TribLive stories, Page 1769

In the face of this unprecedented global pandemic, new phrases like “social distancing” and “flatten the curve” have quickly entered our American lexicon. But as government officials, business owners and frontline personnel around the world grapple with challenges we never could have imagined just weeks ago, there is one single...

NEW YORK — It looked like a white splotch on the underside of a Neanderthal stone tool. But a microscope showed it was a bunch of fibers twisted around each other. Further examination revealed it was the first direct evidence that Neanderthals could make string, and the oldest known direct...

Hero. A person admired because of courageous acts or selfless endeavors. We all know what a hero is. It’s the firefighter who rescues a kid from a burning building or the soldier who falls on a grenade. It’s a police officer who stops a bank robbery. We recognize the heroes...

Last week, Pennsylvania law enforcement experienced its first loss related to covid-19 with the passing of Lt. James Walker, a 32-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department. My heart goes out to Walker’s family and colleagues during this difficult time. Additionally, my mind is on the other 52 Philadelphia officers...

Isn’t it strange that we have not been hearing much about what is going on at our border with Mexico? People from all over the world, including areas where the virus is rampant (including China and Iran), had been entering our southern border. The fact that Mexico has only reported...

Coronavirus is hitting sports hard, but through the many event postponements, whispers of rescheduled dates and fan prayers, the virtual world is kicking into overdrive to fill the gap in live entertainment. iRacing is at the epicenter. The sim racing game, which launched its first eSports series — the eNASCAR...

In response to Richard P. Davis’ letter “Trump’s inaction on coronavirus” (April 6, TribLIVE): I see your statements as wrong. You have the nerve to say President Trump did nothing until mid-March. You need to find better sources. In January, the president restricted travel from China, and the Democrats called...

For weeks hospitals, doctors, nurses, first responders and caregivers have been clamoring for masks, shields, gowns and other personal protective equipment. Yet, day in and day out at his daily coronavirus press briefings, President Trump has been touting how many “millions and millions” of masks and respirators are being produced...

Medical necessity made searching for a drug that was not made in China or a third-world country a yearlong endeavor for me. I was prescribed a name-brand pharmaceutical by my doctor and had it filled at a well-known pharmacy in Greensburg. My medical insurance would only pay for generic. The...

Although the coronavirus situation must be taken with concern, there is an even greater threat to our country. The declarations of emergencies by federal, state and even some local governments pose a potential takeover of our lives by these entities. I understand the need based on our current system for...

As one of the few fortunates to stock up at the local library before they were shuttered due to the coronavirus, I decided to return to reading classic Russian novels. A book I’m currently reading quoted some passages from Tolstoy’s “Anna Karenina,” which I struggled, and failed, to read in...

South Fayette Township is reminding residents that toilet paper is the only product that should be flushed down toilets. In an alert on the township website, residents are asked not to flush baby wipes, paper towels, napkins, tissues and “flushable” wipes — items that people have resorted to using because...

Send information of charitable events to The Stroller Is your company or organization making or collecting equipment for health professionals? Is your club or church going to sponsor a community blood drive? The Stroller will publish information about community drives and collections at Triblive.com. Send information to vndnews@tribweb.com. Drive-by birthday...

Through its Sending Smiles program, Masonic Village at Sewickley is asking children, neighbors and anyone interested in showing they care to send cards, drawings and letters that can be shared with residents in the nursing and personal care areas, especially those who have few family connections. In addition, with some...

Monica Taylor said her house started shaking early Wednesday when a storm rolled through New Kensington, then she worried the house might come off its foundation. “The house felt like it was about to come up off the ground,” Taylor said. The National Weather Service later determined a tornado touched...

After months of maintaining healthy people didn’t need to wear masks in public to prevent the coronavirus, the country’s top public health officials reversed their position last week, recommending everyone wear a face mask in public places where social distancing is difficult. It’s a stark change from the early weeks...

For a man who wrote so many books — 34 in 33 years — not many books have been written about Louis Bromfield. Pittsburgh author Stephen Heyman is remedying that oversight with his new book, “The Planter of Modern Life: Louis Bromfield and the Seeds of a Food Revolution” (W.W....

Two tornadoes touched down early Wednesday in the Alle-Kiski Valley, snapping trees, blowing in windows and ripping shingles off houses, meteorologists with the National Weather Service said. No one was reported injured. The bulk of the damage happened in a wooded area along Days Run Road in Frazer. The first...

While many Americans are watching the daily news conferences by President Donald Trump and some governors, the action behind the scenes is being led by the elected officials who are closest to the public, and who are directly managing the crisis in their communities: mayors. As we listen to public...

On Sunday mornings I feel comforted, loved and cared for by my church, which livestreams worship services. The Lord finds me at home. I don’t feel as if the church is being attacked at all (“Hempfield church pastor apologizes for open services on Sunday,” March 23, TribLIVE). In fact, many...

In response to the letter “Leaders must act on property tax relief” (April 2, TribLIVE): Hempfield residents will be happy to hear that at our last public township meeting, I requested our solicitor to prepare the appropriate legislation to abate (eliminate) the property tax late payment penalty of 10% until...