Western PA Local News category, Page 2446
Drive-in theaters touted as ideal entertainment amid pandemic, but attendance flaggingVideo
Drive-in theaters are being touted as “masters of social distancing entertainment” even as attendance rates continue to taper off at many local theaters. Visit Pennsylvania, the state’s tourism website, released a list of the state’s 27 drive-in theaters describing them as “ready for their closeup” in the era of covid-19....
Shaler students, alumni demand action to address alleged racism in schools
Shaler Area School Board on Wednesday heard a barrage of stories from students and alumni who detailed racism in district schools. Nearly 100 people attended a remote meeting to share their experiences, with organizers using discomfort as a springboard to seek social justice and demand actions to create inclusivity. “You...
Westmoreland County to cap initial coronavirus grants for small businesses, nonprofits at $25K
Westmoreland County commissioners said the initial round of covid-relief grants for small business and nonprofit agencies will be capped at $25,000. County officials on Thursday unveiled criteria for the first portion of a program to dole out up to $31.5 million in federal funds to repay local entities for expenses...
Hempfield resident confronts maskless county controller at commissioners meeting
Westmoreland County Controller Jeffrey Balzer said Thursday he won’t comply with the governor’s edict or the county’s mandate that face coverings are a must at the courthouse. Balzer refused to wear a mask during a county commissioners meeting and briefly engaged in a heated discussion with a Hempfield resident who...
Mt. Pleasant man jailed after shooting handgun, driving lawn tractor while DUI, police say
A Mt. Pleasant man who allegedly fired a handgun outside his home after an argument with his wife and then rode a lawn tractor down Main Street while displaying the gun surrendered Wednesday to borough police. David T. Howland, 32, was arraigned Thursday on 23 criminal counts including driving under...
‘Ask a Black Doctor About Covid-19’ series to discuss recent surge in young people
A Facebook event on Thursday called “Ask a Black Doctor About Covid-19” will include a discussion about the recent surge in coronavirus cases in people between the ages of 20 and 29. The “Ask a Black Doctor About Covid-19” series allows people to chat in real-time with medical professionals of...
Gov. Wolf announces $50 million in grants for hazard bonuses to Pa. front-line workers
Pennsylvanians who are working in life-sustaining jobs during the coronavirus pandemic will be getting temporary pay increases, Gov. Tom Wolf announced Thursday. “These people deserve to be paid for the risks they’re taking for all of us,” Wolf said. The state will use $50 million of its federal pandemic stimulus...
Answering The Call: Nurse practitioner discusses spike in Western Pa. coronavirus casesVideo
Steve Benso is a certified registered nurse practitioner who has been an integral part of Allegheny Health Network’s mobile community testing locations. In this edition of the Tribune-Review’s ongoing series “Answering the Call,” Benso, a father of three with another child on the way, talks about the stresses of his...
Peaceful Black Lives Matter march leads to Jeannette rallyVideo
Jeannette Jayhawks’ longtime equipment coordinator Dan Cooper had a message for young people at a Black Lives Matter march and rally Thursday: “Go get it.” He encouraged them to chase their dreams while telling their families to start getting involved in the community if they want to see change. “Anything...
Pittsburgh photographer embarks on project to discover who’s ‘Behind the Mask’
Widespread mask mandates are meant to slow the spread of covid-19. But they’re also stopping the spread of smiles. To remind people that behind every mask is a person with a story — and a smile — Pittsburgh-based photographer Beth Kukucka launched a photography project titled “Behind the Mask.” The...
Franklin Park seeking applicants for zoning hearing board
Franklin Park is accepting applications from residents interested in filling a vacancy on the borough’s zoning hearing board. The five-member zoning hearing board serves as a quasi-judicial panel that settles disputes and provides interpretations of the borough’s zoning ordinances. Meetings are held “as-needed” on the second Tuesday of each month....
Portion of Saltsburg Road in Plum to be closed for turnpike bridge work
Saltsburg Road, between Monroeville-Trestle Road and Davidson Road, will be closed beginning July 18 for crews to complete the new bridge structure over the Pennsylvania Turnpike at Davidson Road, according to the borough’s website. The Turnpike Commission expects construction to occur around the clock and seven days a week. It...
