Regional News category, Page 269
Western Pa. pool companies make a big splash during wave of demand
When the 90-degree-plus heat soars, artist Joan Marangoni stops painting by noon on her new outdoor mural at Murphy’s Music Center in Leechburg. She practically sprints to her new 30-foot round, above-ground pool at her Washington Township home. “Jumping in a pool to cool off and to be with your...
Pittsburgh-area musicians find new ways to stage live music amid covid-19 restrictions
When Pittsburgh’s nightlife scene shut down amid the covid-19 quarantine, hundreds of live performances were shelved. In the quarantine’s early days, livestreaming was a primary mode of musical communication, with bands setting up “virtual tip jars” through services such as PayPal and Venmo. And while there is still plenty of...
Thousands still without power from Friday’s thunderstorms across region
Thousands of residents in Southwestern Pennsylvania woke up Saturday morning with no electricity in their homes as a result of severe thunderstorms Friday night. West Penn Power Co. in Greensburg said that about 5,240 customers in Allegheny, Westmoreland, Fayette, Washington and Greene counties were without power as of 9 a.m....
Beloved clergyman assumes the mantle of leadership at Saint Vincent Archabbey
Although it may have triggered adjustments, even a pandemic couldn’t halt the passing of the baton Friday as the Rev. Martin de Porres Bartel accepted the mantle of leadership at the Saint Vincent Archabbey. The majestic tones of the pipe organ filled the soaring Saint Vincent Basilica in Unity as...
Westmoreland, surrounding counties, will not see new dining, bar restrictions over weekend
Westmoreland and surrounding southwestern Pennsylvania counties received a reprieve — for the weekend, at least — on new restrictions that would have temporarily halted indoor dining and drinking in an attempt to slow increased covid-19 cases. County officials received word that Gov. Tom Wolf would not announce any new restrictions...
Fayette County man accused of injuring infant
A five-month investigation by Fayette County authorities resulted in criminal charges being filed this week against a Brownsville man who allegedly broke the arm of an infant girl in February. Brownsville police obtained an arrest warrant Thursday for Frances W. Lee III, 37, who is charged with two counts of...
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...
