September 29, 2024 7:39 am
NEW KENSINGTON, Pa. (AP) — A Pennsylvania man who has served 43 years of a life sentence for murder is still pursuing appeals. Steve Szarewicz insists he didn’t do it, but so far his claim hasn’t persuaded the courts. He was convicted of killing 25-year-old Billy Merriwether near Pittsburgh in 1981. But a prosecutor from that time says the case was “no prize.” That’s because it was built entirely on the shifting accounts of four jailhouse informants. Despite new evidence the 66-year-old says he has uncovered, the Pennsylvania Innocence Project says appeals in the state are particularly tough to win. Szarewicz’s case is now before the Pennsylvania Superior Court. He says he is hoping for a legal breakthrough. (Photo: AP)
September 29, 2024 7:33 am
(WPX) – Ticketmaster reached out to Channel 11 on Saturday after Hailee McCorkle shared the story of how a hacker or hackers took her Post Malone tickets. They said her tickets had been returned to her. Ticketmaster emphasized the problem originates with “fans’ email and poor password hygiene,” which gives hackers the advantage. A spokesperson for Ticketmaster issued the following statement:
“Overall, our digital ticketing innovations have greatly reduced fraud compared to the days of paper tickets and duplicated PDFs. Having that digital history is also how we are able to investigate and successfully return tickets like we did for Ms. McCorkle. The top way fans can protect themselves is setting a strong unique password for all accounts – especially for their personal email which is where we often see security issues originate. Scammers are looking for new cheats across every industry, and tickets will always be a target because they are valuable, so Ticketmaster is constantly investing in new security enhancements to safeguard fans.”
It is part of a scam happening around the country. Hackers are getting into people’s Ticketmaster accounts and transferring the tickets to themselves and customers are encouraged to be extra vigilant.
September 28, 2024 8:17 am
The Washington Drug and Alcohol Commission held an open house to introduce their new recovery center. The center is located on the ground floor at 90 West Chestnut St. Cheryl Andrews is the executive Director of the WDAC, she says that the purpose of the center is to provide a place to offer resources and support services for those in long-term recovery and for those seeking to begin the process of recovery. People will find that the Recovery Center has a laundry area, a shower, and certified specialist to help those in recovery and seeking recovery. A serenity room, a clothes closet for those needing clothing and a TV area with adjacent kids areas are more of the amenities available to people. Andrews describes the center as a safe place for those that need to maintain their recovery. The center is open Monday through Friday from 8:30a to 4:30p on Tuesday the center is open until 7:30p for recovery meeting the WDAC has been open since 2002 and they provide prevention, intervention, and treatment related services along with recovery support
September 28, 2024 5:32 am
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel says it has killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in its most significant blow to the Lebanese militant group after months of fighting. There was no immediate confirmation from Hezbollah. If the claim is true, Nasrallah is by far the most powerful target to be killed by Israel in weeks of intensified fighting with Hezbollah. The army said that several top Hezbollah commanders were killed along with Nasrallah in a powerful airstrike Friday at the group’s headquarters in Beirut.
September 28, 2024 3:16 am
(WPXI) A part of the Pennsylvania Turnpike will close overnight this weekend for crews to remove a part of a former bridge in Westmoreland County. The Turnpike will be closed in both directions between Pittsburgh and Irwin Interchanges on Sunday, Sept. 29 between 12 a.m. and 6 a.m. During that time, crews will remove the superstructure of the former Harvison Road Bridge in Penn Township that is over the turnpike at milepost 61.68. Before the closure, the turnpike will be reduced to one lane in the area of the former bridge to allow for a crane to be safely set up.
September 27, 2024 4:41 am
Donegal Township residents are still upset with supervisors that laid off the township road crew. Supervisors Jim Bauer and Ed Shingle would not respond to resident inquiries about what plans are in place to replace the road crew especially now that winter is only weeks away. Shingle did state at the end of the meeting to a reporter that the road crew was merely laid off and could be called back into service. Otherwise, no other plans were announced. Related to the layoffs, Ed Marson got into an altercation with Shingle at the layoff meeting when he asked Shingle about a project at his house Shingle agreed to have completed. According to Marson, Shingle tried to exit the conversation aggressively, running into Marson’s wife. Supervisor Chairman Jim Bauer stood up for Shingle stating that it was Marson’s wife that initiated the contact. Former Supervisor Douglas Teagarden requested that the board of supervisors resign immediately. He intimated that supervisors may not be forthcoming on all pertinent information. Bauer stated that the request is a regular occurrence. Supervisors did pass a resolution indicating that residents that are on the local water and sewage service are to register with the township to receive push notifications regarding township emergencies. Supervisors had no answer to a question of what residents were to do should they opt not to receive the push notifications. Supervisors will meet on October 15 for their agenda meeting.
September 27, 2024 4:46 am
(AP) – The death toll from Hurricane Helene has reached at least 35 across four states. Helene has left an enormous path of destruction across Florida and the entire southeastern U.S. The Category 4 hurricane made landfall Thursday in Florida, snapping trees like twigs, tearing apart homes and sending rescue crews on desperate and dangerous missions to save people from floodwaters. The damage extended hundreds of miles to the north, with flooding as far away as North Carolina. According to an Associated Press tally Friday, the deaths occurred in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. (Photo: AP)
September 27, 2024 4:07 pm
The Washington Drug and Alcohol Commission held an open house to introduce their new Recovery Center. The center is located on the ground floor at 90 W. Chestnut Street. Cheryl Andrews is the Executive Director of the WDAC, she says that the purpose of the center is to provide a place to offer resources and support services for those in long term recovery and for those seeking to begin the process of recovery. People will find that the Recovery Center has a laundry area, a shower, and certified specialists to help those in recovery and seeking recovery. A serenity room, a clothes closet for those needing clothing, and a TV area with adjacent kid’s area are more of the amenities available to people. Andrews describes the center as a safe space for those that need one to maintain their recovery. The Center is open Monday thru Friday from 8:30 to 4:30. On Tuesdays the center is open until 7:30 for a recovery meeting. The WDAC has been open since 2002 and they provide prevention, intervention, and treatment related services along with recovery support.
September 27, 2024 2:21 am
A local man will soon learn if he faces first degree murder charges, which could bring a possible death penalty sentence, for his alleged role in the death of his infant son in January 2022. Joshua George of Burgettstown is charged with criminal homicide, three counts of aggravated assault and one count of endangering the welfare of a child. In court Thursday the prosecution filed written transcripts of witness testimony as they attempt to charge the 33 year old with first degree murder. They contend George was the lone person caring for his 6 month old infant son when the child was found unresponsive in a home on Colony Road in Smith Township in December 2021. The child died a few days later in a Weirton, W. VA hospital and his cause of death was ruled a homicide due to blunt force trauma to the head. Attorneys now have 30 days to file briefs and the judge will then make her decision and determine if there is sufficient evidence to charge George with the most serious of crimes.
September 27, 2024 2:20 am
A South Strabane man is headed to trial for allegedly attempting to kidnap his ex-girlfriend from a Giant Eagle parking lot last May. Jose Zaragoza was in court Thursday to request a jury trial as he faces criminal attempted kidnapping, strangulation, simple assault and harassment charges. Police say Zaragoza and his ex met at the South Strabane Giant Eagle parking lot to discuss an upcoming court case. When the ex-girlfriend arrived, Zaragoza allegedly approached her with duct tape and tried to remove her from her vehicle. After a struggle in which others tried to help he fled in his truck and was arrested several hours later during a traffic stop. His jury trial is set for sometime in February 2025.
