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Uniontown woman accused of trying to throw child through third-story window

By By Garrett Neese

A Uniontown woman is accused of attempting to throw a child out of a third-story window and holding him in a tub of water while babysitting. Vira Zabudko, 40, had been asked to watch Karen Garcia’s 5-year-old son and his 11-year-old brother at her apartment on Berkeley Street while Garcia was moving some of her items, according to court paperwork. When she came back, she saw Zabudko attempting to throw her 5-year-old through the screen of the window, the complaint said. Zabudko told the 5-year-old to get into the shower to “wash the sins out because he is dirty,” then forced Garcia to get into the shower, at which point the tub was overflowing, the complaint said. After a ...

Oakdale man charged in fatal turnpike crash

State police charged an Oakdale man Monday for his role in a fatal hit-and-run crash last year. Jaxon Ramon Farrell, 18, faces felony charges of homicide by vehicle, aggravated assault by vehicle, accidents involving death or personal injury, as well as misdemeanors of driving under the influence and reckless endangerment. The accident occurred the afternoon of Aug. 25. Police accuse Farrell of striking 46-year-old Brian Everhart while he was outside of his vehicle on the ramp from Route 22 to the Southern Beltway in Robinson Township. Everhart was a commercial truck driver from Russellville, Tenn. According to the criminal complaint, Farrell attempted to drive between a vehicle ...

McDonald police ask for assistance after finding abandoned cats

The McDonald Police Department is seeking help from the public in identifying who abandoned several cats at a local park. In a post to its Facebook page, the department said someone left a cardboard box with a mom cat and her kittens at the East End Park baseball field just before 7 a.m. ...

Range Resources grants available for schools

A new round of funding is now available for school districts through the Range Resources School District Enrichment Fund, a partnership between Range Resources and the Washington County Community Foundation (WCCF). Following a successful inaugural year that awarded more than $50,000 to 13 school districts, the Fund is once again accepting applications for the 2026 cycle. Schools within Range Resources’ operating area are invited to apply for grants of up to $5,000 to support academic programming, supplies, and classroom improvements for the upcoming school year. “Range is proud to partner with our local school districts year-round,” said Christina Kramer, Community Relations ...

Canonsburg nonprofit debuts heritage wall

More than 70 years of memories are now on display at Arc Human Services, thanks to a recently unveiled “heritage wall.” The approximately 35-foot-wide wall is arranged chronologically, showcasing black and white photographs from the Arc’s earliest days up to contemporary digital ...

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

Sports

article image - Zander Sechrist

Wild Things sign former Tennessee pitcher

Every baseball team wants pitchers who have proven they can get the job done in high-pressure, big-game situations. The Wild Things have found one such pitcher in lefthander Zander Sechrist, a former standout for Tennessee’s 2024 College World Series championship team. The Frontier League ...

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High school baseball: Eight-run 8th gives Fort Cherry win

Fort Cherry’s baseball team scored eight runs in the top of the eighth to secure a 13-5 win in extra innings Monday at Bentworth in Class 2A Section 1. Tyler Wolfe scored on an error to give the Rangers a 6-5 lead. Then, with two outs, Fort Cherry (3-0, 4-0) proceeded to score seven more ...

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Zawacki homers twice to lead Trinity past PT

Alexa Zawacki didn’t get a chance to hit the first time through the lineup because of a mixup that led to Trinity batting out of order. When she finally did get an opportunity to swing, Zawacki punished the softball. Twice. Zawacki hit a two-run homer in the third inning and had a solo ...

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Opinion

A second chance for Blue Skies

Periodically, a news story comes across my iPad that I just can’t stop thinking about. This story started like this: “On February 21 police officers were dispatched to a bar.” That opening line drew me in almost as fast as “A Florida man ..." “The caller was the bartender,” and ...

Living

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Community briefs

UPMC Washington Hospital Auxiliary is holding a raffle for $500 in meat from 84 Packing Co., and $200 from Walmart. The $5 tickets can be purchased in the gift shop and main lobby at the hospital. Drawing is March 31 at noon. California United Methodist Church will hold a free dinner for ...

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