Regional News category, Page 267
Gov. Wolf announces $50 million in grants for hazard bonuses to Pa. front-line workers
Pennsylvanians who are working in life-sustaining jobs during the coronavirus pandemic will be getting temporary pay increases, Gov. Tom Wolf announced Thursday. “These people deserve to be paid for the risks they’re taking for all of us,” Wolf said. The state will use $50 million of its federal pandemic stimulus...
Pennsylvania officials warn of dangers of hot cars for children, pets as temperatures rise
As the temperatures creep back into the 90s, the state Department of Health reminded people to never leave children, older adults, or pets in a hot vehicle. Infants, young children, people 65 years of age or older, people with chronic medical conditions, and people who work outdoors are at a...
Pennsylvania could integrate 6 state universities, including Cal U, Clarion, Edinboro, Slippery Rock
The financially struggling Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education on Thursday took the first step in a two-year redesign process that could see six of its 14 universities integrated into three operating units. The 20-member State System Board of Governors unanimously approved a resolution instructing Chancellor Daniel Greenstein to launch...
Western Pa. residents flock to campsites for safe, social-distanced summer fun
As people search for summer fun in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, camping has quickly become a popular alternative to bustling beaches and large crowds. At Ohiopyle State Park, park manager Kenneth Bisbee said attendance has skyrocketed this season. “Since the governor issued the stay-at-home order in March, our...
Police: Man fled into Fayette County woods with baby after assaulting mother
A Fayette County man was being held on $500,000 bail after allegedly assaulting a woman and fleeing into the woods with her year-old baby girl. State police filed several felony charges against Anthony Cronin, 34, of Brownsville, including aggravated assault, kidnapping, burglary, strangulation, unlawful restraint, attempted sexual assault, child endangerment,...
Levin to open its 1st furniture, mattress outlet in Ohio
Stocked with $3 million of furnishings from recently closed Levin stores, Levin Furniture Co. said Wednesday it will open its first furniture and mattress outlet in Niles, Ohio, on July 23. The 65,000-square-foot outlet on Holland Road in the former Gander Mountain store at Eastwood Mall, will be the 19th...
Butler man sentenced to 6 years in federal prison on drug, weapon charges
A Butler man has been sentenced to nearly six years in prison after a conviction on federal drug and weapons laws, U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady announced Wednesday. Brandon “Bopp” Morris, 35, of Butler, according to court documents, provided three “bricks” of heroin and an ounce of crack cocaine to...
Man charged with Pittsburgh vandalism now charged with encouraging rioting in Butler
A Butler man charged last month for his alleged role in Downtown Pittsburgh vandalism during a protest now faces charges in his home county alleging he encouraged others on social media to rob, loot and riot at a Diamond Park protest. Jordan Erdos, 20, allegedly used social media in the...
About 50% of Pa. nursing homes still have not completed universal testing of residents, staff
With nine days to go before a July 24 deadline, about half of the state’s nursing homes have completed mandated testing of all residents and staff, according to data released by the Pennsylvania Department of Health on Wednesday. Department of Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine on June 8, about five...
Gov. Wolf tightens restrictions on bars, restaurants as covid-19 surge continues
More restrictions on Pennsylvania bars and restaurants become effective Thursday in response to what Gov. Tom Wolf characterized as an “unsettling climb” of covid-19 cases in the state. “We’re already at a tipping point where we have to act now,” Wolf said, later adding, “This virus is saying, ‘I’m back.’...
University of Pittsburgh freezes tuition for 2020-21
The University of Pittsburgh Wednesday froze tuition for the coming academic year at 2019-20 rates. That means the lowest base undergraduate tuition for Pennsylvania residents at the school’s Oakland campus will remain $18,628 for the 2020-21 year. Tuition at Pitt’s three branch campuses will be held at $13,198. Graduate and...
New program for young Pennsylvania farmers aims to pump new blood into aging agriculture industry
Adam Mason and his wife, Katie, are in the process of buying a 106-acre farm in Allegheny Township, where they hope to raise chickens, turkeys, pigs and cattle. “It’s a dream come true,” Mason, a 35-year-old California native, said of his plans to own a farm. Mason, who is raising...
