Top Local and National News Stories category, Page 1153
Allegheny County officials cite equity and hesitancy as barriers to vaccinations
Vaccine hesitancy, equity and general access remain barriers to getting Allegheny County residents inoculated against covid-19, Dr. Debra Bogen, health director, said at a Board of Health meeting Wednesday. State data shows that 445,578 people in Allegheny County are fully vaccinated, but with around 1.2 million residents, Bogen said there...
Ex-West Penn employee pleads guilty to secretly recording patients, coworkers
A Canonsburg man pleaded guilty Wednesday to hiding video cameras inside West Penn Hospital and filming dozens of employees and female patients. Guy Caley, 53, will be sentenced by Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Bruce Beemer on Aug. 16. He pleaded guilty to 89 criminal counts. Caley was charged last...
Allegheny County officials support lifting of restrictions, tackle covid vaccine mythsVideo
A day after Gov. Tom Wolf announced the imminent removal of covid restrictions in Pennsylvania, Allegheny County officials said it was right move. “That’s really good news as we start to get back to normal,” County Executive Rich Fitzgerald said at a virtual news conference. “Everybody has been eligible for...
U.S. to back waiver of vaccine intellectual property protections at WTO
WASHINGTON — The U.S. will support a proposal to waive intellectual property protections for covid-19 vaccines, joining an effort to increase global supply and access to the life-saving shots as the gap between rich and poor nations widens. “We are for the waiver at the WTO, we are for what...
Prantl’s hit with health citations for opening Squirrel Hill bakery without permit
The Allegheny County Health Department has shut down and cited Prantl’s Bakery for opening a new location in Squirrel Hill without a health permit, department records show. The bakery’s new location on Forbes Avenue was shut down by health inspectors April 28 for operating with a health permit, failing to...
Activists call for Pittsburgh to cancel bid for supplies of less-lethal weapons
Activists on Wednesday called on Pittsburgh officials to cancel a bid seeking supplies of “less-lethal” weapons like the ones deployed against protesters in Pittsburgh and other cities during civil unrest. “These munitions are turned on people fighting for the rights of Black and brown community members,” said Joshua Friedman, of...
In visit to Mexican restaurant, Biden touts $28.6B covid-relief grants for eateriesVideo
WASHINGTON — Setting foot in a restaurant for his first time as president, Joe Biden made a Cinco de Mayo taco and enchilada run to highlight his administration’s $28.6 billion program to help eateries that lost business because of the coronavirus pandemic. The president went to Taqueria Las Gemelas in...
Coronavirus vaccine bills sent in error to some Excela Health patients
Several hundred people who got vaccinated against the coronavirus through Excela Health were erroneously billed, a mistake being blamed on a quick effort to get clinics up and running, according to Tom Albanesi, the hospital system’s chief financial officer. Health system officials tried to contact those who got a bill...
Irwin man gets 15 years for role as ringleader of gang’s drug operation
An Irwin man who led a large-scale drug trafficking organization in Western Pennsylvania will serve 15 years in prison. Christopher Highsmith, who was responsible for the distribution of 1,000 to 3,000 kilograms of heroin and fentanyl, pleaded guilty to a single count of drug conspiracy in September before U.S. District...
Irwin woman accused of falsifying police documents, claiming to be male officer in insurance claim investigation
An Irwin woman was arrested Wednesday after authorities said she claimed to be a male police officer to an insurance investigator and falsified several documents relating to a claim, according to court papers. Sharon K. Powell, 49, is charged with insurance fraud, attempted theft, criminal use of a communication facility,...
Site near Monroeville Mall eyed for new $91 million VA outpatient clinic
Veterans in the eastern suburbs could soon have easier access to health care. Milwaukee-based Summit Smith Development was recently awarded a contract to develop a 64,000-square-foot outpatient clinic near the Monroeville Mall for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. JLL, the real estate firm that brokered the deal, said in...
60 years since 1st American in space: Tourists lining up
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Sixty years after Alan Shepard became the first American in space, everyday people are on the verge of following in his cosmic footsteps. Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin company used Wednesday’s anniversary to announce an auction for a seat on the company’s first crew spaceflight, launched by...
