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WJPA News Archive

Israel Pushes Deeper Into Gaza-Frees Hostage

October 30, 2023 5:11 am

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli ground forces pushed deeper into Gaza, advancing in tanks and other armored vehicles on the territory’s main city and freeing a soldier held captive by Hamas militants. The Israeli prime minister rejected calls for a cease-fire Monday, even as airstrikes landed near hospitals where thousands of Palestinians are sheltering beside the wounded. The military said a female soldier captured during Hamas’ brutal Oct. 7 incursion was rescued in Gaza — the first since the weekslong war began. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed her home, saying the “achievement” by Israel’s security forces illustrates his country’s “commitment to free all the hostages.”

Fishing Tournament Cheater Faces Charges In Pa.

October 30, 2023 5:07 am

HERMITAGE, Pa. (AP) — A man who admitted to cheating in an attempt to win money in an Ohio fishing tournament is facing new charges in Pennsylvania. Thirty-six-year-old Chase Cominsky was charged last week with eight wildlife crimes in Mercer County. The charges all involve whitetail deer taken between 2013 and 2021. The Sharon Herald reports that his hunting privileges were suspended during that period. Cominsky and another man were sentenced in May to 10-day jail terms in Ohio after pleading guilty to cheating and unlawful ownership of wild animals. They were accused of having stuffed fish with lead weights and fish fillets in an effort to win the lucrative Lake Erie Walleye Trail.

State Police Seek Help In Search For Wanted Man

October 30, 2023 5:05 am

State troopers are looking for a man who has a felony arrest warrant in Fayette County. Jerry Arthur Harris Jr. is wanted on an arrest warrant for “person to possess a firearm,” Crime Stoppers says. Harris is known to frequent the Uniontown City area. Anyone with information is asked to contact state police and reference incident PA23-1335932.

1 Injured In Rostraver Twp Crash

October 30, 2023 5:01 am

ROSTRAVER, Pa. — (WPXI) – One person was taken to a hospital after two vehicles crashed outside an Eat’N Park in Rostraver. The Rostraver Central Fire Department said the crash happened in the parking lot of the restaurant on Broad Avenue. Two vehicles were involved in the crash and both sustained damage after hitting head-on. One of the vehicles appeared to have climbed up a small hill. Firefighters say one person was treated by Allegheny Health Network medics on the scene and was later taken to a hospital. Rostraver Township Police are investigating the crash. (PHOTO; Rostraver Central Fire Department)

Pence Ends Campaign For White House

October 29, 2023 8:06 am

NEW YORK (AP) — Former Vice President Mike Pence is dropping his bid for the Republican presidential nomination, ending his campaign for the White House after struggling to raise money and gain traction in the polls. He made the announcement in Las Vegas on Saturday at the annual gathering of the Republican Jewish Coalition. Pence said, “It’s become clear to me: This is not my time.” Pence becomes the first major candidate to leave a race that has been dominated by his former boss-turned-rival, Donald Trump. Pence did not immediately endorse any of his rivals, but continued to echo language he has used to criticize Trump.

Maine Gunman Had Mental Health Issues

October 29, 2023 8:05 am

LEWISTON, Maine (AP) — The residents of Lewiston, Maine, are embarking on a path to healing after a man suspected of killing 18 people earlier this week was found dead. Authorities say the body of 40-year-old Robert Card of Bowdoin was found late Friday at a recycling center. Police teams had searched the facility twice before eventually finding Card’s body. The worst mass shooting in the state’s history occurred on Wednesday night, when Card allegedly opened fire at a bowling alley and then a bar and killed 18 people. Another 13 were injured. Maine Department of Public Safety Commissioner Michael Sauschuck said Saturday that Card died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Internet, Phone Service Returning After Gaza Attack

October 29, 2023 8:05 am

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Two days after cellular and internet service abruptly vanished for most of Gaza amid a heavy Israeli bombardment, the crowded enclave was coming back online as communications systems were gradually being restored. That’s a welcome development for Gaza following a communications blackout that began late Friday as Israel expanded ground operations and launched intense airstrikes that illuminated the night sky with furious orange flashes. A rare few Palestinians with international SIM cards or satellite phones took it upon themselves to get the news out. By Sunday morning, though, phone and internet communications had been restored to many people in Gaza.

A Xi-Biden Meeting Would Not Be ‘Smooth-Sailing’

October 29, 2023 8:04 am

BEIJING (AP) — China’s foreign minister says the road to an expected meeting between President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden would not be “smooth-sailing.” In a meeting between Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Biden, together with the latter’s top aides, both sides agreed to work toward a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of a summit in San Francisco in November. In an statement released by China’s foreign ministry on Sunday summarizing the discussion, Wang said that they could not rely on “autopilot” to make the meeting happen. Wang’s three-day visit to Washington came at a time when tensions between the two countries remain high over trade tensions and other issues.

‘Friends’ Star Matthew Perry Dead At 54

October 29, 2023 8:03 am

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Matthew Perry, who starred as Chandler Bing in the hit series “Friends,” has died. He was 54. The Emmy-nominated actor was found dead of an apparent drowning at his Los Angeles home on Saturday, according to the Los Angeles Times and celebrity website TMZ, which was the first to report the news. Both outlets cited unnamed sources confirming Perry’s death. His publicists and other representatives did not immediately return messages seeking comment. Perry’s 10 seasons on “Friends” made him one of Hollywood’s most recognizable actors, starring opposite Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, Lisa Kudrow and David Schwimmer as a friend group in New York.

Crews Take Out Overnight Fire

October 29, 2023 8:00 am

NOTTINGHAM TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Multiple fire crews were called to the scene of a housefire Saturday night in Washington County. The call came in just before midnight along Yohe Street in Nottingham Township. Valley Inn crews responded with North Strabane, Finleyville and Bentleyville Fire Departments. Tri-Community EMS was first on scene and reported smoke showing from the residence. Reports say one victim had to be hospitalized with severe burns. Officials called in the Washington County HazMat Team to dispose of lithium-ion batteries that caught fire in the house.