Local category, Page 2571
State reports 1 new covid-19 death in Westmoreland, bringing total to 6; coroner reports 11 deaths
One new coronavirus-related death was reported in Westmoreland County on Friday, according to state health officials. The state reported 16 new county cases, which is a 2.8% increase, bringing the respective totals to 218 confirmed cases and six deaths. Coroner Kenneth Bacha is critical of the state’s recording system, saying...
State reports 8% increase in covid-19 cases in one day, 78 more deaths
Seventy-eight new coronavirus-related deaths were reported to the Pennsylvania Department of Health throughout the day Friday, bringing the state’s death toll to 494, according to state health officials. The total coronavirus case count is 21,655, the data show. It was the second consecutive day in which 78 new deaths were...
1 more covid-19 related death reported in Allegheny County; stats now broken down by race
One more person in Allegheny County died from the coronavirus, county health officials said Saturday, bringing the countywide total to 19. Of those who died, 18 were white and one was black, officials said. All of those people were over the age of 65, according to a statement released by...
New Kensington Shop ‘n Save to close at the end of April
A family-run Shop ’n Save in New Kensington is closing after about a decade in the city. The grocery store in the Central City Plaza will close its doors for good April 30. Co-owner Lauren Beter of New Kensington said the move is due to decreased sales the past few...
Dr. Louis Falo talks Southwest Greensburg, Pitt coronavirus vaccine and Dr. Anthony Fauci
He learned teamwork on the football field at Greensburg Central Catholic High School more than 40 years ago. Like three classmates on that 1977 team, Louis Falo went on to medical school. Today, the Southwest Greensburg native and researcher at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine leads an elite...
The Stroller, April 11, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Small Acts of Kindness 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 your organization to The Stroller at vndnews@tribweb.com. Send information of...
Henry L. Hillman Foundation giving more than $4 million in emergency grants to help fight covid-19
The Henry L. Hillman Foundation has released more than $4 million in emergency grants since mid-March in response to the unfolding covid-19 pandemic. More funds are anticipated to be released in the coming days and weeks, foundation officials said Friday. “Our board convened right away wanting to offer what we...
4th Port Authority employee tests positive for covid-19
A fourth Port Authority worker has tested positive for covid-19, authority officials said Friday. The bus driver, who has been on light duty since Feb. 12 and works out of the East Liberty garage, self-reported the test result, according to the authority. The employee is at home after last working...
1 dead from covid-19 at Concordia’s Butler senior community; 2 employees infected in Monroeville, Baden
Concordia Lutheran Ministries confirmed Friday that a Butler assisted living community resident has died of covid-19, marking the first death linked to the coronavirus outbreak at the network’s senior care facilities in Western Pennsylvania, Ohio and Florida. The person who died Thursday night at Concordia at the Orchard in Butler...
Police: 15-year-old in stolen car crashes during chase, 2 injured
Police say a 15-year-old boy driving a stolen car led police on a chase Friday morning that ended when he crashed into an SUV in Richland Township, injuring its elderly driver. The boy and a 64-year-old woman, who was one of two occupants in the SUV, were both listed in...
Mental health experts, sports figures ‘Team-Up to Cope with Covid’
Social distancing, self-isolation, working from home — or no work at all — have added to the mental health challenges people face during the covid-19 crisis. And the postponement of public events and sports seasons has taken away what would certainly be welcome distractions. With these elements in mind, Embrace...
Derry Area grad among USS Roosevelt sailors in quarantine
Rachel Beck got good news early this week: She is among at least 3,170 Navy personnel assigned to the USS Theodore Roosevelt who have tested negative for coronavirus infection. Beck, 24, who is a 2017 Derry Area High School graduate, was evacuated from the aircraft carrier to a house in...
Jumonville’s towering cross a ‘beacon of hope’ for 7 decades atop Fayette ridgeVideo
Heather Withrow was drawn to the Cross of Christ in the 1990s. Towering 60 feet atop Dunbar’s Knob, at the highest point above the affiliated Jumonville Camp and Conference Center, the shining white cross can be seen from miles away, including from Route 40. Withrow discovered her favorite view of...
