Regional News category, Page 229
Ohio lowers age limit for vaccine to 16 years old and up
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The coronavirus vaccine will be available to anyone in Ohio 16 years and older by the end of the month, Gov. Mike DeWine announced Tuesday. A significant increase in vaccine supplies expected in the state warrants the eligibility expansion, the governor said. Currently, Ohioans 50 and older...
Robert Morris University announces plans for return to normal operations this fall
Citing positive developments in the rollout of the covid-19 vaccine, Robert Morris University President Christopher B. Howard on Tuesday said RMU plans to return to a normal schedule of in-person classes and athletics with fans in the stands this fall. With the announcement, RMU joins a growing list of colleges...
Southwestern Pa. gas prices stabilizing; remain well above national average
After weeks of sharp price spikes, analysts say gasoline price increases in Southwestern Pennsylvania appear to be stabilizing. Regular unleaded gasoline increased only a penny per gallon last week following increases of 25 cents per gallon here over the last month. There were multiple factors behind the increases that drove...
5 things to know about the expanded Child Tax Credit
While hefty stimulus payments have been the focus of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, parents can expect to see even more money over the course of the next year. The plan expands the Child Tax Credit to ensure more parents get more cash and get it sooner than they...
Trib Total Media launches ‘Dine Local’ to give local restaurants a free online showcase
To showcase the region’s restaurants as they emerge from the pandemic’s challenges, Trib Total Media has launched the website “Dine Local,” powered by its MeSearch technology. Owners of local establishments can, free of charge, claim a listing on the site. Beyond providing basic contact information, they can customize the listing...
Authorities investigating fatal Big Beaver fire as a homicide
A man is dead after an early morning house fire in Big Beaver that authorities say is being investigated as a homicide. Beaver County Emergency Management Agency officials confirmed the coroner’s office was dispatched to the scene of the fire on the 1000 block of Shenango Road in Big Beaver...
As pandemic continues, GOP lawmakers prepare for retreat at pricey Nemacolin Woodlands Resort
Spotlight PA is an independent, non-partisan newsroom powered by The Philadelphia Inquirer in partnership with PennLive/The Patriot-News, TribLIVE/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and WITF Public Media. A version of this story originally appeared in our free weekly newsletter. HARRISBURG — When Republican lawmakers come together for their annual retreats this month and next...
North Country Brewing owner contends Pa. officials unfairly targeted restaurants during pandemicVideo
The owner of North Country Brewing in Slippery Rock believes he did everything right. When faced with the initial covid-19 shutdown orders implemented by the governor a year ago — the first of which, right before St. Patrick’s Day, cost him about $32,000 in wasted food — Robert McCafferty closed....
Colleges weigh a return to in-person commencement
One year after a global pandemic shuttered campuses across the country, colleges and universities in Western Pennsylvania are weighing the return of an annual rite of spring — commencement ceremonies. The University of Pittsburgh, the region’s largest school, has announced it will stagger smaller in-person ceremonies at its Oakland campus...
Pennsylvania ramps up covid vaccines in past week; cases, hospitalizations roughly constant
The latest data from the Pennsylvania Department of Health shows that, of Pennsylvania residents who have received covid-19 shots, more are fully inoculated than those who have received partial doses. Meanwhile, cases, hospitalizations and deaths haven’t seen significant fluctuations one way or the other, but remain on a downward trend....
Regional impact of 1918 flu pandemic in Western Pennsylvania continued into following year
Closings of schools, taverns and movie theaters, along with warnings against large gatherings, aren’t new in Southwestern Pennsylvania. On Oct. 4, 1918, communities debated how to enforce statewide restrictions as the region was hit hard by a second wave of a global influenza pandemic that ultimately claimed about 2,000 lives...
Mass vaccination programs pave the way for gradual return to school in Pennsylvania
Matt Jones breathed a sigh of relief Friday as he met with Jeannette High School Principal Joe Baker to chart the latest stage in a phased-in return to five-day-a-week in-person classes. Like fellow school administrators across the region, the superintendent of Jeannette schools has spent countless hours on the phone,...
Covid or allergies? Here we go again as spring approaches in Western Pa.
