June 21, 2024 5:05 am
NEW YORK (AP) — President Joe Biden is beginning an intense period of private debate preparations at Camp David. His trip comes as officials in both parties scramble to set expectations for what may be the most consequential presidential debate in decades. Biden’s team notes he cannot afford an underwhelming performance against Donald Trump Thursday night. Trump’s allies are pushing the Republican to stay focused on his governing plans, but they’re expecting him to be tested by pointed questions about his unrelenting focus on election fraud and his legal baggage. Strategists on both sides agree on one thing: Nearly four months before Election Day, the political stakes could not be higher.
June 21, 2024 5:04 am
BEIJING (AP) — China appears to be keeping its distance as Russia and North Korea move closer to each other with a new defense pact that could tilt the balance of power among the three authoritarian states. Experts say the Chinese leadership likely is fretting the potential loss of influence over North Korea and how that could increase instability on the Korean Peninsula. Beijing so far has not commented on the deal and only reiterated boilerplate statements that it seeks to uphold peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and advance a political settlement of the North-South divide.
June 21, 2024 5:02 am
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea summoned the Russian ambassador to protest a defense pact with North Korea, two days after Russian President Vladimir Putin signed an agreement vowing mutual defense with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on a state visit to Pyongyang. South Korea’s government has denounced the agreement as a threat to the South’s security and said it will consider providing arms to Ukraine to help it fight Russia’s invasion. Earlier Friday, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un issued a vague threat of retaliation after South Korean activists flew balloons carrying anti-Pyongyang propaganda leaflets across the border, underscoring rising tensions on the peninsula.
June 21, 2024 5:00 am
The Cecil Township Planning Commission disappointed approximately 60 residents by pulling an agenda item at the beginning of the meeting. Residents of Lawrence and the Georgetown Estates community came out to have their views heard on a discussion regarding amendments to the township’s Oil and Gas Development ordinance. According to Planning Commission Chairman Jason Krut, Township Supervisors communicated to them that it was their preference to not have the item considered by the commission. When the announcement was made, Cecil Township Assistant Manager Jacque King announced that the planned public hearing on the ordinance on July 1 will be continued and no vote will be taken on the ordinance at the supervisors meeting that night. The Planning Commission did take about an hour of public comment on the ordinance. The main point that residents wished to express was that they would like to have a 2500 foot setback minimum from structures for well pad development in the revised ordinance. Under the current proposal, those communities would be within 1700 feet of two possible proposed pad sites. Township Supervisors Frank Egizio and Darlene Barni attended the meeting. Neither would offer an explanation as to why supervisors did not want the ordinance to be discussed. Supervisors will meet on July 1. It is anticipated that more clarity will be offered on the status of the ordinance at that meeting.
June 21, 2024 4:01 am
North Franklin Township will be having a ribbon cutting ceremony today to debut their new municipal building. The new center is located at 345 Franklin Farms Road. The building is a $4 million dollar project that is 7000 square feet. Not only will it house township offices, it will also have a multi-purpose room available for public use. The new building is situated next to the township’s 89 acre waterside park. The ribbon cutting ceremony will begin at 11:00 this morning.
June 20, 2024 5:59 pm
At least one person was reportedly injured in an accident that occurred Thursday afternoon at the height of rush hour. The accident, which reportedly involved a vehicle and scooter, occurred around four o’clock in the area of Beau Street and Claire Drive. There’s been no word on the nature of the injuries or how the crash occurred. The road was closed for a brief period of time and traffic was detoured around the crash.
June 20, 2024 5:52 pm
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has failed to qualify for next week’s debate in Atlanta. Host network CNN said Thursday the independent presidential candidate fell short of benchmarks both for state ballot qualification and polling. The missed markers mean the June 27 showdown will be solely between President Joe Biden and Donald Trump. Kennedy wanted to stand alongside the leading candidates, to lend legitimacy to his longshot bid and convince potential supporters that he has a shot at winning. Both major-party campaigns fear Kennedy could play spoiler in what’s anticipated to be a close general election. Kennedy has filed an election complaint alleging the debate markers were created to disfavor him.
June 20, 2024 12:42 pm
(WPXI) – A man was stopped at Pittsburgh International Airport for trying to bring a grenade onto his flight. Transportation Security Administration spokesperson Lisa Farbstein said while most people plan on having a blast on their trip, the passenger wasn’t thinking along those lines. The grenade was inert. However, inert and live grenades are not allowed on planes, TSA said.
June 20, 2024 10:45 am
The Pirates and Sheetz have announced a multi-year partnership in which the convenience chain will serve as the team’s first jersey patch partner. As part of the agreement, the Sheetz logo will be featured on the sleeves of the Pirates home and away jerseys beginning with tonight’s game against Tampa Bay at PNC Park. “We are thrilled to expand our partnership with Sheetz and the Sheetz family,” said Bob Nutting, Pirates Chairman. “Like the Pirates, Sheetz is an iconic local brand that is a part of everyday life in Pittsburgh and throughout the Western Pennsylvania region. Sheetz is a family-owned company that shares in our strong commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of others in our community. Sheetz is the perfect partner to be featured on our first-ever jersey patch.” Sheetz has more than 730 store locations and over 25,000 employees and was founded as a small family business in 1952 when Bob Sheetz purchased one of his father’s dairy stores in Altoona, Pennsylvania. After 70 years, the company serves more than 1.5 million customers a day across Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio and North Carolina.
June 20, 2024 9:29 am
Crews worked through the day Thursday to repair a water main break. Pennsylvania American Water says it occurred along East Pine Avenue in the City of Washington. Officials tell WJPA News the break involved an 8-inch line and repairs were expected to take about eight-hours to complete. Some six to eight homes in the area were affected. Once water service was restored, customers who experienced discolored water were asked to run the cold water taps only at the lowest level of their home for about three to five minutes until the water ran clear.
