March 30, 2022 2:43 am
Many groups and organizations are striving to reduce the amount of methane in the air due to natural gas drilling across the country and here in Southwestern Pennsylvania. During a W&J Center For Energy Policy Management webinar Wednesday morning, Karen Marsh of the Environmental Protection Agency says the current presidential administration has already taken steps to curb the release of toxins in the air through the proposal of the Clean Air Act. The act will call for the end of venting methane into the air, proper detection and repairs of well leaks as well as using new technologies to track and record data surrounding the drilling operations. Marsh says these practices would save companies money and increase the recovery of natural gas while reducing methane, toxins and smog in the environment. One company that will be vital in this process is Project Canary. The group is looking to provide real-time monitoring of wells and accurate data analytics for those involved in the gas production as well as the EPA.
March 30, 2022 2:34 am
A Fayette County man will face trial on an aggravated assault by vehicle charge along with several other charges. Allen Csonka, 26 of Republic waived his charges to court at his Tuesday morning preliminary hearing. Csonka is accused of hitting a child with his car at an intersection in California. Csonka claimed that the child ran out in front of his car. According to police documents witnesses saw Csonka driving at an unsafe speed before striking the child. In addition to aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI, Csonka faces an accident involving injury while not licensed charge and several summary charges. Csonka is in the Washington County jail for lying to the magistrate about his previous criminal history. The magistrate modified his bond to a monetary $10,000 bond. Csonka will be arraigned on April 28.
March 30, 2022 2:07 am
A Scenery Hill man will spend one to two years in county jail for his role in causing injuries to a three month old child by putting it in a bear hug. Nicholas Benson, 29 pleaded guilty to aggravated assault for his role in injuring a three month old child who would not stop crying. The child’s mother noticed the baby vomiting blood. The baby was taken to Children’s Hospital where doctors found bruising and healing rib fractures that were caused by a squeezing incident. Benson admitted to police he had put the baby in a bear hug for three minutes to try and make it stop crying. Benson was sentenced to jail for one year minus one day to two years minus two days. He will be eligible for home monitoring after he spends six months in jail. Benson will report to the Washington County Jail on April 29th.
March 29, 2022 5:39 pm
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) – Florida and 20 other states have sued to halt the federal government’s pandemic requirement that people wear masks on planes, trains and other public transport. The lawsuit was filed today in federal court in Tampa, Florida. It contends that the mask mandate exceeds the authority of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
March 29, 2022 12:39 pm
(AP) – U.S. regulators are allowing people 50 and older to get another booster dose of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. The Food and Drug Administration’s decision aims to offer extra protection to the most vulnerable in case the virus rebounds. The FDA said Tuesday that age group can seek a fourth dose at least four months after their previous booster. With COVID-19 cases currently low, it’s not clear if they should rush out and get one. There’s limited evidence to tell how much benefit another booster could offer right now. The FDA ruled without input from its independent advisers
March 29, 2022 4:34 am
Peters Township Council took on a large construction project for 2022 by awarding a contract to build Fire Station Number 3 in the Venetia section of the township. The cost of the project will be $3,720,000 and will be paid by a bond that will be floated later this year. The new station will be located on Bebout Road. According to Fire Chief Mike McLaughlin, the station was identified as a need as early as the 1990’s. Currently the response times for emergency services do not meet the standards recommended by fire safety agencies. The addition of this new station will get those response times into accepted ranges. According to Township Manager Paul Lauer ground will be broken soon and the anticipated completion for the station is the end of 2022.
March 29, 2022 4:17 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – The House panel investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection has identified a roughly eight-hour gap in official records of then-President Donald Trump’s phone calls as the violence unfolded and his supporters stormed the building. That’s from a person familiar with the investigation who was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity. It’s widely known Trump had conversations Jan. 6, 2021, with Republican lawmakers. House investigators are looking at whether Trump was communicating during that time through other means, possibly personal cellphones. Trump had no immediate comment Tuesday but has previously disparaged the investigation.
March 29, 2022 4:15 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – President Joe Biden says he’s not yet convinced that Russia’s announcement that it will scale back military operations near the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv will lead to a fundamental shift in the war. Biden said during an appearance before reporters with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the White House on Tuesday that he was waiting to see what Russia offers in ongoing talks with Ukraine and how Moscow readjusts its troop presence. Biden says of the latest development, “We’ll see.” The Democratic president says he doesn’t read anything into it until he sees what Russia’s actions are. Lee says “the war in Ukraine has implications for the Asia Pacific” region.
March 29, 2022 4:13 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – President Joe Biden’s $5.8 trillion budget for next year would trim federal deficits and boost taxes on the wealthiest Americans. Both could appeal to Sen. Joe Manchin. And Democrats are hoping that could help revive talks with Manchin over the party’s derailed social and environment plan. Before Christmas, the West Virginia Democrat sank a House-passed, $2 trillion social and environment bill that was a top party priority. Manchin said it would have fueled inflation and deepened deficits. Democrats are hoping the more moderate approach that Biden’s budget takes this year might help convince Manchin that there’s a deal to be had.
March 29, 2022 4:12 am
LOS ANGELES (AP) – Will Smith has apologized to Chris Rock for slapping the comedian onstage at Sunday’s Oscars, writing in a statement that he was “out of line” and “wrong.” Smith sent the statement Monday on his Instagram page, saying he is embarrassed by his actions. Smith’s actions stunned audiences inside the ceremony and at home. The film academy condemned Smith’s behavior earlier Monday. Smith slapped Rock after the comedian made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. Smith won the best actor award later in the ceremony. On Monday he apologized to the film academy, Oscar producers and viewers. Pinkett Smith responded Tuesday with a graphic on Instagram that said in part “this is a season of healing.” (Photo: AP)
