Top Local and National News Stories category, Page 1305
Westmoreland County crosses 25,000 mark for covid cases
Westmoreland County on Thursday eclipsed the 25,000 mark for coronavirus cases, but the signs of a slowdown continue. The county reported 70 additional cases of covid-19 and three additional deaths attributed to the virus, according to the latest data available from the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The county reported 25,068...
Allegheny County reports 1 additional covid death as signs of virus leveling off continue
Allegheny County on Thursday reported one additional death attributed to the coronavirus — a day after reporting nearly three dozen. Meanwhile, the number of newly reported coronavirus cases in the county mostly held steady. The county added 313 covid-19 cases to its tally, according to the latest data available from...
Scams, high demand shut down Allegheny County phone lines for vaccine appointments
A phone line meant to help seniors and those without internet access set up covid-19 vaccination appointments lasted less than four hours Thursday before appointments were full — but it was long enough for scammers to begin intercepting calls and asking for money, according to Allegheny County officials. Beginning at...
Crack’d Egg owner vows to ‘keep up the good fight’ after court loss
The owner of the Brentwood restaurant ordered to comply with covid-19 masking orders said in a Facebook Live video Wednesday night that “it is not over by a long shot.” Kimberly Waigand told those watching that she was not backing down, but she would not break the law. “We’re going...
U.S. unemployment claims fall to 779,000 but job cuts grind on
WASHINGTON — The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits declined to 779,000 last week, a still-historically high total that shows that a sizable number of people keep losing jobs to the viral pandemic. Last week’s total dropped from 812,000 the previous week, the Labor Department said Thursday, and is the...
Sitting over $10 billion, Roman Catholic dioceses amassed taxpayer aid during pandemic
When the coronavirus forced churches to close their doors and give up Sunday collections, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte turned to the federal government’s signature small business relief program for more than $8 million. The diocese’s headquarters, churches and schools landed the help even though they had roughly $100...
Man arrested after police say he brought handgun into Hempfield casino
A Greensburg man was charged Tuesday with carrying a handgun into Live! Casino Pittsburgh in Hempfield without a valid conceal carry permit, according to state police. Kenneth John Czarnecki, 21, is free on his own recognizance on a weapons charge, according to online court records. Troopers said Czarnecki was banned...
Burgettstown man faces homicide charges, accused of beating 3-year-old boy who later died
Police have filed homicide charges against a Burgettstown man in connection with the alleged beating death of a 3-year-old boy in Coraopolis. Aiden Lombardi was pronounced dead late Wednesday night, according to a report from the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office. The office indicated he died from head trauma, and...
Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership’s ‘Spread The Love’ campaign to provide money vouchers to customers
A campaign by the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership gives hotel guests $100 in vouchers when they check in that can be redeemed on matched purchases at 15 hotels, 30 restaurants and 24 retailers in the city. The campaign is called “Spread The Love.” The list can be found here. “If you’re...
Pittsburgh Brewing Co. to build brewery at former PPG glass plant in East Deer
A former glass plant that was once the cornerstone of East Deer’s economy soon will be the new home of Iron City Beer, according to Pittsburgh Brewing Co. The company plans to move its production to a new brewery on the site by next year. Almost 200 people lost their...
House GOP keeps Liz Cheney as No. 3 leader, stands by Marjorie Taylor GreeneVideo
WASHINGTON — House Republicans decided Wednesday to stand by two GOP lawmakers who have polarized the party, voting to retain Rep. Liz Cheney as their No. 3 leader and saying they’d fight a Democratic push to kick Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene off her committees. In a 145-61 vote by secret...
Public education advocates hail Wolf’s school budget; Republicans balk at tax proposal
Public education advocates applauded the proposed 21% boost to K-12 funding in Gov. Tom Wolf’s 2021-22 budget Wednesday calling it bold and overdue, even as members of the Republican-controlled Legislature savaged it. “It is long overdue and very, very necessary,” said Ron Cowell, the former Allegheny County lawmaker and founder...
Western Pa. lawmakers sound off on Gov. Wolf’s budget proposal
Local lawmakers’ early reactions to Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed budget fell along party lines Wednesday, with Republicans condemning the proposed personal income tax increase, while Democrats praised the increase in school funding and proposed minimum wage hike. Here’s what they had to say: Rep. Jessica Benham (D-Allegheny): “I’m happy that...
