Storms Pummel U.S.

February 23, 2023 4:10 am

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) – A brutal winter storm that trapped drivers on icy roads, blacked out hundreds of thousands of homes, grounded airplanes and closed schools across much of the country is now poised to slam California. The National Weather Service says damaging winds, heavy mountain snow and dangerous waves are possible Thursday. A rare blizzard warning has been issued for Southern California mountains. Meanwhile, a coast-to-coast weather pattern that’s pummeled states from Arizona to Michigan is expected to continue and spread to the East Coast later in the week. In Wyoming, motorists were stranded in cars on windy, snowy highways.  The weather also contributed to electrical problems, with more than 579,000 customers without power Wednesday night in Michigan alone.

9 Year Old Girl, TV Reporter Fatally Shot In Florida

February 23, 2023 4:08 am

Authorities say a central Florida television journalist and a little girl were fatally shot near the scene of a fatal shooting from earlier in the day. Orange County Sheriff John Mina said during a news conference Wednesday that they’ve detained 19-year-old Keith Melvin Moses (pictured) who they believe is responsible for both shootings in the Orlando-area neighborhood. Besides the Spectrum News 13 journalist and the 9-year-old girl, a TV crewmember and the girl’s mother were wounded during the second shooting. Mina said they don’t immediately have a motive for any of the shootings.

One Dead & Three Injured In Crash Near Avella

February 23, 2023 3:55 am

INDEPENDENCE TOWNSHIP, Pa. — An Avella man was killed in a two-vehicle crash Wednesday afternoon in Independence Township. The Washington County Coroners Office says 58 year old Edward King was pronounced dead at the scene just after 5 p.m.  He was the lone occupant of a vehicle traveling eastbound when it collided with another vehicle near the 400 block of Washington Pike.  He was not wearing a seatbelt. Three other people were reportedly injured in the other vehicle. A woman and two children, reportedly a baby and an 8-year old suffered what are believed to be minor injuries. There is no word on their identities or conditions. State Police are investigating.

No Cow Needed & You Can Call It “Milk”

February 22, 2023 5:18 pm

(AP) – Draft U.S. rules would allow soy, oat, almond and other drinks that bill themselves as “milk” to keep using the name. The Food and Drug Administration says plant-based beverages don’t pretend to be from dairy animals and U.S. consumers aren’t confused by the difference. Dairy producers have called for the FDA to crack down on the use of the term milk. The rules released Wednesday also call for voluntary extra nutrition labels that note when the drinks have lower levels of nutrients than dairy milk.  In recent years, the number of plant-based drinks has exploded to include dozens of varieties, including cashew, coconut and hemp.  (Photo:  ABC)

Officer Injured In Shooting In Duquesne

February 22, 2023 3:18 pm

DUQUESNE, Pa. (AP) – Authorities say a western Pennsylvania police officer and a suspect were both taken to hospitals after being wounded in an exchange of gunfire. Allegheny County police say the Duquesne officer responded to a report of gunshots shortly before 12:30 a.m. Wednesday and “was immediately met by gunfire before exiting his vehicle.” Police say the officer was wounded in a foot and the suspect in a leg in an exchange of gunfire. Both were taken to hospitals in stable condition. Police say the 28-year-old suspect will face charges including attempted homicide and aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer.  The man accused of shooting the officer is Shyheim Cortez Berry, 28, of Duquesne.

Venetia Teen On Wheel Of Fortune Tonight

February 22, 2023 9:57 am

VENETIA, Pa. — (WPXI) – A teenager from Washington County will be appearing on NBC’s Wheel of Fortune. Justin Mattes, from Venetia, will be on the program’s Teen Week tonight. Mattes is a big fan of Pittsburgh sports and does community service through his local Boy Scouts of America troop. At school, Mattes is part of Youth Ministry, plays trumpet in the school band and is in the drama club. Mattes has reportedly been watching Wheel of Fortune with his family since he was born and he played the Wheel of Fortune board game with his older siblings growing up. His mom encouraged him to apply for Teen Week when she saw they were wanting teen participants. If Mattes wins any money during his appearance, he said he wants to save for college and go on a trip with his family, but he’s just proud to be selected as a contestant. Catch Mattes on Wheel of Fortune on Channel 11 at 7 p.m.

Motorcyclist Flown To Pittsburgh Hospital After Crash

February 22, 2023 6:36 am

A motorcycle crash early Wednesday morning in South Strabane Township.  Washington County 9-1-1 dispatchers tell WJPA News it happened just before 2 a.m in the 18-hundred block of N. Main Street.  We are told the motorcycle left the roadway, went over a hillside and struck a tree.  The victim was flown by medical helicopter to Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh.  There is no word on the identity or condition of the victim.  No other vehicles were involved.

Commissioners ‘Surprised’ By Irey-Vaughan Decision

February 22, 2023 4:34 am

Washington County Commissioners Larry Maggi and Nick Sherman both say they were suprised by Commisioner’s Chairwoman Diana Irey-Vaughan’s announcement Tuesday that she would not seek re-election.  Irey-Vaughan, a Republican,  has served as a commissioner in the county for 28 years.  Longtime Democratic Commissioner Larry Maggi called Irey-Vaughan a “great leader” who “worked for the people”.  He has worked with her for more than two decades and despite being from different political parties says the always “worked well together” and “she will be missed”. Fellow Republican Nick Sherman also says he was suprised by her decision not to run.  Sherman called it “a sad day for Washington County” and says Irey-Vaughan was “a staple in Washington County.   Irey-Vaughan issued a statement Tuesday announcing that she would not seek re-election saying “the time has now come for another to embrace this calling. To those who may feel drawn to answer this call, I encourage you, and I thank you”.

Biden To Meet Eastern Flank NATO Leaders

February 22, 2023 4:21 am

WARSAW (AP) – President Joe Biden is wrapping up his whirlwind, four-day visit to Poland and Ukraine. He’s reassuring eastern flank NATO allies that his administration is highly attuned to the looming threats and other impacts spurred by the grinding Russian invasion of Ukraine. Before departing Warsaw on Wednesday, Biden will hold talks with leaders from the Bucharest Nine. The collection of nations on the most eastern flank of NATO was formed in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine. The B9 countries’ anxieties have become more heightened as many worry Putin could move to take military action against them if he’s successful in Ukraine.

U.S. To Limit Asylum To Migrants Passing Through A 3rd Nation

February 22, 2023 4:19 am

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Biden administration says it will generally deny asylum to migrants who show up at the U.S. southern border without first seeking protection in a country they passed through. That mirrors an attempt by the Trump administration that never took effect because it was blocked in court. The measure stops short of a total ban but imposes severe limitations on asylum for any nationality except Mexicans, who don’t have to travel through a third country to reach the U.S. It doesn’t take effect immediately and is almost certain to face legal challenges, and it has to first go through a 30-day public comment period.