January 28, 2024 3:53 am
Washington County Commissioners, on Friday, provided an update to the ongoing investigation and system reclamation due to a cyber attack to its computer system that was discovered on January 24 causing most of the county’s computers to be shut down. In a written statement, Public Affairs Director Patrick Geho says the investigation by county IT and an outside forensics firm continue their analysis, recovery and remediation efforts. The investigation includes several federal agencies. Work continues to restore the crippled government functions and the county appreciates the patience and support from county residents. Because of the system outage, the jury reporting line is not in service. Any juror summoned for Monday, January 29 is not required to report, your service is complete and no further action is needed. Any juror summoned for Thursday, February 1 is required to report as instructed. Any summoned juror who has questions can call Court Administration at 724-228-6974 or 724-228-6797.
January 27, 2024 4:20 am
NEW YORK (AP) — A jury has awarded an additional $83.3 million to longtime advice columnist E. Jean Carroll, who says former President Donald Trump damaged her reputation by calling her a liar after she accused him of sexual assault. Friday’s verdict raises to $88.3 million the amount Carroll can receive after another jury last May awarded her $5 million over her claims that Trump assaulted her in a New York City department store in 1996 and defamed her. This defamation trial was over things Trump said about Carroll while he was president. Trump vows to appeal. Carroll says it’s a victory for every woman who stands up when knocked down.
January 27, 2024 4:17 am
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — President Joe Biden is spending the weekend in South Carolina, intent on driving home two messages: He’s loyal to the state that saved his campaign in 2020 and he’s determined to win back Black voters here and elsewhere who were central to his election last time but are less enthused this go-round. Biden will be the keynote speaker Saturday night at the state party’s fundraising dinner ahead of its first ever “first-in-the-nation” Democratic primary on Feb. 3. He’ll stick around to attend a political event at St. John Baptist Church on Sunday, in a state where politics and faith are intertwined.
January 27, 2024 4:15 am
PETALUMA, Calif. (AP) — A year after the bird flu led to record egg prices and widespread shortages, the disease known as highly pathogenic avian influenza is wreaking havoc on California poultry farms. The state had escaped the earlier wave of outbreaks that devastated egg producers in the Midwest. Experts say the latest outbreaks are being fueled by ducks, geese and other migratory birds that spend the winter in California. The waterfowl are being infected by the highly contagious virus and spreading it to poultry farms and backyard chicken flocks. California farms are under strict quarantine to curb the outbreak until the migratory birds return north in the spring
January 27, 2024 4:12 am
JERUSALEM (AP) — Yemen’s Houthi rebels have launched a missile at a United States warship patrolling the Gulf of Aden, forcing it to shoot down the projectile. The Houthis also struck a British vessel, and the Carney sailed toward it to assist. U.S. forces later conducted a strike against a Houthi anti-ship missile that was aimed into the Red Sea and prepared to launch, U.S. Central Command says. The attack Friday on the USS Carney marks the latest by the rebels amid their campaign against ships traveling through the Red Sea and surrounding waters. Those assaults have disrupted global trade amid Israel’s war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
January 27, 2024 4:10 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Voters in Taiwan recently repelled a wave of disinformation seeking to undermine their democracy ahead of this month’s recent election. In doing so, the island can offer lessons to the U.S. and other nations holding their own elections amid the threat of foreign disinformation. Experts say Taiwan was able to rebuff China’s efforts to meddle with their democracy by taking the challenge of disinformation seriously. When rumors and hoaxes about voting discrepancies popped up, the government and independent fact-check groups responded aggressively and quickly. China views Taiwan as its own and has used propaganda and disinformation in an effort to undermine its democracy.
