Month: May 2020

There are now 65,392 positive cases of coronavirus in Pennsylvania. Officials announced 980 new positive cases Thursday.

Source: Pennsylvania has 65,392 confirmed coronavirus cases

(CNN)A shooter at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi in Texas has been “neutralized,” the US Navy said in a statement Thursday morning.

One member of the Naval Security Forces has been injured, the Navy said. The sailor is in “good condition.”

“All gates on the installation remain closed while first responders process the scene,” the Navy said. “NCIS is en route, and state and local law enforcement are on scene.”

The FBI also responded to the incident and is assisting in the investigation, according to a spokeswoman for the bureau’s field office in Houston.

Source: Corpus Christi: Active shooter at naval air station has been ‘neutralized’ – CNN

Weeds sprout through the pavement, predators prowl the back streets, and outnumbered humans are prey. It’s a scene from countless post-apocalyptic films and TV shows where the animals have taken over.

In the months that people have been sheltering in place to slow the spread of COVID-19, some claim that wildlife are encroaching on urban and suburban places where they haven’t been before. But wildlife and animal experts say they’ve always been there. You just weren’t around to see them.

These are often animals searching for food in temporarily empty spaces, said Patrick Snickles of the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

Source: Are you seeing more wildlife during the pandemic? | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

A missing 27-year-old woman who Pittsburgh Police were looking for has been located and is safe, officials said.

Source: Missing 27-year-old woman safely located, police say

Arizona State Sen. Martin Quezada tweeted that he witnessed a shooter armed with an AR-15 near the Westgate Entertainment District in Glendale.

Source: ‘Armed terrorist’ shoots 3 people at Westgate Entertainment District near Phoenix; shooter in custody, police say

Rapidly rising water overtook dams and forced the evacuation of about 10,000 people in central Michigan, where the governor said one downtown could be “under approximately 9 feet of water” by Wednesday. For the second time in less than 24 hours, families living along the Tittabawassee River and connected lakes in Midland County were ordered to leave home.

The National Weather Service on Tuesday evening urged anyone near the river to seek higher ground following “castastrophic dam failures” at the Edenville Dam, about 140 miles north of Detroit and the Sanford Dam, about seven miles downriver.

The Tittabawassee River was at 30.5 feet and rising Tuesday night — flood stage is 24 feet. The river rose another four feet by Wednesday morning, to 34.4 feet in Midland. According to the National Weather Service, the height has set a new record for the river, beating the previous record of 33.9 feet set during flooding in 1986.

Source: Michigan dam failures force 10,000 to evacuate and could leave one city under 9 feet of water – CBS News

This discovery could be important in helping increase human healthspan and longevity.

Humans are living longer than ever before. But alongside these increases in life expectancy are an increase in the occurrence of age-related diseases such as cancer and dementia.

But understanding the biology of ageing, and knowing the genes and proteins involved in these processes, will help us increase our “healthspan” – the period that people can live in a healthy and productive state, without age-related diseases.

In a recent study, our team identified a novel anti-ageing protein, called Gaf1. We found that Gaf1 controls protein metabolism, a process that has been implicated in ageing and disease. We also found that without Gaf1, cells have a shorter lifespan.

Source: ‘Anti-ageing’ protein shown to slow cell growth is key in longevity – new research

Stores in select locations in Pennsylvania and Ohio will reopen if a bankruptcy court approves the deal, which Robert Levin said is expected to happen.

Source: Former Levin Furniture owner announces new deal to buy it back and reopen ‘select’ stores

Governor Tom Wolf and Treasurer Joe Torsella today announced that many older homeowners, renters and people with disabilities will receive early rebates through the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program.

• Claimants who already applied for rebates may use the Where’s My PA Property Tax/Rent Rebate? tool to check the status of their rebate. You will need your Social Security number, claim year and date of birth to use this tool.
• Call 1-888-PATAXES to check the status of your rebate. This automated toll-free service is available 24 hours a day. You will need your Social Security number, date of birth and the anticipated amount of your rebate to use this service.
• Claimants who included their phone number on their Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program application form (PA-1000) will receive automated calls from the Department of Revenue updating them on the status of their claim. Claimants should know that these automated phone calls require no further action. They will not be asked to key in any numbers or to provide any additional information.
• Claimants can visit the department’s Online Customer Service Center to find helpful tips and answers to commonly asked questions about the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program. The Online Customer Service Center also allows you to submit a question to a Department of Revenue representative through a secure process that is similar to sending an email.

Source: Gov. Wolf, Treasurer Torsella Announce Property Tax/Rent Rebates Arriving Early to Help Seniors, Others During COVID-19 Pandemic

When Allegheny County moved into the yellow phase of Gov. Tom Wolf’s coronavirus plan last week, it joined more than 30 other counties in partially reopening. This meant looser rules for retailers and several other kinds of businesses.

For restaurants, however, not much has changed. They still are relegated to takeout and delivery business only, as it’s not really possible to practice six-feet social distancing in a crowded dining area.

But three state representatives from Allegheny County are hoping to convince the governor to loosen up restaurant regulations to allow for outdoor seating. State Reps. Dan Deasy (D-West End), Anita Kulik (D-Kennedy), and Adam Ravenstahl (D-Ross) joined three other Democratic state legislators in sending the letter to Wolf and the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board chair Tim Holden.

Source: Three reps from Allegheny County ask Gov. Wolf to allow outdoor dining at restaurants | News | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh City Paper

PITTSBURGH —

As Allegheny County moved into the ‘yellow phase’ of reopening on May 15, county leaders say people are using caution.

