Regional category, Page 272
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...
Gas prices continue to rise as easing covid-19 restrictions spark demand
The average price of gasoline rose in the Pittsburgh area and across the nation on higher demand as states relax covid-19 restrictions. “As long as covid-19 cases continue to drop over time … I suspect it is only a matter of time before (the national) average price hits the $2...
Zachary’s Mission celebrates 10 years of caring with Facebook giveaway
Patricia and Robert Vince could have let grief consume them when their son, Zachary, died 15 days after his birth. Instead, the Greensburg couple reached out to help others. Over the years, they’ve built a lasting memorial to their middle son and assisted thousands of families with medically fragile children...
Pennsylvania’s covid-19 cases ‘trend downward,’ but health official says social distancing still critical
Pennsylvania’s top health official said Tuesday that cases of covid-19 continue to “trend downward” and, highlighting a new statistic being released by the state, estimated that more than three-fifths of the people sickened by the virus have recovered. The state Department of Health reported 13 more covid-19 deaths and 451...
Coronavirus pandemic presents unique challenges for kindergarten education
Students of all ages have been adversely affected by the covid-19 pandemic, but educators say the stakes are especially high for kindergartners and preschool-aged children. “Imagine being 5 and this is your world. What will be ‘normal’ to this generation of kindergartners?” said Michilene Pegher, principal of Minadeo Elementary in...
Fayette County man charged in fatal shooting outside restaurant
A Fairchance man is accused of fatally shooting another man Sunday afternoon at a Fayette County restaurant. State police charged Justin D. Rittacco, 21, with criminal homicide in connection to the shooting that happened before 4:30 p.m. at the Long John Silver’s restaurant on Morgantown Road in South Union. Police...
Amid pandemic, Memorial Day service marked privately at National Cemetery of the Alleghenies
The 2020 Memorial Day Commemoration Ceremony at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies was closed to the public Sunday in Cecil Township, but the media was allowed to document the ceremony while abiding by social distancing guidelines because of the coronavirus pandemic....
Coroner: Man found in Ohio River near Ambridge was missing Pittsburgh fisherman
The Beaver County Coroner has identified a body found Saturday in the Ohio River as missing fisherman Kenneth Robinson. The 23-year-old Robinson, of Pittsburgh’s Hazelwood section, died by accidental drowning, Coroner David J Gabauer confirmed Sunday. His body was recovered by the Ambridge-Aliquippa Bridge, according to a Beaver County 911...
Pennsylvania reports 28 more coronavirus deaths, 730 additional cases
Pennsylvania on Sunday reported 28 more covid-19 deaths and 730 additional cases, bringing the state’s total number of cases to 67,713, according to state health officials. A total of 5,124 people have died from the virus. Those deaths have been reported in 54 of the state’s 67 counties. Positive cases...
Police: Summit Twp. man jailed after pointing rifle at Butler state troopers
State police said troopers took cover behind their cruiser Friday when a Butler County man allegedly pointed a rifle at them. State police said in a press release that Butler patrol units went to Bonniebrook Road in Summit Township shortly before 2 p.m. because of a dispute between neighbors. Troopers...
A summer unlike any other: Events canceled across Western Pa., but options remain for warm-weather fun
The unofficial start of summertime has arrived. The season of warm weather, sunglasses and shorts stretches out in front of us, an annual rite as the days grow longer and porch furniture reappears. But the days of filling up calendars with festivals and concerts are in the past, at least...
Hempfield man on mission to document war memorials in Pennsylvania
Rob Domenick has become a magnet for war honor rolls. He knows all the right places to look, scouring Pennsylvania communities for memorials small and large to help with a national American Legion project. “You have to look for the right kind of community,” said Domenick of Hempfield. “Little places,...
Ohiopyle pedestrian tunnel to open; road work to continue
Visitors to Ohiopyle State Park over Memorial Day weekend will experience traffic delays caused by road repaving and work on the Route 381 bridge over the Youghiogheny River. The state hoped the $12.4 million multimodal project in Ohiopyle would be finished by June 12, but the completion date was pushed...
Northern Snakehead ‘Frankenfish’ moves farther into lower Susquehanna River near Lancaster
The Northern Snakehead fish, an aggressive invasive species that displaces local fish, has moved deeper into Pennsylvania’s lower Susquehanna River outside of Lancaster. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) issued a statement Friday urging anglers to report and kill any invasive Northern Snakehead caught in the lower Susquehanna River....
Religious leaders split over ‘essential’ status after Trump calls on governors to reopen congregations
Religious leaders across the region are split over whether houses of worship should be considered essential during the coronavirus pandemic after President Trump called on governors across the country to allow them to reopen this weekend. “Today I’m identifying houses of worship — churches, synagogues and mosques — as essential...
Macy’s stores open with deals and pandemic precautions but few shoppers
Patti Noel came out of Macy’s at the Pittsburgh Mills mall in Frazer on Friday with three full bags and plans to go back in for more. Noel, of Kittanning, said came to the mall to shop at JoAnn Fabrics, not knowing Macy’s was reopening after having been closed in...
Pennsylvania’s jobless rate hits record 15.1%
Pennsylvania’s jobless rate soared to a record 15.1% in April as the full impact of the covid-19 shutdowns slammed the state’s economy, the state said Friday. The state counted 976,000 workers out of a job last month, an increase of almost 600,000 from March when the unemployment rate was 4.1%,...
Amtrak to resume Pittsburgh to Harrisburg and Philadelphia service June 1
Amtrak will resume its service from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia and New York City on June 1, the first time the passenger trains will have run the route since March 18 because of the state’s covid-19 shutdowns. The twice daily service service on the Pennsylvanian route from Pittsburgh to New York,...
Memorial Day travel to set record lows as pandemic keeps people close to homeVideo
Many people who typically travel over Memorial Day weekend are trading three days away for more time at home as the coronavirus pandemic leaves countless businesses still closed and social distancing measures in place, travel officials said. Travel numbers are expected to drop by more than half across the country,...
Indictment: Cleveland man planned hoax call, officer ambush
CLEVELAND — A Cleveland man accused of planning to make a false distress call and kill any responding officers has been indicted on two counts of attempted kidnapping, according to federal prosecutors. Christian Stanley Ferguson, 20, made several posts on social media about how he wanted to make a false...
Allegheny, Westmoreland labor unions ready to get back to work — safely
Labor leaders in Westmoreland and Allegheny counties have similar desires: to get their members back to work in safe environments. Their message to public officials is where they diverge. The Greater Westmoreland County Labor Council this week publicly backed county commissioners and local state lawmakers who previously called on Gov....
Charleroi man dies after crashing into building
A Charleroi man died Thursday night after crashing his vehicle into a building, according to Washington County Coroner S. Timothy Warco. Charles H. Matava, 69, apparently lost control of his vehicle at 9 p.m. Thursday and hit a building in the 700 block of Washington Avenue in Charleroi, the coroner...
Hempfield administrator to serve as Mars superintendent
An administrator at the Hempfield Area School District has been hired to become the superintendent at a Butler County district. Mark Gross, the assistant superintendent for secondary education at Hempfield, will begin his new position with the Mars Area School District on July 1, according to a notice on the...
IUP plans to have single dorms, in-person classes this fall
Indiana University of Pennsylvania announced a return to campus this fall, in a plan that includes face-to-face instruction and residential living. Come fall, all students living in residence halls will have a private bedroom. Some will have a private bathroom as well; shared bathrooms will be used by no more...
