Top Local and National News Stories category, Page 1496
Pa. reports 34 new covid-19 deaths, 667 new cases
There were 34 new covid-19 deaths and 667 new cases reported in the state by the Pennsylvania Department of Health on Friday. Out of the 667 cases, 177 are from Allegheny County. The statewide total is now 88,741 cases and 6,746 deaths, with 634 patients considered probable cases. Pa. coronavirus...
Trailer for Pittsburgh-filmed Seth Rogen movie debuts onlineVideo
The trailer for Seth Rogen’s latest movie, “An American Pickle,” which was filmed in and around Pittsburgh, debuted online Friday. While the film is set in Brooklyn, it’s easy to spot Pittsburgh locations in the trailer. From Liberty Avenue in downtown Pittsburgh to East Ohio Street on the North Side...
Allegheny County reports 177 new covid-19 cases, 5 new hospitalizations
Allegheny County Health officials reported 177 new covid-19 cases Friday, representing a slight dip after a record-setting 233 on Thursday, but still far above what the county was seeing just two weeks ago. Five more people were hospitalized since Thursday’s 11 a.m. data was released. The running county case-count stands...
Officials recover body of hiker who fell at McConnells Mill in May
The body of a man who fell into a creek while hiking in McConnells Mill State Park in early May has been recovered. Jeff Hanby II, 38, was found Thursday by search crews, according to a park official. Hanby fell into Slippery Rock Creek on May 2 while hiking along...
2 pedestrians hit by vehicle in Mt. Pleasant Township, firefighters say
Two pedestrians were struck by a vehicle early Friday morning in Mt. Pleasant Township, according to firefighters who responded to the scene. The incident happened shortly after 2:30 a.m. along East Main Street near the intersections with Yoder Avenue and Maple Street, according to a state police dispatcher. One victim,...
Richard King Mellon Foundation adds $10 million to its earlier $15 million commitment for covid-19 issues
The Richard King Mellon Foundation plans to add another $10 million to its earlier $15 million covid-19 response grant package, officials announced Thursday. The $25 million total commitment includes a new $2.5 million higher-education initiative, aimed at helping area colleges and universities safely reopen in the fall. “Education always is...
Kennywood, Sandcastle postpone openings
Kennywood and Sandcastle will postpone a planned reopening Monday, park officials announced Thursday. Allegheny County officials announced additional restrictions on businesses and public gatherings amid a weeklong spike in covid-19 cases. “While we are looking forward to the start of our summer season, we understand the reasoning behind the recent...
In wake of Allegheny County coronavirus outbreak, Pirates close PNC Park workouts to media
On the eve of the first day of training camp, a coronavirus outbreak in Allegheny County has forced the Pittsburgh Pirates to make adjustments to their workout plans at PNC Park. The stadium will be closed to all outside entities, including the media, until further notice, the team announced Thursday....
Texas governor issues mask order to fight coronavirus
AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday ordered that face coverings must be worn in public across most of the state, a dramatic ramp-up of the Republican’s efforts to control spiking numbers of confirmed coronavirus cases and hospitalizations. Abbott, who had pushed Texas’ aggressive reopening of the state...
3 workers test positive for covid-19 at Penn Hills Shop ‘n Save
Three employees at the Penn Hills Shop ‘n Save supermarket tested positive for covid-19 infections Tuesday and Wednesday, according to store officials. A representative said the store remains open for business while the staff has stepped up sanitizing procedures that already were in place. The three employees are quarantined at...
Levin to reopen some Western Pennsylvania stores Friday
Levin Furniture stores in Hempfield, Monroeville, Wexford, Curry Hollow and 13 other locations around Pittsburgh and Cleveland will reopen at 11 a.m. Friday with former owner Robert Levin at the helm. Levin sold his family’s chain of stores in 2017 to Art Van Furniture but later structured a $25.7 million...
How to safely gather for July 4th during pandemic
This is anything but a normal Fourth of July holiday weekend. But there still are ways to safely gather with family and some — the operative word being some — friends while staying safe during the current spike in covid-19. “It is going to be a different holiday,” said Dr....
