Local category, Page 2494
Turnout fluctuates at Pittsburgh food bank giveaways
The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank was prepared to serve 1,500 vehicles Wednesday at an emergency food distribution at Pittsburgh International Airport, but only about half that number showed up for free boxes of frozen meats and dry goods. Food bank spokeswoman Melissa Murray said volunteers loaded two 25-pound boxes...
Allegheny Health Network opening covid-19 testing site at Heights Plaza
Allegheny Health Network is opening a drive-up covid-19 testing site to serve the Alle-Kiski Valley area at Heights Plaza in Harrison, the network announced Thursday. The location, the network’s seventh drive-up collection site, will operate Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. It will then be open Tuesdays and Thursdays,...
Allegheny County reports 61 new coronavirus cases, lowers death toll based on data error
The Allegheny County Health Department on Thursday corrected figures released this week related to deaths from the coronavirus, subtracting five deaths and bringing the countywide total to 69. The county also reported 61 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus Thursday, a significant increase compared to relatively low case counts reported...
Fire marshal: Cause of abandoned house fire in Jeannette ruled undetermined
The state police fire marshal in Greensburg was unable to determine an exact cause of a fire Friday night in Jeannette that damaged the second floor of an abandoned house. State police fire marshal Trooper Seth Helman said anyone with information about the blaze at 509 Lavelle St. is asked...
Hempfield school district serves almost 2,000 meals amid pandemic
Almost 2,000 meals have been served to students in the Hempfield Area School District over the past month since schools shuttered in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Just a week after Gov. Tom Wolf ordered schools to temporarily close to help curb the spread of the coronavirus that causes covid-19,...
Westmoreland County adds 1 new coronavirus death, toll rises to 26
A man died of the coronavirus in Westmoreland County, bringing the death toll to 26, officials said Thursday. The death was added to a list that is being provided by Coroner Ken Bacha, who has said the majority of the county’s deaths are tied to nursing and personal care homes....
How Pittsburgh paramedics are using video to assess potential covid-19 patients
UPMC and Pittsburgh paramedics for the first time are using secure video links that permit emergency room doctors to visually examine and assess potential covid-19 patients through smartphones and tablets. The “tele-triage” system improves care for patients because doctors can actually see and communicate with them in real time while...
The Stroller, April 23, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Did your neighbor call and check on you, or bring a mask or groceries? The Stroller wants to recognize those around us who are performing small acts of kindness for others during this stressful time. Send a short, one-paragraph note highlighting someone and how they helped you, your family or...
National fundraiser supports Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh and other libraries
A library isn’t just a physical building with books. Patrons are connecting with libraries during the coronavirus pandemic through eBooks, virtual story times, job help and other online resources. Donations are being accepted today for the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh through Library Giving Day. The library needs financial help to...
Fire badly damages Yinzers sports store in Pittsburgh’s Strip DistrictVideo
A major fire Wednesday night in Pittsburgh’s Strip District left a city firefighter injured and a business badly damaged. Flames and heavy smoke could be seen coming from Yinzers In The Burgh along the 1700 block of Penn Avenue. City Fire Chief Darryl Jones said crews responded to a fire...
Another Port Authority worker tests positive for covid-19
Port Authority officials reported another employee who worked at the agency’s West Mifflin garage tested positive for covid-19. Spokesman Adam Brandolph said Wednesday the maintenance person last worked on April 10 and has been in self-quarantine at home since then. It’s the fourth worker from the garage and eighth Port...
‘Sassiness,’ ‘true grit’ help 2 elderly patients survive covid-19 at Excela Frick HospitalVideo
Everson’s James Toth and Yvonne Demagall of Mt. Pleasant are survivors. At ages 89 and 92, respectively, each has survived a battle with cancer. And, now, after weeks in Excela Frick Hospital, each is at home with family recovering from coronavirus infections. Dozens of hospital staff gathered Wednesday to celebrate...
Gov. Wolf: Northcentral, northwestern Pa. to be among first to reopen for business
Residents of northcentral and northwestern Pennsylvania are projected to be the first in the state to be released from Gov. Tom Wolf’s stay-at-home order, and many retail stores in those areas should be able to reopen, under a statewide plan released Wednesday night. Wolf wants to begin easing some pandemic...
