Movie Weapons Supervisor Sentenced

April 15, 2024 5:49 pm

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A movie weapons supervisor has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for the fatal shooting of a cinematographer by Alec Baldwin on the set of the Western film “Rust.” A New Mexico judge announced the sentence Monday against movie armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed. The judge said had it not been for the armorer’s recklessness, Halyna Hutchins would be alive. A tearful Gutierrez-Reed was unsuccessful in her plea for a lesser punishment. The armorer’s two-week trial and conviction was a prelude to the proceedings against Alec Baldwin, who has pleaded not guilty to a charge of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Halyna Hutchins. He is scheduled for trial in July.

Australian Assailant Targeted Women

April 15, 2024 5:13 am

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Australian police are examining why a lone assailant who stabbed six people to death in a busy Sydney shopping mall and injured more than a dozen others targeted women while avoiding men. New South Wales state Police Commissioner Karen Webb said on Monday detectives would question the family of assailant Joel Cauchi in a bid to find his motive. She said CCTV footage from the mall shows Cauchi targeted women. Police shot Cauchi dead during the knife attack in the Westfield Bondi Junction mall on Saturday near world-famous Bondi Beach. Police have ruled out terrorism and said the 40-year-old had a history of mental illness. Only one man was killed. Webb says most of the 12 victims who survived their wounds are also women.

Iran Launches Attack On Israel

April 14, 2024 7:25 am

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel has hailed the success of its defenses in the face of an unprecedented attack by Iran. Officials said Sunday that Israel and its allies have intercepted 99% of more than 300 drones and missiles launched toward its territory and sustained little damage. But tensions remain high, amid fears of further escalation in the event of a possible Israeli counter-strike. U.S. President Joe Biden said he would convene a meeting of the Group of Seven advanced democracies to coordinate a united diplomatic response. The language indicated that the U.S. does not want Iran’s assault to spiral into a broader military conflict. A US official says Biden informed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the US does not plan on striking Iran.

Young Girl Killed & Others Injured In Chicago Shooting

April 14, 2024 7:27 am

CHICAGO (AP) — Eight people were shot including a young girl who was killed in what Chicago police believe was gang-related violence on the city’s South Side. The 7-year-old girl was shot in the head and died, while a 1-year-old boy and a 7-year-old boy were each shot multiple times and listed in critical condition on Saturday night. Chicago Police Department Deputy Chief Don Jerome says the adult victims were between the ages of 19 and 40. The victims were standing outside at a family gathering at the time of the shooting around 9 p.m. and were transported to area hospitals by the Chicago Fire Department. Jerome says the investigation is preliminary but witness accounts described two possible shooters on foot. He says the shooting was not random.

Officer & Bystander Hailed As Heroes In Stabbing Attack

April 14, 2024 7:28 am

SYDNEY (AP) — A police officer and several bystanders are being hailed for running “towards danger” to confront the attacker who stabbed and killed six people at a suburban Sydney shopping center. The shopping mall, one of the country’s busiest, was a hub of activity on Saturday afternoon when 40-year-old Joel Cauchi used a knife to kill five women and one man. He also injured at least a dozen others before a police officer shot him dead. Police confirmed Sunday Cauchi had a history of mental illness and investigators weren’t treating the attack as terrorism-related. New South Wales premier and the country’s prime minister praised officer Amy Scott who shot Cauchi dead as well as others who confronted him.

Bird Flu Is Spreading To More Farm Animals

April 14, 2024 7:33 am

(AP) – A bird flu outbreak in U.S. dairy cows has spread to more than two dozen herds in eight states. That comes weeks after the nation’s largest egg producer found the virus in its chickens. Health officials continue to stress that the risk to the public is low and that the U.S. food supply remains safe and stable. Commercial milk remains safe and available because pasteurization, a high heat treatment, kills bacteria and viruses. But there’s limited information about possible transmission of the virus in unpasteurized milk or cheese products. That is prompting officials to warn consumers about the known risks of consuming raw milk.

Don’t Stress – Just Get Your Taxes Done

April 14, 2024 7:31 am

NEW YORK (AP) — For many people, tax season isn’t only about gathering W-2 forms or calling an accountant. It can also bring intense feelings of stress or anxiety about dealing with finances. Financial stress during tax season can manifest in different ways, whether that’s procrastinating on your tax return until the last minute or experiencing intense stress about filing incorrectly. If you’re dealing with financial stress right now, you’re not alone. Experts recommend that you make a plan to tackle your return step by step, ask for support from family and friends or a tax professional, and focus on self care if you’re experiencing financial stress.

South Strabane House Fire Under Investigation

April 14, 2024 7:00 am

Fire crews from numerous area departments were called to a house fire in South Strabane Township early Saturday morning.  Fire Chief Jordan Cramer says they were called to the 200-block of Munce Ridge Road around 1:30 a.m. and found heavy smoke in the structure when they arrived. Cramer says they had to deal with a long driveway with difficult access, water supply issues and strong winds in the battling the blaze. Tankers from Chartiers, North Franklin and Canton were called in for assistance. The fire was contained to the second story and first floor kitchen of the home. The State Police Fire Marshall is investigating.  One firefighter was transported to the hospital with a minor injury and was treated and released.  Chief Cramer thanked their mutual aid partners in battling the blaze, including Washington, Peters Township, North Strabane and Bentleyville.

Clean Up Continues After Flooding

April 14, 2024 7:00 am

Another clean up effort is underway across Washington County after heavy rains pounded the region.  The City of Washington and McDonald Borough have declared a State of Emergency while areas like Washington Estates in Canton Township look to recover from what officials have called “significant damage”.  Thursday night’s heavy rain was also devastating to many in Houston Borough. The Chartiers-Houston Youth Softball team says their fields were destroyed in back-to-back storms. James Hollenbach is the President of the Chartiers-Houston Youth Softball League. This year, the popular program has 60 girls enrolled from age 4 to 15. Hollenbach says the Houston Fields, where the Lady Bucs play home games were first flooded last week after storms swept through. The organization jumped into action with 40 volunteers pitching in some 30 hours of work to get the field back to normal. Things were looking great, until Thursday night – when storms pummeled the newly rehabbed fields. Hollenbach says when he went to assess the damage Thursday night he was shocked. Water destroyed the fields, fences, concession stand and equipment needed to start the season. Hollenbach says it’s going to cost thousands of dollars to get the Bishop Road Fields up to par. A GoFundMe has been set up to help raise money. Officials from Houston Borough were there Friday assessing the damage

PennDOT; Most Roads Reopened After Flooding

April 13, 2024 4:59 am

PennDOT says most roads that were closed because of flooding or debris issues after the recent storms have reopened.  In their most recent update later Friday afternoon they listed just two road closures;
· Route 1010 (Georgetown Road) between Spring Avenue in Cecil Township and Buckeye Street in Peters Township.
· Route 2019 (Almond Road) between Route 917 (Main Street) in Ellsworth Borough and Wherry Road in Somerset Township.