Pittsburgh area set to start another run of hot, humid weather
After a four-day break, the Pittsburgh area is set to enter another stretch of days with 90-degree temperatures, according to the National Weather Service. And it’s going to get muggy, too, with dew points rising to oppressive levels in the lower 70s, meteorologist Bill Modzelewski said. While the high Wednesday...
1 dead, 1 in custody after Uniontown shooting
One person is dead and another is in custody after a shooting in Uniontown. The shooting happened around 9 p.m. Tuesday near a Sunoco gas station on Connellsville Street, the Trib’s news partner, WPXI-TV, reported. Police told the station that the victim was shot inside a vehicle and pronounced dead...
Police: Butler County man dies at scene of Fayette County motorcycle crash
A Butler County man died in a motorcycle crash in Fayette County, according to state police. The crash happened Saturday in the area of 1510 Sugarloaf Road in Henry Clay Township, state police said in a news release issued Tuesday. According to state police, David Earl Bender, 79, of Valencia...
Police: 4-year-old swept under by current in Butler creek
A 4-year-old boy was flown to UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh after a “serious incident” in Connoquenessing Creek in Butler Monday evening, according to police. Police, medics and firefighters responded to a swimming hole near Kauffman Drive around 7:20 p.m. Monday. According to police, the boy was playing in the...
State police seek whereabouts of woman last seen at Unity airport
State police continue to seek the whereabouts of an intellectually disabled Hempfield woman last seen at the Arnold Palmer Airport in Unity over Memorial Day weekend. Alexandra Cycyk, 26, was last seen at the airport boarding a bus for Pittsburgh on May 25. She is 5-foot-1-inch tall and 125 pounds...
Allegheny County woman accused of trafficking methamphetamine in 3-county area
A year-long investigation into methamphetamine trafficking from the West Coast into Allegheny, Washington and Westmoreland counties resulted in the arrest of an Elizabeth Township woman Monday. Alexis M. “Lexy” Stoupis, 38, of Buena Vista, was arrested in Westmoreland County by troopers with the state police organized crime unit who say...
Exact change? Western Pa. businesses impacted by national coin shortage
Businesses are facing yet another hurdle from the coronavirus pandemic — a shortage of pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters. The national coin shortage, which is impacting businesses across the nation, is the result of disruption in the supply chain when stay-at-home orders were put in place and businesses were forced...
Ohio man killed in Washington County motorcycle crash
An Ohio man was killed Tuesday in a motorcycle crash in Washington County, according to Coroner Tim Warco. John Duda, 53, of Kettering, west of Columbus, apparently lost control of the motorcycle he was riding around a bend on Thomas Eighty Four Road in North Strabane. Investigators said the crash...
Fallingwater to host free distribution of fresh produce
A free distribution of fresh produce is planned Wednesday at Fallingwater in Fayette County. Open to anyone in need, the giveaway organized by 412 Food Rescue will take place from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the main parking lot of the historical site at 1491 Mill Run Road, off Route 381...
Pennsylvania health department puts additional coronavirus restrictions on hold
Plans to restrict dining and gatherings in some Southwestern Pennsylvania counties where covid-19 cases have increased have been put on hold following discussions with local leaders last week, Pennsylvania Department of Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine said Monday. “We had a robust discussion, but none of that influenced our decision,”...
Carnegie Mellon names new business school dean
Isabelle Bajeux-Besnainou, dean of the Desautels Faculty of Management at McGill University in Montreal, was named the 10th dean of Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business on Monday. Officials at CMU said Bajeux-Besnainou’s appointment follows an international search. She will assume her new role at CMU Oct. 15. She...
Cleveland ranks as most stressed city in U.S., Pittsburgh at 97
Covid-19, civil protests, businesses shutting down, presidential election forthcoming. There’s no doubt these are stressful times. Now, a new survey finds that the most stressful city in the country is just next door to Pittsburgh — in Cleveland. Well, with a moniker like “Mistake on the Lake,” it’s no wonder...
Increase in covid-19 cases not sharp enough to push gas prices lower, analyst says
The average price of gasoline fell slightly in the Pittsburgh area in the past week, while rising nationally, according to price-tracking service GasBuddy. Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy, said the tracking service’s data show that demand for gasoline “continues to struggle as of late, hitting some...
