Top Local and National News Stories category, Page 1348
Wolf administration says help available for people dealing with isolation, depression
The holidays can be stressful and depressing under normal circumstances. But this year’s pandemic has only added to people’s anxiety, particularly for seniors who may be experiencing extreme isolation and loneliness. On Wednesday, members of the Wolf administration hosted a video conference to discuss resources for older Pennsylvanians and others...
Advocates demand virtual access to Allegheny County criminal courts: ‘It’s not difficult’Video
Two advocacy groups called an Allegheny County court policy requiring the public to attend hearings in person even though proceedings are being held virtually “unlawful,” and threatened to file a federal lawsuit. A letter sent Monday by the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania and the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy...
Allegheny County’s covid rates still rising as some businesses ignore restrictionsVideo
Allegheny County’s current seven-day average for new infections is 1,000 new cases per day – an increase of about 150 cases from last week, officials said Wednesday. The percent of covid-19 cases returning with positive results has also climbed by 2% from last week – now at 14.6% positivity. County...
As covid-19 surges, Pennsylvania colleges urged to delay students’ return
Citing “an alarming increase in covid-19 cases” and yet another surge expected to peak in January, Pennsylvania acting Secretary of Education Noe Ortega on Wednesday urged colleges and universities to delay the start of their spring semester. Ortega also suggested colleges and universities use virtual instruction as much as possible....
Man ordered to stand trial in shooting outside Leechburg tattoo parlor
An Allegheny Township man accused of shooting two men outside a Leechburg tattoo shop last month was ordered to stand trial after pleading not guilty during a preliminary hearing Wednesday. Chad Robert Goldstrom, 37, was charged last month with attempted homicide, aggravated assault, simple assault and reckless endangerment in connection...
Carnegie Museum workers vote to join United Steelworkers union
Workers across the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh system have voted by a substantial margin to join the Pittsburgh-based United Steelworkers union. Out of the 529 employees eligible to vote, a total of 353 votes were counted. Of that number, there were 278 yes votes. The workers will become part of...
Westmoreland covid hospitalizations up but Excela officials say they can handle it
The number of patients hospitalized in Westmoreland County because of the coronavirus jumped 27% in the last few days — from 131 patients on Saturday to 166 on Wednesday, according to state data. That’s a 55% increase from Nov. 30, when the county reported its first triple-digit patient count. Excela...
Duquesne University cutting faculty to reduce costs
Duquesne University is moving forward with faculty cuts, informing some non-tenured instructors this week that their contracts would not be renewed. The university had announced measures to reduce faculty as early as Dec. 4, according to an email shared with the Tribune-Review. “As a first step, Duquesne has offered a...
Marijuana milestone: more than 100 dispensaries open in Pa.
Most Pennsylvanians don’t have far to travel to buy medical marijuana. The state’s 100th dispensary opened last week in Chester, quickly followed by the 101st in York and 102nd in Hazelton, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Patients have spent more than $1.1 billion at dispensaries across the state...
U.S. plans new charges in 1988 Lockerbie airline bombing
WASHINGTON — The Justice Department plans to unseal new charges in the coming days in connection with the 1988 bombing of a Pan Am jet that exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland, killing 270 people, according to a person familiar with the case. The bombing of Flight 103, whose victims included dozens...
Pittsburgh council on track to adopt 2021 budget that doesn’t cut police fundingVideo
Pittsburgh City Council is set to vote Monday on a 2021 budget that doesn’t make any of the cuts to police funding that some residents have repeatedly requested. The $564 million spending plan introduced Nov. 9 by Mayor Bill Peduto doesn’t increase taxes. However, if federal coronavirus relief packages are...
Winter storm pounds Pittsburgh region, officials ask residents to refrain from travelVideo
As heavy snow continues to fall across southwest Pennsylvania, transportation officials slapped restrictions on some area highways, including reduced speed limits, and asked residents to stay at home if possible. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission enacted restrictions that began at 1 p.m. on several portions of the toll road, including a...
2 men arrested after multiple altercations at Jeannette home
Two Jeannette men were arrested by city police on multiple criminal charges after, police say, they got into two altercations Monday with residents on the 400 block of Guy Street. Caleb N. Hall and Jaiden Crosby-Anderson, both 18, were arrested on multiple counts of simple assault and disorderly conduct and...