Riders of all ages enjoy new Giant Slide Complex at Mt. Pleasant Township’s Mammoth ParkVideo
Joe Theis, 67, proved Thursday he’s just a kid at heart. Theis, of New Stanton, arrived at Mammoth Park in Mt. Pleasant Township at 9:20 a.m., expecting a line for the inaugural rides on the county park’s newly opened Giant Slide Complex. But he was shocked to learn he was...
More than 10K sign up for Trump boat parade, rally in Pittsburgh, organizer says
Local supporters of President Trump are planning a boat parade and rally in Pittsburgh on Saturday, saying they are encouraging participants to wear masks and maintain social distance in response to a soaring covid-19 infection rate in Allegheny County. Tricia Cunningham of Washington Township, founder of the local grassroots group...
Allegheny County orders bars, restaurants to halt on-premises dining for a week
Bars, restaurants and casinos in Allegheny County must close for one week, under a new order from Health Director Debra Bogen. The order takes effect Friday. Takeout and delivery food orders are still permitted. The order, Bogen said, is meant to mitigate the rapid increase in coronavirus cases in the...
Attorney: Hempfield man who fatally beat elderly father believed 92-year-old was a vampireVideo
Douglas Novak’s mental illness was so pronounced that he beat his father to death and believed the 92-year-old Hempfield man was a vampire who needed to be staked through the heart to kill him, his attorney told a judge Thursday. Novak was off his medication when he used the wooden...
Greensburg to launch grant program for local businesses hurt by coronavirus
Lisa Hegedus can’t wait to apply for a grant from the Greensburg Community Development Corporation’s new Covid-19 Relief Main Street Jump-Start Program. The new program, funded through a $150,000 grant from the Richard King Mellon Foundation, is targeting small businesses in Greensburg that have suffered a financial hit from the...
Noose found hanging in Leechburg park
Police in Leechburg removed a rope that appeared to be tied into a noose hanging from a tree in the borough’s Riverfront Park. Leechburg Councilman Chuck Pascal posted a comment on Facebook saying there is reason to believe the noose was left as a message, as it wasn’t tied securely...
2 North Hills School District students test positive for covid-19 following hockey tryouts
Two North Hills School District students who participated in hockey tryouts Saturday have tested positive for covid-19, district officials said Thursday. The North Hills Hockey Club held the tryouts at the Robert Morris University Island Sports Center — tryouts that were not sanctioned by the school district, according to a...
Penn State student dies from coronavirus
A Penn State student died from covid-19 this week, the university’s first known student death connected to the coronavirus, according to officials. Juan Garcia, 21, of Allentown died Tuesday, 10 days after he tested positive for the virus, officials said in a statement. An earth and mineral sciences student, Garcia...
Westmoreland has another double-digit spike in coronavirus cases, commissioners issue warning
For the fourth time in five days, Westmoreland County experienced a double-digit increase in the number of new coronavirus cases, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, and officials say if the numbers continue to rise, the county risks additional restrictions. “We cannot stress the importance of being safe this...
Pa. reports 832 new covid-19 cases, tells residents to quarantine if visiting these 15 states
As Pennsylvania registered 832 additional covid-19 cases, state officials are telling residents to quarantine for 14 days if they are returning from recent pandemic hot spots such as Texas and Florida. There were 25 new covid-19 deaths and 832 new cases reported in the state by the Pennsylvania Department of...
Allegheny County tops 230 new coronavirus cases
Local health officials on Thursday reported 233 new cases of covid-19 in Allegheny County — more than doubling Wednesday’s case count, which had been a record high. There were four new hospitalizations and no deaths reported. Ages among the newly infected individuals range from 6 months old to 99 years...
‘It’s getting ridiculous,’ bar owner says of alcohol ban during Allegheny County protestVideo
About 50 people rallied in front of the Allegheny County Courthouse in Pittsburgh on Thursday afternoon, protesting the newly imposed restriction on alcohol consumption in restaurants and bars. Many said the ban imposed by county Health Director Dr. Debra Bogen will cripple the industry. Three hours after the protest, the...
East Huntingdon couple accused of bilking $200K, house from Scottdale woman
An East Huntingdon couple is accused by police of bilking a relative out of $200,000 and her Scottdale home prior to her April 2019 death, according to court papers. Jane Ann Kiliany, 59, and John Eric Kiliany, 60, were arrested Wednesday by Westmoreland County detectives and released on their own...
