Regional category, Page 266
U.S. Health Secretary says feds investigating Brighton nursing home coronavirus outbreak
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar questioned Friday whether Pennsylvania officials have been “aggressive enough” in flagging and enforcing violations at Brighton Rehabilitation and Wellness Center, where at least 76 residents have died of covid-19. Azar discussed the Trump administration’s concerns over the Beaver County nursing home’s coronavirus...
Pennsylvania school districts will reopen for fall 2020
There’s “no question” that Pennsylvania school districts will physically reopen this fall, Gov. Tom Wolf said Friday. “Schooling will look different,” Wolf said. “You’ll probably have more online learning and maybe less classroom learning, there might be fewer students in each classroom.” The Pennsylvania Department of Education is expected to...
Western Pa. library systems work through logistics of reopeningVideo
“What?!? It’s a real book?!?” Delmont librarian Denni Grassel’s humorous exclamation in a video posted to YouTube (watch the video below) was the official signal that the Delmont Public Library will reopen Monday, with some new procedures in place. Library systems throughout the region are holding meetings and working through...
Food Podcast: Trinity School District handing out 20,000 meals weekly
Trinity School District in Washington County is serving 20,000 meals each week to children as part of their Grab ‘n Go meal program in response to the coronavirus pandemic. “Hunger doesn’t have an end, so we’re not going to discontinue services,” said Nicolle Pleil, the district’s food service director. “We...
Gov. Wolf to move Allegheny, Westmoreland, other counties to green phase
Allegheny, Westmoreland and 14 other counties will move to the green phase of the state’s three-phase reopening plan June 5, Gov. Tom Wolf announced Friday. “The goal here is to make sure that every Pennsylvanian is confident that they’re going to be safe,” Wolf said. The counties are Allegheny and...
Teen pleads guilty, loses hunting license for 15 years in Jefferson County deer abuse case
An 18-year-old seen on video torturing a wounded white-tailed deer in November will serve two years of probation and have his hunting license revoked for 15 years as part of a plea deal, the state Game Commission announced Friday. Alexander Brock Smith of Brookville pleaded guilty May 6 in Jefferson County...
Swimming to open June 6 at Pennsylvania state park beaches
Pennsylvania will open 58 beaches in state parks for swimming June 6, with state park pools to begin opening a week later, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced. Pools at parks in counties under yellow or green pandemic phases will open June 13. Pennsylvania has 121 state parks....
Storms could bring large hail, high winds to Pittsburgh area
The Pittsburgh region will be returning to cooler and less muggy weather this weekend, but it’s going to have to get through the transition this afternoon that could come with some severe storms. There’s a slight chance for severe weather Friday afternoon, mainly east and north of the city, National...
Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics to hold virtual open houseVideo
Aircraft maintenance has been an essential service throughout the coronavirus pandemic, with planes delivering critical supplies across the world. Officials from the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics will host a virtual open house Saturday to encourage potential students to consider it as a career. “May 30 will be an all-new experience...
2 more Pennsylvania colleges announce plans to hold in-person classes this fall
Two small Pennsylvania liberal arts colleges have announced plans to hold in-person classes this fall, joining at least 20 others that have already made the decision to do so. Westminster College in New Wilmington, Lawrence County, and Allegheny College in Meadville, Crawford County, both announced Thursday that they would be...
Western Pa. restaurants prepare for expanded dining options, cope with losses
On Thursday morning, restaurateur Erin Connelly prepared for her most important staff meeting in months. After being limited to takeout options during the coronavirus shutdown, the Cornerstone Restaurant and Bar in Aspinwall soon can commence limited dining options. Connelly was hesitantly excited. “People are scrambling,” she said. “It’s hard to...
Butler couple pleads guilty to charges related to $1.3M embezzlement from Butler Health System
The former chief operating officer for Butler Health System and her husband, a former detective with the Butler County District Attorney’s Office, pleaded guilty to federal fraud and tax charges, U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady announced Thursday. Prosecutors said Stephanie J. Roskovski, 50, and Scott A. Roskovski, 51, of Butler,...
60 more Pennsylvania liquor stores resuming in-store public access
Sixty more Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores in counties in Pennsylvania’s yellow phase of covid-19 mitigation will resume limited in-store public access on Friday, the state Liquor Control Board announced Thursday. When that happens, a total of 349 stores in 56 counties will be allowing limited in-store public access....
