close

EDITOR'S
PICK

Washington residents see first tax increase in five years

For the first time in five years, residents of the city of Washington will see their taxes increase. Council had the final reading Thursday of a $15.2 million spending plan that sets the millage for buildings at 5.53 mills, an increase of 1.5 mills. The millage rate for land is 38.71. Councilman Ken Westcott, who chairs the finance department, said the average homeowner will pay an additional $180 in taxes. When the preliminary budget was approved in November, Westcott said that figure would be $220. “I didn’t take into account that we repealed Act 205,” Westcott said. “That will reduce that down. After running all the numbers, we were looking at a 3-or-4-mill tax ...

Crews search Cumberland Township after report of possible downed aircraft

Emergency crews were dispatched to eastern Cumberland Township in Greene County on Friday afternoon for a report of a possible downed aircraft, although a lengthy search of the area failed to locate any signs of a plane crash. Greene County Emergency Management Director Rich Policz said a ...

Eighty-Four man killed in two-vehicle accident

A two-vehicle accident in South Strabane Township Thursday night killed one of the drivers. Washington County Coroner Timothy Warco identified the driver as James M. Johnson, 65, of Eighty-Four. South Strabane police were called at about 8:45 p.m. to East Beau Street near its intersection with Eastpointe Drive, according to a press release from Chief Drew Hilk. According to the coroner, Johnson was driving east on Beau Street and struck a west bound vehicle. The driver of the other vehicle, who has not been identified, suffered minor injuries, police said. The coroner declared Johnson dead at the scene at 9:35 p.m. Thursday. According to the coroner, he was not wearing a ...

Donora man arrested in drug bust

The state attorney general’s office arrested a Donora man Wednesday after finding large amounts of suspected heroin at his home. Devon Johnson-Brown, 35, faces felony charges of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and prohibited possession of a firearm. According to the criminal complaint, agents with the attorney general’s office served a search warrant at Johnson-Brown's home at 114 Highland Terrace at about 11 a.m. Wednesday. Charging documents state that investigators found 2,100 stamp bags of suspected heroin, suspected cocaine and a handgun. Johnson-Brown was arraigned Wednesday afternoon before District Judge Mark Wilson, who sent him to the ...

Observer-Reporter Daily News Update

This daily email features the latest news for Washington County, Greene County, and the Mon Valley.

Sports

Wilson outplaying other AFC North QBs

The Steelers were supposed to have the worst quarterback situation in the AFC North this season. But that always figured to be Cleveland, which married itself to Deshaun Watson and a ridiculous fully guaranteed contract in 2022. The Browns will never get their money’s worth out of that ...

One man’s buck is another man’s trophy

By Dave Bates For the Observer-Reporter There is no limit to what I won’t do to make my buddies feel good about their buck harvests. Call it my sportsman’s Christmas gift to my friends but I go to great lengths to ensure my pal’s feelings are never hurt by my taking a larger deer than ...

article image - Penguins Rangers Hockey

Panarin nets 2 as Rangers beat Penguins

NEW YORK (AP) — Reilly Smith scored the go-ahead goal and Artemi Panarin scored twice as the New York Rangers beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-2 on Friday night. Smith put New York ahead with his fourth goal this season at 9:53 of the third period in a game played hours after the Rangers ...

Steelers

Pirates

Penguins

Opinion

There’s nothing like a wedding

The great misadventure began before the journey to Springfield, Mass., in a Pittsburgh parking garage. I shoved a blanket into my already-stuffed tote bag, breaking the handle. Both suitcases were brimming over with formal wear – to a wedding, we were heading – and other necessities and ...

Living

article image - Waters 2

Preschoolers visit with seniors at The Waters of McMurray

Children who attend St. John’s Catholic Preschool in McMurray entertained residents of The Waters of McMurray Senior Living with a Thanksgiving skit recently. “One of our part-time resident aides, Anna Cooper, also works at the preschool and she thought the residents would enjoy getting ...

NEWSLETTER

Join thousands already receiving our daily newsletter.

Contact Information

www.observer-reporter.com

  • 122 South Main Street
  • Washington, PA 15301
  • Phone: 724-222-2200