October 20, 2025 1:51 am
The celebration of the 125th anniversary of the Washington County Courthouse was held Saturday evening with a black-tie gala that drew hundreds of celebrants from the county’s legal, political, and cultural communities. Guests were treated to a roving banquet, musical performances, and the western Pennsylvania tradition of a wedding cookie table. The family of the late attorney Dennis Phillips donated a portrait of George Washington which will remain on permanent public display in the chambers of the President Judge. Proceeds from the event will help benefit local charities including Casa for Kids, the Washington City Mission, Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern Pennsylvania and the Washington County Bar Association. The Washington County Courthouse has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places since 1974.
October 20, 2025 1:04 am
(AP) – State emergency management officials say they’re facing funding challenges from the federal government that threaten the country’s ability to respond to crises. The Trump administration has cut state grants and tied funding to immigration enforcement. And the government shutdown adds to the problem. Last week, a federal judge ordered the Department of Homeland Security to stop linking grants to immigration enforcement. Some states have seen drastic cuts to homeland security grants, leading to a freeze on the entire $1 billion program. Emergency management agencies are delaying hiring and equipment purchases. Experts warn these disruptions could jeopardize preparedness and response to disasters.
October 20, 2025 1:01 am
The investigation continues into the death of a man whose body was found outside a business in South Strabane Township early Sunday morning. The man was identified as Jude Cassidy, 62, of Washington, in a release from Washington County Coroner Tim Warco. Police were called to the Trinity Point Shopping Center approximately 4:30 am Sunday when employees arriving for work found the body. While the investigation is on-going, authorities think Cassidy may have suffered a medical episode and do not believe foul play was involved. South Strabane police say they are not currently looking for a suspect and believe there is no danger to the public. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 724-225-8111 or email dhilk@southstrabane.com.
October 20, 2025 1:00 am
The closure of South Main Street in Washington will be extended. According to PennDot, South Main Street between Park Avenue(Rt. 18) and East Prospect Avenue will remain closed until Monday, October 27. Motorists are advised to continue using the posted detour of Rt. 18, Rt. 40, Rt. 19, Sanitarium Road to South Main Street. This is a continuation of water main line replacement before the Catfish Creek Bridge Replacement Project, scheduled for Spring 2026.
October 19, 2025 12:07 pm
PARIS (AP) — Thieves have pulled off a daring heist at the Louvre, stealing priceless Napoleonic jewels. On Sunday, they used a basket lift to access the museum, smashed display cases, and fled with the treasures. The theft happened in the Galerie d’Apollon, where the French Crown Jewels are displayed. Officials say the operation took only four minutes and was carried out by professionals. The Louvre has faced criticism for under-staffing and security issues. The museum closed for the rest of Sunday as investigators began their search for clues. The heist has sparked political debate in France.
October 19, 2025 12:06 pm
LONDON (AP) — London police are investigating whether Prince Andrew asked a police officer to find damaging information on Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexual assault. Reports suggest Andrew sought to smear Giuffre in 2011 by trying to check her criminal record. This comes after Buckingham Palace announced Andrew would give up his Duke of York title following more revelations of his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Giuffre’s family wants King Charles III to strip Andrew of his prince title. The duke’s demise began in 2019 following a disastrous interview in which Andrew sought to counter media reports about his friendship with Epstein and denied allegations he had sex with a 17-year-old Giuffre.
October 19, 2025 7:08 am
(AP) A plan to fire live artillery shells over a major Southern California highway as part of a military showcase attended by Vice President JD Vance has drawn strong objections from Gov. Gavin Newsom. The Democrat says the exercise is potentially dangerous and has forced him to close a 17-mile portion of the interstate for safety reasons. Vance and U.S. Marine officials at Camp Pendleton have said there is nothing unsafe about the artillery exercise and no need to disrupt traffic on Interstate 5, which is the main highway along the Pacific coast between San Diego and Los Angeles. Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are visiting Camp Pendleton o celebrate the Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary. (Photo: AP)
October 19, 2025 7:06 am
ISLAMABAD (AP) — Afghanistan and Pakistan say they will respect a ceasefire mediated by Qatar and Turkey. The truce comes into effect immediately and is intended to pause hostilities. The Taliban government’s chief spokesman and Pakistan’s defense minister confirmed the truce on Sunday. Violence has escalated between the neighbors since earlier this month, with each country saying they were responding to aggression from the other. Afghanistan denies harboring militants who carry out attacks in border areas. Pakistan is grappling with militancy that has surged since 2021, when the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan and returned to power.
October 19, 2025 7:00 am
Residents of Washington County took their opportunity to participate in the nationwide series of “No Kings” rallies. Critics of President Donald Trump, his policies and his administration lined both sides of South Main Street in front of the Washington County Courthouse to express their concerns. Reasons for participation by supporters varied, from protesting Trump as a hateful person, to trying to stop what they feel is a dictatorship under construction. Donna Patrina, President of the Washington Greene County Central Labor Council was there to support workers and veterans. Theodore Tolliver is the President of the Washington and Jefferson College Democrats. He said he was there to defend the Constitution and to help drive young people to get involved in politics early and stay involved throughout their lives. It was an enthusiastic crowd. Car horns blared, crowd chants often drowned out speaker comments. Detractors of the rally were not obvious, but several motorists were noticed offering unfriendly gestures to the crowd.
October 18, 2025 12:30 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal government shutdown is approaching the second longest on record and there’s no end in sight. Some lawmakers predict it could surpass the 35-day shutdown from President Donald Trump’s first term. The nation’s 1.3 million active-duty service members have gotten a temporary reprieve. But hundreds of thousands of federal civilian employees are being furloughed and facing financial stress. The travel economy is taking a big hit with tourist sites such as Smithsonian museums in the nation’s capital closed. There have been air controller shortages in some cities and flight delays. The longer the shutdown lasts, the more it could be a drag on the economy.
