Local category, Page 2563
Grassroots efforts connect PPE donors to small health care providers during coronavirus pandemicVideo
Volunteer emergency and ambulance services and small health care facilities in Western Pennsylvania are turning to grassroots efforts to locate personal protective equipment. In the coronavirus pandemic, they find themselves in competition with large hospitals and health systems across the country for resources. At The Children’s Home of Pittsburgh, “we...
Leaders worried about maintaining momentum with talks of census being pushed to next year
Weeks after ensuring census numbers were on track to be delivered by the end of the year, bureau members are asking Congress for an extension on the once-a-decade survey after efforts were stalemated by the coronavirus pandemic. The move has left local leaders worried about maintaining momentum for an accurate...
IUP partners with Indiana hospital to provide same-day testing for covid-19
Indiana University of Pennsylvania is joining Indiana Regional Medical Center to bring same-day testing for covid-19 to the rural hospital. University officials said Dr. Narayanaswamy Bharathan, chairman of the biology department at IUP, will be working at the hospital to conduct covid-19 tests. Using equipment from his IUP laboratory, Bharathan...
Where to buy liquor legally in Pennsylvania
With state liquor stores open on a limited basis and the Liquor Control Board’s online service working slowly, Pennsylvanians in search of booze have been driving over state lines to shop. It is possible to buy Pennsylvania-made liquor, legally. Below is a list of distilleries operating online that will ship...
5 more coronavirus deaths reported in Allegheny County
Allegheny County reported 5 more deaths from the coronavirus Friday, bringing the countywide total to 43 deaths. The 43 people who have died ranged in age from 56 to 103 years, with the most deaths occurring in people over 70, county data show. The county also added 22 new cases...
How Pennsylvania residents continue to run for border to bootleg liquor
You’ve got a friend in Pennsylvania, as the old tourism slogan goes. Friendsville Discount Liquors didn’t know just how many until the past month. “I’m getting bombarded by people in PA. We’re the first liquor store from the border,” said Kim Spear, manager of the small beverage shop in the...
Pa. jobless rate jumps to 6% in March, expected to get much worse in April
Pennsylvania’s jobless rate jumped to 6% in March, up 1.3 percentage points from February, but a local economist believes it is just the tip of an iceberg of bad unemployment news. “It’s going to get a lot worse in April,” said Jake Haulk, an economist and president emeritus of the...
Kane Regional’s Glen Hazel nursing home sees spike in coronavirus cases
At least 50 residents and 23 employees at one Allegheny County-owned nursing home have coronavirus, and employees at other county nursing homes have also tested positive. Four residents at Kane Community Living Center’s Glen Hazel location have died from the virus, which first appeared in the facility in late March...
Tarentum woman recovering from crash injuries sews hundreds of masks for others
Dawn Galia hasn’t been able to work since being involved in a car crash that she said nearly killed her and her husband in 2018. But when someone she knows put out a request for face masks to help combat the spread of the coronavirus that causes covid-19, Galia knew...
Greensburg girl’s quarantine routine couldn’t be any cuter
By now, we’ve all pretty much found our homebound routines. For some, it’s work. For others, it’s school. And still others have become Amazon’s best customer. And then there’s 7-month-old Abigail Smeltzer of Greensburg. Her routine is being adorable. Her parents, Katie and Andrew Smeltzer of Greensburg, captured Abigail recently...
Greensburg Community Days canceled due to coronavirus concerns
The upcoming Greensburg Community Days festival has been canceled. Uncertainties surrounding coronavirus-related shutdowns led to the decision, said Trudy Ivory, Greensburg Recreation Department facilities manager. The 26th annual event was scheduled for May 21-23 at Lynch Field. The long-running kickoff to summer features a midway, games for all ages, crafts...
Donations sought to fix more damage found at Harrison veterans memorial
Efforts to restore Harrison Township’s Honor Roll memorial are being impacted by the coronavirus pandemic and the discovery of additional damage. The 75-year-old stone memorial at Freeport and Springhill roads bore the names of nearly 2,000 World War II veterans painted in gold on black glass panels. Work to shore...
