Top Local and National News Stories category, Page 1261
27 new positive inmate coronavirus cases at Westmoreland County Prison
Twenty-seven Westmoreland County Prison inmates tested positive for the coronavirus Monday as three units housing prisoners remained on lockdown, according to interim Warden George Lawther. Inmates on the C, J and D units are able to shower, participate in recreation and make phone calls and video visits, but they are...
Covid vaccines arriving at Pennsylvania nursing homes
CVS Health began distributing vaccinations to 120 skilled nursing facilities across the state Monday, while Walgreens is distributing to an additional six, Pennsylvania Health Secretary Rachel Levine said. Immunizations for residents and staff members in long-term care facilities are being provided through a partnership between the federal government and the...
Pennsylvania becomes 7th state to top 15K coronavirus deaths
Pennsylvania hit a grim milestone over the weekend, topping 15,000 coronavirus deaths. On Sunday the Pennsylvania Department of Health added 127 deaths, bringing the state’s total to 15,010. And 76 more with Monday’s data now puts the total at 15,086. The state’s first coronavirus-related death was reported March 18. The...
Westmoreland County adds 258 new covid cases, 7 deaths
Westmoreland County reported 258 additional coronavirus cases over the past two days, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The state reported 167 cases on Sunday in Westmoreland County and 91 on Monday to bring the county’s total to 18,389. Of the newly reported cases, 242 are confirmed and 16...
Allegheny County attributes low number of new covid cases to limited testing
Allegheny County saw its lowest number of new coronavirus cases since November, according to new data from the county’s health department. On Monday the health department reported 193 new cases, the lowest number since 189 were added on Nov. 5. The county also added 401 cases on Sunday. (State and...
Bell Township house fire kills 1 resident, injures 2 othersVideo
A 52-year-old man was killed and two others injured in a fire Monday at a home along Route 286 in Bell Township, a state police fire marshal said. Resident Frank R. Zanavich died in the blaze, according to Westmoreland County Coroner Kenneth A. Bacha. Bacha has not ruled on the...
In-betweenland: As 2020 slips away, an American snapshot
GLENSHAW, Pa. — The enormous signs, selling for just $9.99, greet shoppers at the suburban supermarket’s entryway, carrying a holiday message that means something very different this year: “GATHER,” they shout, even as the state’s governor urges citizens to do precisely otherwise. To come together or to stay apart: one...
North Huntingdon pastor relied on faith as covid claimed his motherVideo
Editor’s note: This is the second in a series highlighting five people whose lives were reshaped by the coronavirus pandemic. By the time Glenn Meyers entered his mother’s hospital room at UPMC East in October, he knew it would likely be the last time he saw her. A covid-19 diagnosis...
Trump signs massive measure funding government, covid reliefVideo
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — President Donald Trump signed a $900 billion pandemic relief package Sunday, ending days of drama over his refusal to accept the bipartisan deal that will deliver long-sought cash to businesses and individuals and avert a federal government shutdown. The massive bill includes $1.4 trillion to...
Trump risks legacy of ‘chaos and misery,’ Sen. Pat Toomey saysVideo
President Donald Trump risks being remembered for creating “chaos and misery” at the end of his term if he vetoes the $900 billion stimulus passed by Congress and triggers a government shutdown, Republican Sen. Pat Toomey said. The Trump administration helped negotiate the bill, and if the president believes direct...
Steelers rally past Colts, clinch AFC North
With the Steelers careening to a fourth consecutive loss and all of the usual factors at play — dropped passes, short-yardage failures and little first-half offense — a Christmas miracle happened Sunday afternoon at Heinz Field. Trailing by 17 points and looking as lifeless as a holiday tree without water,...
Authorities: Suspect in Nashville explosion died in blastVideo
NASHVILLE — The man believed to be responsible for the Christmas Day bombing that tore through downtown Nashville blew himself up in the explosion, and appears to have acted alone, federal officials said Sunday. Investigators used DNA and other evidence to link the man, identified as Anthony Quinn Warner, to...
Lawmakers press Trump on relief bill as jobless aid expiresVideo
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — President Donald Trump appeared no closer to signing an end-of-year covid relief and spending bill Sunday as unemployment aid expired, the government barrels toward a mid-pandemic shutdown and lawmakers implored him to break the impasse he created after Congress approved the deal. Trump blindsided members...