January 27, 2024 4:06 am
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The United Nations’ top court has ordered Israel to do all it can to prevent death, destruction and any acts of genocide in Gaza. But the panel stopped short Friday of ordering Israel to end the military offensive that has laid waste to the Palestinian enclave. In a ruling that will keep Israel under the legal lens for years to come, the court offered little other comfort to Israel in a genocide case brought by South Africa that goes to the core of one of the world’s most intractable conflicts. The court’s half-dozen orders will be difficult to achieve without some sort of cease-fire or pause in the fighting.
January 27, 2024 3:49 am
BENTLEYVILLE, Pa.(WPXI) — A Washington County man is facing nearly 100 charges after a dozen dogs were found to be emaciated in his house. According to the criminal complaint, Fredrick Frameli brought two dogs to Hidden Valley Animal Clinic in Bentleyville on Dec. 12. The two dogs, both under a year old, were considered emaciated, the complaint said. Tina, a Belgian Tervuren, weighed 16.4 pounds, and Gracie, a German Shepherd, weighed 18 pounds. Both had a body score of 1/9, with their fur matted, stained and smelling of urine. Both also had overgrown toenails and were noted to be “very hungry.” On Jan. 5, Frameli brought in another German Shepherd by the name of Katie. She weighed 19.4 pounds and had the same conditions as Tina and Gracie, the complaint said. On Jan. 12, Gracie and Tina came back for a recheck appointment. Both had only gained around one pound each and reports stated they were “ravenous” in the exam room for treats, the complaint said. Officers received a search warrant for Frameli’s house on Jan. 22. It was executed the next day. The complaint said upon entering the house, there was a “horrific odor of ammonia, urine and feces.” Eight German Shepherds were found in black wire crates throughout the kitchen and living room, all of which were malnourished and extremely skinny. The crates were also filled with feces. Four more German Shepherds were found in black wire crates in the basement, the complaint said. They were all in similar conditions. In total, 12 dogs were recovered from the home. Their ages ranged from 6 months old to 1 year old and all of them scored either a 1 or 2 out of 9 in body score. Frameli is charged with 12 counts of aggravated cruelty to animals – torture, 12 counts of aggravated cruelty to animals – causing severe bodily injury or death, 12 counts of cruelty to animals, 12 counts of neglect of animals – sustenance/water, 12 counts of neglect of animals – shelter/protection, 12 counts of neglect of animals – vet care, 12 counts of failure to have vaccination against rabies for dogs over 12 weeks old and 12 counts of failure to license a dog over 3 months of age.
January 27, 2024 1:18 am
A Canonsburg man faced his preliminary hearing Friday on three felony drug charges. John Backner, 57 opted to have his charges held for court without a hearing. He faces drug delivery resulting in death, possession and criminal use of a communications device charges. According to the criminal complaint, Backner was the individual responsible for obtaining and delivering a fatal dose of heroin to Sean Caldwell, 41 of Southview in October of 2023. Police were able to tie Backner to Caldwell’s death through text messages between the two in the hours leading up to Caldwell’s death regarding the purchase of heroin by Caldwell from Backner. A coroner’s report verified that Caldwell died from fentanyl and cocaine toxicity. Backner remains in the Washington County Jail on $500,000 bond.
January 27, 2024 1:14 am
(WPXI) – A substitute teacher at Seton LaSalle Catholic High School has been arrested following a ChildLine tip earlier this week. Damon Michael Gall, 24, of Canonsburg, is charged with institutional sexual assault, corruption of minors and indecent assault. The Mount Lebanon Police Department said that they received a ChildLine report on Wednesday from a mandated reporter who said an individual employed at the time as a substitute teacher at Seton LaSalle had unwanted and inappropriate contact with a student. Mount Lebanon detectives worked with school officials and law enforcement partners to investigate the complaint. Police said during the investigation, they compiled enough evidence to charge Gall. Authorities said Gall previously worked in the Ringgold School District in Washington County. The Washington County District Attorney’s Office was notified. If you have any information related to this incident, please contact the Mt. Lebanon Police Department at 412-343-4095. (Photo: www.pitflagfootball.com)
