December 14, 2023 2:56 am
In a media release on Wednesday, Washington County Commissioners Diana Irey Vaughan; Larry Maggi and Nick Sherman, along with commissioner-elect Electra Janis; County Treasurer Tom Flickinger; Prothonotary Laura Hough and Recorder of Deeds Carrie Perrell all called for the immediate resignation of April Sloane, following her arrest on animal cruelty charges. “We, the undersigned Washington County elected officials, call on County Controller April Sloane to resign her office effective immediately. Ms. Sloane faces two felony counts, one for causing serious bodily injury and one for torture, of animal cruelty in connection with the death of her dog, Thor. She is also charged with a misdemeanor count of neglecting to provide veterinary care. Our heart breaks for Thor, who suffered aggravated cruelty and neglect, leading to his death on November 27. We join the countless citizens across the county who have contacted us to express their outrage over this troubling event. As elected leaders, we know that an officeholder must be free to focus on official responsibilities, something we believe Controller Sloane will be unable to do given the troubling allegations raised by authorities. For this reason, we believe she should step aside from official duties so that her office can function without the distraction and impediments these criminal charges place in her path. “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated,” Gandhi stated. Ms. Sloane no longer holds the moral compass or compassion to represent the people of Washington County. We hope she gets the assistance she needs. A donation from the undersigned will be made in Thor’s name to the Washington County Abused Animal Relief Fund (WAARF), www.waarf.org.”
December 13, 2023 5:34 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court says it’ll hear appeals that could upend hundreds of charges stemming from the Capitol riot, including against ex-President Donald Trump. The justices agreed Wednesday to review an appellate ruling that revived a charge against three defendants from Texas, Pennsylvania and New York accused of obstruction of an official proceeding. The charge refers to the disruption of Congress’ certification of Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential election victory over Trump. That’s among four counts brought against Trump in special counsel Jack Smith’s case accusing the Republican ex-president of conspiring to overturn the election results. The obstruction charge has been brought against more than 300 defendants following the deadly Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection.
December 13, 2023 3:51 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans say Hunter Biden is in more trouble after defying a congressional subpoena to appear privately for a deposition with investigators digging into his business dealings. Biden insisted outside the Capitol on Wednesday he’ll only testify in public. Top Republicans say they’ll begin looking at contempt of Congress proceedings in response to Hunter Biden’s lack of cooperation. Hunter Biden says Republicans don’t want an open process allowing Americans to “see their tactics” and “expose their baseless inquiry.” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre says President Joe Biden was familiar with what his son would say. She said the Bidens are proud of their son. (Photo: AP)
December 13, 2023 2:51 pm
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — School-funding legislation is on the move in Pennsylvania to send millions more to subsidize private school tuition and create a student-teacher stipend. The bill passed the Republican-controlled Senate on Wednesday and heads to the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives. Under the bill, the state would expand a tax credit program that subsidizes private school tuition by $130 million to $470 million. And it seeks to encourage more college students to become teachers by creating a program to give a stipend of up to $15,000 to student teachers. The legislation also ties up some loose ends of a months-old budget dispute for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
December 13, 2023 11:51 am
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Andre Braugher (BROW’-ur), the Emmy-winning actor best known for his roles on the series “Homicide: Life on The Street” and “Brooklyn 99,” died Monday at age 61. Braugher’s publicist Jennifer Allen confirmed his death to the trade publication Variety. He died after a short illness. The Chicago-born actor had his breakthrough role in 1989’s “Glory,” starring alongside Morgan Freeman and Denzel Washington, who won an Oscar for the film about an all-Black army regiment during the Civil War. Despite the part, he told The Associated Press in 2019 that he struggled to find work in a Hollywood where roles for African American actors were “few and far between. Period.” But he would establish himself with the role of Det. Frank Pembleton, which he would play for seven seasons in “Homicide: Life on the Street,” a gritty police drama on NBC based on a book by David Simon, who would go on to create “The Wire.” Braugher won two career Emmys from 11 nominations. He was married for more than 30 years to his “Homicide” co-star Ami Brabson. They had three sons. (Photo: AP)
December 13, 2023 5:10 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House is pushing toward a vote to authorize the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden formally. This comes as Republicans rally behind the charged process despite lingering concerns among some in the party that the investigation has yet to produce evidence of misconduct by the president. House Speaker Mike Johnson and his leadership team have been facing growing pressure to show progress in what has become a nearly yearlong probe centered around the business dealings of Biden’s family members. Their investigation has raised ethical questions, but no evidence has emerged that Biden acted corruptly or accepted bribes in his current role or previous office as vice president.
December 13, 2023 5:08 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden’s pledge to restore American credibility around the globe is at risk during the congressional debate over support for Ukraine. Congress appears unable to reach a deal on funding despite Biden’s insistence that the United States should help defend against a Russian invasion for as long as it takes. Without a bipartisan agreement, Washington will run out of authorized military assistance that can be shipped to Kyiv. Analysts say that would be devastating not only to Ukraine but to Biden’s efforts to demonstrate American fortitude in the face of international aggression.
December 13, 2023 5:07 am
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian officials say a Russian missile attack on Kyiv has resulted in more than 50 injuries and several damaged buildings. A series of loud explosions could be heard in Kyiv at 3 a.m. local time Wednesday as air defenses were activated for the second time this week. Kyiv’s mayor says debris from intercepted missiles fell in the eastern Dniprovskyi district, injuring at least 53 people, 20 of whom were hospitalized. The mayor says a residential building and several cars caught fire. On Monday, a Russian missile attack destroyed several homes on the outskirts of Kyiv and left more than 100 households temporarily without electricity.
December 13, 2023 5:04 am
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — The Israeli military says Palestinian militants ambushed troops in a dense Gaza City neighborhood, killing at least nine of them. The fighting comes as Hamas puts up stiff resistance in areas that Israel has isolated and pounded with airstrikes for over two months. The air and ground war triggered by Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack has killed thousands of Palestinian civilians and pushed nearly 85% of Gaza’s population from their homes. It has sparked international outrage. The United States has repeatedly called on Israel to take greater measures to spare civilians, even as it has blocked international calls for a cease-fire and rushed military aid to its close ally. Clashes raged overnight and into Wednesday in multiple areas.
December 13, 2023 4:58 am
South Strabane Township Supervisors wrapped up 2023 at their voting meeting on Tuesday. They were able to deliver good news to residents going into 2024. Supervisors formally adopted the 2024 budget. According to Township Manager Jeff Ziegler, the budget totals $8,006,053. Ziegler says there is no tax increase and the budget is balanced. Also approved was an extension for the collection of recyclables. The township will once again make use of a one year extension with Waste Management. Costs will rise over last year. The new monthly fee will be $6.18 per month. That is a $1.43 per month more and $17.16 more per year than last year. Supervisors also accepted the resignation of Supervisor Bracken Burns. Burns submitted his resignation after he lost his bid for reelection in November. The remaining supervisors reached out to Burns to ask that he reconsider, no response was received from Burns before the November meeting. Supervisors acted on the resignation making it official on Tuesday. The Board of Supervisors will hold their reorganization meeting on January 2, 2024 at 7:00 pm.
