Top Stories category, Page 1215
TV Talk: Swissvale native Billy Gardell grateful for ‘Bob (Hearts) Abishola’ success
A few weeks ago, Swissvale native Billy Gardell received welcome news: An early third season renewal of his CBS sitcom “Bob (Hearts) Abishola,” returning with a new episode at 8:30 p.m. Monday on KDKA-TV. “That never happened to me on ‘Mike & Molly.’ They usually made you wait until May...
How sweet it is: Ice cream, custard stands opening, including new one in Arnold
The harbingers of spring are here. Glen’s Frozen Custard, with locations in Lower Burrell and Springdale, opens Thursday. Della’s Frozen Custard opens Friday. And early Sunday, clocks will be turned ahead an hour for Daylight Saving Time. Mom-and-pop frozen custard and ice cream shops have been opening this month throughout...
Why pandemic challenges persist at Pennsylvania’s nursing homes
Covid-19 cases at nursing homes have fallen sharply in recent weeks, signaling hope for weary staffers and residents who yearn for visitors and fresh air after a year living in isolation and fear. “They’re tired, and they’re exhausted. … It’s just been a tragedy on every conceivable level,” said Mark...
Police: Body of woman reported missing in January found in Fayette County
A woman missing from Fayette County since January was found dead, according to state police. Melanie Prokop, 62, was found Wednesday evening in a wooded area off Kennedy Road in North Union Township, police said. Prokop, who was last seen Jan. 1 driving her white vehicle, was reported missing Jan....
Classes at Leechburg Area Junior/Senior High School to be taught online Thursday, Friday due to covid
Classes at Leechburg Area Junior/Senior High School will be taught online Thursday and Friday after several cases of covid-19 were reported. However, elementary school students will continue to be taught in school, as will students attending Lenape Technical School. School buses will follow their normal schedule. Classes for grades six...
Report: Cuomo groped female aide in governor’s residence
ALBANY, N.Y. — An aide to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo says he groped her in the governor’s residence, a newspaper reported Wednesday, in the most serious allegation made yet by a series of women against the embattled Democrat. The Times Union of Albany reported that the woman, who it...
Buffalo Township man died hours after being rescued from deep ravine
A Buffalo Township man was alive Tuesday night when authorities found him at the bottom of a deep ravine about a quarter-mile from his home following a six-hour search. But any relief that came from finding Dennis Fester, 74, was fleeting. He was flown by emergency helicopter to Pittsburgh’s Allegheny...
Nursing home residents can get hugs again, feds say
WASHINGTON — Nursing home residents vaccinated against covid-19 can get hugs again from their loved ones, and all residents may enjoy more indoor visits, the government said Wednesday in a step toward pre-pandemic normalcy. The policy guidance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS, comes as coronavirus...
Biden immediately begins selling virus aid plan to public
WASHINGTON — The White House began highlighting the $1.9 trillion covid relief bill immediately after it gained final congressional approval on Wednesday, wasting no time in selling the public on President Joe Biden’s first legislative victory. The West Wing began an ambitious campaign to showcase the bill’s contents while looking...
New fed relief plan saves aid for 925,000 Pennsylvanians, state says
Congress extended a lifeline to about 925,000 Pennsylvanians who get federal unemployment benefits by giving final approval Wednesday to a $1.9 trillion covid relief package. The House on Wednesday passed the American Rescue Plan, after the Senate approved its own version of the controversial stimulus bill on March 6. President...
Allegheny officials ask residents to refrain from large St. Patrick’s Day gatheringsVideo
Allegheny County officials encouraged residents to forgo large gatherings this weekend — the time typically defined by St. Patrick’s Day celebrations throughout Pittsburgh and the county. The St. Patrick’s Day Parade was canceled for the second year to prevent covid-19 transmission. Still, last year, before tighter restrictions had been placed,...
South Fayette High School teacher suspended after issuing ‘inappropriate’ assignment
A South Fayette High School social studies teacher has been suspended after issuing a controversial assignment about slavery. The assignment was titled “Is The Slave Trade Profitable?” It asked students to be a ship captain in the 1700s and budget the buying and selling of slaves, asking whether they would...
