Regional category, Page 258
Bats with covid-19? Pennsylvania researchers are trying to find out
The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine is studying if covid-19 has been contracted by local bats who are recovering from white-nose syndrome, a deadly fungus that has been decimating populations. If the state’s fragile but recovering bat population contracts covid-19, it could create another stressor for the night...
Kennywood welcomes visitors with covid-19 safety measures
A Pittsburgh staple reopened Friday — but Kennywood will be a little different this summer. Visitors will have to pass a temperature screening to enter. Face masks are mandatory. And visitors will have to stand 6 feet apart while they wait in line for rides. Following the well-known guidelines for...
Learn how to kill the spotted lanternfly
As the invasive spotted lanternfly moves into Allegheny and other counties, Penn State Extension is offering a live webinar at 3 p.m. on July 15 about methods to get rid of the invasive insect. The cost is $10 for professionals and the public. The colorful moth-like invasive insect swarms and...
Allegheny, Westmoreland arts groups receive portion of $2.3 million pandemic grants
Hundreds of nonprofit arts organizations will receive $2.3 million in pandemic relief grants Gov. Tom Wolf announced this week . Out of the 309 recipients, 36 organizations will receive $50,000 each from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and 273 organizations will receive $1,930 from the Pennsylvania Council on...
Crash closes eastbound lanes on I-70 in Washington County
Eastbound lanes of Interstate 70 in Washington County were closed early Friday to a tractor-trailer crash, Tribune-Review news partners WPXI-TV reported. The crash was near the Interstate 79 southbound junction. According to the news channel, hazmat teams were dispatched because of a diesel fuel leak. Eastbound Lanes of I-70 at...
‘Start feeling lightheaded’: Construction workers suffer during heat waves
Scorching hot temperatures are taking a toll on construction crews across Western Pennsylvania. Peter Caruso, owner of Peter J. Caruso & Sons Inc., had about 30 workers paving in sweltering temperatures on Thursday — when air temperatures topped 90 degrees for the seventh consecutive day, with the heat wave expected...
Headed to the beach? Here is what’s up at spots popular with Western Pennsylvanians
Western Pennsylvania residents like to visit East Coast beaches every summer, and it seems that the coronavirus pandemic hasn’t stopped the trend. In fact, many beaches have reported more tourists than previous summers. Below is a list of what to expect at some of the beach vacation destinations popular with...
Don’t want to mask up? Try a face shield
It’s become the mantra of government leaders and health officials and it’s a flash point for others who refuse to abide by it: Wear a mask. Now, there is an alternative to the face masks that have become a part of life in the age of the coronavirus pandemic: A...
State Police add liquor enforcement stats to Pennsylvania covid-19 portal
As officers from the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement crack down on establishments not complying with covid-19 requirements, the state is adding enforcement statistics to the covid-19 portal. The stats include a city-by-city break down of total licensee checks, warnings and violation notices related to covid-19 mitigation...
Somerset County woman jailed on $200K bond after shooting, standoff with troopers
A 36-year-old Somerset County accused of shooting another woman during an argument surrendered early Thursday after a five-hour standoff woman with police. Shirley M. Owens, 36, of Friedens, was arraigned on multiple charges, including attempted homicide, aggravated assault, illegal possession of a firearm, possessing instruments of crime and reckless endangerment....
Penn State, Carnegie Mellon join lawsuit to halt deportation of international students if colleges go totally online
Penn State and Carnegie Mellon universities have joined MIT and Harvard in a legal battle to halt implementation of a new policy from the Trump administration that could result in the deportation of international students. Leaders at the Pennsylvania two research universities were quick to condemn the policy announced this...
Tax-prep offices ‘swamped’ as extended July 15 filing deadline approaches
For certified public accountant Brad Jadlowiec, a shareholder with KSL Associates in Shaler, July has felt a lot like April during a normal tax year. “The people who normally would have come April 10 are coming in July 10,” Jadlowiec said, noting the July 15 extended deadline to file federal...
State to give fire, rescue companies $50 million in grants to cover covid-19 losses
Fire departments, rescue and emergency medical service companies can apply for state grants to pay for utilities, repairing apparatus, buying personal protective equipment (PPE), as well as cleaning and disinfecting equipment and property in an effort to stop the spread of covid-19. The state set aside $44 million for fire...