Sewickley parking enforcement temporarily suspended
Parking enforcement in Sewickley has been suspended until further notice. According to the Parking Authority, the change is due to system maintenance. After a temporary suspension due to the coronavirus pandemic, Zone 1 enforcement took effect June 15. Zone 2 was scheduled to take effect July 15, but was delayed...
Greensburg Community Development Corporation introduces grant program 5 years in the making
The Greensburg Community Development Corporation is rolling out a new grant initiative it hopes will spur more development projects in the city. The corporation this summer awarded a $15,000 G-Fund grant to City Cribs LLC for renovations made to 136 S. Pennsylvania Ave. It was the first G-Fund grant, and...
Bulldog Pub in Morningside to reopen outdoor patio, resume takeout and delivery
The owners of Bulldog Pub in Morningside will reopen Friday after closing when an employee tested positive for covid-19. Bulldog Pub closed on July 7 after a server tested positive for the virus. Owner and General Manager Jesse DiRenzo said the facility was sanitized during the closure. All of their...
Shapiro: PWSA to donate $500K, hire independent monitor for lead project failures
The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority will hire an independent monitor and make $500,000 in donations to organizations that promote safety for those exposed to lead in old water pipes, Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro said Thursday, announcing an agreement between PWSA and his office. PWSA unnecessarily exposed people to...
Westmoreland County adds 35 new coronavirus cases, 1 new death
Westmoreland County recorded double-digit coronavirus cases for the 16th straight day. The county added 35 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, bringing the total to 1,089. Of those, 1,057 are confirmed and 32 are listed as probable. One new death was attributed to covid-19,...
Kayak Pittsburgh set to open Friday at Aspinwall Riverfront Park
Kayakers will be able to get out on the water in Aspinwall this weekend, Venture Outdoors announced Thursday. After a stalled start to the season amid covid-19 concerns, the group said it will open its Kayak Pittsburgh site at the Aspinwall Riverfront Park on Friday for members. Access will be...
Pennsylvania officials warn of dangers of hot cars for children, pets as temperatures rise
As the temperatures creep back into the 90s, the state Department of Health reminded people to never leave children, older adults, or pets in a hot vehicle. Infants, young children, people 65 years of age or older, people with chronic medical conditions, and people who work outdoors are at a...
North Allegheny cancels ‘in-person’ commencement
In response to a new order from Allegheny County that restricts outdoor events and gatherings to no more than 50 people, the North Allegheny School District is canceling Friday’s “in-person” graduation ceremony at Newman Stadium, school officials announced. “We understand the disappointment that comes with this news,” district officials said....
Pennsylvania could integrate 6 state universities, including Cal U, Clarion, Edinboro, Slippery Rock
The financially struggling Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education on Thursday took the first step in a two-year redesign process that could see six of its 14 universities integrated into three operating units. The 20-member State System Board of Governors unanimously approved a resolution instructing Chancellor Daniel Greenstein to launch...
Murrysville Meals on Wheels seeking volunteers for kitchen, delivery service
The covid-19 pandemic has taken its toll on Murrysville Meals on Wheels, though it has been out of precaution rather than infection. “Because of the crisis, we lost about a third of our volunteers,” said program coordinator Lynn Staab. Murrysville Meals on Wheels typically draws from a pool of about...
Bridgeville, Carnegie area student news for the week of July 16
Olivia Cindrich of Carnegie was one of eight Lebanon Valley College student-athletes to be named to the 2019-20 Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Winter Sportsmanship Teams. Cindrich, a graduate of Carlynton Jr-Sr High School, is pursuing a bachelor of science in exercise science and is a member of the women’s ice...
Food pantry open at Penn Hills Service Association for those in need
The Penn Hills Service Association is reminding people its food pantry is still operational. Kathy Lynch, the PHSA’s food pantry coordinator, said Thursday the pantry has fewer people signing up to receive food. “Maybe it’s the stimulus checks or unemployment checks,” Lynch said. “Maybe some of our clients just aren’t...
Western Pa. residents flock to campsites for safe, social-distanced summer fun
As people search for summer fun in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, camping has quickly become a popular alternative to bustling beaches and large crowds. At Ohiopyle State Park, park manager Kenneth Bisbee said attendance has skyrocketed this season. “Since the governor issued the stay-at-home order in March, our...
