Regional category, Page 193
Washington County DA Gene Vittone remembered as devoted father who always had a kind word
Gene Vittone, Washington County’s district attorney, a Pitt fan, a choir member and a lover of good Italian dinners, died Saturday after a relatively private battle with lung cancer. He was 61. “He was humble that way,” said Steve Toprani, a friend and predecessor in the district attorney’s office. “He...
Nursing shortage spawns hefty sign-on bonuses in Western Pa.Video
A long-looming nursing shortage — exacerbated by the near-relentless toll of the covid-19 pandemic — means more hospitals and health systems are offering hefty sign-on bonuses and other incentives in an attempt to attract talent and fill in the gaps. Earlier this week, UPMC was advertising nearly 800 open nursing...
As covid-19 vaccination mandates gain momentum, Pa. health care workers remain largely free to decide
Only one major Pennsylvania health care employer, Philadelphia-based Penn Medicine, has required employees to get vaccinated against covid-19. But mandates are under consideration at others. “We haven’t gotten to the mandate yet. We think about it and we assess where we’re at, but we haven’t made that decision yet,” said...
What to expect if you want a covid-19 booster shot
Western Pennsylvanians who want a covid-19 vaccine booster likely will have the chance to get one in the coming months. The Biden administration earlier this week recommended the extra protection for all Americans, starting as soon as Sept. 20 for those who were fully vaccinated by late January. In Pennsylvania,...
Police investigate fatal Aliquippa shooting
Police are investigating after a man was shot and killed early Friday at an Aliquippa apartment building, according to Tribune-Review news partner WPXI-TV. Officers responded at about 12:30 a.m. to the Valley Terrace apartments on Superior Avenue. State police were on the scene, in addition to Aliquippa officers. #BREAKING State...
Casey calls for calm in the wake of the withdrawal from Afghanistan
Calling the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan a painful spectacle, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Scranton, is calling on Americans to turn down the blame game and concentrate on assisting those trying to escape the Taliban. Casey said his office alone logged 280 calls about the collapse of Afghanistan as of Wednesday...
2 injured in Route 8 crash near Middlesex, Penn townships
A vehicle crash sent two people to the hospital Thursday afternoon in southern Butler County and shut down a stretch of Route 8 for hours. The incident happened about 2:20 p.m. on Route 8 at Brownsdale Road near the border of Middlesex and Penn townships, a Butler County 911 dispatcher...
Never Forget Walk will make stop in Shanksville ahead of 9/11 20th anniversary
The foundation that sponsors a 537-mile fundraising trek to pay tribute to the heroes of 9/11 will have a breakfast event Saturday in Shanksville to honor the first responders who heeded the call to respond to the crash of United Flight 93 the morning of Sept. 11, 2001. The annual...
6 key questions with area expert about chaos in AfghanistanVideo
The Taliban is urging Afghans to stay in Afghanistan. The new rulers of the country are promising an “inclusive government” and opportunities for women (within Islamic sharia law). But can the radical Islamist group be trusted to keep its word? Based on the chaos at Kabul’s international airport, with thousands...
Pennsylvanians who died in Afghanistan while serving in the military
Here are the more than 90 Pennsylvanians who have died while serving in the armed services during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Freedom’s Sentinel in Afghanistan. Operation Enduring Freedom began on Oct. 7, 2001, in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in the United States. Combat operations ended...
Southwestern Pennsylvania fire departments awarded grants for fighting wildfires
Some Westmoreland County volunteer fire departments recently awarded grants aimed at helping small communities obtain and replace equipment to battle wildfires said the funding couldn’t have come at a better time. “I can tell you, we’ve already had a busy wildfire season. These grants are really helpful because I’d rather...
10 things to know about covid boosters
U.S. health officials Wednesday announced plans to offer covid-19 booster vaccines to all Americans. Health officials suggested a third dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine be given to people eight months after the second dose to help increase protection. Boosters could be available by the week of Sept. 20....