Defense Secretary orders military leaders to address extremism in ranks
WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is ordering military leaders to spend time talking to their troops about extremism in the ranks, after a number of former and current military members took part in the riot at the U.S. Capitol last month. Chief Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said Austin met...
Feds: ‘Sergeant of Arms’ of Proud Boys arrested in Washington state
SEATTLE — Federal authorities on Wednesday arrested a man who describes himself as the “Sergeant of Arms” of the Seattle chapter of the far-right group Proud Boys, after he was charged in connection with the riot at the U.S. Capitol last month. Ethan Nordean, who is also known as Rufio...
Westmoreland group weighs in on lack of local input, challenges in vaccine rollout
Members of the Voice of Westmoreland, a local grassroots organizing group, raised a call for the county to establish a health department during an online town hall forum on the vaccine rollout in the region. The online town hall brought together representatives from Service Employees International Union, the United Food...
Pa. officials hope direct shipment of covid vaccine to pharmacies will ease supply woes
Pennsylvania health officials hope additional covid-19 vaccines going directly from the federal government to some pharmacies will begin to chip away at their massive waitlists as millions remain to be vaccinated. The Biden administration announced Tuesday that it would begin sending vaccines directly to states’ retail pharmacy partnership locations. In...
‘New chance at life’: New Jersey man gets face, hands in rare transplant surgeryVideo
NEW YORK — Almost six months after a rare face and hands transplant, Joe DiMeo is relearning how to smile, blink, pinch and squeeze. The 22-year-old New Jersey resident had the operation last August, two years after being badly burned in a car crash. “I knew it would be baby...
Allegheny Co. officials ask for ‘common sense’ during Super Bowl viewingVideo
Allegheny County officials encouraged residents to exercise caution over Super Bowl weekend – refraining from gathering with people outside of family members and sticking to public health guidelines. “We ask people, again, use good common sense,” County Executive Rich Fitzgerald. “Social distance, wear your mask, avoid Super Bowl parties.” The...
Federal grand jury investigating Brighton Rehab in Beaver County
A federal grand jury is investigating Brighton Rehabilitation and Wellness Center and its corporate ownership, the Tribune-Review has confirmed. The privately owned Beaver County nursing home is the site of one of the nation’s deadliest covid-19 outbreaks and continues to confront legal challenges on multiple fronts. At least 76 Brighton...
Congress honors Officer Brian Sicknick’s heroic defense of the CapitolVideo
WASHINGTON — Members of Congress, top military brass, President Joe Biden and hundreds of Capitol Police officers paid their respects to officer Brian Sicknick, who suffered fatal injuries when defending the Capitol from the violent insurrection on Jan. 6. A wooden box with Sicknick’s remains was carried up the illuminated...
Judge orders Crack’d Egg to follow covid rules or closeVideo
An Allegheny County judge ruled Wednesday that a Brentwood restaurant must adhere to state and county covid-19 restrictions or close immediately. An attorney for the Crack’d Egg said they will request a stay on the order while the decision is appealed to state Commonwealth Court. If no stay is granted,...
Pa.’s lagging vaccine rollout takes center stage in Harrisburg
Pennsylvania’s lagging coronavirus vaccine distribution came under fire Wednesday as health leaders cited poor communication and disorganization as reasons for the slow rollout and lawmakers questioned the state’s efficiency in inoculating residents. The three-hour hearing, conducted by the House Health Committee, addressed concerns with vaccine accessibility, racial disparities, the pace...
Jeannette man accused in Hempfield rape case
A Jeannette man was arraigned Wednesday after state police said he broke into a Hempfield home in November and raped a woman, according to court papers. Asa Duane Busato, 22, is charged with rape of an unconscious person, burglary, aggravated indecent assault and criminal trespass. He was being held at...
Canada designates the Proud Boys as a terrorist entity
TORONTO — The Canadian government designated the Proud Boys group as a terrorist entity on Wednesday, noting they played a pivotal role in the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. The Proud Boys have faced increased scrutiny after seizing on the former Trump administration’s policies and was a...
