Microsoft Exchange email hack was caused by China, US says
By ERIC TUCKER Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is blaming China for a hack of Microsoft Exchange email server software that compromised tens of thousands of computers around the world earlier this year. The administration and allied nations on Monday also disclosed a broad range of other cyberthreats from Beijing, including ransomware attacks from government-affiliated hackers that have targeted companies with demands for millions of dollars. A senior administration official says China’s Ministry of State Security has been using criminal contract hackers, who have engaged in cyber extortion schemes and operations for their own profit. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson previously said attribution of cyberattacks should be based on evidence and not “groundless accusations.”

Dangerous conditions complicate wildfire fight in western US
Associated Press undefined
BLY, Ore. (AP) — Erratic winds and dry lightning are among the dangers for crews battling the nation’s largest wildfire. The Bootleg Fire is racing through parched Oregon forests just north of the California state line. It’s already burned an area about the size of Los Angeles. Meteorologists predict critically dangerous fire weather through at least Monday, including lightning that could ignite new fires. Thousands of people are under evacuation orders. Nationwide, about 70 large fires are burning. One fire spreading south of Lake Tahoe jumped a highway, prompting the closure of the Pacific Crest Trail and the cancellation of an extreme bike ride known as the “Death Ride.”

Fetterman leads fundraising in Pennsylvania’s US Senate race
By MARC LEVY Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Democrat John Fetterman is showing his early fundraising prowess in the crowded stakes for Pennsylvania’s open U.S. Senate seat ahead of next year’s election. Fetterman reported $2.5 million raised in the three months ending June 30. That left him with $3 million in his campaign account, far more than any candidate, Republican or Democrat, has reported. Thursday was the Federal Election Commission deadline to file the quarterly report. Fetterman is the state’s lieutenant governor. Leading the Republican money chase is Jeff Bartos, the Montgomery County real estate investor whose campaign said he had just under $1.9 million in his account as of June 30.

(Clay Township, Pa.) Pa State Police in Butler are reporting via release that they are investigating a murder suicide that happened on Saturday .

Troopers say via release that officers were dispatched to the West Sunbury Cemetery in Clay Township early Saturday Afternoon for reports of a suicidal male. Upon arrival, officers found a person dead by a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The release identified the deceased man 46-year-old Charles Smith, 46, of Evans City.

Through an investigation, it was determined that Smith shot and killed 39-year-old Terry Bolan of Evans City in Forward Twp. prior to fleeing to the cemetery and taking his own life. It not clear what led to this incident and Troopers continue to investigate.

(Beaver, Pa.) Pa State Police in Beaver sent out a press release over the weekend stating that the Pa State Police in Beaver will be conducting Sobriety checkpoints throughout the area during the remainder of the month of July 2021, in support of Pa State Police’s “Impaired Driving Enforcement Initiative” They are encouraging motorists to drink responsibly and utilize a designated driver when drinking.

(Photos courtesy of City of Beaver Falls Fire Department, used with permission)

(Beaver Falls, Pa.) The City of Beaver Falls Fire Department is reporting via their Facebook page that they were dispatched to the area of A-Plus on 8th Avenue in the City of Beaver Falls for reports of  a house on fire around midnight Saturday night, July 17, 2021. As  the City of Beaver Falls Police Department and Beaver Falls Fire Chief Mark Stowe were responding to the call they found an abandon house that had previously burned last year on 10th Avenue with a large volume of fire coming from the second floor. Fire crews from the New Brighton Volunteer Fire Dept., Rochester Fire Department and Big Beaver Borough Volunteer Fire Company were already responding with Beaver Falls Fire Department to the first alarm. When the fire on 10th Ave was discovered a second alarm was sounded requesting  assistance from Patterson Heights Volunteer Fire Department and Chippewa Township Volunteer Fire Department. 

The Facebook report says that multiple hose lines and Tower 11 were put into operation bringing the fire under control in 30 minutes. Crews remained on scene to extinguish hot spots for about an hour and a half before leaving the scene. There were no injuries reported.

Photos are courtesy of Beaver Falls Fire Department:

 

(Photo by City of Beaver Falls Police Department. Used with permission)

(Beaver Falls, Pa.) The City of Beaver Falls Police Department is reporting via their Facebook page that officers from the City of Beaver Falls Police Department, New Brighton Police Department and the PA Office of Attorney General after an investigation executed a search warrant early Friday morning, July 16, 2021, at 817 9th Avenue in Beaver Falls. Randall Mason of Beaver Falls was arrested as a result of the investigation. Officers also seized 500 grams of cocaine, 140 grams of crack cocaine, $8000.00,  1.5 lbs marijuana, a digital scale, cell phones, and other misc. items.

(Beaver, Pa.) According to a press release from District Attorney David Lozier’s Office on Friday evening, July 16, 2021, homicide charges have been filed  in the shootout that occurred in the area of 10th Ave and 10th Street in Beaver Falls on Monday night, July 12, 2021.

Charges of Criminal Homicide are being filed against DECARLOS KAVAUN WARREN, age 20, of Michigan. DECARLOS KAVAUN WARREN is accused of the intentional murder of Dwayne Lee Wells, Aggravated Assault for the shooting of three adult males in addition to Dwayne Lee Wells, among other charges. 

According to the release an arrest warrant has been issued for DECARLOS KAVAUN WARREN. Federal agencies have been asked to assist in his arrest and extradition back to Beaver County.

At about 9:30 on the evening of Monday, July 12, 2021, there was an exchange of gunfire in the vicinity of 10th Street and 10th Avenue in the City of Beaver Falls. Police say that 5 people were shot in total. Two of the victims were fatalities, two were life flighted to Pittsburgh Hospitals, underwent surgery and police continue monitoring their condition and the fifth individual was treated at the hospital and released. 

The two fatalities were: Dwayne Lee Wells, age 31, of Beaver Falls and Youngstown. Monte Carlos Warren, age 30, of Michigan. 

The Coroner has ruled the causes of both deaths to be  homicide