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Greene man charged with homicide in 2025 death

By By Garrett Neese

A Nemacolin man is charged with homicide after he was accused of severely assaulting a woman he lived with in May 2025. Several witnesses told investigators that Jerome Rafail, 51, had a history of assaulting 31-year-old Shayla Black before the assaults that led to her death in May, according to court documents. Charges against Rafail were filed Tuesday with District Judge Lee Watson. Police said Black had numerous visible injuries, a broken jaw and significant wounds on both shins when they responded to the report of a woman who had stopped breathing at 258 Grant St. in Nemacolin during the early morning hours of May 19. An autopsy on Black conducted by Dr. Jennifer Hammers ...

Former IT contractor for Peters district sentenced

A former information technology contractor with the Peters Township School District has been sentenced to four to eight years in prison for possessing child sexual abuse material. Jason Wayne Ayres, 48, of Chartiers Township, was sentenced Monday by Washington County Judge Traci McDonald followed by Ayres pleading guilty to two felony counts of sexual abuse of children. Ayres was arrested in July 2025 after investigators found that material depicting the sexual abuse of children had been downloaded at Ayres’ home in the 800 block of McClane Farm Road. Ayres admitted to agents that he had downloaded and viewed the material. The conduct for which Ayres was charged did not involve ...

Glass recycling Saturday in Washington

Volunteers from the Washington Rotary Club will assist with recycling of empty bottles and jars this Saturday, Sept. 5, from 9 a.m. until noon at the Log Cabin Drive entrance to the Washington Park recycling center. Only glass bottles and jars are accepted, but color does not matter and lids and labels are acceptable. No other types of glass, including mirrors, light bulbs, window glass or ceramics, are permitted. Rotary members assist with glass recycling on the first Saturday of each month through November, but glass may be recycled any Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. by entering the recycling area at the Wheeling Street entrance. Plastic caps and lids are no longer ...

Portion of Arrowhead Trail closed for paving

A portion of the Arrowhead Trail in Peters Township is closed for a paving project. The project will take place from the Rolling Hills Park connector to the Pelipetz Trail access. It is expected to be completed Sept. 9. For information, contact the Peters Township Parks and Recreation Department at 724-942-5000.

Starpointe data center hearing set for Monday

Hanover Township residents will have another opportunity to learn about a proposed data center in Starpointe Business Park this week, after a conditional use hearing for the project was continued earlier this month. The hearing, which will be held at 6 p.m. at the Hanover Township Volunteer ...

Search for missing boaters in Greene County turns to recovery

RICES LANNDING – The search has entered recovery mode for three people missing after a boat-barge collision Sunday night near Rices Landing, Greene County, Emergency Management Agency Director Richard Policz said Monday afternoon. Greene County 911 took the emergency call from the captain ...

Observer-Reporter Daily News Update

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

Sports

O-R Athlete of the Week: Brandon Meier, California

Name: Brandon Meier Grade: Sophomore School: California Sport: Football Meier’s week: It was a moment he’d been dreaming of for a long time: being the starting quarterback for the California football team. Meier made the most of his first impression by accounting for six touchdowns in ...

article image - Wild Things Division Title

Wild Things clinch a division three-peat

There are more than 50 signs attached to the outfield walls at EQT Park. At least one of them will have to be updated for next season. Located along the top tier of advertising, in the left-field corner, is the sign that shows the years the Wild Things won Frontier League division titles. The ...

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Opinion

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Op-Ed: Tariffs can be like barriers that isolate an economy

A tariff is a tax imposed on imported goods, and it sits at the center of how nations manage trade, protect industries, and shape economic strategy. At its core, a tariff raises the price of foreign products entering a country. This makes imported goods less competitive compared to domestic ...

Living

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Eight ways to help protect your vision

As you get older, your risk for some eye diseases may increase. However, there are steps you can take to keep your eyes healthy – and it starts with taking care of your overall health. Set yourself up for a lifetime of seeing your best with these eight tips from the experts at the National ...

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