GoFundMe account established for family of teen killed in Unity crash
A 17-year-old Westmoreland County teenager who was critically injured Wednesday in a one-vehicle crash in Unity died of his injuries at a Pittsburgh hospital, family members said. Joshua Ryan Nearanzio of Loyalhanna in Derry Township died at 3:45 p.m. Saturday afternoon at UPMC Presbyterian hospital, where he was transported after...
Original Hot Dog Shop among list of beloved U.S. restaurants that closed
The Original Hot Dog Shop in Oakland was included in a list of notable diners, dives and eateries across the country that closed this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. The New York Times posted on Sunday morning a story about several local famous restaurants that were among the casualties...
Pittsburgh police: SWAT situation ends after domestic in Larimer
A SWAT situation in Pittsburgh’s Larimer neighborhood ended without incident after a search of a home for a possibly armed and barricaded man, authorities said. The incident was reported shortly after 11 a.m. Sunday in the 400 block of Enright Court, according to an Allegheny County 911 emergency dispatcher. UPDATE:...
4 charged with assisting McKeesport fugitive accused of shooting patrolman
Four people were charged this week with helping Koby Lee Francis, the 22-year-old McKeesport man wanted in connection with the Dec. 20 shooting of a city police officer. Daniel M. Neal, 19, Gesiah N. Grigsby, 21, Justine D. Kenyatta, 20, and Jasmyn Henderson-Bracey, 25, are charged with hindering apprehension after...
Small fire reported inside store at Monroeville Mall
An Allegheny County fire marshal is attempting to determine the cause of a minor fire inside a store at Monroeville Mall Sunday. Firefighters and police responded to a fire alarm about 6:30 a.m. at the SoKool store in the mall, according to the fire department. Firefighters reported finding smoke and...
Fire chief: 3 adults displaced in Avalon house fire, no injuries reported
No injuries were reported in a Sunday morning fire that damaged a single-family home in Avalon, according to the borough’s volunteer fire chief. The two-alarm blaze was reported about 5:15 a.m. at a home on Marie Avenue, according to an Allegheny County 911 dispatcher. Three adult occupants were displaced and...
Penn Hills woman recalls pain of losing her sister to covidVideo
Editor’s note: This is the first in a series highlighting five people whose lives were reshaped by the coronavirus pandemic. Kim Fife and her sister, Tami Fife Dixon, talked every day. They shared thoughts and dreams and reminisced about growing up together. As kids, they dressed alike and slept in...
Sharing lessons learned in a tough 2020, looking ahead to a better 2021Video
Was most of what we learned in 2020 stuff we didn’t want to know? Like what really happens during a global pandemic or an ultra-polarized presidential election? From wildfires and earthquakes to hurricanes and floods, it hasn’t been pretty. In fact, a lot of it has been frightening and heartbreaking....
Watch those birdfeeders for rare northern finches visiting Western Pa.Video
Linda Croskey guessed it’s been about 30 years since she has seen the rare winter migrant, the evening grosbeak, show up at her birdfeeder at her West Deer home. Then, after last week’s snowstorm, Croskey was elated to see at her feeder the rare visitor. It looks like an overgrown...
Group of Greensburg Salem students call for end of senior projectsVideo
A group of Greensburg Salem High School seniors is calling on the district to cancel senior projects because of the coronavirus pandemic. Student Tyler Allen uploaded a video on the subject to YouTube Tuesday. It had been viewed over 6,000 times as of Sunday morning. “It’s been held over everyone’s...
Casino revenues decreased across Pennsylvania last month, report shows
Casinos across the state saw a drop in revenue last month as the facilities struggle to recover from the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Figures released by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board show total revenue generated from gaming and fantasy contests in November totaled more than $284.2 million, an...
Pennsylvania State Police seek donated horses for mounted patrol unit
Maverick spent the last decade of his life in public service, ranging from ceremonial duties in the nation’s capital to watching over World Series attendees in Philadelphia. The Percheron crossbreed horse was about 6 when owners Dave and Pat Miller of Youngwood donated him as a recruit for the Pennsylvania...
