January 22, 2025 2:43 am
North Strabane Township Supervisors held a public hearing for a conditional use application for the proposed Hidden Acres development that would be built along Christy Road. Residents from the area filled the meeting room to hear details. The development proposed by Laurel Landings is a Conservation Subdivision plan that would see 161 homes built on 201 acres. The lot sizes for the homes average .8 acres. The developer’s presentation indicated that all conditions for approval have been met. The hearing only covered the concept plan and whether all ordinance conditions were met. A few minor issues need to be addressed before approval can be granted. Nearly all of the ten residents that took part in public comment spoke about the danger that additional traffic on Christy Road would present. Bob Cox likened the road to a paved over horse path. Others questioned the traffic study numbers and were concerned that package delivery vehicles and other such traffic was not considered. Even more pointed out other road challenges that increased traffic would present where sections of Christy and adjoining roads are narrow. Railroad abutments and single lane bridges also complicate traffic flow. The meeting remains open until February 25 when supervisors expect to vote on approval of the matter.
January 22, 2025 12:04 am
Washington County Sheriff Tony Andronas has formally announced he will seek re-election. Andronas cited a proven record of accomplishments during his time as Sheriff, his 30-years of law enforcement experience and his dedication to the community and the families who call the county home. “Throughout my career, I have taken the police oath…’On my honor, I will never betray my badge, my integrity, my character, or the public trust. I will always have the courage to hold myself and others accountable for our actions’ and I have sworn to protect and to serve,” said Andronas. “As Sheriff, I have followed the principles of honesty, integrity and trust, and I am humbly requesting county residents to once again “trust Tony,” and pledge to continue working hard to earn your vote.” Prior to becoming Sheriff, Andronas served as a full-time police officer with the South Park Township Police Department in Allegheny County. He also srved several police departments in Washington County. Andronas is a graduate of Canon McMillan High School and lives in North Strabane Township.
January 22, 2025 4:41 am
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — As President Donald Trump cracks down on immigrants in the U.S. illegally, some families are wondering if it is safe to send their children to school. In many districts, educators have sought to reassure parents that schools are safe places for their kids, despite the president’s campaign pledge to carry out mass deportations. But many migrants’ fears intensified when the Trump administration announced Tuesday it would allow federal immigration agencies to make arrests at schools, churches and hospitals, ending a decades-old policy.
January 22, 2025 4:40 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s administration is moving to end affirmative action in federal contracting and is directing that all federal diversity, equity and inclusion staff be put on paid leave and eventually be laid off. The moves follow an executive order Trump signed on his first day ordering a sweeping dismantling of the federal government’s diversity and inclusion programs that could touch on everything from anti-bias training to funding for minority farmers and homeowners. Trump has called the programs “discrimination” and insisted on restoring strictly “merit-based” hiring. The executive order on affirmative action revokes an order issued by President Lyndon Johnson, and curtails DEI programs by federal contractors and grant recipients.
January 21, 2025 4:39 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has defended his decision to pardon people convicted of assaulting police officers during the attack on the Capitol and suggests there could be a place in U.S. politics for the Proud Boys extremist group, quickly evoking some of the controversies of his first term. Trump on Tuesday defended his decision to use his first hours in office to pardon hundreds of people who participated in violence at the Capitol siege on Jan. 6, 2021, including the former leaders of the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys, who were convicted of seditious conspiracy charges but released from prison after Trump signed his order.
January 22, 2025 4:37 am
(AP) – The winter storm spreading snow, sleet and freezing rain across the southern United States has broken records, treating the region to unaccustomed perils and seasonal joy. From Texas through the Deep South, down into Florida and to North Carolina’s Outer Banks, the snow and ice made for dangerous driving and inventive sledding on Wednesday. At least three cold-weather deaths have been reported. The Arctic air also plunged much of the Midwest and the eastern U.S. into a deep freeze, grounding hundreds of flights. But while the United States shivers, the world as a whole is breaking heat records. It’s been the warmest winter yet in data tracked since 1940.
January 22, 2025 4:44 am
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Evacuations have been ordered for remote communities near a new wind-driven wildfire in mountains north of Los Angeles. The Hughes Fire broke out late Wednesday morning and quickly burned through hundreds of acres of trees and brush, sending up a huge plume of dark smoke near the Lake Castaic area. The fire comes as parched Southern California could get some badly needed rain this weekend. But even a small amount of precipitation could create new challenges like toxic ash runoff. Meanwhile, red flag warnings for critical fire danger are in effect through Thursday.
January 21, 2025 5:07 am
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Officials in Turkey say that a fire has raged through a 12-story hotel at a popular ski resort in the northwestern part of the country during a school holiday, killing at least 76 people. They said at least two of died when they jumped from the building to escape the flames. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya says at least 51 people also were injured in the fire at the Grand Kartal hotel in Kartalkaya, in Bolu province’s Koroglu mountains, some 300 kilometers east of Istanbul. The fire occurred near the start of a two-week winter break for schools, when hotels in the region are packed.
January 22, 2025 2:21 am
Warming Centers across Washington County will be open and operating for the next few days as a Polar Vortex descends on our area. The Salvation Army in Washington says it will open its warming center Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. Officials say they will provide hot and cold drinks, snacks and a place to come in out of the cold. Entrance will be in the rear of the building by the gymnasium entrance. The warming center is open to anyone who needs shelter from the cold. Here is a list of all available warming centers,
Click Here.January 21, 2025 4:47 am
PITTSBURGH — A Cold Weather Advisory remains in place until early Wednesday afternoon. The worst of the wind chills will be Tuesday morning with many areas feeling like 8 to 15 degrees below zero. It will feel as cold as -25 degrees below zero in the mountains. Scattered snow showers will be in the area after lunch making untreated surfaces slick. While the wind eases Tuesday night, actual air temperatures could drop to double digits below zero to start Wednesday morning in parts of the area. This bitter cold air should begin to lift out of the area by the end of the week. Make sure to be prepared for the cold weather. Use caution when traveling, make sure to have extra layers and a blanket with you, limit time outdoors, and keep pets inside. Don’t forget to protect pipes as they could freeze in this extended cold stretch.
