Western PA Local News category, Page 2516
Small businesses scramble to survive amid Pa.’s partial shutdown over coronavirus pandemic
A day after Gov. Tom Wolf imposed an order on all but “non-life-sustaining” businesses to close to thwart the spread of covid-19, local business owners across Western Pennsylvania are scrambling to gauge how the state’s unprecedented shutdown will impact them and navigating how to survive it. Wolf announced Friday night...
Emergency medical providers fear information gap in local cases of coronavirus
As covid-19 cases continue to rise in Allegheny County, so do worries among some emergency personnel who fear being exposed to the virus without knowing it. “Basically, it is frustrating at this time that the Allegheny County Health Department has no system in place to provide municipalities with a confirmed...
Pitt allows students to convert classes to pass/fail grading
The University of Pittsburgh is allowing students to convert their courses to pass/fail grading when classes resume online next week. In a letter to faculty members, Provost Ann Cudd said all undergraduate and graduate students can convert any of their courses to pass/fail grading after the semester ends. Passing grades...
Kiski Area School District distributes thousands of free meals to students
Kiski Area School District distributed nearly 3,100 meals to students Friday, providing breakfast and lunch to last throughout the weekend for more than 500 district students. Amid school closures, Kiski Area School District has distributed free meals at East Primary School nearly every day this week. Superintendent Tim Scott said...
Westmoreland business community weighs in on coronavirus restrictions, closuresVideo
In addition to coal production and car dealerships, law offices also were targeted for closure in Gov. Tom Wolf’s edict for non-life-sustaining businesses as part of efforts to slow the coronavirus pandemic. Some local firms, however, say they are needed — and aren’t closing. “I don’t think (Wolf) has the...
Pandemic highlights digital divide, inequality of internet access
Carrie Richards tested positive for Type A Influenza more than a week ago. She’s been in quarantine ever since. “It feels like it’s been a month,” she said. With no internet and no computer at her home in Vandergrift, there is little for Richards, 44, to do to occupy her...
Allegheny County sheriff’s deputy tests negative for covid-19; quarantined deputies to return to work
An Allegheny County sheriff’s deputy who was concerned he might have exposed fellow officers to the coronavirus has tested negative, officials said Friday. Fifteen deputies who had begun self-quarantining in case they had been exposed will return to work Monday, Chief Deputy Kevin Kraus said. “The affected deputy will remain...
Police: Norwin musical volunteer, girlfriend failed to report arrest to district
A Greensburg man and a Norwin teacher face charges stemming from the man’s failure to report an arrest that would have disqualified him from volunteering with Norwin Middle School’s musical in February, according to court papers. Brad W. Geyer, 37, and Tobitha J. Sasso, 40, who founded the school’s theater...
Norwin school officials: No coronavirus here
Contrary to prior reports, Norwin School District officials say there has not been a confirmed case of the coronavirus in the district. In an updated public statement late Friday afternoon, Norwin School District Superintendent Jeff Taylor said he was informed by emergency managers that reports of a coronavirus case in...
‘Uncharted waters’: Funerals taking higher emotional toll amid coronavirus pandemic
Funeral services and viewings are designed to offer comfort and support to people grieving the deaths of loved ones. Navigating the process under coronavirus restrictions presents a unique challenge to mourners and to funeral homes serving them. “We’re in uncharted waters. Every day the game changes,” said Terry Graft, owner,...
Government meetings becoming spacious, electronic affairs
The padded green chairs normally crammed into a meeting room at the Westmoreland County courthouse now are placed precisely six feet apart. A short agenda sat on each chair Friday for the commissioners’ first public meeting since the coronavirus pandemic hit Westmoreland County. The meeting was barely five minutes long,...
Hempfield IHOP helping churches, groups impacted by fish fry cancellationsVideo
Still craving that Friday Lenten fish fry that was canceled at your local church or fire hall due to the coronavirus pandemic? The IHOP in Hempfield along Route 30, east of Greensburg, has come up with a novel idea in which customers can still get their fish and fixings on...
Protective gear headed to Westmoreland as confirmed coronavirus cases grows to 4
Officials say Westmoreland County now has four confirmed coronavirus cases after two were added on Friday. There is no other information available on any of the cases. In the meantime, a shipment of personal protective equipment was expected to arrive Friday for Westmoreland County firefighters, police and ambulance personnel, said...
