Editor's Picks category, Page 391
Stalwart supporter of Western Pa. journalism dies of covid-19 complications
Ginny Frizzi was a stalwart pillar of the journalism community in Western Pennsylvania. A native of Pittsburgh, Ms. Frizzi began her career in journalism before launching a 25-year career in public relations at Point Park University. But she always kept her hand in the news business as a freelance writer,...
Video of unity during East Liberty protest goes viralVideo
It was 5 p.m. on the dot Monday. Up ahead was a Home Depot store and a Goodyear mechanics shop with masked customers coming in and out. Behind was Eastminster Presbyterian Church. All around were hundreds of protesters taking a knee, raising their fists. Clear, blue skies. Birds chirped. Helicopters...
Lawrenceville’s Row House Cinema offering movie concession packs
Watch your favorite film at home, but stop at the theater first. Row House Cinema in Lawrenceville has created movie concession packs that people can pick up and take to their house and watch a flick. On Friday between 2 and 8 p.m., stop by for one of several options,...
Books on race and criminal justice top bestseller lists
As nationwide protests against racism and police violence continue, readers are seeking out books old and new on race and criminal justice. Robin Diangelo’s “White Fragility,” Michelle Alexander’s “The New Jim Crow” and Bryan Stevenson’s “Just Mercy” were among the works high on the bestseller lists Tuesday of Amazon.com and...
Churches opting for virtual vacation Bible schools this summer
Like sports and art camps, vacation Bible schools are a big draw for children during the summer. “It’s a major program for us,” says Rachel King, youth coordinator at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Hempfield’s West Point section. “Most churches do a vacation Bible school, and a lot of kids...
Flags stolen from veterans’ graves in Leechburg, mayor offers reward for information
Leechburg Mayor Wayne Dobos wants to know who stole dozens of flags from veterans’ graves at Leechburg Cemetery. Dobos, a Vietnam veteran, is offering a $100 reward for information leading to the prosecution of the person who did it. And other people have offered to contribute to the reward fund....
Catholic worshippers return as Diocese of Greensburg resumes public Masses
Before the covid-19 shutdown, Ruth Morelli on three or four days a week found her way to weekday Mass at St. James Roman Catholic Church in New Alexandria. “It really is my second family,” the Blairsville resident said. “After things closed, my husband and I would watch Mass online most...
Mötley Crüe, Def Leppard, Poison and Joan Jett tour postponed
Fans will have to wait until next summer to see the Stadium Tour with Mötley Crüe, Def Leppard, Poison and Joan Jett and The Blackhearts. In a post on Monday afternoon signed by the bands, the tour has been officially postponed until the summer 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic....
Necco Wafers returning to store shelves this summer
Good news for people who like their candy crunchy and slightly chalky — Neccos Wafers will soon be back on store shelves after a 2-year absence. Spangler Candy Co., which now owns the iconic brand, says the candy will return in all its multicolored glory beginning this month. “Major drugstores...
Gateway Clipper to resume some cruises this weekVideo
The Gateway Clipper Fleet will resume sightseeing tours this week, officials announced on their Facebook page. The tours, which last about an hour, will resume Friday when Allegheny County moves into the green phase of Gov. Wolf’s reopening plan, lifting heavy restrictions put in place to help curb the spread...
Western Pa. experts weigh chances of catching coronavirus from contaminated objects
Fears about catching coronavirus from contaminated surfaces have driven some people to become compulsive about cleaning countertops and wiping down their groceries. As the pandemic took hold, some poison centers even reported increased calls about excessive exposure to cleaning agents. In recent weeks, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention...
Kayaking the Kiski is surging in popularity in the age of covid-19
Hundreds of kayaks have taken to the Kiski and Youghiogheny rivers over recent weekends while a Pittsburgh store specializing in kayaks reports a surge in sales. “You can’t get more naturally social distanced than you can in a kayak,” said Chris Kaminski, co-owner of 3 Rivers Outdoors Co. in the...
