North Korea Testing New Weapons

April 17, 2022 1:46 am

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) – North Korea says it has successfully test-launched a newly developed tactical guided weapon. The official Korean Central News Agency said Sunday that leader Kim Jong Un observed the launch, which it said would bolster the effective operation of the country’s tactical nuclear forces. South Korea’s military said it had detected two projectile launches from the North’s eastern coastal town of Hamhung on Saturday. The launch was the latest in a spate of testing activity by North Korea that outside experts say is meant to expand the country’s nuclear arsenal and increase pressure on its rivals amid stalled diplomacy.

Suspect Arrested In S.C. Mall Shooting

April 17, 2022 1:46 am

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – Authorities say they have arrested a suspect in connection with a shooting at a busy shopping mall in South Carolina’s capital on Saturday that left 14 people injured. Columbia Police Chief W.H. “Skip” Holbrook says 22-year-old Jewayne M. Price is in police custody and is expected to be charged with unlawful carrying of a pistol. Price was one of three people initially detained by law enforcement as a person of interest. It is not immediately known if he has an attorney who could speak on his behalf. Holbrook says no fatalities have been reported but that 14 people were injured. Police say nine of the 14 people were shot and the other five people suffered injuries while attempting to flee.

One Dead After Woods Run Shooting

April 17, 2022 1:41 am

PITTSBURGH — One man is dead after a shooting in Pittsburgh’s Woods Run neighborhood. According to police, officers who were out on another call heard multiple gunshots in the 3100 block of McClure Avenue just before 2 a.m. Saturday. Police said they approached an SUV with someone in the back seat whom they thought may have been a victim. The car sped off when officers approached and police pursued it to the hospital, where they found an adult man in the back seat with at least one critical gunshot wound. Police said the man, later identified as 31-year-old Donald Hammond by the Medical Examiner’s Office, died from his injuries at the hospital. According to police, three men were taken to police headquarters for questioning. The Crime Scene Unit processed evidence at the original scene and at the hospital. Major Crimes detectives are investigating.

Washington Man Charged Following Police Chase

April 17, 2022 1:39 am

SOUTH STRABANE, Pa. — A Washington man was arrested and two individuals were reportedly injured following a police chase that resulted in a crash involving a police officer. William Meadows, 21, was charged with multiple felonies including illegal possession of a firearm, fleeing from police, endangering the welfare of a child and accidents involving personal injury Saturday afternoon when he ran from officers after calls for a domestic dispute in the PennDOT Driver’s License Center parking lot on Oak Spring Road. Washington County 911 confirms the incident took place just after 1:00 p.m. Meadows was reportedly chased to the Trinity Point Shopping Center parking lot. A three vehicle collision took place, sending an East Washington Police officer to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries according to 911. Eyewitnesses on scene also say a child was given medical attention following the crash, but was released.  Meadows was denied bail, and has a preliminary hearing scheduled for April 25th in front of District Judge Michael Manfredi.

Shapiro Not Happy With Ad

April 17, 2022 1:11 am

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) -An ad by one of three people seeking the Democratic nomination for Pennsylvania’s lieutenant governor this year is drawing a complaint from the party’s presumed nominee for governor. Attorney General Josh Shapiro’s campaign says state Rep. Brian Sims is running an ad that falsely implies Shapiro has endorsed Sims. Shapiro is the only Democrat seeking the nomination for governor in the May primary. He’s endorsed state Rep. Austin Davis as lieutenant governor. Sims’ ad ends saying in block letters “endorsed Josh Shapiro.” Shapiro’s lawyers object, saying that makes it sound like Shapiro has endorsed Sims, when he hasn’t. Nine Republicans are also running in the May 17 primary for lieutenant governor.

Warrant Issued For Man Accused Of Stealing From Partner

April 17, 2022 1:00 am

WESTMORELAND COUNTY, Pa. — Police have issued a felony warrant for the arrest of Edward Zdobinski. Sources tell our news partners at Channel 11 that he is accused of stealing over $200,000 from a business partner of his, but he skipped the country and might be in Poland. Lawyers say Zdobinski is the one-third owner of Triple A Motorsports off Route 51 in Rostraver Township. Police say that, over the past two years, Zdobinski stole from his business partner and drained the money for personal use. The sources tell say Zdobinski is believed to have left the country with his girlfriend, a known erotic dancer, and that they could be in Poland. The two have ties to Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, and law enforcement is trying to determine if Zdobinski traveled out of either airport.

Another COVID Surge On The Way?

April 16, 2022 4:26 am

The U.S. may be heading into another COVID-19 surge, with cases rising nationally and in most states after a two-month decline. Experts don’t know how high the mountain will grow, but they don’t expect a peak nearly as high as the last one, when the contagious omicron version of the coronavirus ripped through the population. Still, experts warn the coming wave will wash across the nation and push up hospitalizations in a growing number of states, especially those with low vaccination rates, in the coming weeks. Most cases are now being caused by a subvariant known as BA.2 that is thought to be 30% more contagious.

Wildfires Cut Through New Mexico

April 16, 2022 4:26 am

Residents of a southern New Mexico village are asking for prayers as firefighters dealt with more hot, dry and windy conditions while battling a deadly blaze that has already destroyed more than 200 homes. Known as a summer getaway, the community of Ruidoso has been devastated by wildfire before. But this marks the first time flames have resulted in death. Mayor Lynn Crawford said Friday his heart goes out to the family of the couple who died and to those who have lost their homes. The fire has forced the evacuation of about 5,000 people, canceled school for another day and hundreds of customers remain without without power.

Death Row Inmate Picks Execution By Firing Squad

April 16, 2022 4:25 am

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – A South Carolina prisoner scheduled for execution later this month has chosen to die by firing squad rather than in the electric chair. Court documents filed Friday listed Richard Moore’s decision. Moore’s April 29 execution would make him the first person executed in the state since 2011. His attorneys have asked the state Supreme Court to halt the execution while another court considers whether the state’s capital punishment methods are constitutional. A state law that went into effect last year set electrocution as the default method and added a firing squad option. Correction officials have maintained they are unable to obtain the drugs needed for lethal injection, the state’s third method.

Texas Stops Truck Border Inspections

April 16, 2022 4:24 am

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has repealed his traffic-clogging immigration order that backed up commercial trucks at the U.S.-Mexico border this week. The Republican on Friday ended a new policy that required all commercial trucks from Mexico to undergo extra inspections to stop the flow of migrants and drugs. The inspections led to delays, prompting wide backlash and fears of deep economic losses. Some truckers reported having to wait more than 30 hours to cross, and others blocked one of the world’s busiest trade bridges in protest. Abbott lifted the inspections after signing new border security agreements with neighboring Mexican states.