Western PA Local News category, Page 2500
Monroeville library offering many online programs during pandemic
With libraries being closed due to the coronavirus outbreak, it can be difficult for people to get access to free reading materials and programs. Monroeville Public Library is offering a variety of e-resources including online story times, yoga classes and virtual writers groups. “As soon as it became apparent that...
United Way, PA 211 helpline now offering text service to provide reliable covid-19 information
Phones are ringing day and night and staffing has been doubled to deal with the volume of covid-19 related calls at a United Way helpline established here nine years ago. Bobbi Watt Geer, president and CEO of the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania said calls to the regional 2-1-1 helpline...
Disinfectant wipes, speeding lead to heroin bust in Penn Borough
Suspected drug dealers apparently are concerned with practicing good hygiene during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a Penn Borough Police report. Police Sgt. Eric Colamarino said Von Shane Carlson, 53, of Scottdale, a passenger in a pickup truck pulled over Tuesday for driving more than twice the posted 25 mph...
GoFundMe underway for National Guardsman with Mt. Pleasant unit battling cancer
A fundraiser is underway to help a member of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard based in Mt. Pleasant who is in a Seattle area hospital battling cancer that was diagnosed a year ago. “I’m really thankful for the support I have received,” Johnstown native Andrew Wilcox, 28, said after undergoing...
Westmoreland County reports 11 new coronavirus cases as Pa. total jumps
Coronavirus cases in Westmoreland County increased by 11 on Tuesday, part of the larger statewide increase of nearly 1,000, state officials said. Cases in the county now total 74, state data shows. Statewide, 962 new cases brought Pennsylvania’s case count to 5,805. Eleven more people have died, bringing the death...
Pennsylvania adds 962 new coronavirus cases as deaths rise to 74
Pennsylvania saw a spike of nearly 1,000 new coronavirus cases Wednesday, and another 11 people have died, according to state officials. From midnight Tuesday to midnight Wednesday, 962 new covid-19 cases were reported statewide, bringing the total to 5,805, according to the Department of Health. Deaths now total 74, including...
8-year-old girl had a ‘beeping’ good birthday in Leechburg
Annabella Galiber wasn’t able to celebrate her birthday in typical fashion this week. But with a little help from the community, it still was special. A pink sign outside Casey Davis’ Leechburg home asked passing motorists to toot their horns to help Annabella celebrate her eighth birthday on Monday. And...
Newborns at Jefferson Hospital offer cute census reminder
Babies born recently at Jefferson Hospital in Jefferson Hills donned “I Count” onesies to remind parents that every child counts in the census. Any baby born before April 1, 2020, should be counted for their household in the census. “Young children are one of the populations that the Census Bureau...
Pittsburgh International housing more than 100 grounded planes in its airfield
More than 100 planes are parked at Pittsburgh International Airport as the coronavirus halts travel across the world and airlines need somewhere for their aircraft to wait out the pandemic. A majority of the planes are owned by American Airlines and Republic Airways, according to BlueSky, the airport’s news service....
Allegheny County reports 31 new covid-19 cases, total reaches 356
Allegheny County reported 31 new cases of the coronavirus Wednesday, bringing the countywide total to 356. Of that total, two Allegheny County residents have died from complications from covid-19, and 61 have required hospitalization. Thousands of Allegheny County residents have been tested for covid-19 in recent weeks, Dr. LuAnn Brink,...
Landslide closure of Route 906 near Monessen will continue until Friday
A section of Route 906 between Interstate 70 in Rostraver and Monessen that was closed for landslide repairs will remain closed until Friday. The highway stretch is expected to reopen at approximately 3 p.m. Friday, according to PennDOT District 12 community relations coordinator Valerie Petersen. The road was closed 2...
State police no longer sending troopers to some calls because of coronavirus outbreak
State Police Commissioner Col. Robert Evanchick Wednesday announced a temporary change in the way troopers respond to select nonemergency incidents. Evanchick said with the goal of limiting in-person contact and mitigating the spread of covid-19 , the department has identified certain types of calls that may be resolved with limited...
