History has been made in New Castle, Lawrence County. The city has elected its first black mayor, who crossed racial and party lines for the win. A grassroots campaign ended in the historic win for Chris Frye. The Republican is now mayor-elect of New Castle, which is a city where a Democrat has held that title for more than a decade. Frye is also one of youngest mayors to be elected in the city.
Longtime WPXI-TV Meteorologist Kevin Benson was charged with driving under the influence in Washington County in September. A blood test showed that Benson had a blood alcohol content nearly four times the legal limit and had an inactive cocaine metabolite in his blood, according to a criminal complaint. The complaint says the 60-year-old Benson had glassy eyes, slurred speech and could not complete a sobriety test. Benson was arrested and taken to a hospital to draw blood, according to the complaint, which said he was “loud and uncooperative” with the nurses. Benson is charged with three misdemeanor DUI counts, all first offenses, and four vehicle code violations, including not wearing a seatbelt. No word on whether Benson has been suspended or taken off air.
A Butler City police officer was taken to a hospital after a woman sprayed the contents of a syringe at him late Tuesday night, authorities say. Police say the officer was on patrol about 11:30 p.m. in the area of East Jefferson Street when he spotted a running car parked in a nearby lot and a woman, identified as Kristina Labruna, slumped over the steering wheel. Police say the 28-year-old Labruna had the syringe in her hand and squirted the substance in it at the officer as he approached her. Officials say the officer was sprayed in the face and ear with the substance. He was taken to Butler Medical Hospital, where he was treated for exposure to the unknown substance. Labruna was arrested and taken to the Butler County Prison. She is charged with aggravated assault, simple assault and possession of drug paraphernalia.
PITTSBURGH (AP) — A man who opened fire on police officers in Pittsburgh is in critical condition after an officer returned fire. Officers had responded to a report of a domestic disturbance just before 11 p.m. Wednesday in the city’s Crafton Heights section. Police say 31-year-old Issa Abdus-Salaam appeared at the front door and started shooting. An officer shot him at least once. A woman and two children who were in the home were not injured.
The Big Beaver Falls Area School District said there will be an increased police presence at the middle school today after a threat was posted on Snapchat. The district said the threat was posted by a middle school student. State and local police are investigating the incident. In addition to the increased police presence, the district said extra precautionary measures are being taken.
WEATHER FORECAST FOR THURSDAY, NOV. 7TH, 2019
TODAY – RAIN, WITH SNOW MIXING IN FOR THE
AFTERNOON. HIGH – 45.
TONIGHT – PARTLY CLOUDY. LOW – 27.
FRIDAY – PARTLY CLOUDY. A FEW FLURRIES OR SNOW
SHOWERS POSSIBLE. HIGH – 38.
SATURDAY – MOSTLY CLOUDY. HIGH – 44.
SUNDAY – PARTLY SUNNY. HIGH – 52.
WASHINGTON (AP) — House Democrats have announced they’ll hold the first public hearings next week in their impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump. Three State Department officials will testify in hearings Nov. 13 and Nov. 15, according to House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff. Schiff, who is leading the probe, announced the hearings.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Republicans have held on to a Senate seat in the Richmond area as Sen. Siobhan Dunnavant defeated Democratic challenger Del. Debra Rodman in a race dominated by attack ads over gun control and abortion. Dunnavant, an OB-GYN, blasted Rodman for co-sponsoring a bill that would have loosened rules for a legal, third-trimester abortion by reducing the number of doctors required to find that the procedure was necessary for the life or health of the mother.
GALEANA, Mexico (AP) — Mexican officials say gunmen who killed nine U.S. citizens _ three women and six children _ may have mistaken the group’s large SUVs for those of a rival drug gang. Gen. Hector Mendoza, Mexico’s army chief of staff, said the attackers let some surviving children go, indicating that “it was not a targeted attack.”
NEW YORK (AP) — A federal court judge in New York has struck down a rule letting health care providers object to providing abortions and other services on moral or religious grounds. Judge Paul A. Engelmayer ruled Wednesday in Manhattan. The ruling came after health organizations sued the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. A spokeswoman says the government “will not comment on the pending litigation at this time.”