WJPA News

NORTH STRABANE TOWNSHIP, Pa. — (WPXI) – Two spas in North Strabane Township have been shut down after reported criminal activity. North Strabane Township police said their department has been receiving reports of criminal activity at Jin Spa at 142 McClelland Road and Yan Spa at 2215 Hill Church Houston Road. A lengthy investigation confirmed those reports. The spas, which were owner and operated by the same person, were also found to be operating in close proximity to public schools and medical facilities. Thursday, North Strabane police executed search and arrest warrants at both locations and associated residences. Five employees or principals of the business were arrested and both locations are closed pending further investigation. If you have any information about illegal activity taking place at these locations, you can submit information or anonymous tips to: tips@nstpd.com or by calling (724) 746-4090.

A Washington County couple has been charged by Pennsylvania State Police with burglaries of 12 bars in Washington, Fayette and Westmoreland counties. David Rice, 33 of Charleroi and Stephanie Hankle 30 of Monongahela face multiple charges that include burglary, criminal trespass, theft, criminal mischief and others. The burglaries occurred in 2023, the investigation into the burglaries took a year to investigate. Police allege that the pair would watch the establishments to determine their closing procedures. Once determined, Rice would either forcibly enter or walk through open doors to take what he wanted. Once presented with police evidence the pair confessed to their crimes. Things taken were cash, money bags, alcohol and an entire ATM machine. The total of items stolen add up to more than $17,000. Damages to the establishments is $8000. Washington County establishments affected were the Allenport Marina and the Watering Hole in Coal Center. The pair face a preliminary hearing on January 30.

The Washington County Local Share Account Review Committee is recommending a total of 67 projects to receive more than $10 million.  The grants come from a portion of gaming revenue generated at the Hollywood Casino at the Meadows.   The list includes local governments, non-profits and other eligible entities throughout Washington County.  Washington County Commissioners Chairman Nick Sherman says “from improvements to parks and facilities to upgrades in municipal sewage and classroom environments, these diverse recommendations will enhance our communities by completing and jump-starting essential projects”.  Officials say the grants will be leveraged by more than $68.3 million in additional funding. Among the projects: $500,000 to the Washington Wild Things for upgrades at their ballpark, $500,00 to the Canonsburg Education and Cultural Institute for an auditorium development project,  $438,000 to the Carroll Township Authority for the nearly $3-million Ginger Hill sewer extension, and $400,000 for a Lemoyne Community Center expansion project.  The Board of Commissioners are expected to act on the recommendation at their February 6 public meeting. For the complete list of recommendations, Click Here.

FLETCHER, N.C. (AP) — President Donald Trump says he is considering “getting rid of” the Federal Emergency Management Agency. His comment on Friday offers the latest sign of how he is weighing sweeping changes to the nation’s central organization for responding to disasters. Speaking while on the first trip of his second term, Trump made the remark in North Carolina during a briefing on the monthslong recovery from Hurricane Helene. FEMA, Trump said, “has been a very big disappointment.” He said the agency is bureaucratic and slow.

FLETCHER, N.C. (AP) — President Donald Trump has ended the federal security detail for Dr. Anthony Fauci, the infectious disease expert who advised him on the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s according to a person familiar with the matter. Fauci is the latest in a string of former Trump aides-turned-critics to see their federal protection canceled despite ongoing threats to their lives. Speaking to reporters Friday in North Carolina, Trump said he wouldn’t feel any responsibility if harm befell the former government officials. A person familiar with the matter says Fauci’s federal security detail was ended on Thursday and he has since hired private security.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge has barred Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes from entering Washington, D.C., without the court’s approval after President Donald Trump commuted the extremist group leader’s 18-year prison sentence in the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol attack. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta issued the order two days after Rhodes visited Capitol Hill, where the Texas resident met with at least one lawmaker, chatted with others and defended his actions the day of the riot. Mehta’s order applies to seven other defendants charged in one of the most serious conspiracy cases brought by the Justice Department over the riot. The order prohibits them from entering the Capitol building or surrounding grounds without the court’s permission.

President Donald Trump is criticizing California water policy as he prepares to tour wildfire damage in Los Angeles. Since the fires broke out Jan. 7, Trump has accused the state of sending too much water to the Pacific Ocean instead of south toward Los Angeles. But the federally managed Central Valley Project doesn’t carry water to the nation’s second most-populous city and mostly supplies farms. The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California says it has ample storage to meet the region’s water needs.

DALLAS (AP) — President Donald Trump has ordered the release of thousands of classified governmental records related to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The executive order Trump signed Thursday also aims to declassify the remaining federal records relating to the assassinations of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. The order is among a flurry of actions Trump has quickly taken as he begins a second term. Only a few thousand of the millions of governmental records related to the JFK assassination have yet to be fully declassified.

SEATTLE (AP) — A federal judge has temporarily blocked President Donald Trump’s executive order ending the constitutional guarantee of birthright citizenship regardless of the parents’ immigration status. U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour in Seattle ruled on Thursday in the case brought by the states of Washington, Arizona, Illinois and Oregon. The states argue that the 14th Amendment and Supreme Court case law have cemented birthright citizenship. Coughenour called Trump’s order “blatantly unconstitutional.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — Pete Hegseth, President Donald Trump’s nominee for defense secretary, paid $50,000 to the woman who accused him of sexual assault in 2017. That’s according to answers he provided to a senator during his confirmation process that The Associated Press has obtained. The answers were provided to Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren in response additional questions she had for Hegseth as part of the vetting process. Hegseth attorney Timothy Parlatore declined to comment on the dollar figure Thursday. Hegseth told police at the time that the encounter had been consensual and denied any wrongdoing. The news of the payment comes the same day the Senate advanced Hegseth’s nomination along a party-line vote.