Observer-Reporter

10/15/2025

Vincenzo Lopez expressed his gratitude to the emergency responders who rescued him from a trench that collapsed in Charleroi Aug. 28.

The Belle Vernon resident recalled his five hours spent in the trench at an event held Tuesday at the Urban Search and Rescue Pennsylvania Strike Team 1 facility in Carnegie, where the efforts of multiple first responders and organizations who worked in the rescue effort were recognized.

CARNEGIE – Vincenzo Lopez expressed his gratitude to the emergency responders who rescued him from a trench that collapsed in Charleroi Aug. 28. The Belle Vernon resident recalled his five hours spent in the trench at an event held Tuesday at the Urban Search and Rescue Pennsylvania Strike Team 1 ...

10/15/2025

The Philadelphia lawyers asking the state Supreme Court to restrict Washington County District Attorney Jason Walsh’s ability to pursue the death penalty are pointing to last week’s acquittal of one of their clients to bolster their claims that he has been unjustly wielding the threat of capital punishment against some homicide defendants.

“The acquittal of Joshua George is probably the best evidence of what we’ve been claiming all along: that Jason Walsh is inappropriately using the death penalty for personal gain,” said Marc Bookman, who is executive director of the Atlantic Center for Capital Representation.

The Philadelphia lawyers asking the state Supreme Court to restrict Washington County District Attorney Jason Walsh’s ability to pursue the death penalty are pointing to last week’s acquittal of one of their clients to bolster their claims that he has been unjustly wielding the threat of capital...

10/14/2025

The mayor of Washington issued a plea Saturday morning for witnesses to come forward after a fatal shooting in the city.

The shooting occurred at about 2:52 a.m. Saturday in the alley next to Joe’s Bakery at 123 N. Main St., according to Mayor JoJo Burgess.

Washington County Coroner Timothy Warco identified 20-year-old Julian Lassic as the man who was killed in the shooting.

The mayor of Washington issued a plea Saturday morning for witnesses to come forward after a fatal shooting in the city. The shooting occurred at about 2:52 a.m. Saturday in the alley next to Joe’s Bakery at 123 N. Main St., according to Mayor JoJo Burgess. Washington County Coroner Timothy Warco ...

10/14/2025

The defense for Kristopher Moorehouse claims he acted in self-defense when he shot and killed a friend who made unwanted advances to the defendant’s girlfriend at a house party in Canonsburg last month, even going as far as invoking the Castle Doctrine that allows for lethal force against intruders.

Moorehouse, 20, is accused of fatally shooting Brady Hugh Paul during the Sept. 6 gathering at 521 Giffin Ave. in the borough after the two men got into an altercation and Paul was asked to leave the party, only for him to return minutes later and they began fighting again.

The defense for Kristopher Moorehouse claims he acted in self-defense when he shot and killed a friend who made unwanted advances to the defendant’s girlfriend at a house party in Canonsburg last month, even going as far as invoking the Castle Doctrine that allows for lethal force against intruder...

10/13/2025

Clearfield County will make $1 million over five years to act as the middleman between ICE and the private contractor that operates the Moshannon Valley Processing Center, the largest immigration detention facility in the Northeast.

The county enters the final year of its contracts with ICE and the GEO Group as the Trump administration has intensified efforts to deport undocumented immigrants.

This story was produced by the State College regional bureau of Spotlight PA, an independent, nonpartisan newsroom dedicated to investigative and public-service journalism for Pennsylvania. Sign up for Talk of the Town, a daily newsletter of local stories that dig deep, events, and more from north-c...

10/13/2025

Charleroi council has taken action that could eventually lead to an expansion of the board of the Authority of the Borough of Charleroi (ABC).

Council voted Wednesday to amend a resolution to alter the ABC board representation to include six members from the borough of Charleroi, as well as one each from Dunlevy, Fallowfield Township, North Charleroi and Speers serving as non-equity members. They would be appointed by the municipality’s governing body to serve five-year terms.

Charleroi council has taken action that could eventually lead to an expansion of the board of the Authority of the Borough of Charleroi (ABC). Council voted Wednesday to amend a resolution to alter the ABC board representation to include six members from the borough of Charleroi, as well as one each...

10/09/2025

Prosecutors claimed in opening statements Monday that the Smith Township father on trial for allegedly violently shaking his son made “chilling” statements about preparing to do just that in the days before the child’s death, while his defense attorney told jurors that the fatal injuries occurred while the boy was being babysat by his step-grandmother.

The first day of the homicide trial for Joshua George, who could face the death penalty if convicted of first-degree murder, opened inside the Washington County Courthouse with dueling theories from the prosecution and defense about when and where 6-month-old Oliver George suffered fatal injuries on Dec. 30, 2021, before he died four days later in a Pittsburgh hospital.

Prosecutors claimed in opening statements Monday that the Smith Township father on trial for allegedly violently shaking his son made “chilling” statements about preparing to do just that in the days before the child’s death, while his defense attorney told jurors that the fatal injuries occur...

10/09/2025

More than 200 people participated in the 2025 Walk to End Alzheimer’s-Washington at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows Saturday, raising nearly $79,000 for the Alzheimer’s Association.

“The Alzheimer’s Association Greater Pennsylvania Chapter sincerely thanks the dedicated Walk participants, volunteers and sponsors who made the 2025 Walk to End Alzheimer’s a tremendous success,” said Natalie Boyanovsky, development manager. “The funds raised will help fuel disease research while also providing critical care and support to individuals and families affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementia.”

latest news for Washington County, Greene County, and the Mon Valley

10/08/2025

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10/08/2025

To protect kids, Pennsylvania maintains a registry of people convicted and suspected of child abuse and neglect.

The registry is used for background checks across the commonwealth, and in theory keeps those who could harm children away from schools, workplaces, and other sensitive settings.

But the state places people on the list without legal proceedings in which they or an attorney can mount a defense. A lawsuit pending in Commonwealth Court alleges this violates a person’s right to due process and reputation under the Pennsylvania Constitution.

Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalism that holds power to account and drives positive change in Pennsylvania. Sign up for our free newsletters. HARRISBURG — To protect kids, Pennsylvania maintains a registry of peo...

10/08/2025

Monongahela police charged four men Friday in connection with a bar fight last month.

According to court records, shortly before 11 p.m. Sept. 20 police were called to the Drunken Hippie at 131 W. Main St.

Charged in the case are Jeremiah William Demoss, 34, of Stockdale; Craig Lee Pieri Sowers, 36, of Charleroi; Jonathan Michael Lexie, 39, of Monongahela; and Andrew Stephen Armstrong, 25, of Monessen.

Monongahela police charged four men Friday in connection with a bar fight last month. According to court records, shortly before 11 p.m. Sept. 20 police were called to the Drunken Hippie at 131 W. Main St. Charged in the case are Jeremiah William Demoss, 34, of Stockdale; Craig Lee Pieri Sowers, 36,...

10/07/2025

A Mount Morris man is accused of repeatedly harassing workers at a property in Perry Township over several months while posing as a township supervisor.

Richard Long, 45, received additional charges for allegedly assaulting a police officer after being brought to court.

Supervisors in the Greene County township said there had been other similar complaints about Long, who had never worked for the township or had authority to represent them, charging documents stated.

A Mount Morris man is accused of repeatedly harassing workers at a property in Perry Township over several months while posing as a township supervisor. Richard Long, 45, received additional charges for allegedly assaulting a police officer after being brought to court. Supervisors in the Greene Cou...