Lower Valley Community Food Bank holds Easter food distribution for 155 families
The Lower Valley Community Food Bank held its Easter food distribution Thursday despite threatening skies and a pandemic. Director Kathy Otterbeck said about 15 volunteers prepared and loaded banana boxes full of produce, canned goods, meat, eggs, milk, bread and 10-pound bags of potatoes for 155 families. They included 35...
Week in Review: Tornadoes strike, covid-19 death toll risesVideo
State agencies continued to change their policies in response to the rising coronavirus death toll, and two tornadoes ripped through the Alle-Kiski valley as high winds pummeled the region. Here’s a look at the week’s top stories. Trout season starts early Trout season opened in Pennsylvania at 8 a.m. Tuesday...
From Science Bowl to stay-at-home: Murrysville brothers adjusting to life amid pandemicVideo
Six weeks ago, Urvish Jain and his high-school teammates were earning a third-place finish at the National Science Bowl’s regional competition in West Mifflin, and his brother, Bhav, was kicking into high gear during his first spring semester at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston. Now, the Murrysville brothers...
Fearing hospital bankruptcy, Gov. Wolf offers $450M in loans to financially strapped providers
Gov. Tom Wolf on Friday announced more than $450 million in low-interest loans meant to keep hospitals afloat as they continue to lose revenue amid the coronavirus pandemic. Hospitals statewide have canceled elective surgeries and nonurgent procedures to free up bed space and limit the spread of covid-19. At the...
Cornerstone Network spreads message of hope amid pandemic from ‘spiritual front lines’Video
A broadcast tower stretches up from atop a hill in Wall, streaming what producers at Cornerstone Network hope is a guiding message to those navigating the unfamiliar reality created by the coronavirus. The network, which has broadcast several programs from its location tucked between Pitcairn and North Versailles since 1979,...
3 coronavirus deaths now reported at Kane Community Living in Glen Hazel
Three Kane Community Living residents have now died from coronavirus-related complications, according to data from Allegheny County. That’s up from two deaths that were reported Friday. The deaths occurred in Kane’s Glen Hazel location, where at least 25 residents have tested positive for covid-19. Eight tests among residents still are...
Unity is on board with proposed property tax deadline extensionVideo
Pennsylvania lawmakers may empower municipalities to extend payment deadlines for local property taxes by several months, and the Unity Township Supervisors hope they’ll do just that. With the coronavirus-triggered economic slowdown placing residents under financial stress, the supervisors voted this week to provisionally extend the deadline for early payment of...
How Western Pa. religious leaders are altering Easter sermons during coronavirus pandemic
Father Tom Gramc used to spend entire days surrounded by people and parishioners. He went from preaching morning Mass to hearing afternoon confessions to visiting grade schools in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Yet as Easter approaches, he spends his days in Zoom meetings or fielding calls and emails from parishioners,...
Outside PPG Paints Arena and Rivers Casino, groups rally to feed the hungryVideo
Hundreds of people waited in long lines Friday in Pittsburgh’s Uptown neighborhood as part of a food distribution event to address those in need during the coronavirus pandemic. Across town, outside Rivers Casino, members of the Iota Phi chapter of Omega Psi Phi fraternity collected food donated by the casino...
Residents rally to help New Kensington grocery worker whose car was smashed by tree
Friends and strangers alike have rallied to raise more than $3,400 in a GoFundMe account benefiting a New Kensington man whose 32-year-old car was crushed by a huge oak tree during Wednesday’s high winds and tornado. “Thanks to everyone for all of their support,” said Tom Athey Jr., 63, of...
‘Drive-thru’ funeral visitation to be held in Scottdale for local pastor
Despite being stricken by cancer, the Rev. Kimberly M. King stood in the parking lot of Owensdale United Methodist Church last Sunday passing out palms to members of two congregations in Fayette and Westmoreland counties where she preached for more than a decade. “Kim felt so strong about the Christian...
After school closures, Gateway cancels musical
Gateway High School’s musical has officially been canceled, according to an announcement written by the superintendent and posted to the district’s website Thursday. Gov. Tom Wolf directed Wednesday that all school buildings must stay closed through the end of the school year, meaning 1.7 million students in K-12 public and...
