Editor's Picks category, Page 414
Nellie Bly figure will land at Pittsburgh airport
A pioneering female journalist from Western Pennsylvania will take her place next to a former president and a football hero at Pittsburgh International Airport. A figure of Nellie Bly will occupy a spot next to two other icons with ties to the area, George Washington and Steelers legend Franco Harris....
Twitter preps ephemeral tweets, starts testing in Brazil
Twitter is starting to test tweets that disappear after 24 hours, although initially only in Brazil. The company says the ephemeral tweets, which it calls “fleets” because of their fleeting nature, are designed to allay the concerns of new users who might be turned off by the public and permanent...
Speeders beware: Work zone cameras are live
Beware work zone speeders: Cameras are watching. Drivers going 11 mph or faster over the posted speed limit in an active work zone will be targeted by electronic devices through Pennsylvania’s new Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement program. Two timing devices were used around the state for 60 days during...
Coronavirus costs Pittsburgh’s Caliente chance to defend best pizza in America title
The best pizza in America might very well hail from Western Pennsylvania — but it just won’t have an official world championship title this year. The spreading coronavirus will keep Nick Bogacz, owner of Pittsburgh-based Caliente Pizza & Draft House, and Chef Eric von Hansen from traveling to the World...
Experts recommend approaches to discussing coronavirus with kids
It’s not easy for parents to talk to children about many things, and coronavirus is quickly becoming an unavoidable topic. The challenge is finding the middle ground between giving kids good information and giving them reason to be concerned, according to several child psychologists who spoke to the Tribune-Review. So,...
Pitt, Edinboro cancel study abroad programs
The University of Pittsburgh said Tuesday it has canceled all university-sponsored travel study programs over spring break that require air travel because of the spread of coronavirus. The decision affects study abroad and study away programs. Pitt also is requiring students studying abroad in France, Germany and Spain to return...
Dave Crawley accuses KDKA, CBS of age discrimination, retaliation after Regatta plunge
Longtime Pittsburgh television news reporter David Crawley claims in a federal lawsuit he was discriminated against because of his age and retaliated against by his employer, KDKA-TV and its parent company CBS Corp., after he was hurt in a 2017 stunt he was assigned to do during the Three Rivers...
Grammar — a ‘dating deal breaker’ — celebrates its own day; Oxford comma still debated
Wednesday is National Grammar Day, a time to celebrate good writing, strong syntax and proper punctuation. Grammar nerds likely cringed at that last sentence. It all depends on your feelings about the Oxford comma — which comes before the last item in a list, such as after “trains” in the...
State-owned universities offering enhanced retirement program
More than 200 faculty members across Pennsylvania’s 14 state-owned universities have signed on to a retirement incentive program, meeting the threshold required for the plan to go into effect, according to university officials. The incentive was laid out in January as a way to pare the number of employees at...
All Star Craft Beer, Wine & Cocktail Festival returns to PNC Park
The All Star Craft Beer, Wine & Cocktail Festival returns June 27 to PNC Park on Pittsburgh’s North Shore. Along with samples of more than 200 craft beers, wines and cocktails from local, national and international vendors both in the park and on Federal Street, festival-goers will have the opportunity...
Dr. Carol J. Fox: How to prevent the spread and protect our community against coronavirus
Coronavirus — specifically the strain that causes covid-19 — has dominated our news cycles in recent days. We learn daily of increasing numbers of individuals who have been infected. At this writing, there are only two presumed positive cases in Pennsylvania, but we do need to be prepared for the...
National clientele of Arabian horse owners drawn to Upper Burrell training centerVideo
Editor’s note: Building the Valley tells stories of businesses big and small and the employees who make them special. If you know of any standout employees, bosses or companies with a great story to tell, contact Senior News Editor Tom Fontaine at tfontaine@tribweb.com. Arabian horses are playing soccer in Upper...
Pittsburgh Catholic Diocese suspends communion wine as coronavirus spreads
As fears over the coronavirus grow, the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh announced Monday it will suspend the distribution of wine during communion. Bishop David Zubik announced precautions in the diocese Monday, to take effect immediately. Across the diocese, the distribution of wine is temporarily suspended. Additional precautions include the halting...
