Regional News category, Page 285
Community colleges expect an enrollment spike because of pandemic
Community colleges may become a more viable option for students this fall, as the covid-19 pandemic continues to alter various aspects of higher education. In Western Pennsylvania, schools are preparing for a myriad of possibilities but remain uncertain exactly how the pandemic will affect them, said Stuart Blacklaw, provost at...
Average gas prices in Pittsburgh area remain over $2 a gallon
Pennsylvania is among a dozen states where average gasoline prices remain over $2 a gallon, despite nine straight weeks of declines. Pennsylvania’s statewide average is about $2.03 a gallon, according to the price-tracking service GasBuddy. The average price is slightly higher in the Pittsburgh area, at $2.15 a gallon, GasBuddy’s...
Pennsylvania officials issue guidance on resuming elective surgeries
Hospitals and surgical centers in Pennsylvania can resume elective procedures that have been halted for weeks by the coronavirus pandemic. State Secretary of Health Rachel Levine said Monday such surgeries and procedures may begin again as long as hospitals still would be ready for a potential surge in covid-19 cases....
Officials: Pennsylvania coronavirus reporting largely lacks mandated race, ethnicity data
Health care systems still aren’t providing crucial race and ethnicity data when reporting coronavirus cases to the Department of Health, leaving a wide swath of some vulnerable populations unaccounted for, officials said Monday. A mandate from Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine says facilities and providers include demographic data along...
Amtrak extends train service for Pittsburgh to Philadelphia until at least May 18
Amtrak has extended the suspension of its passenger rail service between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia until at least May 18 — instead of May 4, as previously reported. With Gov. Tom Wolf’s stay-at-home order extended until May 8, the Pennsylvanian and Keystone trains will not be resumed next week as tentatively...
Police: Somerset man severely beaten, subjected to Russian roulette at ‘house party’
Pennsylvania State Police say a 21-year-old Somerset County man was duped into attending a “house party,” where he was severely beaten and subjected to “Russian roulette.” Charles D. Sleasman, 22, of Plum and Eric Flamm, 24, of Somerset were arraigned on assault charges after allegedly tying the man’s hands and...
No bird-banding this year at Powdermill because of coronavirus concerns
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the U.S. Bird Banding Laboratory, whose efforts have helped researchers uncover information about avian migration patterns, population shifts, productivity and more. For the first time in six decades, however, spring migration won’t be documented by the bird-banding operation at the Powdermill Nature Reserve...
Pennsylvania reports fewer than 900 new coronavirus cases, 47 deaths
Dozens of new coronavirus deaths in Pennsylvania have pushed the statewide death toll to nearly 1,600 and hundreds more people tested positive, according to state health officials. The 47 new deaths reported to the Department of Health throughout the day Sunday brought the confirmed total to 1,597. Another 885 people...
Meadowcroft postpones season opener because of pandemic
Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village, part of the Senator John Heinz History Center system, postponed Saturday’s scheduled opening of its 52nd season because of covid-19 concerns. Meadowcroft, a National Historic Landmark located in Washington County, is the oldest site of human habitation in North America. It features a massive rock...
FBI warns about ‘money mule’ recruiters preying on people working from home
The FBI’s Pittsburgh office is warning people to be wary of offers to earn money working from home during the mandated shutdown to help curb the spread of coronavirus. “Watch out for ‘work from home’ fraud schemes that take advantage of uncertainty to promise easy money for little or no...
With commencements postponed, Class of ’20 becomes Class of Covid-19
This was supposed to be a big weekend — the kick-off of college commencement season that would culminate in graduation ceremonies for about 15,000 students at colleges and universities across the region over the next month. Pitt and Point Park University were poised to lead the way this weekend with...
Mayors want bells to ring out in support of first responders, those working during pandemic
Ronald Echard of New Stanton and Jerry Lucia of Mt. Pleasant are among area mayors who are encouraging participation in a statewide event meant to show support for those on the front lines of the covid-19 pandemic. Echard has proclaimed Sunday, May 3 as Bells Across Pennsylvania Day in New...
Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank to distribute food Tuesday at Big Butler Fairgrounds
The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank plans to serve food to about 1,500 families at a drive-up distribution event at Big Butler Fairgrounds on Tuesday. The event is a partnership between the food bank, Alliance for Nonprofit Resources, the Butler County Sheriff’s Office and Friends of the Bantam Jeep Association....
Trib Total Media nominated for 24 Golden Quill awards from Press Club of Western Pa.
Reportage on the aftermath of the Tree of Life shooting, a little-known AIDS research study, and the legacies of some of Pittsburgh’s most iconic radio personalities were among the many Trib Total Media pieces nominated for the Press Club of Western Pennsylvania’s Golden Quill Award. The Trib earned 24 nominations....
Chatham produces food directory to help farmers
Tom Logan’s forefathers have been farming their land in Hempfield since Grover Cleveland was sitting in the White House during the last decade of the 19th century. Now, 126 years later, Logan Family Farms LLC is getting a boost from modern technology in the form of Chatham University’s online Pennsylvania...
Gov. Wolf: Mental health resources available for pandemic stress, anxiety
Resources are available for people having trouble coping or experiencing a mental health crisis spurred by the coronavirus pandemic and the isolation it has wrought. Gov. Tom Wolf on Friday reiterated a list of resources available. The mitigation efforts to combat the coronavirus are necessary for public health, he said,...
Pennsylvania State Police: coronavirus results in huge drop in crashes, crime
The coronavirus pandemic is taking a bite out of crime and traffic crashes throughout the commonwealth, according to Pennsylvania State Police. Data from state police from before the first case of coronavirus was confirmed in the state early last month was compared to arrest and incident data from last week....
Rain in forecast for Western Pennsylvania could cause flooding, weather service warns
Periods of rain beginning Saturday evening and continuing for the next several days could cause flooding, a National Weather Service meteorologist said. “If you want to get out and enjoy some semblance of this weekend, you’d want to do it tomorrow” before evening, said meteorologist Myranda Fullerton. Well...at least it...
Construction sites in Pa. must follow coronavirus safety guidelines when projects resume
Construction crews must wear masks and have hand-washing stations at sites when workers return to work next week, according to guidelines laid out by Gov. Tom Wolf. Wolf shut down most construction projects when he ordered non-life-sustaining businesses closed because of the coronavirus pandemic. As part of a plan to...
71 more coronavirus deaths reported in Pa.; total cases top 38,600
State health officials on Friday reported 71 more coronavirus deaths and nearly 1,600 new cases of the virus as Pennsylvania marked seven weeks since seeing its first case. There are now 1,492 confirmed deaths across the state. Confirmed deaths are those in which the deceased previously tested positive for covid-19....
Guide to the coronavirus: What you need to know
The coronavirus pandemic has affected lives around the world. Here in Western Pennsylvania, it’s no different. To help get through this difficult time, the Tribune-Review has put together a guide with information and resources to help be informed about covid-19 and its impact locally. By the numbers For the latest...
Nearly all Pennsylvania liquor stores to open for curbside pickup
The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board will open most liquor stores across the state for call-in orders and curbside pickup service starting Monday. PLCB Chairman Tim Holden said Friday that 565 of the state’s nearly 600 Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores would take a limited number of orders on a...
Self-employed Pennsylvanians report confusion, glitches when applying for financial assistance
More than 78,000 self-employed Pennsylvanians have applied for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance since the state introduced the program last week — but several who were interviewed say the process has been marred by confusion and technical glitches. “You’re just kind of in the dark, and just hoping that something comes through,”...
Pennsylvania climate report predicts wetter, warmer future, livestock expansion
A predicted increase in rainfall in Pennsylvania may lead to more flooding and threats to infrastructure in the decades ahead, but some agricultural sectors could experience growth as conditions change, according to a report issued this week by state officials. Created by the Penn State University Environment and Natural Resources...
Virtual job fair May 27 to replace traditional one
With large gatherings prohibited because of the coronavirus-related restrictions, the Pittsburgh Technology Council will hold a virtual job fair on Wednesday, May 27. The event is billed as an opportunity for companies to expand their pipeline of tech talent, as well as a “time efficient solution to recruitment efforts.” The...
