Local category, Page 2534
Murrysville political committees look to iron out new-precinct wrinkles
It’s probably a good thing that Pennsylvania lawmakers delayed the state’s primary election until June 2, because it may take that long for Murrysville voters in the newly split Sardis and Newlonsburg precincts to figure out where they’re supposed to cast their ballots. “It’s been a real bear,” Murrysville Export...
Coronavirus delays production of AMC’s ‘The Walking Dead,’ postpones Season 10 finale
The popular zombie apocalyptic thriller “The Walking Dead” has had to delay production due to the coronavirus. AMC, which produces the show, announced the news on Twitter on Tuesday. “Current events have unfortunately made it impossible to complete post-production of ‘The Walking Dead’ Season 10 finale, so the current season...
Western PA Diaper Bank seeking donations to help with distribution
Typically, one in three American families experiences what the Western PA Diaper Bank calls “diaper need.” As a result, the bank distributed 24,000 diapers last week to low- and moderate-income families in an effort to support those impacted by the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic. “The unexpected demand is...
Pennsylvania Sens. Casey and Toomey happy with virus rescue bill
Pennsylvania Sens. Pat Toomey and Bob Casey didn’t see eye-to-eye in the days leading up to the U.S. Senate’s agreement on a historic $2 trillion emergency bill. But they are both glad the deal was struck shortly after midnight on Wednesday. The Senate passed the bill late Wednesday night, following...
Butler County reports 1st death from covid-19
A patient at Butler Memorial Hospital has died of covid-19, marking the first death in Butler County attributed to the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, officials said Wednesday. No details were immediately available about the person who died, such as their age, residence or any underlying health conditions. The...
At a glance: Distance learning in your school district; when classes could resume
Many school districts are conducting or have plans to begin distance learning for students while schools are closed. Below is information released by districts about when distance learning will begin and when, eventually, students might return to classrooms. This list will be updated and school districts added as information becomes...
Entrepreneurs fill shopping void in wake of pandemic
Eric Fulton’s plans of opening a deli in Scottdale were quickly dashed when the coronavirus pandemic hit. Now he’s the unexpected proprietor of a small Pittsburgh Street store selling toilet paper, bread, cleaning supplies and produce. Members of borough council and Mayor Chuck King recently helped Fulton clear out tools...
Gov. Wolf announces new loan program for small Pa. businesses
Loans of up to $100,000 will be available to for-profit businesses with 100 or fewer full-time employees through a new state program intended to help businesses during the coronavirus outbreak, Gov. Tom Wolf announced Wednesday. The financial assistance, a total of $60 million called the Covid-19 Working Capital Access Program...
Inquest unlikely for fatal New Kensington shooting
Westmoreland County Coroner Ken Bacha said Wednesday it is unlikely he will convene an inquest into a police-involved shooting this month in New Kensington that left a Lower Burrell man dead. “It looks like it is rather justified at this point,” Bacha said. Marc N. Morgan, 62, was killed March...
Mail-in voting proving popular in areas hardest hit by coronavirus
A lot of Pennsylvanians plan to vote by mail in the postponed spring primary. State officials said Wednesday that applications to vote by mail have topped 129,000. State lawmakers voted to move the primary to June 2, a postponement expected to be approved by Gov. Tom Wolf. The five-week delay...
Davanzo victory pre-certified in 58th state House race
Westmoreland County’s Elections Board on Wednesday pre-certified Republican Eric Davanzo’s victory in last week’s special election to fill the vacant state House seat in the 58th District. Davanzo, a union carpenter from South Huntingdon, defeated Democrat Robert Prah Jr. and Libertarian Ken Bach and will be seated next month to...
Dentist donates PPE supplies to Jefferson Regional Hospital
When the Pennsylvania State Department of Health ordered dental offices to close, one local dentist found himself with a supply of PPE (personal protective equipment) that he wouldn’t be using for the foreseeable future. Dr. James Zora, who operates Zora Family Dental in Pleasant Hills and Fox Chapel, offered his...