Gateway floats $40 million bond for capital improvements, including middle school
The Gateway Board of School Directors voted to float a bond of up to $40 million in order to pay for capital projects around the district and to renovate Gateway Middle School as part of a district-reconfiguration plan. The resolution passed 7-2 during the board’s March 17 meeting. Board members...
New Ken-Arnold School District employee’s spouse tests positive for coronavirus, 2nd worker quarantined
The spouse of a New Kensington-Arnold School District employee has tested positive for the coronavirus that causes covid-19, the district announced Friday. “The district responded as quickly as possible in this situation,” Assistant Superintendent Jon Banko said. “Self-quarantine is happening, and we are taking steps to address anyone that came...
‘Life is funny’ says Wilkins comedian, 87
When you ask Skip Davis what inspires him, at age 87, to keep performing as a stand-up comedian at small, local venues, he’ll tell you “life is funny.” “I’m thankful for every day,” Davis said in his Wilkins Township house, the same he’s lived in since the 1960s. “That’s why...
UPMC stands ground, will continue elective surgeries despite Wolf’s orderVideo
UPMC doctors on Friday defended their decision to keep performing elective surgeries throughout its hospitals during the covid-19 outbreak, saying the procedures cannot always be safely delayed. “This is not northern Italy. We are not Wuhan right now,” Dr. Graham Snyder, UPMC chief of infection prevention, said during a news...
Some Allegheny County roads closed due to flooding
Sections of Allegheny River Boulevard and Nadine Road have been closed because of flooding, Allegheny County announced Friday. Allegheny River Boulevard closed between Washington Boulevard and Nadine Road around 10 a.m. Traffic is being re-routed up Nadine Road to avoid a flood along Allegheny River Boulevard. You can take Lincoln...
Highlands Partnership Network plans 2nd food distribution
Highlands area community groups will hold another one-day food distribution next week to supplement efforts by the Highlands School District to get food to students while schools are closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Highlands Partnership Network announced it will distribute packed lunches for the week at five locations...
Philips Respironics hiring at Murrysville, Upper Burrell plants to meet demand for ventilators
Philips Respironics, a medical manufacturer that produces ventilators and related breathing equipment, is increasing production and hiring assemblers at its Murrysville and Upper Burrell plants to meet demand spurred by the spreading coronavirus. The company is recruiting for more than 50 positions for assemblers on all shifts at the two...
Allegheny Co. reports 10 new coronavirus cases, Westmoreland adds 2 as Pa. total rises to 268Video
Allegheny County reported 10 new coronavirus cases and Westmoreland County added two, according to information released Friday. The 10 new cases bring Allegheny County’s total to 28. Five of those are hospitalized and the rest are in isolation at home. Westmoreland County reported two new cases, for a total of...
Pittsburgh police chief frustrated by lack of communication from Gov. Wolf over shutdownVideo
Pittsburgh Police Chief Scott Schubert said Friday the bureau learned about Gov. Tom Wolf’s order to shut down non-life-sustaining businesses on the news Thursday night and said communication from the state has been lackluster. The governor’s order stating “non-life-sustaining” businesses in Pennsylvania close to help slow the spread of the...
Westmoreland, Monroeville malls closed per Wolf’s order
Westmoreland and Monroeville malls announced Friday they have closed in accordance with Gov. Tom Wolf’s order that all non-life-sustaining businesses temporarily shutter to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. Restaurants at the mall will be permitted to remain open for take-out or delivery orders only. Both malls, which are...
North Huntingdon closes offices to public
North Huntingdon has closed its offices in the Town House on Center Highway to the public beginning Friday and continuing until April 6 to prevent the spread of coronavirus that causes covid-19, the township said Thursday night. North Huntingdon will not hold any public meetings while the building is closed...
Cops: Woman stole $50K from Hempfield medical technology firm
State police this week arrested a Greensburg woman on multiple charges of access device fraud and theft in the embezzlement of about $50,000 from her former employer. Traci L. Himler, 48, is accused of writing checks to herself and making unauthorized bank withdrawals when she worked as business manager of...