While many are eager to welcome warmer temperatures, seasonal allergy sufferers in Western Pennsylvania are likely bracing for the onset of familiar symptoms like watery eyes, nasal congestion and sore throat. Some of those symptoms resemble covid-19, which may make it difficult for some people to determine whether they’re contending...
Covid cases tick up slightly in Pennsylvania, deaths trend downward
Pennsylvania recorded a slight increase in covid-19 cases but is seeing a downward trend in covid-related deaths and a drop in hospitalizations. Pennsylvania The state on Friday added 3,074 new covid cases, the most in a single day this month, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The seven-day average...
William Shatner to headline Monroeville’s Steel City Con in June
Organizers of Steel City Con, the largest pop culture gathering at the Monroeville Convention Center, have announced a new special guest headliner. Hollywood icon William Shatner is scheduled to attend the first two days of the convention set for June 11-13. The Emmy award-winning Canadian-born actor, writer, producer/director is best...
Man with ties to Western Pa. arrested in connection with Capitol attack
A man who operates a woodworking business in Bentleyville is charged with entering the U.S. Senate floor and reading documents removed from desks there during the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection. Dale “DJ” Shalvey, 36, was charged by criminal complaint on Feb. 12 in the District of Columbia. The case remained...
New owner sees long-term vision for Conneaut Lake Park
Conneaut Lake Park’s new owner says his vision to revitalize the historic amusement park is going to take time. “The way we’re imagining this is as a family events center,” Todd Joseph of Keldon Holdings LLC said in an interview with the Tribune. “We’re going to do whatever it takes...
Rain showers expected to bring cooler temperatures to Pittsburgh region
Rain moving into Southwestern Pennsylvania Thursday afternoon is expected to slide temperatures closer to seasonally-average norms throughout the weekend. While the chance of isolated showers is possible throughout the day Thursday, temperatures will remain close to the upper 60s, said Jason Frazier, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in...
Why pandemic challenges persist at Pennsylvania’s nursing homes
Covid-19 cases at nursing homes have fallen sharply in recent weeks, signaling hope for weary staffers and residents who yearn for visitors and fresh air after a year living in isolation and fear. “They’re tired, and they’re exhausted. … It’s just been a tragedy on every conceivable level,” said Mark...
Police: Body of woman reported missing in January found in Fayette County
A woman missing from Fayette County since January was found dead, according to state police. Melanie Prokop, 62, was found Wednesday evening in a wooded area off Kennedy Road in North Union Township, police said. Prokop, who was last seen Jan. 1 driving her white vehicle, was reported missing Jan....
Jeannette, New Kensington among towns that could benefit from new $20M investment fund
A new partnership between the Richard K. Mellon Foundation and Arctaris Impact Investors, a Boston-based impact investment group, is launching a $20 million investment fund to underwrite economic development projects in distressed communities in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties. The fund, unveiled Wednesday, will target projects that support economic development, workforce...
Pa. health official: Focus should be on covid vaccinations, not allocations
The state Department of Health continues to try and meet the demand for covid-19 vaccines, particularly first doses, an ongoing struggle when requests from providers outnumber the state’s total allocation by nearly 200,000, a health official said Wednesday. The federal government sent 254,150 dedicated first-shot doses to Pennsylvania’s health department...
Rita’s Italian Ice won’t be giving away free treats on 1st day of spring … again
Rita’s Italian Ice usually celebrates the first day of spring with free frozen treats. But for the second year in a row, the coronavirus pandemic has iced those plans. “With covid-19 still a part of communities, we’ve chosen to cancel free Italian Ice day on (March 20) to keep everyone...
Pennsylvania hits 1 million mark on full covid vaccinations
Pennsylvania surpassed 1 million residents fully vaccinated on Wednesday, according to the state’s department of health. As of Wednesday morning, the state’s covid-19 vaccine dashboard shows there have been 1,016,979 fully vaccinated and 1,094,679 people partially vaccinated. The state figures do not include Philadelphia County, which is handling its own...
Things to do in Western Pa.: March 10, 2021Video
Newly opened art exhibitions include a Women’s History Month retrospective and a showcase of watercolor works. For music, there’s everything from “trucker rock” to swing to choral works. Both kids and adults can put pen to paper for Ligonier Valley Writers programs, while Pittsburgh Public Theater is seeking reminiscences of...
