Regional category, Page 244
As covid-19 changes political campaigns, airport stops are nothing new
Covid-19 has changed the landscape of political campaigning as the presidential election draws near. President Donald Trump, who is scheduled to visit Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Unity on Thursday evening, has been forced to trade in his large-scale Make America Great Again rallies for simpler, smaller stops. Thursday’s airport...
FBI investigating embattled Brighton Rehab nursing home in Beaver County
Investigators with the FBI served search warrants Thursday morning at Brighton Rehabilitation and Wellness Center, the Beaver County nursing home that was the site of one of the nation’s deadliest covid-19 outbreaks. U.S. Attorney Scott Brady confirmed the FBI executed court-authorized warrants at Brighton Rehab as well as Mount Lebanon...
Let the bugling begin: Pennsylvania elk webcam goes live
Elk bugling season is heating up and can be seen and heard on a live webcam provided by the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the video company HDOnTap. The webcam is stationed in Elk County, State Game Lands 311, in a field that elk frequent. The webcam went live Wednesday and...
State attorney general accuses Gillece Services of ‘bait-and-switch’ tactics on clogged sewer jobs
The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office has filed a lawsuit against Gillece Services in Allegheny County alleging a “bait-and-switch scheme” that lured customers in with deceptively low prices only to tell them the job required different, expensive home improvement work. The complaint filed Tuesday seeks restitution for every customer the attorney...
They really are counting bumble bees, and they need your help
Bumble Bee Watch is on. A collaborative effort of nonprofits and scientists around the county, the volunteer citizen science survey aims to track and conserve North America’s bumble bees. A bumble bee is a pollinator and a vital part of the food chain. If residents are so inclined, they should...
Sheetz named a top company that cares by People magazineVideo
Sheetz ranked among top businesses in the country as a company that cares. The Altoona-based firm ranked 11th out of 50 companies that received the designation based on their demonstration of respect, care and concern for employees, communities and the environment during the coronavirus pandemic. It was the only convenience...
Trump, Biden expected to visit Flight 93 National Memorial for 9/11 anniversary
President Trump and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden both plan to visit Shanksville to commemorate the 19th anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks, according to the White House and a Biden campaign spokesman. The president — who will be in Westmoreland County on Thursday — and first lady Melania Trump...
Walat’s tavern co-owner in Somerset County found dead inside his bar destroyed by fire
The owner of a popular Somerset County tavern along Route 30 west of Jennerstown was found dead inside the building that was destroyed by fire early Wednesday, state police said. Martin Walat, a co-owner of Walat’s, a bar atop Laurel Hill Summit in Jenners Township, was discovered in the bar...
Southwestern Pennsylvania women to be honored for contributions to conservation
A statewide group that advocates for clean energy is honoring 11 women from Southwestern Pennsylvania who have contributed to conservation efforts and environmental causes. PennFuture will recognize recipients of its annual Celebrating Women in Conservation Awards during a virtual ceremony from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 8. The ceremony was...
Allegheny Health Network announces latest covid-19 testing schedule
Allegheny Health Network has released its latest covid-19 testing schedule for the mobile clinic and community sports through Sept. 12. Testing locations will be closed on Sept. 7 for Labor Day. To receive a covid-19 test at an AHN testing site, patients must be experiencing covid-19 symptoms — including fever,...
Census takers visit homes that already completed survey as part of assurance programVideo
Those who have responded to the census may still receive a visit from a census worker. According to the Census Bureau, a worker may visit the home of someone who has already responded as part of the department’s quality assurance program. A visit may be conducted for a variety of...
Man blames lax security in lawsuit over 2018 shooting in Fayette County district judge’s office
A man who was wounded during a shooting two years ago at a Fayette County district judge’s office filed a federal lawsuit contending shoddy security led to his injury and subsequent trauma. Jared Szerensci of Masontown said he was shot in the leg when Patrick Dowdell, 62, entered the office...
Pa.: Jobless must wait at least 3-4 weeks for promised $300 in assistance
For some 86,800 unemployed workers in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties, the $300 check the Trump administration promised in early August probably won’t be in the mail for another three or four weeks, state officials said. The computer system the state Department of Labor & Industry will use to distribute the...