Pennsylvania sportsbooks lose millions, online casinos thrive during coronavirus pandemic
With pro and college sports shut down for most of March due to the covid-19 crisis, Pennsylvania’s retail and online sportsbooks took a big hit in monthly revenue. But online casinos and poker exploded to a new record. Coronavirus shutdowns cost sportsbooks $220 million in wagers during March, according to...
Pitt researchers join American Lung Association’s national research network
The University of Pittsburgh’s Emphysema COPD Research Center will participate in two new national lung health studies, including one that focuses on covid-19, as it partners with the American Lung Association’s Airways Clinical Research Centers Network (ACRC). Long on the forefront of research in asthma and COPD, the network includes...
Pittsburgh food bank hosting another drive-up distribution in Duquesne
Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank will hold another drive-up distribution at its Duquesne headquarters Monday. The distribution, which runs from noon to 3 p.m., will be able to accommodate up to 1,000 vehicles. Each vehicle will receive two boxes. The food bank is asking attendees to begin lining up no...
The Stroller, April 17, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Sitting at home all day, many of us are asking ourselves how we can help others during this pandemic. Read The Stroller daily for announcements of how everyone can ease the pressure and stress of others, even while maintaining social distancing. Information for The Stroller should be emailed to vndnews@tribweb.com....
Man found dead in Troy Hill house fireVideo
A man was found dead in an overnight house fire in Pittsburgh’s Troy Hill section, public safety officials said. Gerard Anthony Koch, 56, was discovered on the first floor of the home and was pronounced dead at the scene. The death was accidental and was caused by thermal and inhalation...
Howard Hanna offers pandemic-impacted agents advance pay on future earnings
Getting paid based on commission rather than salary, whether it is selling cars, insurance, or houses, can be tough — especially when the state closes a worker’s business as part of a sweeping effort to stop the spread of coronavirus. Howard Hanna Real Estate Service, the largest real estate firm...
Crews battle fire at abandoned Fairfield house; fire marshal investigating
A state police fire marshal was called to investigate late Thursday as firefighters battled flames that engulfed an abandoned house in the West Bolivar section of Fairfield, according to a Westmoreland County 911 dispatcher. Crews from Bolivar, Fairfield and New Florence fire departments were dispatched just before 11 p.m. to...
Upper Hill shooting victim in stable condition
A male victim was in stable condition after a shooting Thursday night in Pittsburgh’s Upper Hill, city police said. Police initially found no evidence of gunfire when they responded at about 7:20 p.m. to a Shotspotter alert for the 3100 block of Iowa Street. Then they were told about the...
Swissvale’s Triangle Bar makes most of massive sandwich order gone awry
Staff at a popular Swissvale eatery known for its Battleship and Destroyer subs had a sinking feeling Thursday when no one showed up to claim an afternoon order of 300 sandwiches. But, according to Triangle Bar and Grill staff member Rob Bradica, all turned out well. The surplus sandwiches —...
Penn-Trafford sets new dates, plans for graduation, prom
Penn-Trafford officials have set two alternative dates this summer to hold the commencement ceremonies that were canceled for May 26 because of Gov. Wolf’s order banning large gatherings and the closing of schools in the state. Commencement is now scheduled for June 26. But if that date must be postponed,...
Clairton man accused of fatally shooting San Jose man in Pittsburgh
A Clairton man wanted in connection with a fatal shooting in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh early this month has turned himself in to authorities. Devlin Clifford Jr., 20, allegedly killed Esam Tanzim Hossain, 23, of San Jose on April 1, according to Pittsburgh police. Hossain was found shot in...
Crisis fund helps Allegheny, Beaver organizations cope with pandemic
A Pittsburgh nonprofit has tapped funding from the Hillman Foundation to provide loans and grants to organizations in Allegheny and Beaver counties that are experiencing economic distress during the covid-19 pandemic. New Sun Rising announced Thursday it has used $100,000 in seed money from the Hillman Foundation to create a...
Feds OK boost for some food stamp recipients, deny Pa.’s request for broader increase
Federal officials green-lighted Pennsylvania’s request to boost the payments for some food stamp recipients — but rejected the state’s attempt to send extra money to all of them. The state Department of Human Services received approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service to issue a limited...