Allegheny County reports 2nd-lowest covid case total in past month
The Allegheny County Health Department on Wednesday reported its second-lowest covid-19 case total in the past month. The county added 158 new cases Wednesday. Only the 94 cases reported April 26 was lower. It’s also the second-lowest total dating back to March 15, when 124 were reported. The county’s coronavirus...
Woman who contracted covid, missed work sues nursing home for race and age discrimination
A 76-year-old nurse who had to miss work for more than three months after she contracted covid-19 is suing the Wilkinsburg nursing home that employed her for race and age discrimination. Yvonne Manns, who began working at Pennwood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center on West Street in 2013, said in the...
Poll workers needed in some Allegheny County precincts as primary election prep continues
Election clerks are still needed in six municipalities and three of Pittsburgh’s wards, but most positions at polling places are filled and workers have been trained, Allegheny County Administrative Services Deputy Director Jessica Garofolo told the elections board Tuesday. Allegheny County Councilman Sam DeMarco said Tuesday he is concerned that...
Covid restrictions to lift, but businesses still finding hiring workers difficult
Businesses across the region welcomed Gov. Tom Wolf’s announcement Tuesday lifting covid-19 restrictions by Memorial Day, but they expressed cautious optimism alongside frustration as they now face the challenge of filling job openings. “It should be great, but on the other hand, we’re all in the same boat looking for...
Canada authorizes Pfizer vaccine for age 12 to 16
TORONTO — Canada’s health regulator has authorized Pfizer’s covid-19 vaccine for ages 12 and older. Dr. Supriya Sharma, chief medical adviser at Health Canada, on Wednesday confirmed the decision for the ages to 12 to 15 and said it will help children return to a normal life. The vaccine was...
Covid vaccine appointments available today at Heinz Field
People seeking a covid-19 vaccination can get one Wednesday through a Giant Eagle-sponsored clinic at Heinz Field. Dick Roberts, spokesman for the O’Hara-based company, said appointments remain available at the event from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Giant Eagle partnered with Pittsburgh Public Schools for the clinic, with a specific...
Safe at home: Pierogies will once again race inside PNC Park
The racing pierogies are back where many fans believe they belong. Cheese Chester, Sauerkraut Saul, Jalapeno Hannah, Bacon Burt and Oliver Onion will once again be participating in the “The Great Pittsburgh Pierogy Race” inside PNC Park starting Monday. Brian Warecki, Pirates senior vice president for communications, confirmed the races...
Facebook board upholds former President Trump’s suspension
SAN FRANCISCO — Former President Donald Trump won’t return to Facebook — for now. The social network’s quasi-independent Oversight Board voted to uphold his ban from the platform after his account was suspended four months ago for inciting violence that led to the deadly Jan. 6 Capitol riot. While upholding...
U.S. birth rate falls to lowest point in more than a century
NEW YORK — The U.S. birth rate fell 4% last year, the largest single-year decrease in nearly 50 years, according to a government report being released Wednesday. The rate dropped for moms of every major race and ethnicity, and in nearly age group, falling to the lowest point since federal...
Police: Boy shot in hand in McKees Rocks
A boy is recovering at a hospital after being shot in the hand in McKees Rocks. Allegheny County Police said they were notified of a shooting along Locust Street near McKee Street in the borough shortly after 9:15 p.m. Tuesday. First responders found the juvenile with a gunshot wound to...
Pittsburgh Planning Commission OKs plans for new FNB headquarters in Lower Hill District
The development of the former Civic Arena site in the Lower Hill District cleared another hurdle in approvals for its $1 billion plan. But it took more than five hours of testimony Tuesday at the Pittsburgh Planning Commission before the vote to approve the first phase of the project. It...
Derek Chauvin files for new trial, alleging prosecutorial and judicial misconduct
MINNEAPOLIS — Derek Chauvin’s defense on Tuesday moved to have the former Minneapolis police officer receive a new murder trial, alleging misconduct by prosecutors and the judge before guilty verdicts on murder and manslaughter charges were handed down two weeks ago. Defense attorney Eric Nelson said in the filing in...
North Allegheny employee cleans up in annual Custodian of the Year contestVideo
Creating a clean environment for school students and staff to learn and work is every custodian’s job. North Allegheny Intermediate School custodian Mike Heiry really knows how to clean up. He emerged from a field of 10 candidates to win this year’s Custodian of the Year title from Cintas, a...