Peters Township High School to temporarily close after positive covid-19 cases
Students at Peters Township High School will pivot to remote learning for at least the next four days, after discovering three possible cases of the coronavirus. Peters Township School District notified families via email that it learned of one case of covid-19 and two other cases presumed positive. “All three...
President Trump to campaign in Westmoreland County this week
President Donald Trump will make a campaign stop Thursday in Unity, according to his campaign website. Trump is scheduled to speak at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport at 7 p.m. Doors open at 4 p.m. “It’s really exciting to see him coming back into the county, he did so well there....
Joe Biden to visit Southwestern Pennsylvania Monday; location, details not announced
Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden is planning a visit to Southwestern Pennsylvania on Monday, according to officials with his campaign. A press release issued by the Biden/Harris campaign said the former vice president “will travel to southwestern Pennsylvania to lay out a core question voters face in this election: Are...
Super PACs turn to Western Pa. voters for testimonials in presidential contest
On the surface, Janie and Shawn share little beyond their small-town Western Pennsylvania roots. But now, they are sharing 15 minutes of fame, thanks to their testimonials in ads supporting Joe Biden and Donald Trump. Identified only as 82-year-old Janie from Westmoreland, the tiny, blue-eyed woman who sports a halo...
Western Pa. farmlands preserved ‘forever’ with state aidVideo
Earning a living off the land has been in Alquin Heinnickel’s family since his great-grandfather came home after surviving the Battle of Gettysburg and the remainder of the Civil War to start farming in a village near New Alexandria. About 150 years later, the Heinnickel family’s agricultural holdings will remain...
Police: New York man steals school bus in Buffalo Township, drives it back home
A man was arrested in New York after allegedly stealing a school bus in Buffalo Township. The Livingston County Sheriff’s Office announced on Facebook that they had arrested Justin M. Preedom, 30, of Avon, N.Y., on charges of felony possession of stolen property. Last Monday, Aug. 24, sheriff’s deputies responded...
Power back on for most, but not all, after heavy storm damage; New Ken area still affected
Duquesne Light and West Penn Power are continuing to make progress restoring power to several thousand customers throughout the region after heavy storms and high winds knocked out power to more than 40,000 on Thursday evening. Duquesne Light reported about 1,900 customers still without power as of 10 p.m. Friday...
Lawsuit settled over misuse of Terrible Towel trademark on masks
The foundation that owns the Terrible Towel trademark has settled a lawsuit it filed last week against an Indiana County shop that had been marketing “The Terrible Mask” pandemic face coverings. On Friday, the Eamon Foundation, which previously operated as the AVS Foundation — part of the Allegheny Valley School...
Pennsylvania residents must apply for home energy assistance by month’s end
Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration is warning low-income residents about an impending deadline to apply for home energy assistance. The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Recovery Crisis Program ends Aug. 31 and Department of Human Services Secretary Teresa Miller issued a final reminder on Friday. “These are incredibly difficult times,...
Trump House creator savors president’s acceptance speech on the White House lawn
Leslie Baum Rossi still is amazed with everything she saw and heard Thursday night. Known far and wide as the “Trump House Lady,” Rossi, 49, of Unity was among the invited guests seated on the south lawn of the White House for President Trump’s nomination acceptance speech. “It was an...
Week in Review: Latrobe attack, baby shot and coronavirus penaltiesVideo
Officials are pledging justice for a 1-year-old boy who was shot and killed in Pittsburgh. Meanwhile bars and fraternities alike are being penalized for violating coronavirus guidelines. Here’s a look back at some of the week’s biggest stories. Lefty’s closed A popular Strip District bar was ordered by the Allegheny...
Severe weather could return, but risk slight for Pittsburgh region
Areas already battered by Thursday night’s thunderstorms could be hit again Friday, but the Pittsburgh region is only at a slight risk for more severe weather, according to the National Weather Service. Rain could return to the region by late morning, with severe thunderstorms possible from 1 p.m. through evening....
