Local category, Page 2459
Week in Review: open businesses, hazing scandal and council resignationVideo
Some businesses in Southwestern Pennsylvania reopened as the state eases coronavirus restrictions, but the remaining mandates have prompted resistance — and threats. Meanwhile a hazing scandal rocked Greater Latrobe Junior High School and a Southwest Greensburg councilman resigned for allegedly using a racial slur. Here’s a look back at the...
Gateway faces $3.6 million deficit, plus pandemic losses
The Gateway Board of School Directors is faced with a deficit of approximately $3.6 million as they work on the district’s 2020-21 budget — but that’s before projected losses expected because of the coronavirus pandemic. The school district’s business manager, Paul Schott, said during the board’s virtual May 12 study...
Westmoreland County sheriff swears in doctor, pastor as special deputiesVideo
At the outset of the coronavirus pandemic, Westmoreland County Sheriff James Albert said seven of his deputies came into contact with someone who may have had covid-19 and the department was desperate for information on the availability of tests and other support. “We reached out, but couldn’t get answers initially,...
Visitors to Pittsburgh International Airport required to wear masks
Visitors to Pittsburgh International Airport will be required to wear masks or face coverings on all public airport property starting next week, Allegheny County Airport Authority officials announced Friday. The requirement is part of a new “PIT Safe Travels” initiative and also applies to Allegheny County Airport in West Mifflin....
South Fayette-Bridgeville Relay for Life goes virtual
The 24th Annual Relay for Life of South Fayette/Bridgeville 5K will be held virtually Saturday through May 23. Participants can run or walk when it fits their schedule. The cost is $25 per adult and $18 for those 14 and under. The event is held to raise awareness of and...
Lamp Theatre selling popcorn as fundraiser
What does a non-profit do when it has to postpone its primary fundraiser because of government-ordered restrictions against large gathering during a covid-19 pandemic? In the case of The Lamp Theatre in Irwin, it sells popcorn, just like it does during concerts, shows and other events that would be held...
Vandergrift amends emergency declaration, after chaotic Zoom meeting
Vandergrift Council voted Thursday to modify its existing declaration of emergency – one that had been extended just last week. The modifications, council members said, will loosen some public restrictions as Westmoreland County moves into the yellow phase of the state’s reopening plan. The modified declaration that came during an...
Springdale fire department’s jubilee canceled but ‘take and bake’ pizza offered
A social event for 91 years, the Springdale Volunteer Fire Department’s jubilee is canceled this summer because of coronavirus pandemic restrictions. Will it be the fireworks, the parade or amusement rides that thousands of patrons will miss the most? Likely everything, said Michael Ziencik, a borough councilman and treasurer of...
Westmoreland County Housing Authority confirms 1st covid-19 case at Parnassus Manor
A resident of Parnassus Manor in New Kensington has tested positive for covid-19, Westmoreland County Housing Authority Executive Director Michael Washowich said Friday. The resident, who is not being identified because of privacy laws, notified the authority Thursday. The authority alerted residents of the high-rise the same day, he said....
Lawsuit: Former Mad Mex manager was fired for seeking time off after domestic violence attack
A Pittsburgh woman is suing Mad Mex and its parent company, alleging she was fired for requesting time off for medical treatment and court appearances after a domestic violence attack. The woman, a former manager at the restaurant’s Waterworks mall location, alleged in a lawsuit she was met with roadblocks...
Parade honors Richland World War II veteran who turns 100 on Armed Forces DayVideo
It’s fitting that Bryce Billetdeaux turned 100 on Armed Forces Day. It’s also fitting there was a parade to celebrate the milestone. The World War II U.S. Navy veteran was honored Saturday. With covid-19 restrictions in place, cars lined up at the Richland Township Municipal Building on Dickey Road and...
Westmoreland reports 1 new coronavirus case, no more deaths
State health officials reported one new coronavirus case in Westmoreland County on Friday as hundreds of new cases pushed the statewide total past 60,000. The one new case brings the county’s running case count to 423. The death toll has stood at 32 since last week. Statewide, officials added 124...