New Girl Scout badges focus on navigating changes in society
Girl Scouts will have new ways to learn how to navigate a changing society via 28 new badges in the areas of entrepreneurship, math in nature and digital leadership. “In light of parents’ top concerns for their children as they handle the increasingly digital world, the new Girl Scout badges...
Parents sign petition against mask mandate at Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh schools
More than 2,000 people have signed a petition calling for the Diocese of Pittsburgh diocese to revoke a mask mandate in its Catholic schools. The online petition contends school-age children have “spent the summer enjoying activities with family and friends mask-free” and were “putting the hardships of last school year...
Covid-19 cases, hospitalizations continue slow, steady climb in region
Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations have continued a slow but steady climb in the region and throughout the state over the past two months. This week was no exception. In the past week, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, there were 1,343 additional covid-19 cases in Allegheny County, for a...
Seton Hill program to help teachers handle topic of genocide
Teachers tackling the tough topic of genocide in high school classrooms will be able to take advantage of a two-week institute at Seton Hill University next summer. University officials said the school recently was awarded a $174,426 competitive grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to underwrite the summer...
Amber Alert issued for baby boy abducted in Cleveland
Police are searching for a six-week-old infant who was abducted Tuesday from the Cleveland area, authorities said. An Amber alert was issued after Cannon Tatum McDoodle was taken by a family friend, according to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. The baby weighs about 14 pounds and has...
Suspect captured after stealing police car and leading officers on chase through Beaver area
A man who stole an Ambridge police vehicle and led officers on a chase before eluding capture for hours was taken into custody Tuesday, according to Tribune-Review news partner WPXI. BREAKING: Neighbors say this man is in their backyard and police are narrowing in @WPXI Amy Hudak (@amy_hudak) August...
Western Pa. groups prep for fleeing Afghans seeking to resettle in Pittsburgh
At least one Afghan family granted a special U.S. visa to flee their Taliban-toppled homeland is expected to resettle in Western Pennsylvania in the coming weeks. “We are ready for their arrival,” said Ivonne Smith-Tapia, director of refugee and immigrant services for the Jewish Family and Community Services (JFCS), a...
Artists to chalk portraits of passengers, crew of Flight 93 as part of 9/11 20th anniversary events
Ambassadors and park rangers tell visitors to the Flight 93 National Memorial repeatedly, “It’s all about the heroes of Flight 93.” Those would be the men and women aboard the United jetliner who made America’s first stand in the war on terror in the skies above Somerset County on Sept....
Fayette couple killed in 2-vehicle crash on Route 31
A Fayette County couple died from injuries sustained Monday in a two-vehicle crash on Route 31 in Bullskin Township, according to authorities in Allegheny and Fayette counties. Lee Roy Welker, 70, and his wife, Diane, 69, were killed after the Ford Focus they were in collided with a truck just...
Tropical Storm Fred to bring steady rainfall to Western Pa.
Southwestern Pennsylvania should brace for rain and potential flooding as the remnants of Tropical Storm Fred are anticipated to bring heavy rainfall to the region Wednesday. The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch for much of the region — including Allegheny, Armstrong, Washington and Westmoreland counties —...
Former Pirates pitcher Felipe Vazquez sentenced to up to 4 years in prison for sex assaultVideo
Former Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Felipe Vazquez was sentenced Tuesday to serve up to four years in prison for the sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl. Vazquez, 30, was convicted in May by a Westmoreland County jury of 15 offenses in connection with a sexual relationship he had with a Scottdale...
Spirit Air says canceled flights cost $50M, hurt bookings
Spirit Airlines said Monday the cancellation of more than 2,800 flights over an 11-day stretch this summer cost the budget airline about $50 million in lost revenue and caused spending to soar. The airline said the service meltdown that started in late July and a rise in covid-19 cases are...
Trib honored with national Edward R. Murrow Award for journalism excellence
Trib Total Media has received one of the most prestigious honors in the news business — a national Edward R. Murrow Award — for a project chronicling a reporter’s heartwarming journey while quarantined with her 93-year-old mother in a local nursing home in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic....