University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon join push against Trump’s edict on student visas
Officials at the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University joined leaders at research universities across the nation calling on the Trump administration to rescind its plans to deny visas and or deport foreign students unless they attend classes in person. Unlike Harvard, the University of Southern California and MIT,...
Heat advisory issued for Thursday as 90-degree streak to continue in Pittsburgh region
Southwestern Pennsylvania will continue to sizzle in the 90s through Friday before finally seeing some relief, according to the National Weather Service. Both Thursday and Friday could be 91 or hotter, according to NWS meteorologist Myranda Fullerton. Highs for the region could reach the 90s both days, according to forecasts...
Pennsylvania health officials warn of ticks, Lyme disease
Pennsylvania state health officials on Wednesday issued a warning reminding Pennsylvanians to protect against tick and mosquito bites. Ticks can transmit Lyme disease, which, if not treated, can cause severe symptoms that affect the heart, nervous system and joints. In 2019, Pennsylvania recorded 9,000 confirmed and probable cases of Lyme...
Cal U, Clarion target adults who left without degree as part of new coalition in higher education
Two Western Pennsylvania universities struggling with declining enrollments are hoping to tap a pool of adult students with some college credits but no degree as part of a new, national network targeting adult learners. California and Clarion universities, part of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, are among 13...
Famed clothier Brooks Brothers files for bankruptcy
NEW YORK — The storied Manhattan clothier Brooks Brothers is filing for bankruptcy protection. The company that says it’s put 40 U.S. presidents in its suits survived two world wars and navigated through casual Fridays and a loosening of dress standards even on Wall Street, but the coronavirus pandemic pushed...
Rising gas prices hit a wall as surging covid-19 cases cause drop in demand, analyst says
After nine straight weeks of increases, gasoline prices may stop rising due to a drop in demand caused by covid-19 cases surging in some states, an industry analyst said. “So far this summer, both holidays have seen the lowest prices since 2004, and its possible that if things don’t improve...
Man flown to hospital after SUV crashes into tree in Indiana County
A man was flown to a Monroeville hospital after his sport utility vehicle crashed Tuesday morning in Indiana County. The wreck happened before 9:45 a.m. on Route 286 in Conemaugh Township, about a mile east of Clarksburg. Crews had to free the man from his Ford Escape, which was totaled...
Pittsburgh researchers seek blood plasma donations as coronavirus research expands
Pittsburgh area doctors and blood banks are looking for blood plasma — and lots of it — from patients who have recovered from covid-19. Blood plasma from recovered patients is being used to treat those who are fighting the disease in Western Pennsylvania and across the country. Allegheny Health Network,...
Kovach named to top executive post in PennDOT District 12
Longtime PennDOT District 12 official William Kovach is now the top district executive for the four-county engineering district based in Uniontown. Kovach succeeds Joseph Szczur, who retired on June 26 after serving as district executive since March 2004. In his new role, Kovach will oversee PennDOT operations in Westmoreland, Fayette,...
Newborn baby, child and 2 adults hurt in crash involving Amish buggy in Crawford County
A newborn baby, 1-year-old child and two adults are in serious condition following a hit-and-run crash involving an Amish buggy in Sparta Township, Crawford County, state police said. The crash occurred around 7:30 p.m. Sunday along Canadohta Lake Road near Route 89. According to police, a black 2018 Chevrolet Traverse...
West Penn Power to spend $46 million to trim trees along power lines this year
In an effort to reduce power outages caused by downed branches and trees during summer thunderstorms, West Penn Power said it anticipates trimming trees along 2,600 miles of electric lines in its 24-county service territory, which includes all or portions of Allegheny, Armstrong, Fayette and Westmoreland counties. The initiative is...
Despite a dry start to summer, water authorities confident in Western Pa. supply levels
Despite less than three inches of rain having fallen in June and there being none so far for July, local water authorities are not concerned about continuing to supply the region with clean drinking water, and this week’s forecast is giving them plenty of reasons to be happy. While hot...
