Julia Felton stories, Page 72

As covid-19 continues to spread throughout the state, one Pennsylvania-based health care technology company is using its air filtration technology in an attempt to slow the virus. LifeAire Systems, based in Allentown in eastern Pennsylvania, teamed up with Ben Franklin Technology Partners and the state Department of Community and Economic...

Southwestern Pennsylvanians who traveled to Washington on Tuesday reacted to the chaotic scene that unfolded, as what they anticipated to be a peaceful protest devolved into a violent mob at the U.S. Capitol. Pro-Trump protesters attended a rally with the president — who did little to calm his supporters —...

The Pennsylvania Farm Show is moving to a virtual platform for its 105th year because of covid-19 restrictions. The weeklong event, which usually takes place in Harrisburg, will begin Saturday, with new content offered daily. Content will be offered through the Farm Show website, as well as social media pages....

State Rep. Summer Lee, D-Swissvale, was absent Tuesday from Harrisburg, where she should’ve been sworn in for her second term, after a positive covid-19 test. Lee announced her positive covid-19 result on Twitter, writing that she was watching the ceremonies in Harrisburg from home while she isolates as she recovers...

Pittsburgh native Michael Keaton is slated to reprise his role as Batman in “The Flash,” a film anticipated for 2022. In the upcoming movie, DC Films will employ what is known as a multiverse, which allows for different versions of the same character to exist simultaneously in parallel worlds. This...

The pandemic has hit the restaurant industry hard. Some are gone, others hanging on. And some, according to one magazine, are too important to fail during the covid pandemic. Last week, Esquire Magazine named the “100 Restaurants America Can’t Afford to Lose.” Two Pittsburgh favorites made the list: Tessaro’s in...

A new round of stimulus checks may seem like a boost as covid-19 continues to cause widespread economic struggles — but these checks may be too little, too late for people who have faced significant financial hardship throughout the pandemic. The checks have been hotly debated, with Senate Majority Leader...

Freeport property owners won’t be paying more in taxes this year. Borough council passed the 2021 budget, which includes a general fund of around $550,000 and no tax increase. The tax rate will remain at 13 mills. Freeport residents haven’t seen a tax hike since around 2008, Treasurer Rich Hill...

Free covid-19 testing will be available at First United Presbyterian Church in Tarentum on Monday. Testing will be offered from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Philip Beck, the church’s pastor, wrote on in a Facebook announcement. A van and tent will be set up for...

After a tumultuous 2022, we could all use a little luck next year. Here are some traditions to ring in 2023: Eating pork and sauerkraut The New Year’s Day meal, popular in Western Pennsylvania, comes from the Pennsylvania Dutch, who brought the Germanic tradition of eating pork and sauerkraut with...

Buffalo Township residents won’t be paying more in taxes in 2021 after the township adopted a new budget. “There was no tax increase, just the usual expenses,” Secretary Treasurer Janice Zubrin said. “We have a balanced budget.” The final budget for the new year amounts to $2.6 million — an...

Trash and recycling collection will be delayed for homes in some Pittsburgh neighborhoods, the city’s Department of Public Works Environmental Services said Saturday. Homes that are typically collected on Friday but were slated to be collected Saturday because of the Christmas holiday may be delayed further. Residents who are affected...

Officials urged out-of-work Pennsylvanians to seek assistance through a variety of programs that can augment unemployment assistance as many face new economic challenges during the covid-19 pandemic. “The first thing that people think of when they lose their job or they have reduced hours at their place of employment is...

The Grinch tried to steal Christmas from a nonprofit collecting donations for children in need, but former Pittsburgh Steelers star Jerome Bettis deftly stepped in to help them spread holiday cheer. Family Resources, a Pittsburgh-based organization that fights child abuse, was accepting donations for local children in need during the...

If you’re dreaming of a white Christmas this year, your dreams will likely come true. Western Pennsylvania residents should expect to wake to new fallen snow on Christmas morning, said Myranda Fullerton, a meteorologist from the National Weather Service in Moon. She said this Christmas will be cold, windy and...

A local senior living community donated over 200 pounds of food to the North Hills Food Bank — a donation that will provide 350 meals for families in need during the holiday season. The Waters of Wexford, a senior living community in Marshall, recently switched food vendors and was contractually...

Proud to Protect Pittsburgh, a public service initiative promoted by regional business leaders, is encouraging Pittsburghers to take concrete steps to prevent the spread of covid-19. Launched Friday, its central message is: “Be proud to do the ‘right things’ now to protect each other and let us all get back...

Local police departments are joining forces with Toys for Pittsburgh Tikes for a toy giveaway on Sunday. Police officers from Swissvale, Edgewood, Forest Hills, Wilkins Township, Churchill, Wilkinsburg, Braddock Hills and Rankin are teaming up with the local nonprofit to provide toys for families in need this holiday season. The...

Mancini’s Bakery is taking Christmas carbs to a new level. The popular bakery created an 8-foot-tall Christmas tree crafted from its Italian bread. The holiday display should draw fresh attention, said Nick Mancini Hartner, co-owner of the bakery and the mastermind behind the bread tree. “I’ve always enjoyed playing with...

Bars and restaurants may be closed to indoor dining, but a Freeport-based nonprofit is still tipping local restaurant workers. Dynamic Community Foundation, a foundation linked to local real estate firm NextHome Dynamic Realty, announced a program called Serve the Server and Tip the ‘Tender. Its goal is to help food...

The Department of Human Services is spearheading new initiatives to support young adults ages 18 through 24 who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness, officials announced Thursday. DHS is implementing four new projects that aim to increase housing security for unaccompanied transitioned age youth, couples and young families throughout...

It’s the season of giving, and Trib Total Media wants to show its gratitude to locally owned businesses. The Trib announced Monday it will give new matching grants to local small businesses recovering from the covid-19 pandemic and ensuing economic downturn. With the Shop Local Marketing Grant 2021, Trib Total...

South Buffalo Township Police Department has installed secure boxes for dropping off unwanted medication. There are two boxes — one located at the South Buffalo Township Municipal Building and the other at the Cadogan Township building, where the police department has a substation. “It’s a no-questions-asked means for people to...

PennDOT plans to make $10 million in upgrades along Route 356 in Buffalo Township to improve the flow of traffic through the township’s central business district. The project will widen Route 356 to five lanes — consisting of four travel lanes and one center turning lane — from north of...

The Senator John Heinz History Center and Fort Pitt Museum in Pittsburgh will temporarily close due to new covid-19 restrictions. To comply with Gov. Tom Wolf’s latest covid-19 mitigation orders, the facilities will be closed to the public from Saturday through Jan. 3. “The health and safety of visitors, staff,and...