TribLive stories, Page 1903
Letter to the editor: A pandemic history lesson
History should provide insight for directing resources toward activities that would alleviate repeating events, such as war and pandemics, that cause unbelievable physical and economic harm. One could argue the well- documented 1918 Spanish flu pandemic, which killed millions and contributed to the economic disaster of 1929, should have been one...
The Stroller, April 29, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Here is today’s dose of Small Acts of Kindness: Jessica Meyer would like to recognize Dee Shaffer of Lower Burrell for making face masks and offering them at no cost. Initially, bags with masks were clipped to the mailbox of her home for those who had requested them and now...
Allegheny Land Trust provides nature webinars
Allegheny Land Trust provides free, nature-based educational webinars for adults through Zoom and Facebook Live. From 4 to 5 p.m. on April 30, learn about “Spring Wild Edibles.” From 1 to 2 p.m. May 4, parents and kids can”Make Your Own Nature Kaleidoscope.” From 4 to 5 p.m. May 5,...
Bill would allow Pennsylvania restaurants to serve to-go cocktails during pandemic
At least one local restaurateur thinks a proposed bill that would allow restaurants to sell liquor products to-go is “too little, too late.” House Bill 327, which the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed Tuesday, would allow a restaurant or hotel with a valid liquor license that lost more than 25%...
Treasury plans to reclaim stimulus payments sent to deceased
WASHINGTON — The Treasury Department is planning to instruct people whose deceased relatives received coronavirus stimulus payments to return the money to the federal government, according to a department spokesman. The Treasury is aware that some individuals who have recently died received the $1,200 economic impact payments and plans to...
Prominent Manhattan ER doctor on coronavirus front lines kills herself
NEW YORK — A prominent Manhattan emergency room doctor who had treated a staggering number of coronavirus patients killed herself in Virginia, authorities said Monday. Dr. Lorna Breen, 49, the medical director of NewYork-Presbyterian Allen Hospital’s emergency department, died by suicide in Charlottesville, a spokesman for the local police department...
Editorial: Hospitals need elective surgery to survive
There are some things we want back after weeks in a pandemic lockdown. We want happy hour and Sunday brunch and a shopping trip that doesn’t feel like deploying on a military maneuver. But there are other things we need. New hips. Gallbladder removal. Coronary angioplasty to see if an...
Analyst: Ford needs to consider merger after $2B lossVideo
Ford Motor Co. and its competitors have warned for weeks that their finances are teetering on the brink of uncertainty as a global pandemic continues to brutalize America and bring manufacturing to a standstill. While the current landscape is grim, coming months promise to be unrelenting. The cold reality for...
Richard Baumhammers still on death row 20 years after killing spree
On a cloudy Friday afternoon 20 years ago Tuesday, an unemployed immigration lawyer went on a killing spree. It started next door to his parents’ Mt. Lebanon home, where he killed his Jewish neighbor. He went on to shoot five more people, all ethnic or racial minorities. Richard Baumhammers, 54,...
Florida coronavirus cases surpass 32,800 as death toll hits highest in single dayVideo
MIAMI — Florida’s Department of Health on Tuesday confirmed 708 additional cases of covid-19, bringing the state’s total of confirmed cases to 32,846. There were 83 new deaths announced — the highest reported on a single day — bringing the statewide death toll to 1,171. The 83 new deaths are...
Coronavirus cases spike at Allegheny County Jail
Cases of covid-19 at Allegheny County Jail more than doubled overnight, with at least 24 inmates testing positive as of Tuesday, data show. At least three jail employees also have tested positive for coronavirus, county-reported figures show. Several test results for both inmates and staff members are pending. “Confined areas...
CDC recommends social distancing for dogs, cats, other animals
The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention is now recommending that cats, dogs and other animals keep the same social distancing as recommended for humans. The recommendation was made after a small number of animals — including dogs and cats — were reported to test positive for covid-19 after they...