Pennsylvania pools are allowed to open, but some may choose to stay closed
The water is being filled. Come next week, splashing and fun — socially distanced, of course — should return to Youngwood Park N Pool. “Once the chemicals are balanced, we’ll be ready to open,” said Ed Christofano, president of the Westmoreland County pool. “We’re excited.” The Youngwood pool will be...
PennDOT again extends expiration for driver’s licenses, permits, ID cards to June 30
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation will again grant an extension for the expiration of driver’s licenses, identification cards and learner’s permits because of the continuing covid-19 restrictions. Driver’s licenses, photo ID cards and learner’s permits set to expire on March 16 or after have been extended until June 30. Gov....
Court approves Robert Levin’s bid to revive Levin furniture brand
A federal judge Wednesday signed an order green-lighting Mt. Pleasant native Robert Levin’s plan to begin reviving the century-old family furniture chain he sold three years ago. Judge Christopher Sontchi’s order filed in U.S. District Bankruptcy Court in Delaware approved Levin’s $25.7 million bid to buy back the Levin brand...
Pennsylvania Game Commission seeks info on northern goshawks
The northern goshawk is an agile, secretive type of hawk with a long tail, gray and white body and intense orange to red eyes. With its population declining, the Pennsylvania Game Commission is asking anyone who catches the rare glimpse of these large raptors or knows where they nest to...
Duquesne administrator named to state’s Judicial Conduct Board
A Duquesne University administrator has been named to Pennsylvania’s Judicial Conduct Board. A spokesman for the Pennsylvania Supreme Court said the court has appointed the Rev. James P. McCloskey to a four-year term on the 12-member board. McCloskey is a senior adviserto Duquesne University President Ken Gormley. The Judicial Conduct...
Giant Eagle sued over its pandemic mask policy
At least seven lawsuits have been filed against Giant Eagle claiming the grocery store chain’s mask policy during the coronavirus pandemic is discriminatory toward disabled shoppers who cannot wear them. The customers filed the lawsuits in federal court under the Americans with Disabilities Act. In a statement Wednesday, Giant Eagle...
113 new coronavirus deaths reported in Pennsylvania, state adds 780 cases
The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Wednesday reported 113 new deaths and 780 additional cases of the coronavirus. The state has now had 69,417 total cases and 5,265 deaths. Deaths have been recorded in 54 of the state’s 67 counties, and every county has had a positive case. More than...
Hot dogs and hops? New Sheetz beer combines 2 summer favorites
Sheetz is going one better on the classic summer combination of a hot dog and a cold brew. The Altoona-based convenience store chain has announced the release of Project Hop Dog, a new, limited-edition craft beer brewed in partnership with Neshaminy Creek Brewing Co. of Bucks County. “Now available at...
Federal funds available for farmers impacted by covid-19 pandemic
Pennsylvania’s farmers and ranchers who have lost revenue because of the covid-19 pandemic can apply for federal aid to compensate for their losses. The federal government is making $16 billion available for agricultural producers through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. The direct payments to farmers and producers are limited to...
Aid to jobless workers in Pennsylvania reaches $10.6B
About $10.6 billion in unemployment compensation and special federal covid-19 funding has been distributed to Pennsylvania’s jobless workers since businesses deemed nonessential were shut down in mid-March, officials said Tuesday. Of that money, $6.2 billion came through regular unemployment compensation, while $3.8 billion comprised extra $600 weekly payments funded by...
Virtual meetings set to review Southwestern Pa.’s proposed 2021-24 transportation projects
Virtual public meetings are planned to allow citizens to learn about and comment on transportation improvements proposed in Southwestern Pennsylvania through 2024. Since large gatherings are on hold during the covid-19 pandemic, the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission will instead livestream public input sessions on the draft 2021-24 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)....
Western Pa. sees another hotter-than-normal Memorial Day
This year marked the second consecutive Memorial Day where Western Pennsylvanians have roasted, with hotter-than-average temperatures expected to hang around until the end of the week, according to the National Weather Service. “We’ve got this area of high pressure, basically right over us,” said meteorologist John Darnley. “It’s creating a...
