October 1, 2024 6:50 am
State Police are investigating a homicide last night in Washington County. Authorities say they were called to Spring Street in Robinson Township just before six o’clock for reports of a shooting involving two men. Police have not released the identity of those involved, but said both men were taken to a hospital where one later died. Troopers say they do have a suspect in custody.
October 1, 2024 12:53 pm
A jackknifed tractor-trailer briefly shut down part of eastbound I-70 Early Tuesday afternoon, one mile past the West Alexander Exit. There’s been no word on what caused the crash or if there were any injuries.
October 1, 2024 1:37 am
The contract for 32 clerical and maintenance employees, belonging to Teamsters Local 585, expired at midnight, October 1st, and without a new contract, the workers walked off their jobs and onto the picket line. Harold Close, Principal Officer of Teamsters Local 585, the Housing Authority of Washington County chose to put those employees on strike. Close says negotiations have been ongoing and the only sticking point is over wages. He said that $36,567.20 separates the union and Authority from settling the contract negotiations. He says for simplicity’s sake, $1000 a month is all it would cost to keep the employees on the job for the next three years. The union has rejected unanimously the authority’s last best offer, saying that without an agreement, they were going to strike. Close is adamant in saying that workers are not choosing to walk out, it is the authority who will be putting the workers on strike because their salary demands were not met. . The Washington County Housing Authority, in an emailed statement, said that they are working to ensure services are continuing to be provided to residents and they have several contingencies in place should issues arise during the walkout. The authority says it has offered the union a contract that surpasses the previous several contracts in terms of wages. In addition, they say they have met with state mediators and will meet again to try and resolve the agreement. In the meantime, they say they look forward to continuing to bargain in good faith, despite the strike. The authority has assets in the range of $20 million and manages approximately 1100 apartments in Washington, Canonsburg, California and Fredericktown
October 1, 2024 4:54 am
A Monday evening Washington City Council meeting focused on a 2023 audit report for the city and next steps for the upcoming budget. Although the audit was clean, Council is now looking for creative solutions to address a near 500 thousand dollar revenue shortfall. Councilman Ken Westcott says the process is just beginning and the lost revenue is mostly due to businesses leaving the area and the continuing rising costs of city pensions. He says they’ve been able to make up some ground with refinancing but are still looking at ways of finding money that will hopefully stave off a tax increase for residents.
October 1, 2024 4:52 am
Peters Township Council approved a project that is part of a larger project that has been under consideration for years. Council awarded a $5,995,000 contract to Massaro Corporation to build a splash pad in Rolling Hills Park. The plan is partially funded by a $3 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant. The remainder is financed by bond funds already on hand. In addition to the splash pad, there will be a party building, restrooms and a pavilion. The vote to approve the measure was 6-1. Councilman Gary Stiegel dissented saying he was always against an aquatic center. He thinks the splash pad is a gateway to having a full blown pool. Councilman Robert Lewis has been a proponent of a swimming facility for decades. He said it is a good first step toward an aquatic facility. Ground breaking could occur as early as October with work continuing through the winter depending on the weather. Officials hope to have the facility ready sometime in the summer of 2025.
October 1, 2024 2:53 am
Washington County Commissioners have appointed Heather Sheatler, the Deputy Controller, as supervisor of the Washington County’s Controller office pursuant to Section 12308 of the Pennsylvania Code. Commission Chair Nick Sherman says that with twenty-one years of outstanding service in the Controller’s Office, Heather has his complete confidence in her ability to manage the day-to-day operations and oversee the 12-employee office. He says Heather has assured him of her dedication to the controller’s office and expressed readiness to take on the challenge. Her priority, he says, is to bring honor back to the office and fulfill her fiscal duties. Sherman says he anticipates a smooth transition with her great team of experienced employees. Further, Sherman says, the commissioners have requested that the Governor appoint Sheatler as Acting Controller for the unexpired term in accordance with Section 12309 of the Pennsylvania County Code. Her appointment comes after Republican Controller April Sloan entered a plea in Washington County Court to charges related to the death of her dog Thor. She was accused of neglecting him and allowing him to die. His body was found wrapped in a plastic bag in her garage. As part of her plea, she agreed to resign her position.
October 1, 2024 5:59 am
A shocking social media post is the latest attack on Charleroi’s immigrant population. The flyer promotes a white supremacy group and asks “white citizens of Charleroi” to arm themselves and “protect your families.” Local officials tell WPXI there weren’t physical flyers posted throughout the community, but one posted on a private community page on Facebook. The flyer includes several Ku Klux Klan logos. The flyer reads in part “arm yourself white America” and “these 3rd world immigrants are destroying every single city they arrive in.” It comes following remarks made about the borough by former President Trump during a campaign stop. Local leaders from both sides of the aisle have called for an end to this hateful rhetoric. Local officials say they’ll continue to remain vigilant to ensure the safety of all residents.
October 1, 2024 2:20 am
The Canonsburg Senior Center was the site where the Southwestern Pennsylvania Area Agency on Aging, The Aging Services of Washington County, SPHS Aging Services, and the Washington Area Senior Citizens announced the strategic plan that the groups partnered in developing for the thirteen Senior Centers across Washington County. The study focused on diversification of programming, growth and retention of center participants and adequate staffing for all centers. Some of the programming suggestions are trips to local establishments such as restaurants and speaker series. Facility upgrades as simple as new paint to accessible doorways are being considered. Staffing was addressed to make sure there are enough people on hand to deal with the hoped for growth in the use of the centers. The study points out that Washington County’s demographic profile indicates a significant portion, 21.2% of residents, are aged 65 and older. According to Mary Lynn Spivak, Director of Aging Services of Washington County, funding for these projects will be provided by grants, and solicitations in the communities that the centers are based. The strategic plan study was funded by a $160,000 grant from the Henry L. Hillman Foundation and was performed by the Hill Group.
October 1, 2024 2:08 am
A Washington County couple is scheduled to be formally arraigned on several felony counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and endangering the welfare of a child. The charges are a result of a search warrant executed by the Office of Attorney General Bureau of Narcotics on the couple’s home in Eighty Four this past July. Drew and Lauren Divelbliss remain behind bars for their alleged role in a large manufacturing operation that included 1,500 grams of DMT – a strong psychedelic similar to Psilocybin mushrooms – valued at $150,000; 300 grams of THC shatter – street value $45,000; hundreds of packages of marijuana edibles; and 10 pounds of marijuana. Police also found $300,000 cash in vacuumed sealed plastic. In addition to the drug charges they also face charges of endangering the welfare of children. Two juvenile girls lived with their parents on Hickory Nut Drive in Eighty Four. A formal arraignment is scheduled for October 24th at one pm.
October 1, 2024 4:59 am
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Dockworkers at ports from Maine to Texas have started walking picket lines in a strike over wages and automation that could reignite inflation and cause shortages of goods if it goes on more than a few weeks. The contract between the ports and about 45,000 members of the International Longshoremen’s Association expired at midnight, and even though progress was reported in talks on Monday, the workers went on strike early Tuesday. The strike is affecting 36 ports. The U.S. Maritime Alliance, which represents the ports, said Monday evening that both sides had moved off of their previous wage offers, but when picket lines went up just after midnight, it was apparent there was no deal.
