Top Local and National News Stories category, Page 1470
U.S. astronauts pack up for rare splashdown in SpaceX capsule
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Two U.S. astronauts about to make the first splashdown return in 45 years said Friday they’ll have seasick bags ready to use if needed. SpaceX and NASA plan to bring Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken back Sunday afternoon in the company’s Dragon capsule, aiming for the...
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg ‘doing well’ after checking out of hospital
Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was released from a Manhattan hospital Friday and is “doing well” at home, according to a spokeswoman. The 87-year-old justice, who’s been in and out of hospitals all year, was discharged from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center on the Upper East Side after undergoing...
Former Westmoreland sheriff’s deputy ordered to stand trial in sexual assault case
Two former female inmates at the Westmoreland County prison testified Friday that a county sheriff’s deputy frequently asked inmates to expose themselves or grope him over his uniform in exchange for cigarettes during van rides to court hearings. After listening to two hours of testimony from the women, District Judge...
Pittsburgh Public Schools to delay classroom instruction for first quarter
Pittsburgh Public Schools will officially use remote instruction for the first quarter of the school year, the board of directors voted Friday afternoon in a virtual meeting. The vote came in response to a resolution made last week by Board Member Kevin Carter, who proposed the district stay online for...
Westmoreland judge, staff being tested for covid-19 after inmate tests positive
A Westmoreland County judge and four members of his courtroom staff will be tested this weekend for the coronavirus after they were potentially exposed this week through a jail inmate. The inmate’s positive diagnosis was disclosed Friday morning. Court officials said the inmate had been in quarantine at the county...
Allegheny Valley School District investigating Zoom bombing of public meeting
District officials are investigating the “Zoom-bombing” of a recent Allegheny Valley School Board meeting via the Zoom internet platform. During the coronavirus pandemic, video conferencing platforms such as Zoom have gained popularity with everyone — including hackers. Known as Zoom-bombing, people with fake identities enter virtual public meetings to disrupt...
Earlier census deadline could cause W.Pa. officials to accelerate counts
In an unprecedented move, leaders with the Census Bureau are cutting short in-person counting efforts for the 2020 census, efforts that largely impact hard-to-count populations. The decision, reported by NPR, moves the deadline for in-person census surveys from Oct. 31 to Sept. 30, potentially leaving some communities with uncounted residents...
Union probes Port Authority dress policy, barring political statements on masks
Port Authority of Allegheny County updated its staff dress code to prohibit the wearing of masks containing political or social justice messages, including those supporting Black Lives Matter and other movements. The update has reportedly sparked some controversy among drivers. Stephen Palonis, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 85, whose...
Retiring Natrona Heights letter carrier lauded for dependability, cheerfulnessVideo
As he puts a cancel stamp on a nearly 40-year career as a letter carrier with the U.S. Postal Service, one of Kevin Griffith’s concerns going into retirement is about putting on weight. Walking 25,000 steps a day has had its benefits. “I loved getting paid for getting exercise,” Griffith...
Trump’s handling of coronavirus, economy to sway Pennsylvania voters most, pollster says
President Trump’s response to the coronavirus pandemic has not appeared to change registered voters’ overall perception of him much in Pennsylvania, a new poll shows. A Franklin & Marshall College Poll released Thursday said 29% of registered voters think the Trump administration is doing an excellent or very good job...
Pennsylvania to cover cost of stamps for ballots in election
HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania will foot the cost of postage for voters to mail in ballots in November’s general election, officials said Friday, a move that Gov. Tom Wolf has made a priority as the coronavirus pandemic unexpectedly fueled high interest in voting by mail under a new state law. The...
Cal U to go remote for fall semester
California University of Pennsylvania has joined a growing list of universities that will offer only remote learning for their students this fall because of concerns over the possible spread of covid-19. “Throughout the summer, my leadership team and many others planned for our return to on-campus operations … in the...
Man to face homicide trial in shooting death of Derry Township woman in her home
The man charged with killing a Derry Township woman in her home on July 20 was ordered held for trial Friday in a hearing closed to the public. Even suspect Nathan Joseph Quidetto, 20, of Unity waited outside District Judge Mark Bilik’s tiny Derry Township courtroom during the hearing. Emily...
