O-R Weekly Recap: 5 things you need to know for this weekend
You might be all ready for the weekend, but are you caught up with all the news that has happened in Southwestern Pennsylvania this week? Before you shout “TGIF” and go on to your weekend plans, we have a quick recap of the five most popular stories on our website this week.
More than 200 years ago, a small militia of men formed to oppose a high excise tax on whiskey. Now, the City of Washington celebrates this event with the yearly Whiskey Rebellion festival.
There will be historic reenactments, period exhibitions, activities for children, art, music, food and -of course – spirits at the event, so head to Downtown Washington this weekend to enjoy the festival!
Click here to read Natalie Reid Miller’s preview of the Whiskey Rebellion Festival.
On Tuesday, a man driving a Lincoln Zephyr was flown to UPMC-Presbyterian hospital with head and leg injuries after his vehicle overturned on Interstate 79.
The crash happened near the Lone Pine exit in Amwell Township and had northbound lanes closed to traffic for about an hour.
Witnesses said the driver was swerving on to the outer berm several times before skidding into a guardrail and overturning. A Wildlife Conservation Officer saw the accident from the southbound lands and made a U-turn to administer first aid until police and medical crews arrived.
Read David Singer’s full coverage of the crash.
While awaiting arraignment on a string of charges, Christopher M. Carroll, 30, of Speers was able to escape from constables while they were switching handcuffs at District Judge Curtis Thompson’s office in Bentleyville..
Two days later, a Charleroi Regional police officer said he had to pry a semiautomatic handgun from Carroll when they captured him a second time.
He is now facing more charges and also allegedly assisted another man with an armed robbery last month at a pawn shop in Rostraver Township. That man, Dean A. Franks, 43, of Donora, was found hiding in a personal care home bed after allegedly robbing a North Charleroi pizza shop.
Scott Beveridge covered this story as it developed.
Police planned to charge a Washington man with arson after he allegedly set fire to his residence Tuesday.
Edwin Davis III, 26, is accused of using lighter fluid to set fire to the home he shared with his girlfriend after they had a fight.
Police said it appeared that a sofa, love seat and mattress were sprayed with the fluid. Witnesses said they saw Davis fleeing from the house right before they saw smoke come from the structure.
Kathie Warco has more details on this story.
A 25-year-old Charleroi man allegedly admitted to police that he planned to give a 14-year-old girl marijuana to get her under the influence of the drug and have sex with her.
Dylan J. Streets was found outside of Highland Terrace with a teenage boy and girl.
Police discovered Streets was the only person over the age of 18 and searched his backpack to find the marijuana.
When police did a background check, they learned Streets has an active case in Westmoreland County for sexual offenses involving a minor. He also is on the state’s Megan’s Law list.
For more details, read Kathie Warco’s story.
Now, you’re all caught up on what’s been going on in the area. Enjoy your weekend!