March 24, 2023 2:30 am
A Charleroi man who faces two dozen assorted charges, most of them drug charges will face a jury trial. Donald Franks, 54 was going to accept a plea deal to avoid trial but at the last minute opted to go to trial. Franks was arrested on outstanding drug charges when he was found in a home with John Beebe of Fallowfield Township who is facing his own drug charges. Both were arrested in a drug raid of Beebe’s home in March of 2022. Franks faces 6 felony counts of possession with intent to deliver along with 5 conspiracy counts of the same charge. He also faces several other felony and misdemeanor charges over 5 different cases. Franks turned down a plea deal of 12-24 years in jail. According to the district attorney, if convicted at trial, he could be sentenced to 16-32 years in jail on just one of the charges. He faces four charges in one case that carry that penalty. Franks stated in court that he was not comfortable with the length of the 12 year sentence indicating that it was excessive when compared to other cases he is familiar with. He is scheduled for a May trial. Franks remains in the Washington County Jail.
March 23, 2023 4:13 pm
AYER, Mass. (AP) — Officials say five freight train cars have derailed in Massachusetts. But no hazardous materials were being hauled, and there were no reports of injuries. Authorities say the freight cars toppled over at about 11:30 a.m. Thursday. They were carrying sealed containers of trash and recycling material. The fire department called railway operator CSX and the utility National Grid to the scene, and officials took precautions to protect a nearby waterway. The train was not moving at the time of the derailment. CSX said there were no effects on the environment, and the cause remains under investigation. CSX said the cars derailed on a line jointly owned with Norfolk Southern.
March 23, 2023 1:24 pm
DETROIT (AP) — Hyundai and Kia are telling owners of over 571,000 SUVs and minivans in the U.S. to park them outdoors because the tow hitch harnesses can catch fire while they are parked or being driven. The Korean automakers are recalling the vehicles. Affected Hyundais include the 2019 to 2023 Santa Fe, the 2021 to 2023 Santa Fe Hybrid, the 2022 and 2023 Santa Fe Plug-in hybrid and the 2022 and 2023 Santa Cruz. The only Kia affected is the Carnival minivan from 2022 and 2023. All have Hyundai or Kia tow hitch harnesses. The automakers say water can get into a circuit board and cause a short circuit. Dealers will remove a fuse and tow hitch module until a fix is ready. Later they’ll install a new fuse and wire extension.
March 23, 2023 7:24 am
A Bentleyville man had a preliminary hearing on Wednesday facing terroristic threats and harassment charges. Joshua Levers, 40 waived his charges to court. The criminal complaint states that Levers sent threatening and lewd text messages to his victim earlier in March. The victim, a relative, indicated that he sent nude photos of himself and threatened sexual violent acts on them if they did not comply with his request for articles of their clothing. Levers remains in the Washington County Jail unable to post a $150,000 bond. He will be arraigned April 27.
March 23, 2023 7:19 am
A Cokeburg couple faced a preliminary hearing on Wednesday on felony aggravated assault of a minor and child endangerment charges. Matthew Mance, 34 and Shalee Schnore, 26 waived the assault and endangerment charges to court. According to the criminal complaints, a report was made in October to police about the possible abuse of a child in their home. An investigation revealed bruising on a child in multiple locations on their body. Doctors at Children’s Hospital called the bruises concerning and consistent with abuse. The victim’s sibling told police that they do not like going to the Mance and Schnore home because they would hit the victim. The couple avoided three additional aggravated assault charges as the district attorney withdrew those charges. Mance is awaiting a hearing on a subsequent resisting arrest charge. Schnore waived a hindering apprehension charge to court. Both remain confined in the Washington County Jail.
March 23, 2023 4:21 am
PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Supreme Court has declined to hear most of Republican Kari Lake’s appeal in a challenge of her defeat in the governor’s race, but revived a claim that was dismissed by a trial court. The state’s highest court said a lower-court had erroneously dismissed Lake’s claim challenging the application of signature verification procedures on early ballots in Maricopa County. The court sent the claim back to a trial court to consider. Lake, who lost to Democrat Katie Hobbs by just over 17,000 votes, was among the most vocal 2022 Republican candidates promoting former President Donald Trump’s election lies, which she made the centerpiece of her campaign.
March 23, 2023 4:19 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Approval of President Joe Biden has dipped slightly since a month ago to 38%. That’s nearly the lowest point of his presidency, and comes as his administration tries to project a sense of stability while confronting a pair of bank failures and stubbornly high inflation. The new poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows there have been modest fluctuations in support for Biden over the past several months. In February, 45% said they approved of him. His ratings hit their lowest point of his presidency last July, at 36%, as the full weight of rising gasoline, food and other costs began to hit U.S. households.
March 23, 2023 4:17 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The CEO of TikTok will make a high-profile appearance Thursday before a U.S. Congressional committee to make the case for why the hugely popular video-sharing app shouldn’t be banned. Shou Zi Chew’s testimony comes at a crucial time for the company, which has acquired 150 million American users but is under increasing pressure from U.S. officials concerned about data security and user safety. TikTok and its parent company ByteDance have been swept up in a wider geopolitical battle between Beijing and Washington over trade and technology. Chew, a 40-year-old Singapore native, is making a rare public appearance to counter the volley of accusations that TikTok has been facing.
March 23, 2023 4:13 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Anti-gun violence advocates rallied and packed a legislative hearing in Pennsylvania, where a politically divided government has fought firearms policy to a virtual standstill for decades and rising gun violence has gripped Philadelphia. Thursday’s March For Our Lives rally marks its fifth anniversary since its inception after a 2018 mass shooting at a Florida high school. Hundreds are expected at Thursday’s rally in Harrisburg, which coincides with rallies this week in Florida, Michigan, California and Texas. Pennsylvania’s Legislature hasn’t seriously entertained any new gun restrictions since 2018. But this year a one-seat Democratic majority has taken over the House and is kicking off this session’s debate over gun violence.
March 23, 2023 4:10 am
PITTSBURGH — (WPXI) – Plan for another wet morning commute Friday, especially from Pittsburgh south. Rain will be steady at times and could cause ponding on roads with the heaviest rain falling in Washington, Westmoreland, Greene and Fayette counties. Flooding will be a concern for many areas, especially south of I-70 so watch for quickly changing road conditions. By mid morning the steadiest rain will taper to showers with several rain free hours expected early afternoon and evening before the next wave of rain moves in Saturday. PennDOT is advising motorists that the following state roadways are closed at this time due to flooding.
Washington County:
· Route 2020 (Ten Mile Road) is closed between Little Creek Road and Trolley Road in Amwell Township due to flooding.
· Route 2019 is closed from (Almond Road) is closed from Main Street to Chestnut Street in Ellsworth Borough.
