Megan Tomasic stories, Page 50
$25K bonuses, other resources for Pa. essential workers could be on the way
Additional resources soon could be headed to workers on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic if proposed legislation is passed. The resources would become available through a Heroes Fund introduced by U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, a Democrat from Scranton, and through legislation proposed by state Rep. Austin Davis, D-Allegheny....
Police: Body found by hiking family in Shaler
A body was found Monday night in Shaler, according to Shaler Police Chief Sean Frank. The body of a male was found by a man and his family walking along a trail off Marzolf Road Extension, Frank said. Allegheny County Police spokesperson Nando Costa said the incident appears to be...
PennDOT reopens more rest stops along Pennsylvania interstates
PennDOT has reopened four more rest areas after they were closed to help curb the spread of the coronavirus. Rest stops that reopened Monday include:Interstate 70 eastbound in Washington County, 3.5 miles east of Exit 1Interstate 81 northbound in Franklin County, 1 mile north of the Maryland state lineInterstate 81...
Hempfield high school students rally to create positive messageVideo
Hempfield Area High School students turned to the magic of Disney and the strength of superheroes to spread joy to elementary school students amid the coronavirus pandemic. In an almost six-minute video, more than 120 students recited popular quotes from “The Little Mermaid,” “Toy Story” and “The Lion King,” along...
Western Pa.’s lost amusement parks to be reclaimed in new book by Greensburg author
Those wanting to revisit the dips and turns of former roller coasters at old Pennsylvania amusement parks will soon have such an opportunity. Greensburg-based writer Rachel Smith hopes to reclaim the sense of nostalgia and have people revisit memories in her book “Western Pennsylvania’s Lost Amusement Parks.” “I think it’s...
Hempfield on track to complete school year by the end of May
Despite a two-week interruption, Hempfield students are on track to finish the school year by the end of May. Slated to end May 28, the district is on track with the original end-of-school date, according to a new calendar released by Superintendent Tammy Wolicki. Graduation, originally scheduled for May 28,...
Irwin restaurant owner donates lunch to police, EMS serviceVideo
Restaurants across the state may be limited to takeout and delivery services only, but that isn’t stopping Sam Murray, an Irwin restaurant owner, from donating to first responders. On Friday, Murray prepared fish tacos for North Huntingdon police officers as a way to give back to those working on the...
Proposal to let restaurants sell spirits to-go looks to have little chance of approval
Restaurant owners say they would be in favor of selling bottles of liquor to go, as a state lawmaker has suggested as a temporary lifeline. But they shouldn’t hold their breath for the chance. “They should be allowed to do it to keep themselves up and running and afloat,” said...
Census Day brings renewed push for accurate count amid coronavirus fears
Members of Casa San Jose deliver up to 60 prepared lunches to neighborhoods across the Pittsburgh region as part of an effort to help families ordered to stay home during the coronavirus pandemic. Tucked inside the food bags is a piece of paper with a phone number that people can...
Adapting: Greensburg nursing home staffer helps residents adjust
Editor’s note: Adapting is a regular series spotlighting the ways a global pandemic is changing the everyday lives of people in Western Pennsylvania. Excitement fills the halls of Greensburg Care Center on Tuesdays and Thursdays as bingo numbers are called over the loudspeakers, residents checking their cards while sitting in...
Local governments grapple with public meetings in midst of covid-19
Coronavirus may have shut down some businesses and forced people to work from home, but it hasn’t lifted the requirement that local governments hold public meetings when voting on issues. That left local municipalities scrambling to find ways to follow the law while adhering to guidelines of social distancing and...
Week in review: Cornavirus sweeps nation, causes local leaders to take actionVideo
As the coronavirus continues to spread across Western Pennsylvania, several actions were taken by local leaders to help keep communities safe. Here’s a look at what happened this week. Businesses investigated After Gov. Tom Wolf ordered all non-life-sustaining businesses to temporarily shutter last week, a handful were investigated by local...
