Roman To Seek Second Term As Register Of Wills

February 14, 2023 4:27 am

Washington County Register of Wills, James Roman, has officially announced his re-election bid.  He will seek the Republican nomination in the May Primary.   In a release, Roman says he decided to seek another term because of the “loyalty to his staff and continued service to the citizens of Washington County as key motivating factors”.  Roman also pointed to successfully improving the customer service experience for visitors to his office. He says he has “been working hard to expand our services and offerings to the citizens of Washington County”.  He highlighted more transparency and more information available on the Register of Wills website, complete access to forms needed to complete various services and the extension of office hours. Roman also acknowledged that he has been “outspoken in regards to increased transparency in Washington County” and said, “I have been outspoken on the threats I regularly receive from Commissioners.”

Inflation Slows To 6.4%, But Price Pressures Re-Emerge

February 14, 2023 4:13 am

WASHINGTON (AP) – The pace of consumer price increases eased again in January, the latest sign that the high inflation that has gripped Americans for two years is slowing. At the same time, Tuesday’s consumer price report showed that inflationary pressures in the U.S. economy remain stubborn and are likely to keep inflation high well into this year. The government said Tuesday that consumer prices rose 6.4% in January compared with 12 months earlier, down from 6.5% in December. On a monthly basis, though, consumer prices increased 0.5% from December to January, much higher than the 0.1% rise from November to December. More expensive gas, food and clothing drove up inflation in January.

Rescuers Find More Alive In Turkey On 8th Day After Quake

February 14, 2023 4:12 am

ANTAKYA, Turkey (AP) – Rescuers on Tuesday were working to reach people under the rubble in three provinces hit hard by the powerful and devastating quake that hit Turkey and Syria last week. The death toll from the magnitude 7.8 and 7.5 quakes that struck nine hours apart on Feb. 6 in southeastern Turkey and northern Syria passed 35,000, and was certain to increase as search teams find more bodies. Turkish television continued broadcasting rescues Tuesday, as experts said the window to find survivors is closing. In Syria, President Bashar Assad agreed to open two new crossing points from Turkey to the country’s rebel-held northwest to deliver desperately needed aid and equipment to millions of earthquake victims.

Rumors Swirl About Balloons, UFOs As Officials Stay Mum

February 14, 2023 4:11 am

WASHINGTON (AP) – Officials have offered few details about four aerial objects recently shot down over North America, helping to fuel conspiracy theories and conjecture on the internet. One popular claim circulating Monday suggested, with no evidence, that the U.S. deployed the airborne devices as a way to frighten and distract Americans. Online searches for the term “UFO” also shot up as some people suggested the devices may be from another planet. Officials have said they suspect the first object was a Chinese surveillance balloon. But they’ve shed little light on the origins or purpose of the other three objects shot down in recent days, leading to rampant speculation online.

Michigan State Urged “Run, Hide, Fight”

February 14, 2023 4:10 am

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) – Terrified students describe breaking out windows, barricading doors and hiding under blankets as police searched for a gunman who killed three students and critically wounded five others on the Michigan State University campus. They silenced their phones – afraid to make even the slightest sound for hours. The terror felt by thousands of students on Monday was evident in texts to parents, posts on social media and in 911 calls. It started around 8:30 p.m. when the 43-year-old gunman, Anthony McRae, opened fire.  Alerts sent out to students urged them to “Run, Hide, Fight.” The search ended roughly three hours later when McRae fatally shot himself in a confrontation with police miles from campus.

Seventeen-Year-Old Boy Shot & Killed

February 14, 2023 4:08 am

PITTSBURGH — (WPXI) – A 17-year-old boy was shot and killed in Carrick Monday night. According to Allegheny County 911, crews were called to the scene in the 100 block of Parkfield Street at 10:02 p.m. Once on scene, first responders found the victim inside the residence with a fatal gunshot wound to the head. The victim was hit once, but police said at least two shots were fired. Five people were in the home at the time of the shooting. There is no information on any potential suspects at this time.

Peters Twp Lands $3.7 Million; Schedules Public Hearing

February 14, 2023 4:04 am

Peters Township Council worked through a very heavy agenda Monday night. The highlight of the meeting is news that the township will be receiving $3.7 million in additional funds. Council set February 27th as the date for a public hearing on how those funds are proposed to be used. The funds come from an award from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Task Force. According to Township Manager Paul Lauer, Peters Township Police Detective Ed Walker was instrumental in helping the task force take down a multi-million dollar drug dealing ring in the region and the forfeited funds were surrendered to law enforcement at the conviction of the defendants. The funds are to be used for law enforcement equipment and training. Additionally, Council will be adopting an ordinance still in the works that will adjust voting district lines. Minor tweaks to the proposed map are being considered. The adjustment is needed to keep an even balance of voters across each district. The new map is expected to be in force for the upcoming May 2023 primary election. Council also directed staff to continue work on a policy to oversee the construction and maintenance of all public utilities works in the township.

Eleven-Year-Old Boy Dies In House Fire

February 14, 2023 2:09 am

(WPXI) – An eleven-year-old boy has died from injuries he suffered in a house fire in Salem Township. David Wayne Becker was one of three people, including his mother and brother, who got out of a burning house along Route 819 just before nine o’clock Friday night. The chief of the Forbes Road Fire Department said a neighbor was able to reach the mother and one of the children at the front deck. The neighbor helped both the mother and the child escape from the deck. Becker was flown to a Pittsburgh-area hospital and died Sunday morning. Becker was a fifth grader at Metzgar Elementary School in the Greensburg Salem School District. Superintendent Kenneth Bissell posted a message that said the school would have safety and counseling staff for any students or staff in need of support.

U-Haul Driver Goes On Violent Rampage In NYC

February 13, 2023 5:37 pm

NEW YORK (AP) – Authorities say a man driving a U-Haul truck struck and injured several people in New York City before police were able to pin the vehicle against a building. It followed a mileslong pursuit through Brooklyn. Two people were in critical condition Monday. Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell described the driver’s actions as a “violent rampage through Brooklyn.” The truck sped through the Bay Ridge neighborhood before police stopped it more than 3 miles away near the entrance to a tunnel leading from Brooklyn to Manhattan. The driver was arrested. He was identified by his son as Weng Sor, who was living in Las Vegas before showing up recently in New York.

Judge To Release Parts Of Georgia Grand Jury Report

February 13, 2023 10:43 am

ATLANTA (AP) – A judge has ordered the release of parts of a report produced by a special grand jury that investigated efforts by former President Donald Trump and his allies to overturn his narrow 2020 election loss in Georgia. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney announced the decision on Monday. It comes three weeks after hearing arguments from prosecutors, who urged the report be kept secret until they decide on charges, and a coalition of media organizations, which pressed for its release. McBurney said the introduction and conclusion of the report, as well as a section in which the grand jurors expressed concerns that some witnesses may have lied under oath, will be released Thursday.