pm
(WPXI) – Prosecutors have filed documents indicating that they will seek the death penalty against the father accused of killing his son in Westmoreland County in May 2022. Azuree Charles, 9, who was found strangled to death behind his house in New Kensington after he was reported missing. Azuree’s father, Jean Charles, was charged with first-degree murder, abuse of a corpse and strangulation. His mother, Luella Elien was charged by detectives with aggravated assault of a child and endangering the welfare of a child. Police said she allowed Jean Charles to continue watching her four children despite known allegations of child abuse. Police said they have surveillance video showing Azuree in the area the night of the murder. They found the clothes he was seen wearing and a shovel not far where his red bike was found, with all DNA evidence matching his.
January 9, 2023 4:24 am
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) – The Russian military claims to have carried out deadly missile strikes on Ukrainian troops, but Ukrainian officials deny there were any casualties. The Russian Defense Ministry says its missiles hit two temporary bases in the eastern city of Kramatorsk, with hundreds killed. A spokesperson for Ukraine’s forces in the east told The Associated Press there were Russian strikes on the city but that they damaged only civilian infrastructure and “the armed forces of Ukraine weren’t affected.” A week ago, Ukrainian forces struck a facility in Makiivka, also in the east, killing dozens of Russian forces in one of the deadliest attacks since the war began in February.
January 9, 2023 4:23 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – After an epic 15-ballot election to become House speaker, Republican Kevin McCarthy faces his next big test in governing a fractious, slim majority. That could come Monday when lawmakers are set to consider a rules package to govern the House. Drafting and approving it is normally a fairly routine legislative affair. But in these times, it’s the next showdown for the embattled McCarthy. To become speaker, McCarthy had to make concessions to a small group of hard-liners who refused to support him until he yielded to their demands. Now those promises – or at least some of them – are being put into writing to be voted on when lawmakers return this week.
January 9, 2023 4:22 am
EL PASO, Texas (AP) – President Joe Biden has wrapped up a four-hour visit to the U.S.-Mexico border. The president walked a muddy stretch of the border and inspected a busy port of entry on Sunday, but he did not appear to meet with migrants during his first trip to the region as president. His visit to El Paso, Texas, came as Republicans try to blame him for the record numbers of migrants crossing into the country. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott handed Biden a letter saying he has failed to enforce federal law. Later Sunday, Biden arrived in Mexico City for a two-day summit of North American leaders.