Lane restrictions set on I-70 near turnpike’s New Stanton interchange
Motorists traveling eastbound along Interstate 70 near the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s New Stanton interchange can expect lane restrictions for three nights beginning Monday. Construction crews will evaluate a bridge and complete prep work for an upcoming project at the interchange, PennDOT District 12 officials said. Lane restrictions will occur on the...
U.S. interior secretary helps to reopen Flight 93 memorial as part of phased restartVideo
Five national park sites in Southwestern Pennsylvania are open to visitors after being closed since March 20 because of the coronavirus pandemic. U.S. Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt joined Superintendent Stephen Clark Friday morning to open the gates at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Somerset County. “We’ve been...
Skate parks, tennis courts among reopening Pittsburgh facilities
While some summer activities have been canceled or put on hold as the region slowly sheds restrictions put in place because of the coronavirus, Pittsburgh officials announced Friday that several events and facilities will be able to reopen safely. Drive-in movies, organized by the city Special Events office, will start...
Beaver County among 12 more moving to Pennsylvania’s yellow phase
Beaver County is among the dozen counties that Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf announced Friday will move into the yellow phase of the tiered reopening process next week, a move that will put all of Western Pennsylvania under loosened restrictions. The announcement came a week after Beaver County was left off...
Monroeville furloughs 12 full-time employees
Monroeville council unanimously ratified a resolution to furlough 12 full-time employees during its meeting Tuesday. There were 10 library workers and two senior center workers included in the layoffs. The move represented a change from the April action in which council voted against a motion to furlough 17 full-time employees....
Cops: 3-year-old left alone with 2 siblings in Monessen ingests THC-laced food
A Monessen couple was arrested Thursday, charged with three counts of child endangerment and illegal possession of a controlled substance after, police say, a 3-year-old boy left at home with two older siblings was found unresponsive after ingesting THC-laced food. Kirsty M. Thorpe, 30, and Brandon M. Mitchell, 33, were...
Pittsburgh cancels Fourth of July fireworks, other summer activities
Pittsburgh’s Fourth of July fireworks are among the summer activities canceled because of the covid-19 pandemic. The annual fireworks display was listed among other large group events that were canceled because the event could not safely comply with social distancing guidelines, a city spokesman said. The event attracts thousands of...
Coronavirus pandemic causes shift in environmental, sustainability efforts
With its economic and health impacts unmistakable, the coronavirus pandemic is revealing environmental tradeoffs as it lingers on. From a spike in hand-sanitizing wipes to paper towels to personal protective equipment (PPE), sustainability has been moved to the back burner. “In the middle of a global health pandemic, you want...
Citizens School of Nursing graduates ready to work during covid-19 pandemic
Graduating from nursing school during the covid-19 pandemic made Michelle DeBernardin more certain of her decision to become a nurse. “I’m not afraid to get to work. This is what we prepared for,” she said. “It’s certainly not the ideal situation to walk into as a new nurse, but we...
Allegheny County adds 31 coronavirus cases, 2 deaths
Allegheny County reported 31 more covid-19 cases and two deaths Friday, increasing the countywide total of confirmed or probable cases to 1,582 and the death toll to 141. The jump in new cases reflected information reported to the county health department in the past 24 hours and includes testing conducted...
Road improvements to cause closures in North Fayette, Collier, Oakdale
Road improvement projects in Collier and North Fayette townships and Oakdale Borough will cause temporary road closures. Thoms Run Road will close just east of the intersection with K P Hollow Road in Collier Township starting at 7 a.m. Monday. The closure, which is expected to last at least a...
Allegheny County-run pools, spray parks to remain closed for summer
Allegheny County announced Friday that its pools and spray parks will be closed this summer. The Allegheny County Parks Department blamed ongoing restrictions regarding mass gatherings under the covid-19 pandemic for the closures. The following sites will be closed through the summer: • Boyce Park Wave Pool • Deer Lakes...
Pittsburgh Park Conservancy facilities remain closed
The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy extended the closure of all of its park facilities and restrooms Friday, despite Allegheny County moving to the yellow phase of Gov. Tom Wolf’s tiered reopening plan. While the city parks remain open, all public programming and special events have been postponed. “The health and safety...
