Washington Park Students Sent Home After Water Break

January 21, 2023 1:51 am

A water line break at Washington Park Elementary Friday morning forced school officials to send students home for the day. Washington Superintendent George Lammay tells WPJA News that they were notified of the break after 9 a.m this morning and they were investigating the nature of the problem. Buses were sent to the school to transport 3rd-through-6th grade students home. The buses would then return to take Kindergarten through second grade students home.

Biden On Documents Discovery: ‘There’s No There There’

January 21, 2023 1:09 am

APTOS, Calif. (AP) — President Joe Biden says there is “no there there” following the discovery of classified documents and official records at his home and former office. Biden says they “found a handful of documents were filed in the wrong place.” He spoke to reporters Thursday during a tour of the damage from storms in California. Biden says he is “fully cooperating and looking forward to getting this resolved quickly. Attorney General Merrick Garland last week appointed Robert Hur, a former Maryland U.S. attorney, to serve as special counsel to oversee the Justice Department’s inquiry into the documents.

Google Axing 12,000 Jobs As Tech Layoffs Widen

January 20, 2023 6:27 am

LONDON (AP) – Google says it’s laying off 12,000 workers, becoming the latest tech company to trim staff after rapid expansions during the COVID-19 pandemic have worn off. The Silicon Valley giant’s CEO Sundar Pichai shared the news Friday in an email to staff that was also posted on the company’s news blog. He said that the company has hired for “periods of dramatic growth” over the past two years but that was a “different economic reality than the one we face today.”

Washington Police Land $15K From District Attorney

January 20, 2023 4:45 am

Washington County District Attorney Jason Walsh has presented a check for more than $15,000 to the City of Washington Police Department. The check was give to Police Chief Dan Rush on Thursday. The money comes from forfeited assests obtained during the investigation and prosecution of individuals trafficking illegal narcotics in the county. The Equitable Sharing Agreement between the District Attorney’s office and local law enforcement allow for the illegal proceeds from narcotics trafficking to be utilized by local law enforcement for training, equipment and other uses under the Drug Forfeiture Act.

 

Treasury Buys Time For Biden & GOP On Debt Limit Deal

January 20, 2023 4:13 am

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Treasury Department says it has started taking “extraordinary measures” as the government has run up against its legal borrowing capacity of $31.381 trillion. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen sent a letter to congressional leaders Thursday urging them to act to raise the debt limit. Friction between President Joe Biden and House Republicans is raising concerns about whether the U.S. can sidestep an economic crisis. Markets so far remain calm, as the government can temporarily rely on accounting tweaks to stay open. That means any threats to the economy are several months away. But this particular moment seems more fraught than past brushes with the debt limit.

As Baldwin Faces Charges, Gun Safety On Sets ‘Gets Louder’

January 20, 2023 4:11 am

LOS ANGELES (AP) — As actor Alec Baldwin faces a charge of involuntary manslaughter in the shooting death of a cinematographer on a New Mexico, gun safety on sets remains at the forefront of many in Hollywood. Joey Dillon, who supervises weapons in TV and film, says that since the shooting he has become more vocal during productions on the status of guns being put into actors hands. And he says the actors are double checking the weapons themselves much more. But Baldwin’s attorney and union both said Thursday that actors cannot be expected to make this a job responsibility, and should not be made a criminal if they fail at it.

David Crosby Dies At 81

January 20, 2023 2:48 am

(ABC News) – Two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Famer David Crosby passed away Thursday, according to a statement issued by his wife to Variety. He was 81.  “It is with great sadness after a long illness, that our beloved David (Croz) Crosby has passed away,” read the statement. “Although he is no longer here with us, his humanity and kind soul will continue to guide and inspire us. His legacy will continue to live on through his legendary music.” It continues, “Peace, love, and harmony to all who knew David and those he touched. We will miss him dearly. At this time, we respectfully and kindly ask for privacy as we grieve and try to deal with our profound loss. Thank you for the love and prayers.”  Born in Los Angeles in 1941, Crosby launched his career as a member of the Byrds, joining the band in 1964 and appearing on their first five albums. In 1968, along with Stephen Stills of Buffalo Springfield and Graham Nash of the Hollies, he formed Crosby, Stills & Nash, which released their self-titled debut in 1969. The group went on to win the Grammy for Best New Artist that year. They were later joined by Neil Young and performed their second-ever gig together at Woodstock. Their first album as a foursome, 1970’s Déjà Vu, went to number one.  (Photo:  ABC)

Chartiers Man Pleads Guilty To Hitting Pedestrian

January 20, 2023 2:44 am

A Chartiers Township man pleaded guilty in an automobile accident that sent the victim to the hospital. Harry Ringer, 41 is accused of striking David Marsette with his vehicle while Marsette was walking home from work on West Pike Street in July. The accident sent Marsette to the hospital for treatment of a concussion and several lacerations. Ringer pleaded guilty to felony aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI. He also pleaded guilty to misdemeanor recklessly endangering another person. Ringer was sentenced to 3-6 years in state prison for the aggravated assault charge. He was sentenced to two years probation on the reckless endangerment charge. Ringer also had bond revoked on a previous simple assault charge. He will serve a 1-2 year prison sentence concurrent to the sentence for the aggravated assault. Ringer will also pay $10,596 in restitution to David Marsette.

Hough Announces Re-Election Bid For Prothonotary

January 20, 2023 2:29 am

Washington County Prothonotary Laura Hough announced Thursday, her plans to run for re-election.  Hough says she plans to seek the Republican nomination for the Prothonotary’s office in the May Primary.  Hough was election to the position in 2019 as the first registered Republican to hold the office in over forty-years.  Hough touted her actions during the COVID-19 Pandemic.  She said she implemented immediate changes to provide needed services to the taxpayers.  Hough says she made images of filed documents available remotely as allowed by statutes, provided the ability to file documents via email when the courthouse was closed to the public, and continued filing operations during the emergency period. Public daily list of filings known as Counter Pads were also made electronic and available on the county website.  Hough has previously served as a West Pike Run Township Supervisor and has been active in the Republican party as a volunteer within the California Area School District.

North Strabane Man Faces Trial For Child Sexual Assault

January 20, 2023 2:15 am

A preliminary hearing for a North Strabane Township man accused of multiple instances of child sexual assault was held on Thursday. Leo McIntyre, 27 has been accused by six victims of indecent assault of minors and involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child. McIntyre waived his right to a preliminary hearing and all charges were waived to the court of common pleas.  According to police, the assaults occurred at McIntyre’s North Strabane Township residence. According to victim interviews with police the assaults occurred over the span of many years some as early as 2008. Another victim stated that assaults occurred earlier in 2022 before McIntyre was arrested in December. McIntyre is facing 15 felony charges including involuntary sexual intercourse with a child, indecent assault of a minor and corruption of minors.  McIntyre is being held in the Washington County Jail without bond. A request for bond modification was denied by the judge, agreeing with the District Attorney that McIntyre is a danger to the community at large.