IUP cancels in-person commencement for May, August grads, moves to virtual platform
Indiana University of Pennsylvania announced Friday that an in-person commencement for the class of 2020 has been canceled and replaced with a virtual ceremony. The school had planned an in-person ceremony on Sept. 12 to honor May and August graduates. Citing more restrictive guidelines for indoor gatherings and increased concern...
Westmoreland Manor halts family visits after employee tests positive for coronavirus
Westmoreland officials on Friday reported an employee at the county-owned nursing home tested positive for the coronavirus and, as a result, outdoor visitation of residents, which started earlier this week, are temporarily halted. According a statement issued by county Solicitor Melissa Guiddy, county officials learned the employee had not been...
Highlands settles former teacher’s federal lawsuit for $150K
A former Highlands elementary teacher will get $105,000 as part of an agreement settling his federal lawsuit alleging the district had violated his rights. The Highlands School Board approved the settlement with Jason Smith on June 22. The district released details of the settlement Friday in response to a Right-to-Know...
Pennsylvania posts another day of new covid-19 cases below 1,000
On Friday, the Pennsylvania Department of Health reported 970 new cases of covid-19, the third straight day new incidents were under the 1,000 mark. Health officials posted 13 new deaths, its lowest new count since Monday, when it added only four deaths. On Friday, the department added new deaths in...
Allegheny County records 2nd highest new covid-19 case count
Allegheny County saw its second biggest addition of new covid-19 cases Friday, with the county’s Health Department reporting 244 new incidences. The cases come from a batch of tests conducted from over the past month, 30 of which have specimen collection dates from more than two weeks ago. Officials said...
Pa. to hire more coronavirus contact tracers, starting at $18 an hour
The Pennsylvania Department of Health announced Friday it will hire 1,000 additional contact tracing staff in an effort to curb the spread of covid-19. A nearly $23 million, federally funded contract with Insight Global, an Atlanta-based staffing agency, will help pay to recruit, hire, train and support the contact tracers,...
Police arrest man in connection with May 30 protests
Police have arrested a suspect in connection with the May 30 protests in Downtown Pittsburgh. Christopher West, 35, of Pittsburgh, is charged with recklessly endangering another person, robbery, criminal mischief and riot, officials said. He is being held in the Allegheny County Jail. Detectives and a multi-jurisdictional task force analyzed...
1 Marine dead, 2 injured, 8 missing after vehicle accident
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. — One Marine has died, two injured and eight others were missing after an amphibious assault vehicle accident off the coast of southern California, the Marines said early Friday. The accident happened Thursday and search and rescue efforts were underway Friday morning with support from the Navy...
Brain surgery helps Kittanning toddler become seizure freeVideo
Breane DeComo Kotyk was waiting to hear her daughter cry for the first time. Nothing. Not a sound. Little Khaleesia wasn’t breathing. The umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck. She was lifeless and blue. It took doctors at West Penn Hospital in Bloomfield 18 minutes to resuscitate her. The...
Pa. Game Commission adopts new plan in effort to curb chronic wasting disease
Pennsylvania Game Commission officials are hoping a new plan to manage the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD) will prevent it from infecting more deer in Westmoreland County and elsewhere in Southwestern Pennsylvania. About 300 square miles of the northeastern corner of the county is part of a management area...
Delmont’s Apple Hill Playhouse is closed but fond memories remain
Pat Beyer says she’s heard many times over the years that ghosts inhabit the Apple Hill Playhouse in Delmont. After all, the structure has been around since Civil War times, starting out as a barn before its reincarnation as a theater with a long string of owners. Beyer, Apple Hill’s...
Suspect, 17, sought in the slaying of another teen in Uniontown
A homeless teenager accused in the shooting death of a 16-year-old Uniontown boy Wednesday night went to particular house in order to fight the victim, according to Uniontown police. An arrest warrant has been issued for Jaden Christopher Shaw, 17, who is listed as homeless in court papers but also...
