Editor's Picks category, Page 396
Abby Lee Miller issues apology amid ‘Dance Moms’ co-star’s claim of racist comments
Abby Lee Miller has apologized on social media for racially insensitive “words.” The former Penn Hills reality star put up a statement Thursday on Instagram. “I genuinely understand and deeply regret how my words have effected and hurt those around me in the past, particularly those in the Black...
At Greensburg Care Center, a barrier brings loved ones together
Before she was done visiting her husband, Linda Brigaman of Unity was asking when she could see him again. Recent in-person sessions with him in a special booth at Greensburg Care Center have been a lifeline as regular visitation at nursing homes across Pennsylvania are prohibited during the coronavirus pandemic....
Pine musician creates a video for his beloved Pittsburgh
Local musician Nick Navari wanted to bring some positivity to Pittsburgh during the pandemic. So, he came up with a video love letter. He played Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” with visuals of Pittsburgh’s most treasured spots in a two-minute video. The 24-year-old from Pine was filmed playing his own rendition...
Glazed, powdered or jelly? Yes, yes and yes — it’s National Doughnut Day
Friday is National Doughnut Day. It’s the perfect way to celebrate as Allegheny, Westmoreland and surrounding counties are headed into the “green phase” of the state’s coronavirus action plan. Always the first Friday of June, National Doughnut Day highlights everyone’s favorite cylindrical breakfast treat. Oakmont Bakery owner Marc Serrao said...
White House tightens security with extra fencing as protests continue in D.C.Video
Extra metal fencing has been installed around the White House on Thursday for protection against recent protests in response of the death of George Floyd. The added fortification is “standard anti-riot fencing and ranges from seven feet to more than nine feet high,” a source from the Secret Service told...
Lori Falce: Good cops have power to demand change
I have never known a bad cop. I’ve been a reporter for 33 years. I’ve known a lot of cops in that time. I’ve known young cops who were enthusiastic and idealistic. I’ve known veterans who were still moved deeply at bad crime scenes. I’ve known retired cops who carried...
GOP’s Murkowski says she’s struggling with supporting Trump
WASHINGTON — Alaska Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski acknowledged Thursday that she’s “struggling” over whether she can support President Donald Trump given his handling of the virus and race crises shaking the United States. Murkowski, long a critic of the president’s, told reporters in Washington that she was thankful for the...
Universal takes 1st steps reviving Orlando theme park bizVideo
ORLANDO, Fla. — With masks on their faces and temperature checks at entrances, Harry Potter fans and roller coaster lovers streamed back into Universal Orlando Resort this week in one of the first major steps toward reviving Florida’s theme park industry, which was left temporarily moribund by closures to stop...
ATI removes ‘priceless’ stainless steel cars from Harrison plant, plans to auction them
Stainless steel may be resistant to rust and the ravages of time, but the tangible history of Allegheny Ludlum may not be as resilient. That’s the fear of longtime employee Todd Barbiaux. He worries the company’s legacy, and a source of community pride, will fade with the loss of four...
Saint Vincent camp cancellation a blow for local members of Steelers NationVideo
Disappointment, anger and understanding. Local Steelers fans expressed a range of emotions after learning the Steelers won’t hold training camp at Saint Vincent College this summer because of new NFL guidelines prompted by the covid-19 pandemic. Ron Monack, 25, is a 2017 alumnus of the college in Unity and a...
Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf adjusts to online learningVideo
Students at the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf are adjusting to online learning during the coronavirus pandemic. “The first few weeks were really tough,” Maureen Reilly-Price, a classroom teacher at Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf in Edgewood, said, “but now you can see it’s become more and more...
Fox Chapel teen catches pair of large flathead catfish on Allegheny River
Will Carnevale has been fishing off his family’s dock in Allegheny Township off the Allegheny River for quite some time, but this past weekend he received quite the surprise … twice. After casting his line Friday night, the Fox Chapel senior said he walked into the house for a few...
