September 19, 2025 5:55 pm
ATLANTA (AP) — Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s new vaccine advisers added confusion Friday to this fall’s COVID-19 vaccinations. For the first time since the shots were developed, the group has declined to recommend their use — instead leaving the choice up to those who want them. The Food and Drug Administration recently put new restrictions on this year’s shots from Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax, reserving them for people over 65 or younger ones at higher risk. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisers declined to recommend that those people seek a shot but narrowly avoided urging states to require a prescription for those who want one. (Photo: AP)
September 19, 2025 5:53 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate rejected competing measures to fund federal agencies for a few weeks when the new budget year begins on Oct. 1, increasing prospects for a partial government shutdown on that date. Leaders of the two parties sought to blame the other side for the standoff. Democrats accused Republicans of not negotiating with them to address some of their priorities on health care as part of the funding measure. Republicans said Democrats were making demands that would dramatically increase spending and were not germane to the core issue of keeping the government open. It’s unclear how the two sides will be able to avoid a shutdown.
September 19, 2025 2:24 pm
Two men had their preliminary hearings for an April 28th shooting that occurred on West Walnut Street, adjacent to John F. Kennedy Catholic School in Washington, that left one man dead. Trevon McCrary, 31 of Washington and William Howell, 24 of Pittsburgh had a joint hearing. Both men are facing homicide charges in the shooting that left 28 year old Nasstylejah Wilkerson dead. The brunt of the testimony came from Sydney Vaughn who is a close friend to McCrary. She said on the day of the shooting, she and McCrary left her home at 103 West Walnut Street and took her car to Pittsburgh to run an errand. That errand was to pick up William Howell at his Pittsburgh home. One hour after returning to her home, Vaughn heard, but did not see, 5 gunshots in front of her home. She ran with her daughter and sister to her room to hide. Vaughn received a video phone call from McCrary and she said McCrary told her “I h ad to do what I had to do.” McCrary and Howell left the scene in Vaughn’s car and were later tracked to a parking lot in South Fayette Township. McCrary and Wilkerson are described as brothers. Police testimony described the investigation of a car with bullet holes and other corroborating evidence collected at the scene. In addition to the homicide charge McCrary faces two firearms charges. Howell, who represented himself at the hearing, faces homicide and conspiracy homicide charges. Their cases were held for court, they will be arraigned next month.
September 19, 2025 4:48 am
PITTSBURGH — A pitcher for the Washington Wild Things is reportedly facing charges in connection with an incident at a Pittsburgh nightclub. According to our news partners at Channel 11, Police say the victim was punched in the face, knocked unconscious and ended up in the ICU. The suspect is identified as Sebastian Rodriquez. Attorney Phil DiLucente says Rodriguez has been in the Allegheny County Jail for the past week after investigators say he punched a man inside Cavo nightclub in the Strip District. DiLucente claims his client acted in self defense. A preliminary hearing had to be postponed due to a lack of an interpreter. Rodriquez is from Puerto Rico. Detectives say Rodriquez threw one punch but the victim has had multiple brain surgeries and continues to have seizures.
September 19, 2025 2:54 am
A pair of studies by the Washington County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism and Promotion agency have found that a new event center is a viable project and would deliver ongoing benefits to the county. One study focused on the feasibility of such a project while the other examined its market potential. President Jeff Kotula says such a project carries a price tag of $24 million. It would be a multi-use facility of 30,000 square feet with a capacity of 3,000 guests in a concert setting. Kotula says they are looking at the Racetrack Road area, including Tanger and Hollywood Casino area as they search for those who may be willing to work with them on this project. The study found that construction of such a facility would generate more than $24 million and support some 200 full time equivalent jobs. Once operational, it is projected to generate $22 million in annual economic impact and support 70 new jobs and support another 64 indirect jobs. Kotula says there is no specific timetable for the project. (PHOTO: Washington County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Promotion Agency)
September 18, 2025 2:50 am
A city teenager will face trial as an adult in a July shooting that occurred on Shannon Avenue. Tristan Lassic, 17 faces multiple charges felony and misdemeanor charges, but the district attorney withdrew the most serious charge, attempted homicide. To have that charge withdrawn, Lassic agreed to have his case waived to court instead of being held for court without a hearing. According to Deputy District Attorney Megan Faust, that arrangement has advantages for the commonwealth. According to charging documents, Lassic is accused of shooting Rashard Carter multiple times in front of Lassic’s home. Carter was found by police at the corner of East Hallam Avenue and Ridge Avenue with three gunshots to his back. Carter was ultimately flown to a Pittsburgh hospital. Lassic was supposed to be on an ankle monitor due to a previous gun case. A search of his home found the ankle monitor and a large knife on his bed. Lassic was later apprehended in Pittsburgh amid a SWAT standoff. Lassic is denied bail, he will be arraigned on October 23.
September 18, 2025 2:50 am
Washington County Commissioners were poised to authorize a work order for engineering services and a request for proposal for design and construction services for a miniature golf course at Mingo Creek Park. Those items were tabled for further research. According to Commissioner Chairman Nick Sherman, it was found that original funding for the park from the federal government prohibits any activity that would be used for profit. Any admission charge to use the golf course would be viewed as a for profit venture, so therefore prohibited. He likened it to the inability to install cell phone towers at the park. Those are also prohibited under the funding structure used to create the park. Sherman says that the county solicitor has been tasked to find a method that may be acceptable to federal officials to allow the golf course to be built.
September 19, 2025 2:43 am
The WCCF says donations for Thursday’s Day of Giving rolled past the $1.4 million mark, thanks to the support of more than 150 non-profits by more than 2,800 donors. The total contributions will continue to grow as the Washington County Community Foundation adds in the mailed-in contributions. Over the past 12 years, WCCF Gives has awarded nearly $14 million to Washington County charities, supporting programs and resources that directly benefit the community and this year, in addition to the vital support raised from donors, $100,000 in prizes were awarded thanks to generous sponsors. In addition, WCCF officials say that thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, up to $32,000 in processing costs related to WCCF Gives credit card contributions were covered, ensuring that more donor dollars directly benefit local charities.
September 19, 2025 5:04 am
NORTH CODORUS, Pa. (AP) — A prosecutor says a suspected stalker armed with a rifle hid inside his ex-girlfriend’s home in Pennsylvania and ambushed police officers who came to arrest him, killing three of them. Police arriving at the scene at about 2:10 p.m. Wednesday noticed the door to the home was unlocked even though the ex-girlfriend and her mother had locked it before leaving the property. York County District Attorney Tim Barker said during a news conference Thursday that the officers opened the door and the suspect immediately opened fire on them using an AR-style rifle with a suppressor. He says the suspect fired multiple rounds at the four officers at the door, killing three of them.
September 19, 2025 5:07 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has intensified his efforts to reshape the media landscape, using threats, lawsuits and government pressure. He has extracted multimillion-dollar settlements and forced companies into costly litigation. Now that ABC late-night host Jimmy Kimmel has been suspended over comments about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Trump wants to go even further. Speaking aboard Air Force One, the Republican president suggested revoking broadcast licenses for networks that criticize him. Brendan Carr, head of the Federal Communications Commission, had made a similar threat the previous day. Critics fear these actions threaten free speech protections, a cornerstone of the American political system.