MLB reverses ticket policy, clearing way for teams to offer refunds to fans
With more than 400 major league games already called off because of the coronavirus outbreak, the league Tuesday reversed a policy that had restricted fans from widespread refunds on tickets to those games. On a conference call, Major League Baseball informed team officials that they no longer needed to advise...
Police: 3 to be charged in Ellwood City stabbing
Ellwood City police expect to obtain arrest warrants this week for three people in connection with a weekend domestic dispute and stabbing in the 200 block of Hillside Avenue. Ellwood City police said charges will range from aggravated and simple assault to violation of a protection from abuse order. According...
Montour, Penn State grad John Hufnagel continues to build winning legacy in CFL
The Canadian Football League will hold its draft Thursday, and, like he has for the past decade-plus, John Hufnagel will be in the middle of the action. The Montour and Penn State graduate is president and general manager of the Calgary Stampeders, a position he has held since 2016. From...
Joel Pfeffer: Now is not the time for Trump’s immigration order
Joel Pfeffer is a Pittsburgh-based attorney with the law firm Meyer, Unkovic & Scott. He works primarily in the areas of immigration, nationality and corporate law. He is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and former chairman of the organization’s Pittsburgh chapter. President Trump caused a stir when...
Fire chief: No one inside vehicle submerged in Unity lakeVideo
No one was inside a suspected stolen car found submerged in a Unity lake on Tuesday morning, according to Crabtree Fire Chief Bill Watkins. Firefighters, paramedics and state police responded to Dom Lake near Crabtree shortly before 10 a.m. when the vehicle was spotted, according to a Westmoreland 911 dispatcher....
American, JetBlue want travelers to wear masks while flying
As the covid-19 pandemic decimates demand for air travel, U.S. carriers have taken several unprecedented steps to increase onboard safety. The latest: urging passengers to wear face masks. The world’s largest carrier, American Airlines, said Monday that passengers will be handed a mask and hand sanitizer when boarding some flights,...
Letter to the editor: Too many non-experts
If it is relevant to preface your words with the phrase “I’m not a (insert profession here) but,” then please stop right there. Any statement after that only serves to prove your preface to be 100% accurate. Gary Russak North Huntingdon...
Letter to the editor: Disappointed in Wolf’s veto
It is rather difficult for me to understand the outrage from the left about bringing Pennsylvania into line with the CDC and federal guidelines just like New York, which is the hardest hit state of them all, which is what Senate Bill 613 aimed to do. This would allow industries...
Pine residents can schedule large-item pickup
According to the Pine Township website, the sale of trash tags at the municipal building remains suspended but residents have options. Large items can be picked up by calling Vogel customer service at 724-625-1151 at least 48-hours in advance of the regular collection day by paying with a credit card....
Living with Children: In defense of homeschooling
In his November 1863 address at Gettysburg, Abraham Lincoln proclaimed that the men who lost their lives on that battlefield had done so in order that “government of the people, by the people and for the people shall not perish from the earth.” Lincoln was restating a principle first set...
Letter to the editor: Healthy citizens, healthy economy
Regarding Dave Majernik’s letter “Hysteria shouldn’t kill our economy”: I realize you are a Republican operative, but don’t you understand that you can’t have a healthy economy without a healthy citizenry? You say it is “not uncaring to put coronavirus in perspective and consider the millions of lives lost annually...
Letter to the editor: Prescription drug price reform top issue
While we all remain focused on stopping the spread of the coronavirus, it is important to remember that other health care challenges continue to negatively impact millions of Americans. The challenge that I and many struggle with more and more is gaining access to the medications needed to treat multiple...
The Stroller, April 28, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Here is today’s dose of Small Acts of Kindness: Virginia Szoss would like to thank Virginia Hartz of Springdale for her many hours of hard work making masks for the community. “She is a caring person who loves to help others. She has been an excellent seamstress for many years.”...