Pittsburgh seeks state coronavirus notification system for first responders
Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto said the city is working with state officials on a system to notify public safety employees if they come into contact with someone testing positive for covid-19. City officials, including Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich, last week said city firefighters, paramedics and police were not being...
Here’s how not to fall for coronavirus-related scams, bogus ‘facts’
Local and federal agencies are setting up websites dedicated to combating the spread of misinformation, rumors and scams related to the coronavirus. They include advertisements and sales pitches for products promising a cure for covid-19, phone and email campaigns asking people to provide personal information in exchange for supplies like...
Primanti’s to give out free beer with takeout orders for 1 day
If you order Primanti Bros. to go Thursday, the restaurant chain will throw in a free beer — and bring it to your car. The company turned its bartenders to “cartenders” as restaurants shut down in-house dining during the coronavirus pandemic. “As we were going through this crisis, we tried...
Driver cited after crash into state police cruiser in Hempfield
A state trooper assisting a disabled motorist along Route 30 in Hempfield escaped serious injury Wednesday when a Jeannette motorist swerved to miss one police cruiser before slamming into a second cruiser. State police identified the driver as Brian DeFelice, 52. DeFelice suffered minor injuries and was taken by ambulance...
Harrison shuts down public works department after employee’s relative tests positive for covid-19
Harrison shut down its public works department and closed its municipal building to the public after a family member of a public works employee tested positive for covid-19, township Manager Rich Hill said Wednesday. The department has a total of 10 employees, consisting of eight workers and two supervisors, Hill...
Wolf allows gun stores to reopen on limited basis during coronavirus shutdown
Pennsylvania firearms dealers may now operate on a limited basis, according to a revised list of businesses that can or cannot continue physical operations under Gov. Tom Wolf’s order mandating closures to slow the spread of covid-19. Under the order, sporting goods stores remain among businesses considered “non-life-sustaining” and are...
Jewish Community Center hosts blood drives, provides take-home meals in PittsburghVideo
The Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh is working to find ways to help the community during its closure. The JCC has been closed to normal operations since March 14, the center’s Squirrel Hill buildings on Darlington Road were bustling Wednesday as it hosted a blood drive and worked to...
Highlands delays meeting to fill school board vacancy
Highlands School District has delayed a special meeting to fill a vacancy on the school board. A seat in Region 2 became vacant when Misty Chybrzynski, former board president, resigned upon moving out of the region. Region 2 includes Brackenridge and the Natrona area of Harrison. The board had scheduled...
Cheswick passes resolution allowing public meetings by telephone
Cheswick is taking steps to hold borough council meetings by telephone if necessary during the coronavirus pandemic. Council passed a resolution last week authorizing it and other boards to hold public meetings by telephone. The public would be able to listen in and comment on issues during the meetings. “We...
Covid-19 testing, distancing play role in record-breaking flu season
On one hand, efforts to slow the spread of covid-19 likely have contributed to a declining number of new flu cases in recent weeks, state Department of Health spokeswoman Brittany Lauffer said Wednesday. On the other, increased testing to identify covid-19 cases and people’s concern about the illness likely have...
Mayor Bill Peduto predicts Pittsburgh heading for deficit in 2020
Pittsburgh will end 2020 with a deficit for the first time in years, and Mayor Bill Peduto said there’s no way to predict when the economic situation might improve. Peduto, who left self-quarantine Wednesday, spent the day conducting media interviews. He told the Tribune-Review that he expects a significant decline...
$50 million state aid package, future recovery help, ready for Gov. Wolf’s signature
Both the state House and Senate passed a $50 million recovery package Wednesday intended to help families and businesses deal with the growing economic fallout from the coronavirus threat. According to press releases sent by several Republican senators, Senate agreed Wednesday the package after the House had done so earlier....
5 more cases of coronavirus in Westmoreland County; total up to 16
Five more confirmed cases of coronavirus were reported in Westmoreland County on Wednesday, bringing the total to 16. The Pennsylvania Department of Health released updated figures about noon. Statewide, cases exceeded 1,000, with eastern counties reporting the highest totals. Four more patients died, according to the state’s figures. Philadelphia County...
