March 4, 2022 4:27 am
The Russian parliament has passed a bill introducing sentences of up to 15 years in prison for intentionally spreading “fake” information about military action. Russian state news agencies reported Friday the passing of the bill in the third and final reading. The development came amid a crackdown by Russian authorities on independent media and criticism of last week’s invasion of Ukraine. Spreading what Russian authorities deem to be false information is punishable by up to three years in prison, or 15 years if it is deemed to have “severe consequences.” The bill also bans calling for sanctions to be implemented against Russia.
March 4, 2022 4:26 am
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) – Ukrainian firefighters have extinguished a blaze at Europe’s biggest nuclear plant. The fire was ignited by Russian shelling. Russian forces have seized control of the site and are pressing their campaign to cripple the country despite global condemnation. Ukraine’s state nuclear regulator said that no changes in radiation levels have been recorded so far after the Zaporizhzhia plant came under attack. No casualties have been reported. But the blaze caused worldwide concern. The shelling of the plant came as the Russian military advanced on a strategic city near where the plant is located, and gained ground in their bid to cut off Ukraine from the sea.
March 4, 2022 4:24 am
PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) – A powerful bomb has exploded inside a Shiite Muslim mosque in Pakistan’s northwestern city of Peshawar, killing more than 30 worshippers and wounding dozens more, many of them critically, police said. The explosion occurred as worshippers had collected in the Kucha Risaldar mosque in Peshawar’s old city for Friday prayers. Ambulances rushed through congested narrow streets carrying the wounded to Lady Reading Hospital, where doctors worked feverishly. No one immediately claimed responsibility.
March 4, 2022 4:23 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) – Pennsylvania’s biggest public pension system will begin to sell off its investments in Russia and Belarus. The board voted unanimously Thursday to divest in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The $72.5 billion Public School Employees’ Retirement System is one of the nation’s biggest public pension funds. It’ll target what it says is almost $300 million directly invested in Russia and Belarus. That’s less than one-half of 1% of the fund’s total assets. Belarus has been a key ally of Russia in its attack on Ukraine. The board’s motion also decreed that the system will make no future investments in Russia or Belarus.
March 4, 2022 4:19 am
Public comment during the Washington County Commissioner’s meeting continues to be dominated by supporters of an audit of the 2020 election. Supporters were disappointed that their advocate Dr. Douglas Frank blasted county commissioners for asking him for documentation and information sources of his voter fraud finings in Washington County. In a change of pace there were several detractors of Frank’s election findings and they poked holes in theories he used in his mathematical equations. Also during public comment, Kim Oyler pointed out that Frank has stated that he possesses all of the usernames and passwords to local elected officials. Commissioner Diana Irey-Vaughn indicated that that information will be turned over to the appropriate authorities. Oyler declined to make any further comment regarding her public comment during the meeting. Also, a so-called ‘Audit the Vote’ canvass operation is being planned for Saturday. An event promotion on their website indicated that a Vote Verification Party will take place on March 5. The website offers few details on activities that are to take place. Washington County Elections Director Melanie Ostrander says it is important that residents know that these individuals are not working on behalf of the county. In other business, Commissioners approved a measure to apply to the state for additional Local Share Account funds. The county will be making application to a state program that oversees LSA funds for $1,000,000 to make improvements to the Washington County Fairgrounds. The county’s share of the costs will be $700,000 for excavation to improve drainage, improve parking and show tent relocation.
March 4, 2022 4:03 am
Washington City Council approved a measure to purchase bulletproof vests for the police force. Mayor Scott Putnam says the purchase price of $34,561 will be offset by an $11,000 grant acquired from the United States Department of Justice Ballistic Vest Partnership. Putnam credited police Chief Dan Rush for laying out the specifications for the vest and winning the grant. Secondly, council approved a resolution renaming a portion of Sixth Street between Central and Forrest as Frances Vactor Way. Putnam described Vactor as a larger than life individual who had a great influence in her neighborhood. Finally Park Director DeAnna Martin announced that there will be a Night at the Races Fundraiser on March 26 at Julian’s Catering. Tickets for the event are $20 and can be purchased at the Washington Park office, Keystone Elks and the Arms Club. Proceeds from the event will benefit the July 4th Fireworks at the Park event.
March 4, 2022 2:09 am
HARRISBURG-Attorney General Josh Shapiro today announced that a Fayette County priest was sentenced to 2 1/2 to 5 years in state prison for repeatedly assaulting an 11-year-old altar boy starting in 2004 and continuing until the boy was 14. Andrew Kawecki was charged by the Office of Attorney General in August 2020 after a victim reported to investigators that Kawecki forced sexual encounters with the victim starting when he was 11 years old. The assaults continued for three years in the back room of St. Cyril and Methodius Church in Fairchance where Father Kawecki prepared for services before mass.
March 3, 2022 3:48 pm
Attorney General Josh Shapiro launched an investigation into TikTok for providing and promoting its social media platform to children and young adults while use is associated with physical and mental health harms. He’s joined by a coalition of Attorneys General nationwide who are examining whether the company violated state consumer protection laws.
March 3, 2022 3:26 pm
A Kentucky jury has cleared a former police officer who fired shots during the 2020 drug raid that ended in Breonna Taylor’s death. The jury on Thursday found Brett Hankison not guilty of three counts of wanton endangerment for firing shots that ripped into a neighboring apartment. A judge handed the case to jurors Thursday after lawyers for the prosecution and defense wrapped up their closing arguments.
March 3, 2022 2:48 pm
OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma has reached a nationwide settlement of opioid lawsuits. The deal reached Thursday would require members of the Sackler family who own the drugmaker to pay as much as $6 billion in cash. That’s at least $1 billion more than previously agreed on. In exchange, they’ll be protected from civil lawsuits. The Sacklers also issued a statement of regret. The company, family, most states and other groups had reached a deal last year, but some states opposed it because they say it didn’t do enough to hold the Sacklers accountable. A judge rejected it on appeal, kicking off negotiations that ultimately led to Thursday’s settlement.