Conservancy preserves 27 acres of South Huntingdon farm land on Earth Day
Western Pennsylvania Conservancy members weren’t able to hold the signing ceremony they’d hoped for. Nonetheless, they were able to preserve nearly 30 acres of Westmoreland County farm land on the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. The farm, in South Huntingdon, will be part of the conservancy’s Farmland Access Initiative, which...
Murrysville staff begins pandemic-related adjustments to 2021 budget
Murrysville Chief Administrator Jim Morrison has noted several times over the years that he and the municipal staff take a cautious approach to the annual budget. “We are a conservative bunch here, and the numbers reflect that,” he said. “However, there are so many things that are unpredictable at this...
State Sen. Ward says covid-19 induced pain reaches across the state economy
The coronavirus is cutting a swath from hospital executive suites to Westmoreland County residents waiting weeks for unemployment checks, state Sen. Kim Ward told constituents during a teleconference Wednesday. The Westmoreland County lawmaker said she has reservations about the transparency of some of the decisions surrounding the state shutdown and...
Allegheny County officials call for more covid-19 tests as daily testing numbers drop
The number of tests for covid-19 administered each day in Allegheny County has dropped, Allegheny County Health Department officials said Wednesday. This data comes as county officials renewed calls for more testing in order to inform when and how physical distancing measures could be lifted and businesses reopened. “Only about...
Pittsburgh-based Eat’n Park offers groceries during coronavirus pandemic
Eat’n Park is the place not only for smiles, but now milk, bread, ketchup and even toilet paper. The Pittsburgh-based restaurant chain launched a temporary grocery program Wednesday in all its restaurants to provide access to everyday staples including Turner’s milk, Cellone’s bread by the loaf, Heinz ketchup, toilet paper...
2 men hospitalized after being shot in Pittsburgh, 1 critical
Two people were hospitalized, one in critical condition, after a shooting in Pittsburgh’s Homewood neighborhood Wednesday morning. Authorities said officers responded to a ShotSpotter alert of gunfire at about 8:30 a.m. along the 7300 block of Bennett Street. Police found a man who had been shot in his right hand....
Courts continue under emergency rules, making plans to resume hearings, trials as restrictions lift
A Westmoreland County judge leaned close to his web camera and offered timely advice to a jail inmate who was granted an early parole after serving seven months for a burglary conviction. “Wash your hands as frequently as you can and wear that mask,” said Common Pleas Court Judge Christopher...
Bail denied for Israeli awaiting sentencing in 2004 Dormont sexual assault
A Pennsylvania appeals court Wednesday denied bail for a 54-year-old Israeli citizen in the Allegheny County Jail awaiting sentencing for a 2004 sexual assault involving a 15-year-old girl in Dormont. Moshe Journo, formerly of Beechview, was to be sentenced in March on the charges, which he pleaded guilty to in...
Pennsylvania car dealers get limited opening for sales during coronavirus restrictions
People who have been shut out the past month from buying a car will be able to now that Gov. Tom Wolf has lifted some restrictions on dealerships. “We’ve got permission for online sales, but the showroom still will be locked down. We’re not allowed to have people coming in...
‘Sewing angels’ provide 1,000 homemade masks for Pittsburgh policeVideo
Pittsburgh police were set to run out of crucial face masks used to combat the spread of the coronavirus when a “sewing angel” in Mt. Lebanon stepped in. “Every single Pittsburgh police officer, detective, supervisor — even the clerks that work in our buildings — have these masks from Gloria,”...
Auto insurance companies sending money directly to customers as result of covid-19
Auto insurance companies are offering financial relief to customers while stay-at-home directives reduce the number of people driving during the coronavirus pandemic. Companies offering relief assistance include Erie Insurance, GEICO, Progressive, State Farm, Allstate and Travelers. Erie Insurance said it would provide $200 million in dividends directly to personal and...
Mineo’s Pizza in Squirrel Hill delivering pies in new ways during pandemic
Mineo’s Pizza House in Squirrel Hill will bring the pie to its customers. For a limited time, the pizza shop is offering delivery. This hasn’t happened in its 61 years of business, except for a short time in the 1970s. The covid-19 pandemic has restaurants exploring different ways to stay...