Jeannette, New Kensington among towns that could benefit from new $20M investment fund
A new partnership between the Richard K. Mellon Foundation and Arctaris Impact Investors, a Boston-based impact investment group, is launching a $20 million investment fund to underwrite economic development projects in distressed communities in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties. The fund, unveiled Wednesday, will target projects that support economic development, workforce...
Three-quarters of Allegheny Township’s police force yet to be vaccinated
The covid-19 vaccination rate for Allegheny Township’s police force remains low despite officers having priority access to the free Pfizer vaccine, officials said. Police Chief Duane Fisher told township supervisors this week that he knows of three officers — including him — who have received the vaccine so far. The...
Peduto: Federal relief package will avoid city layoffs, replenish reserve fundVideo
Pittsburgh will be able to avoid layoffs of more than 600 employees and should be able to rebuild a $120 million financial cushion it lost because of the coronavirus pandemic when President Joe Biden signs covid-19 relief legislation, which cleared its final congressional hurdle Wednesday afternoon. “I’ll be reassured when...
Pa. health official: Focus should be on covid vaccinations, not allocations
The state Department of Health continues to try and meet the demand for covid-19 vaccines, particularly first doses, an ongoing struggle when requests from providers outnumber the state’s total allocation by nearly 200,000, a health official said Wednesday. The federal government sent 254,150 dedicated first-shot doses to Pennsylvania’s health department...
Congress OKs $1.9T virus relief bill in win for Biden, Dems
A Congress riven along party lines approved a landmark $1.9 trillion covid-19 relief bill Wednesday, as President Joe Biden and Democrats claimed a triumph on a bill that marshals the government’s spending might against twin pandemic and economic crises that have upended a nation. The House gave final congressional approval...
Allegheny County joins Pittsburgh in passing law mandating paid sick leave
Allegheny County businesses with more than 25 employees will be required to provide paid sick leave under legislation county council approved Tuesday. “I believe this is the right thing to do,” council President Pat Catena said before the measure passed by a 10-4 vote. The bill was sent to county...
Lower Burrell man faces assault, escape charges after hospital brawl
A Lower Burrell man arrested last month on assault charges faces more charges this week stemming from a brawl at Allegheny Valley Hospital. Matthew D. Hoessler, 23, was charged with aggravated assault and attempted escape after police said he fought with Westmoreland County sheriff’s deputies and hospital police when he...
Pittsburgh man alleges racial bias by Judge Tranquilli after marijuana conviction
Nearly six months after former Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Mark V. Tranquilli resigned his seat and stipulated to a complaint alleging racial bias, a Pittsburgh man convicted by him on marijuana charges is seeking a new trial. It is believed to be the first hearing on what is likely...
Program seeks to help Westmoreland seniors who lack technology get coronavirus vaccine appointment
Senior citizens in Westmoreland County who don’t have access to technology to find and schedule coronavirus vaccine appointments are getting some help. The United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania is partnering with Excela Health and others to coordinate and schedule appointments for Westmoreland County’s vulnerable residents 65 and older, said Alyssa...
Pennsylvania hits 1 million mark on full covid vaccinations
Pennsylvania surpassed 1 million residents fully vaccinated on Wednesday, according to the state’s department of health. As of Wednesday morning, the state’s covid-19 vaccine dashboard shows there have been 1,016,979 fully vaccinated and 1,094,679 people partially vaccinated. The state figures do not include Philadelphia County, which is handling its own...
St. Clair Hospital cancels appointments after no covid vaccine shipment for 3 weeks
St. Clair Hospital officials say they haven’t received a shipment of first-dose covid-19 vaccines in three weeks, leading to hundreds of canceled appointments and clinics. In addition to the individual appointments, the hospital has also canceled three clinics at senior-living centers: Twin Towers, Dormont Place and Carnegie Retirement Residence, hospital...
GOP struggles to define Biden, turns to culture wars instead
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden and the Democrats were on the brink of pushing through sprawling legislation with an eyepopping, $1.9 trillion price tag. But many Republican politicians and conservative commentators had other priorities in recent days. A passionate defense of Dr. Seuss. Serious questions about the future of Mr....
Peduto to face 3 challengers in Pittsburgh mayoral race, Will Parker out
Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto will likely face a challenge from three other Democratic candidates in his bid for a third and final term as leader of the city. Peduto, along with a slew of other candidates seeking municipal, school board, judicial and Allegheny County council seats, filed nominating petitions Tuesday...