Scientists learn how tiny critters make ocean ‘snot palaces’
Master builders of the sea construct the equivalent of a complex five-story house that protects them from predators and funnels and filters food for them — all from snot coming out of their heads. And when these delicate mucus homes get clogged, the tadpole-looking critters — called giant larvaceans —...
Business is boomin’ for bike sales — but will interest last?Video
June 3 marked World Bicycle Day and, to borrow a phrase from a former, lamented Pittsburgh Steeler, the bike business is boomin’. Bike sales soared when covid-19 restrictions shut down many other forms of exercise and entertainment, and people took to the outdoors for a little fun. “This is unprecedented,”...
Stalwart supporter of Western Pa. journalism dies of covid-19 complications
Ginny Frizzi was a stalwart pillar of the journalism community in Western Pennsylvania. A native of Pittsburgh, Ms. Frizzi began her career in journalism before launching a 25-year career in public relations at Point Park University. But she always kept her hand in the news business as a freelance writer,...
Video of unity during East Liberty protest goes viralVideo
It was 5 p.m. on the dot Monday. Up ahead was a Home Depot store and a Goodyear mechanics shop with masked customers coming in and out. Behind was Eastminster Presbyterian Church. All around were hundreds of protesters taking a knee, raising their fists. Clear, blue skies. Birds chirped. Helicopters...
Lawrenceville’s Row House Cinema offering movie concession packs
Watch your favorite film at home, but stop at the theater first. Row House Cinema in Lawrenceville has created movie concession packs that people can pick up and take to their house and watch a flick. On Friday between 2 and 8 p.m., stop by for one of several options,...
Books on race and criminal justice top bestseller lists
As nationwide protests against racism and police violence continue, readers are seeking out books old and new on race and criminal justice. Robin Diangelo’s “White Fragility,” Michelle Alexander’s “The New Jim Crow” and Bryan Stevenson’s “Just Mercy” were among the works high on the bestseller lists Tuesday of Amazon.com and...
Churches opting for virtual vacation Bible schools this summer
Like sports and art camps, vacation Bible schools are a big draw for children during the summer. “It’s a major program for us,” says Rachel King, youth coordinator at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Hempfield’s West Point section. “Most churches do a vacation Bible school, and a lot of kids...
Flags stolen from veterans’ graves in Leechburg, mayor offers reward for information
Leechburg Mayor Wayne Dobos wants to know who stole dozens of flags from veterans’ graves at Leechburg Cemetery. Dobos, a Vietnam veteran, is offering a $100 reward for information leading to the prosecution of the person who did it. And other people have offered to contribute to the reward fund....
Catholic worshippers return as Diocese of Greensburg resumes public Masses
Before the covid-19 shutdown, Ruth Morelli on three or four days a week found her way to weekday Mass at St. James Roman Catholic Church in New Alexandria. “It really is my second family,” the Blairsville resident said. “After things closed, my husband and I would watch Mass online most...
Mötley Crüe, Def Leppard, Poison and Joan Jett tour postponed
Fans will have to wait until next summer to see the Stadium Tour with Mötley Crüe, Def Leppard, Poison and Joan Jett and The Blackhearts. In a post on Monday afternoon signed by the bands, the tour has been officially postponed until the summer 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic....
Necco Wafers returning to store shelves this summer
Good news for people who like their candy crunchy and slightly chalky — Neccos Wafers will soon be back on store shelves after a 2-year absence. Spangler Candy Co., which now owns the iconic brand, says the candy will return in all its multicolored glory beginning this month. “Major drugstores...
Gateway Clipper to resume some cruises this weekVideo
The Gateway Clipper Fleet will resume sightseeing tours this week, officials announced on their Facebook page. The tours, which last about an hour, will resume Friday when Allegheny County moves into the green phase of Gov. Wolf’s reopening plan, lifting heavy restrictions put in place to help curb the spread...
Western Pa. experts weigh chances of catching coronavirus from contaminated objects
Fears about catching coronavirus from contaminated surfaces have driven some people to become compulsive about cleaning countertops and wiping down their groceries. As the pandemic took hold, some poison centers even reported increased calls about excessive exposure to cleaning agents. In recent weeks, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention...