Pittsburgh region population slide continues, led by losses in Westmoreland County
The Pittsburgh region continues to lose residents, according to new estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. Population estimates for Westmoreland County once again show a downward trend, something local officials have been combating for at least a decade. The county’s population declined by 16,172 between 2010-20, the largest loss of...
Grants available to small businesses impacted by coronavirus
For Peggy Meier, finding a business or economic disaster loan as the coronavirus continues to spread across the country means saving her company. Meier, who operates John Meier and Sons Hardware in Murrysville, now in its third generation, is contemplating temporarily shuttering — a decision she has been wrangling with...
Police: State trooper, driver injured after Hempfield crash
A state trooper was injured in Hempfield on Wednesday morning during an incident along Route 30, officials said. According to a police report, two troopers in marked police cars with their lights flashing were pulled to the side of the road at the intersection of Route 30 and Hempfield Square...
Port Authority reduces person-to-person contact at Downtown service center
Port Authority of Allegheny County is taking additional social distancing measures at its Downtown Pittsburgh service center in response to the global coronavirus pandemic. Hours at the center are reduced from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. Window transactions will be limited to the replacement of ConnectCards. Fees for those...
Komen Pittsburgh Race for a Cure postponed until September
The 28th annual Komen Pittsburgh Race for the Cure has been postponed until September due to the coronavirus. Originally scheduled for May 10, the event will take place Sept. 13 at Flagstaff Hill in Schenley Park. Raising money for the Susan G. Komen Greater Pennsylvania nonprofit organization, it attracts over...
Port Authority announces additional changes amid coronavirus pandemic
In addition to reducing bus and light-rail services, Port Authority of Allegheny County is changing the way riders board and exit buses in an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Starting Wednesday, riders will enter and exit through the rear doors of buses, away from drivers. Front-door boarding...
Part of Prospect Road in Baldwin closed from landslide
Part of a Baldwin Borough road is closed due to a landslide. According to Allegheny County officials, the southbound lane of Prospect Road is closed near Streets Run Road. Stop signs were placed in the area to control traffic and drivers are urged to use caution while driving along the...
Sheetz reveals menu changes to curb spread of coronavirus
Sheetz officials announced menu changes Monday in response to the coronavirus. The Altoona-based convenience store chain temporarily eliminated self-serve coffee and beverages along with bakery items like doughnuts and muffins to help stop the spread of covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. The changes went into effect at 4...
Woman, 65, killed in vehicle-pedestrian accident in Fayette County
Fayette County officials reported a 65-year-old woman was killed after she was struck by a vehicle in North Union Township Monday morning. The coroner’s office identified the pedestrian as Amy Morris, 65, who lived in nearby Hillside Manor Personal Care Home on Oliver Road. She was pronounced dead at the...
Second eaglet hatches in Hays bald eagle nestVideo
Two days after Pittsburgh received its first eaglet of the season, another one hatched, according to the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania. The eaglet, which is the 11th for the Hays bald eagle couple, hatched around 6:40 a.m. Monday, officials confirmed. The first eaglet hatched at 7:40 a.m. Saturday. The...
Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank hands out meals in Kennywood parking lot
Up to 1,200 area families impacted by the coronavirus could receive food during a share event in Kennywood’s parking lot. The event, hosted by the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank, began at 9 a.m. Monday and ran until 11 a.m. After a break, it will resume from 4 to 6 p.m....
Westmoreland, Monroeville malls closed per Wolf’s order
Westmoreland and Monroeville malls announced Friday they have closed in accordance with Gov. Tom Wolf’s order that all non-life-sustaining businesses temporarily shutter to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. Restaurants at the mall will be permitted to remain open for take-out or delivery orders only. Both malls, which are...
Some PNC branches to close, others to operate ‘drive-up’ services amid coronavirus
Temporary changes have been made at PNC Bank offices to help stop the spread of the coronavirus, officials announced Thursday. Beginning Friday, the Pittsburgh-based bank will keep about three-quarters of their branch locations open, offering drive-up services only. A full list of PNC Bank locations can be found on their...