When will rapid coronavirus test become available in Western Pennsylvania?
A new rapid covid-19 test designed to be conducted in doctors’ offices, hospital emergency departments and urgent care clinics could deliver results in minutes, but it’s not yet clear if or when those tests will arrive in the Pittsburgh region. The Illinois-based medical technology company Abbott announced that it will...
Match Day becomes day of giving for Pitt medical students during coronavirus pandemic
Match Day is an occasion University of Pittsburgh medical students eagerly await each spring. It’s a national event during which the majority of medical students across the country receive their residency assignments. The aspiring doctors usually gather together to simultaneously open letters that announce their residency training location — a...
Sheetz to offer free kids’ meals at stores
Sheetz will launch a free meal program Thursday for children and families in need due to the covid-19 pandemic. The “Kidz Meal Bagz” program will be available all day at nearly 300 stores across Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia, the Altoona-based convenience store chain announced Wednesday....
April National Prescription Drug Take Back Day event postponed
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day in April is postponed, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration. The April 25 date will be rescheduled after the coronavirus pandemic recedes and the national emergency is lifted, according to the agency. During the most recent Take Back Day held Oct. 26, nearly 442...
Giant Eagle reports confirmed coronavirus cases at 2 more stores
People at two more Giant Eagle stores in the Pittsburgh area have tested positive for covid-19, the grocery store operator announced. The company announced on its website that it got confirmation of the cases at its Pine Creek store, 9805 McKnight Road, McCandless, and Robinson Market District, 100 Settlers Ridge...
Victim of fatal shooting in Oakland identified as San Jose man
Authorities have identified the man who was shot dead in Oakland early Wednesday morning. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victim as Esam Tanzim Hossain, 23, of San Jose. According to Pittsburgh police, officers responded to a ShotSpotter alert, followed by 911 calls of shots fired in the...
The Stroller, April 1, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Send cancellations to The Stroller The Stroller will publish news of cancellations and events that will still occur in the upcoming days. If your non-profit has to cancel or change an event or is helping members of the public, please send information to The Stroller at vndnews@tribweb.com. Send information of...
Coronavirus taking big bite out of Easter candy sales for region’s makers
Coronavirus-related business closures are taking a hefty bite out of area confectioners’ Easter candy sales. With chocolate bunnies, eggs and other seasonal sweets accounting for about half of annual revenue, it’s a situation that could put some companies out of business. “It’s devastating, actually,” said John Mandak, owner of Valos...
South Fayette seeks resident feedback
South Fayette Township is seeking input from residents who need special assistance as a result of coronavirus restrictions. Those experiencing a hardship are asked to contact the township to be connected to resources to help. Responses are confidential and shared only to the extent needed to provide assistance. Submit an...
Hempfield bicyclist with history of petty crimes charged with throwing traffic cone into creek
A Hempfield man who spent nearly two years in jail awaiting trial for obstructing traffic on his bicycle has been arrested again, this time for allegedly throwing a traffic cone into a flooded creek in Greensburg. City police said security footage showed David Smith, 60, riding his bike at Lynch...
Woman rescued from Allegheny River by passersby, police
A woman was rescued from the Allegheny River on Tuesday after breaking her ankle and falling into the water in Pittsburgh. She had been exercising along the riverwalk when she lost her balance and fell into the water, according to Pittsburgh Police spokeswoman Cara Cruz. She had been with a...
Pittsburgh priest exposed to coronavirus tests negative
A priest in the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh has tested negative for coronavirus after coming into contact with someone exposed to the virus, according to the diocese. Despite the negative test result, the Rev. Thomas Gramc will still undergo a voluntary 14-day quarantine out of an abundance of caution, the...
Allegheny Technologies to close Beaver County steel plant, citing Trump’s tariffs
Allegheny Technologies Inc. will shutter its Beaver County stainless steel plant in June, citing the Trump administration’s steel tariffs as the reason for the closure, the company announced Tuesday. The A&T Stainless Direct Roll Anneal and Pickle operation in Midland employs about 70 workers, most of whom are represented by...
