June 7, 2024 4:59 am
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A judge has dismissed several criminal charges against Paul Pelosi’s attacker in state court. The judge ruled on Thursday following the defense’s argument of double jeopardy. David DePape was federally convicted in the 2022 attack inside the couple’s San Francisco home. He now no longer faces counts of attempted murder, elder abuse and assault with a deadly weapon. DePape still faces charges of of false imprisonment, residential burglary, threatening a family member of a public official, attempting to sway a witness and aggravated kidnapping. He has pleaded not guilty. DePape was convicted last month and sentenced to 30 years in prison.
June 7, 2024 4:58 am
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Ahead of Pat Sajak’s final episode as the host of “Wheel of Fortune,” Vanna White paid an emotional tribute to her co-host of four decades. On Thursday’s episode of the game show, White honored Sajak’s work and their friendship with a video segment that featured clips and photos tracing their collaboration from the 1980s to the present. She called him “like a brother” and a “true lifelong friend,” adding that their personal friendship has meant even more than their professional collaboration. Sajak’s final episode will air Friday. White is staying on as co-host, with Ryan Seacrest taking over from Sajak.
June 7, 2024 4:56 am
SOUTH STRABANE TOWNSHIP, Pa. – (WPXI) – Pennsylvania State Police are continuing to investigating the homicide of a Washington County teenager from 1977. Brenda Ritter, 17, from South Strabane Township, left her boyfriend’s house on May 18, 1977 in a bad storm. Her car was found abandoned a few miles away the next day. Searchers in a state police helicopter found Ritter’s nearly nude remains on a hillside off rural Roupe Road, about three-quarters of a mile from her car, state police said. Her clothes were found within around 50 feet of her body. State police said Ritter had been sexually assaulted and strangled. Any persons with information regarding this incident are asked to contact the PSP Washington Station at 724-223-5200 or you can contact PSP Tips. All callers could be eligible for a cash reward.
June 7, 2024 4:56 am
RENO, Nev. (AP) — The first heat wave of the year is expected to maintain its grip on the Southwest United States for at least another day as record-setting temperatures continue to soar past 110 degrees Fahrenheit from southeast California to Arizona. The official start of summer is still two weeks away. But roughly half of Arizona and Nevada remain under an excessive heat alert into Friday evening. The alert continues through Saturday in Las Vegas, where its never been hotter this early in the year. New record highs Thursday included 113 in Phoenix, 111 in Las Vegas and 122 in Death Valley National Park.
June 7, 2024 4:55 am
KENT, Wash. (AP) — A cluster of tarp-covered tents in a grassy lot south of Seattle highlights the strain facing many communities. President Joe Biden is attempting to restrict asylum and neutralize immigration as a political liability ahead of this fall’s election. About 240 asylum-seekers are camping in the lot next to a busy highway and a vacant motel owned by King County. The county purchased the 85-room motel as an emergency quarantine shelter during the pandemic. It says it doesn’t have the resources to open it for the migrants. The asylum-seekers are hoping police don’t follow through on threats to arrest them for trespassing.
June 7, 2024 4:54 am
WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — Hunter Biden’s daughter Naomi testified in his federal gun trial about visiting her father while he was at a California rehab center. She told jurors Friday that he seemed to be improving in the weeks before he bought the revolver in 2018. As she was dismissed from the stand, she paused to hug her dad before leaving the courtroom. The defense began calling witnesses shortly after federal prosecutors wrapped up their case. Hunter Biden’s attorney Abbe Lowell started by calling another gun store clerk who was there when the gun was purchased. Lowell raised questions about what he saw as inconsistencies on the form.
June 7, 2024 4:50 am
CANONSBURG, Pa. — (WPXI) – A senior at Canon-McMillan who was badly hurt in a house fire in February was able to walk the stage at graduation. Dominic Mansmann is being released from the West Penn Hospital burn unit Friday after a 102-day stay. Dominic overcame incredible obstacles and walked last Friday night at his high school graduation. In February, Dom was rushed to the hospital with burns covering 70% of his body, after a terrible house fire. The fire miraculously missed his face and feet. “He was on the ventilator for weeks, it was surgery after surgery,” said his mother, Joni Mansmann, who has been by his side since February. “Honestly, at the beginning of this, I didn’t think we’d have him, let alone have him walk at graduation. I’m very, very proud of him.” The Canon Mac hockey player couldn’t walk or stand, but through excruciating pain, he gave himself a goal. “I’m going to get out of the bed every day and walk these halls so I can walk on the turf and show these people thank you,” he said. Dominic’s entire care team showed up for his graduation, including his doctor who shot a video of him walking.
June 7, 2024 4:44 am
Washington City Council worked through a day to day business agenda on Thursday night. The agenda was highlighted by two measures that will save tax money and free up spending. The first measure approved was the authorization to pay off the city’s $1 million Tax Anticipation Note. According to Director of Finance Ken Wescott, revenues arrived earlier this year so that enabled the city to pay off its note about three months earlier than normal. Council then agreed to refinance the City’s Bond Issue and extend the payment by one year. Instead of the remaining $1 million dollars being paid off in September of 2026, the bond will now be retired in September of 2027. According to Westcott, the action will free up approximately $500,000 of available cash to city coffers annually over the next three years. The city will also be saving money on electricity. Council approved a $125,500 LED Lighting Conversion Project to install LED lighting to all city lampposts. Westcott said the money will be provided by a State LSA grant and no city funds will be expended.
June 7, 2024 2:54 am
Washington County Commissioners are moving forward with a plan to purchase the City of Washington’s parking garage. Commissioners unanimously approved a measure on Thursday to authorize the County Solicitor to issue a Letter of Interest to purchase the garage located on North Franklin Street. According to Commissioner Chairman Nick Sherman, the garage was appraised by Owen Appraisal Service for approximately $4 million. The county is currently weighing its options on what to do with the Courthouse Square building. Sherman says engineering studies have been performed and it is now up to the board to determine the best way to deal with the building, fix it or demolish it for a new public safety building. Regardless of which decision is made, county employees would need a place to park their vehicles and the purchase of the parking garage is the most logical course of action. Sherman says that the garage that is majority owned by the city and minority owned by the Washington School District has been losing money for years. It would be a win for all parties if the county would purchase the garage. Funds would be coming from the American Rescue Plan Act funds. Sherman also said that it may be possible to take over an existing bond on the building if that is feasible. No exact timeline has been established but Sherman did say that decisions need to be made soon on the course of action to be taken on Courthouse Square.
June 7, 2024 2:51 am
A Washington man accused of shooting and injuring a man last month will avoid attempted homicide and several other charges. Justice Walden, 29 was accused of shooting in the direction of Charles Paith and striking him as he was standing outside of his Burton Avenue home back in May. During the preliminary hearing on Thursday, victims in the case did not appear for the hearing. The only testimony taken was from the police officer investigating the incident. A search warrant executed on the apartment of Walden found four spent shell casings. Charges of attempted homicide, aggravated assault and three reckless endangerment charges were dismissed. Prohibited possession of a firearm and one reckless endangerment charge were held for court. Walden will be arraigned on July 18th.