Samir Lakhani: The simple power of soap
Sometimes the simplest acts make the biggest impact. Take handwashing with soap. It’s proven by researchers to reduce the presence of harmful bacteria by 92%, according to researchers at the National Institute of Health. I run a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit charity called Eco-Soap Bank — and our sole mission is to...
Leechburg Area Pool Board votes to keep pool open
The Leechburg Area Pool is here to stay. At least for now. At a pool board meeting Sunday night in Gilpin, officials said they received enough volunteers to be able to open the pool this season. They still are looking for more. “This was exciting,” board member Dave Safranyos said....
Alle-Kiski Valley ambulance companies struggle to keep up with call volume, community needVideo
The patient was cold and shaking, so the paramedic clutched her hands in his, warming them as they rode in an ambulance to Forbes Hospital in Monroeville. Her hands were limp and icy. She had just suffered a stroke. Hayden Geisweidt loves being a paramedic. He enjoys taking care of...
Welcoming vibe, good coffee await at Oakmont’s Moonbeam CafeVideo
A new coffee shop in Oakmont is brewing up friendly vibes. “I hate going into cafes and restaurants and the wait staff is not warm and welcoming,” says owner/barista Nina Komaniak. “No coffee snobs here.” Perhaps the youngest business owner in Oakmont, 21-year-old Oakmont resident Komaniak replaced the typical collegiate...
West Deer teen takes bite out of Ohio burger competition, continues family legacyVideo
Editor’s note: This is part of an occasional series that features Alle-Kiski Valley residents and the notable things that they do. Justin Von Hansen knows a thing or two about cooking. The 16-year-old West Deer resident is the nephew of world pizza champion Eric Von Hansen and works at Caliente...
Cajun or Creole? Here’s how you can tell
Confused about what’s Cajun and what’s Creole? Though you might hear the terms Cajun and Creole used interchangeably, they are in fact, two distinct ethnic groups, each with its own history, traditions, culture and, of course, food. The two cuisines do share some common ingredients but differences can be difficult...
Western Pa. school districts collaborate with PPG, FedEx Ground, Siemens
About 100 educators and business leaders gathered Thursday to celebrate successful partnerships and share what they’ve learned. The program connecting them all, the Educators and Corporations Program (ECP) will soon be introduced statewide. “Every partnership is different, but they all have one common thread,” said Sam Shaneyfelt, a consultant for...
Eggtastic news for Harmar bald eagles? Bird behavior hints that incubation has begun
After a few days of constant presence at the nest, the Harmar bald eagles are believed to be incubating at least one egg, according to a local photographer. Without the benefit of a webcam, watchers have to rely on the birds’ behavior to determine if there are eggs. Typically, the...
`Let’s go home’: Afghan war vets torn on US-Taliban deal
SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — Veterans of America’s longest war are finding themselves torn as the U.S. signs a potentially historic peace accord with the Taliban in Afghanistan. For many, the U.S. is long overdue in withdrawing its forces after more than 18 years of fighting. Others question the trustworthiness of...
Pittsburghers lap up beers at BrewDog’s grand opening in East Liberty
It’s 11 a.m. at BrewDog’s grand opening on Friday, Feb. 28, and the place is packed. The new 4,000-square-foot space is the Scottish company’s latest American outpost. It is located on Centre Avenue across from Target in East Liberty. Co-founders James Watt and Martin Dickie started releasing experimental beers in...
High school dancers from around the world visit Point Park for national dance festivalVideo
Driven by the dream of a college scholarship, high school dancers from around the world have traveled to Point Park University in Downtown Pittsburgh to perform for the country’s top dance schools during the National High School Dance Festival. “It is an amazing way to get my name out to...
International food conference to be held in Pittsburgh
An annual food conference by the International Association of Culinary Professionals will be held in Pittsburgh this year, March 27 to 29. Chefs, food critics and authors will gather at the Omni William Penn Hotel for interviews, panel discussions, networking and, of course, food. Several well-known personalities will be present,...
