There’s no doubt the vast majority of the news cycle these past few days has been focused around the coronavirus.

Because of that, stories not having to do with the virus may have escaped your view.

Here’s a roundup of non-coronavirus news worth noting.

PennDOT warns of month-long restrictions on I-579

Construction to build a “cap” over I-579 through Pittsburgh will create lane and shoulder restrictions starting Monday night.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation said drivers should expect restrictions in both directions, but not simultaneously, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. weekdays through April 17. Crews will be working on concrete in the area between the Webster Avenue and Bedford Avenue bridges.

The work is part of the $29 million project that will link Downtown to the Lower Hill District. It will include a three-acre park with pathways for pedestrians and bicycles, landscaping and art installations.

Deer crashes through door of Oakland bank

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A confused deer smashed through a door of a bank early Friday in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood and ran off, according to Pittsburgh police.

Officers were called to Key Bank on Fifth Avenue for a report of a deer inside the building. Police said the deer ran back out the door and took off in an unknown direction. They were unsure if the animal was injured.

Braddock men nabbed in drug raid

Two Braddock men were arrested Friday in a raid in which police seized 1,650 stamp bags of heroin and fentanyl worth $9,900 on the streets, a stolen gun plus $3,175 in cash, Allegheny County Police said.

County narcotics detectives arrested James Wise, 28, and Brandon Balthrop, 31, and seized the heroin and a small amount of marijuana, a stolen Taurus .380-caliber gun and cash when detectives searched a residence at 613 Corey Ave. in Braddock.

Detectives obtained a search warrant as the result of a narcotics investigation targeting heroin trafficking in the Braddock area.

New Kensington police kill man who aimed shotgun at officers

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Westmoreland County detectives are investigating events that led to New Kensington police to fatally shoot a man Friday.

Officers responded to multiple calls reporting a man with a shotgun walking along Fourth Street in Parnassus at about 2:30 p.m.

Arnold and Lower Burrell officers also responded and found Marc Morgan, 62, no address released, walking up a hill on Center Avenue with a shotgun.

New Kensington police said officers fired upon Morgan after he brandished the shotgun at the officers. He was pronounced dead at the scene by a member of the Westmoreland County Coroner’s Office staff.

Belle Vernon teachers strike averted

The Belle Vernon Area teachers’ union and the school board agreed to a tentative deal Thursday night, staving off a potential strike, a union representative said.

The contract still must be approved by the Belle Vernon Area Education Association and the Belle Vernon Area School Board. Details of the deal were not announced.

The school’s 161 teachers, nurses and other staff had been working under the terms of an expired agreement since June 30, 2019.

The school district serves about 2,500 students in Rostraver and North Belle Vernon in Westmoreland County and Belle Vernon, Washington Township and Fayette City in Fayette County.

Unity OKs liquor license for Walmart alcohol sales

Unity Township supervisors approved a restaurant liquor license transfer for the Walmart off Route 30.

If approved by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, the store would become only the second Walmart in Pennsylvania to sell beer and wine.

Jason Klipa, the retail giant’s director of government relations in Pennsylvania, said they hope to have a cafe — with eat-in food and seating for 30 — in place by fall. He said the space for alcohol sales would be segregated by a divider.

Man shot at Plum apartment complex

A 24-year-old man was shot Thursday morning at the Plum Park Apartments on Deborah Jane Drive in Plum.

Police said the man was shot as he emerged from his apartment to get into his car around 7:30 a.m. He was treated at the scene for his wounds and take to a hospital.

Plum Borough School District restricted visitor access to its buildings while police investigated.

Latrobe officials nix attempt to replace fire chief

City officials in Latrobe have agreed to investigate complaints by some firefighters to oust Latrobe Fire Department Chief John Brasile.

Mayor Rosie Wolford said a committee would look into any written documentation that established a “just cause” for removing him from office.

Nico Giovannagelo, a captain in the department’s Goodwill Hose Company No. 1, claims he has such evidence.

“They can charge me with anything they want. I’ve done nothing wrong,” Brasile told the Tribune-Review.

Alleged racial comments by Allegheny County Judge Tranquilli could complicate cases

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Some defendants sentenced by embattled Allegheny County Judge Mark Tranquilli have begun seeking post-conviction relief in their cases, something legal experts believe could continue as more of the judge’s questionable remarks come to light.

Tranquilli has been sidelined for more than a month after written complaints surfaced alleging he referred to a black female juror as “Aunt Jemima” in a conversation with two attorneys.

President Judge Kim Berkeley Clark signed an order Feb. 3 relegating him to hearing only summary appeals, and a follow-up order three days later placed him on administrative duty.

Attorney Thomas N. Farrell, who specializes in post-conviction relief, said Friday he’s had a number of prospective clients reach out to him wanting to review their cases.

Arnold eliminates position of fire chief

Arnold Mayor Joseph Bia said the city’s council abolished the position of fire chief for lack of work.

Bia said the chief, J.C. Tedorski, responded to only four calls last year, none this year and has not been at a city council meeting for more than a year.

The city has two fire companies, each with its own chief and officers, and the mayor said a person to oversee them is not required.

Tedorski had been city fire chief since April 2008.

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