October 1, 2024 4:52 am
Peters Township Council approved a project that is part of a larger project that has been under consideration for years. Council awarded a $5,995,000 contract to Massaro Corporation to build a splash pad in Rolling Hills Park. The plan is partially funded by a $3 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant. The remainder is financed by bond funds already on hand. In addition to the splash pad, there will be a party building, restrooms and a pavilion. The vote to approve the measure was 6-1. Councilman Gary Stiegel dissented saying he was always against an aquatic center. He thinks the splash pad is a gateway to having a full blown pool. Councilman Robert Lewis has been a proponent of a swimming facility for decades. He said it is a good first step toward an aquatic facility. Ground breaking could occur as early as October with work continuing through the winter depending on the weather. Officials hope to have the facility ready sometime in the summer of 2025.
October 1, 2024 2:53 am
Washington County Commissioners have appointed Heather Sheatler, the Deputy Controller, as supervisor of the Washington County’s Controller office pursuant to Section 12308 of the Pennsylvania Code. Commission Chair Nick Sherman says that with twenty-one years of outstanding service in the Controller’s Office, Heather has his complete confidence in her ability to manage the day-to-day operations and oversee the 12-employee office. He says Heather has assured him of her dedication to the controller’s office and expressed readiness to take on the challenge. Her priority, he says, is to bring honor back to the office and fulfill her fiscal duties. Sherman says he anticipates a smooth transition with her great team of experienced employees. Further, Sherman says, the commissioners have requested that the Governor appoint Sheatler as Acting Controller for the unexpired term in accordance with Section 12309 of the Pennsylvania County Code. Her appointment comes after Republican Controller April Sloan entered a plea in Washington County Court to charges related to the death of her dog Thor. She was accused of neglecting him and allowing him to die. His body was found wrapped in a plastic bag in her garage. As part of her plea, she agreed to resign her position.
October 1, 2024 5:59 am
A shocking social media post is the latest attack on Charleroi’s immigrant population. The flyer promotes a white supremacy group and asks “white citizens of Charleroi” to arm themselves and “protect your families.” Local officials tell WPXI there weren’t physical flyers posted throughout the community, but one posted on a private community page on Facebook. The flyer includes several Ku Klux Klan logos. The flyer reads in part “arm yourself white America” and “these 3rd world immigrants are destroying every single city they arrive in.” It comes following remarks made about the borough by former President Trump during a campaign stop. Local leaders from both sides of the aisle have called for an end to this hateful rhetoric. Local officials say they’ll continue to remain vigilant to ensure the safety of all residents.
October 1, 2024 2:20 am
The Canonsburg Senior Center was the site where the Southwestern Pennsylvania Area Agency on Aging, The Aging Services of Washington County, SPHS Aging Services, and the Washington Area Senior Citizens announced the strategic plan that the groups partnered in developing for the thirteen Senior Centers across Washington County. The study focused on diversification of programming, growth and retention of center participants and adequate staffing for all centers. Some of the programming suggestions are trips to local establishments such as restaurants and speaker series. Facility upgrades as simple as new paint to accessible doorways are being considered. Staffing was addressed to make sure there are enough people on hand to deal with the hoped for growth in the use of the centers. The study points out that Washington County’s demographic profile indicates a significant portion, 21.2% of residents, are aged 65 and older. According to Mary Lynn Spivak, Director of Aging Services of Washington County, funding for these projects will be provided by grants, and solicitations in the communities that the centers are based. The strategic plan study was funded by a $160,000 grant from the Henry L. Hillman Foundation and was performed by the Hill Group.
October 1, 2024 2:08 am
A Washington County couple is scheduled to be formally arraigned on several felony counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and endangering the welfare of a child. The charges are a result of a search warrant executed by the Office of Attorney General Bureau of Narcotics on the couple’s home in Eighty Four this past July. Drew and Lauren Divelbliss remain behind bars for their alleged role in a large manufacturing operation that included 1,500 grams of DMT – a strong psychedelic similar to Psilocybin mushrooms – valued at $150,000; 300 grams of THC shatter – street value $45,000; hundreds of packages of marijuana edibles; and 10 pounds of marijuana. Police also found $300,000 cash in vacuumed sealed plastic. In addition to the drug charges they also face charges of endangering the welfare of children. Two juvenile girls lived with their parents on Hickory Nut Drive in Eighty Four. A formal arraignment is scheduled for October 24th at one pm.
October 1, 2024 4:59 am
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Dockworkers at ports from Maine to Texas have started walking picket lines in a strike over wages and automation that could reignite inflation and cause shortages of goods if it goes on more than a few weeks. The contract between the ports and about 45,000 members of the International Longshoremen’s Association expired at midnight, and even though progress was reported in talks on Monday, the workers went on strike early Tuesday. The strike is affecting 36 ports. The U.S. Maritime Alliance, which represents the ports, said Monday evening that both sides had moved off of their previous wage offers, but when picket lines went up just after midnight, it was apparent there was no deal.
October 1, 2024 5:02 am
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) — President Joe Biden is planning to survey the devastation in the mountains of Western North Carolina on Wednesday, where exhausted emergency workers continue to work around-the-clock to clear roads, restore power and cellphone service, and reach people left stranded by Hurricane Helene. Water, food and other supplies are being airlifted into places cut off by mudslides and washed-out roads. The death toll after the storm left a trail of destruction across the U.S. Southeast has reached at least 133. Officials worry the toll will rise further as searchers reach isolated areas. Hundreds of people are still unaccounted for. Meanwhile, forecasters are keeping a close eye on Tropical Storm Kirk, which is expected to become a powerful Atlantic hurricane this week.
October 1, 2024 5:05 am
VALDOSTA, Ga. (AP) — Donald Trump is spreading falsehoods about the federal response to the deadly Hurricane Helene, despite claiming not to be politicizing the disaster. Trump criticized Vice President Kamala Harris for “campaigning and looking for money.” He also levied attacks against the federal government for being “non-responsive” to the disaster, claiming Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has been struggling to get President Joe Biden on the phone. This is despite the White House announcing that Biden spoke by phone on Sunday night with Kemp and North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper. Biden accused Trump of “lying.” Kemp, meanwhile, expressed appreciation Monday for federal response to the storm.
October 1, 2024 5:04 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Tim Walz and JD Vance will meet for their first and possibly only vice presidential debate Tuesday. It may also be the last debate for both campaigns to argue their case before the election. The debate in New York hosted by CBS News will give Vance, a Republican freshman senator from Ohio, and Walz, a Democratic former congressman and two-term governor of Minnesota, a chance to make the case for their running mates, former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, and go on the attack against the opposing ticket. Vice presidential candidates and the lone debate they typically engage in have not historically had a huge impact on the presidential race, but this matchup could have an outsized impact.
October 1, 2024 6:55 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is making asylum restrictions at the southern border even tougher. The changes come in the middle of an election campaign where border security is a key concern, and the administration is increasingly eager to show voters it’s taking a hard stance. The rules announced Monday toughen restrictions imposed in June and will bar migrants from being granted asylum when U.S. officials deem that the southern border is overwhelmed. Immigration advocates already had harshly criticized the previous restrictions, saying the administration was slashing away at vital protections for people fleeing persecution. The new restrictions go into effect Tuesday.