Westmoreland County surpasses 15K coronavirus cases
Westmoreland County became the state’s 11th county to reach 15,000 coronavirus cases on Wednesday. The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported 346 new cases, bringing the county’s total to 15,148. Of those new cases, 210 are confirmed and 136 are probable. In the past month, coronavirus cases in Westmoreland County have...
Allegheny County sees most new coronavirus cases in state
Allegheny County saw the highest total of new coronavirus cases in the state Wednesday. The Allegheny County Health Department reported 1,074 new cases, bringing the county’s total to 43,007. Allegheny County was followed by Philadelphia (807), Luzerne (485), Montgomery (422) and York (421). Of the new cases, 761 were confirmed...
Negotiators near agreement on long-delayed covid-19 aid bill
WASHINGTON — Congressional negotiators closed in Wednesday on a $900 billion COVID-19 relief package that would deliver additional “paycheck protection” subsidies to businesses, $300 per week jobless checks, and $600 or so stimulus payments to most Americans. The long-delayed measure was coming together as Capitol Hill combatants finally fashioned difficult...
Pittsburgh restaurant raided after police reported illegal alcohol sales
After two undercover visits, state and Pittsburgh police on Friday raided a Strip District restaurant they said was serving alcohol without a liquor license. Troopers from the state Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement seized 116 gallons of malt or brewed alcohol and about 1,035 liters of liquor and wine from...
Police: Man shot in leg after traffic collision in Pittsburgh’s South Side
A man was critically wounded after being shot in the leg during an argument about a crash Tuesday night in Pittsburgh’s South Side, police said. Public Safety spokesperson Cara Cruz said officers responded to calls of a man found shot near the intersection of East Carson and South 18th streets...
Cyberattack may have exposed deep U.S. secrets; damage yet unknownVideo
BOSTON — Some of America’s most deeply held secrets may have been stolen in a disciplined, monthslong operation being blamed on elite Russian government hackers. The possibilities of what might have been purloined are mind-boggling. Could hackers have obtained nuclear secrets? Covid-19 vaccine data? Blueprints for next-generation weapons systems? It...
Pittsburgh ‘Menorah Parade’ lights up the cityVideo
Despite months of pandemic gloom, the lights of Hanukkah shined bright Tuesday evening on Pittsburgh’s East End. More than 75 vehicles illuminated with menorahs drove through the streets, honking horns and yelling “Happy Hanukkah” to the people lining the course. The annual Menorah Parade celebrates Hanukkah, known as the festival...
Inflatable snowmen welcomed in Beaver County’s Chippewa as gifts from secret SantasVideo
Some Beaver County residents are receiving uninvited guests at their homes this holiday season — and they’re loving it. More than 40 giant inflatable snowmen have popped up on the front lawns of unsuspecting residents in the Highland Meadows subdivision in Chippewa. “Everyone is loving it because it brings a...
Westmoreland Commissioner Gina Cerilli tests positive for covid-19
Westmoreland County Commissioner Gina Cerilli has tested positive for covid-19, county officials said Tuesday. Cerilli informed the county of her positive test results Tuesday and is following isolation recommendations. Cerilli told the Tribune-Review Tuesday was the second day she experienced symptoms including a “terrible headache” and an elevated temperature. She...
Wolf administration to provide $4 million to communities struggling in pandemic
The state Department of Community and Economic Development has announced it is providing nearly $4 million in support to communities struggling during the covid-19 crisis. The money is part of federal CARES Act funding. Included in the package is funding for four projects, two of them in Western Pennsylvania. In...
Westmoreland County preps for vaccine distribution, which could begin Friday
Westmoreland County officials said Tuesday that plans have been formulated to vaccinate nursing home patients and staff and first responders once they are notified that doses are available to distribute locally. Distribution of about 97,500 vaccine doses in Pennsylvania started this week, and the first could arrive in the county...
Sen. Bob Casey, North Huntingdon mother highlight need for continued pandemic relief
Victoria Murrell had her ducks in a row last winter. The 32-year-old from North Huntingdon had spent four years waiting tables and attending classes at Seton Hill University on a full academic scholarship. She was on track to graduate with a degree in human resources. Then the covid-19 shutdown hit....