SpaceX’s historic encore: Astronauts arrive at space stationVideo
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — SpaceX delivered two astronauts to the International Space Station for NASA on Sunday, following up a historic liftoff with an equally smooth docking in yet another first for Elon Musk’s company. With test pilots Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken poised to take over manual control if...
Massive U.S. protests raise fears of new virus outbreaks
LOS ANGELES — The mayor of Atlanta, one of dozens of U.S. cities hit by massive protests in recent days, has a message for demonstrators: “If you were out protesting last night, you probably need to go get a covid test this week.” As more beaches, churches, schools and businesses...
Hempfield students perform virtual chorus, art showsVideo
Students at Harrold Middle School in Hempfield weren’t going to let the coronavirus pandemic cancel their chorus concert. The show much go on, as they say. But rather than packing into an auditorium and risking exposure to parents, staff and students, chorus teacher Dan Lauritzen had students record themselves singing...
Western Pennsylvania restaurants team to benefit Westmoreland County Food Bank
Order to-go items from some Pittsburgh restaurants next week and you will help feed others at the same time. Takeout Tuesday is June 2 and area eateries will be donating 15% to 25% of proceeds from sales that day to the Westmoreland County Food Bank. The promotion is being organized...
Photos: Carlynton delivers diplomas to graduating seniors
Carlynton School District created a “Commencement Caravan” to deliver diplomas to each graduating senior since they were unable to hold a traditional graduation ceremony this year due to the covid-19 pandemic. High School principal Michael Loughren, as well as the cougar mascot and a few teachers, weaved through Crafton and...
Western Pa. library systems work through logistics of reopeningVideo
“What?!? It’s a real book?!?” Delmont librarian Denni Grassel’s humorous exclamation in a video posted to YouTube (watch the video below) was the official signal that the Delmont Public Library will reopen Monday, with some new procedures in place. Library systems throughout the region are holding meetings and working through...
Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh plans 10 weeks of virtual summer camps
Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh and MuseumLab will offer 10 weeks of virtual summer camps and studios for children ages 3-13. Registration is open for Summer Camps @ Home and Summer Studios @ Home, week-long programs starting June 15. Each week will focus on a different theme and learning goals. Camp...
Bear sightings on the rise in Western Pennsylvania
Young black bears are on the move in Western Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Game Commission reports that bear sightings are up this year, thanks in part to cooler-than-usual temperatures in May that brought more bears out during the daytime and also because more people have been staying home because of the...
Stimulus payments in form of debit card cause confusion across country
As the IRS encourages Americans to be on the lookout for scams related to federal coronavirus stimulus money, the agency is sending millions of people their money in the form of a debit card. The prepaid card was sent to 4 million people who did not provide their banking information...
PETA wants Mark Cuban to turn ‘The O’ into vegan hot dog spot
PETA has an idea for Mark Cuban, should he go through with a big Pittsburgh purchase. The animal rights organization Thursday sent a letter to Cuban, the “Shark Tank” star and Mt. Lebanon native, that suggested turning the now-closed Original Hot Dog Shop in Oakland into a “vegan hot dog...
Election HQ: Information on primary races in Western Pa.
Primary election day in Western Pennsylvania is Tuesday, June 2. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and voters are asked to wear a mask and practice social distancing inside polling places because of the coronavirus pandemic. In Allegheny County, your polling place might not be where it...
Pittsburgh’s Mon Incline turns 150 years old
Here’s one birthday celebrant that can do its own drive-by parade. One of Pittsburgh’s most iconic symbols — the Monongahela Incline — has turned 150 years old. (And it doesn’t look a day over 125!) The city’s first funicular — the technical name for an inclined transit system powered by...
‘Quarantine Barbie’ is keeping it real (and hilarious)
The folks at Mattel did their part to lighten the mood for children and support frontline workers in the fight against covid-19. Earlier this month, the company introduced its #ThankYouHeroes Barbie program. For every career doll sold between May 14-17, Mattel donated a doll to the First Responders Children’s Foundation....