“I will tell you on the first Monday since we’ve been opened, I was pleasantly surprised at how light the traffic was this morning and how few people you see walking the streets at lunch hour,” said Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald.

“There’s barely any people out which is very strange for a Monday, especially a beautiful Monday like this,” said Liz Tuttle.

Tuttle works out of the Gateway Center and said even though it’s strange, it’s not surprising.

“I’m sure people are trying to be as safe as they can,” said Tuttle. “I’m sure people want to be back to work and doing their jobs but I’m sure they want to keep their distance still.”

“I think people are taking this slowly, not just necessarily that the government, the state allowed red to yellow, I think people on their own are acting very cautiously to see where things go,” said Fitzgerald.

But it’s not all good for business owners. Richard Parsakian owns Eons Fashion Antique in Shadyside and reopened over the weekend.

“Very quiet,” he said. “I only had a couple people come in the store.”

Source: Allegheny County sees people using caution in ‘yellow phase’ of reopening

Many Americans that receive extra Social Security benefits for low-income aged, blind or disabled people are likely to receive their stimulus payments today or through the mail beginning on Friday, according to the Social Security Administration.

Some 8 million people get Supplemental Security Income, many with disabilities that typically prevent them from working. The average monthly benefit is $541. That means the stimulus payments — authorized under the $2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act to offset the impact of the coronavirus pandemic — amounts to a significant cash influx for most SSI recipients.

The stimulus payments are $1,200 for single people who earn less than $75,000, while married couples who earn less than $150,000 will receive $2,400. Children under 17 are eligible to get $500.

Source: Stimulus checks: Some Social Security recipients to get checks starting today – CBS News

(CNN)A pair of melon heads — yes, actual people with watermelons on their heads — caused quite a stir after they used watermelons as face masks to allegedly steal from a convenience store in a small Virginia town.

The duo pulled up in a lifted 2006 black Toyota Tacoma pickup truck and entered a Sheetz store in Louisa on May 5 while wearing carved out watermelons with holes cut out for their eyes, according to the Louisa Police Department.

One of the two suspects was arrested on Friday, Police Chief Tom Leary confirmed to CNN. Police are still looking for the second suspect.

The 20-year-old suspect who was arrested has been charged with wearing a mask in public while committing larceny, underage possession of alcohol, and petit larceny of alcohol, police said.

Source: A man who wore a watermelon on his head while stealing from a convenience store has been arrested – CNN

The man was fishing with friends from a dock on Neville Island, according to Ohio Township police.

Ohio Township police said they are searching for a 23-year-old man who fell into the Ohio River on Saturday night while fishing with friends.

Police on Sunday posted a message onto its Facebook page that says the man was fishing from a dock on Neville Island when he fell in and “was unable to be pulled out of the water.”

Multiple police and fire departments searched the river Sunday afternoon.

More information was not immediately available.

Source: Authorities searching for man who fell into Ohio River while fishing | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

 

LEE HARVEY OSWALD, the man charged with the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, defected to the Soviet Union in 1959, and an unearthed letter sent to his brother shortly thereafter revealed the extent of Oswald’s hatred for the US.

Source: JFK confession: Lee Harvey Oswald’s chilling letter to brother while in Russia exposed | World | News | Express.co.uk

Sen. Marco Rubio will temporarily serve as chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced on Monday.

The Florida Republican’s appointment as interim chairman of the panel comes after Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) last week informed Senate leadership that he would step aside as chairman while he faces an FBI investigation into his stock trades.

Source: Marco Rubio tapped to serve as Senate Intelligence Committee chairman – POLITICO

Summer camps are mulling their options for keeping kids and counselors safe amid the coronavirus crisis — or whether it’s just not possible.

Summer camps around the nation are grappling with whether or how they can open this summer, as the pandemic continues. The prospect is especially challenging for overnight camps, where hundreds of kids play, eat and sleep together, and the very idea of social distancing is completely anathema to the camp experience.

Little wonder a growing number of sleepaway camps have already capitulated to COVID-19.

“The cancellation of camp this summer is profoundly disappointing for all of us after what already feels like an eternity of frustration and uncertainty,” wrote Shannon Donovan-Monti, executive director at Chimney Corners Camp in Western Massachusetts, in an email to parents this week. “There are no words that can take away the heartbreak of depriving our children and ourselves of something that has given us such joy and connection to others.”

Source: Summer Camps May Be Canceled Due To Coronavirus : NPR

Americans could see another round of economic impact payments, but the House bill first has to clear the Senate and President Donald Trump.

The newest coronavirus relief bill, titled the HEROES Act, calls for another round of stimulus checks for Americans, but it still has to clear the Senate and get President Donald Trump’s stamp of approval.

The House of Representatives passed the $3 trillion piece of legislation aimed at providing financial relief for people and businesses impacted by the pandemic on Friday. Its narrow passage of 208 votes in favor to 199 against indicates the uphill battle it may face in a Republican-controlled Senate and at the desk of a president who has called it “dead on arrival.” It is not expected to pass in its current form.

Like the first stimulus package, the CARES Act, the HEROES Act calls for economic impact payments of $1,200 for individuals. To receive the full amount, an individual must have an adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less or $150,000 or less if two people are filing a joint return.

Source: What’s Next for the Newest Stimulus Bill? Who is Eligible for Another Stimulus Check and Everything to Know

The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank has distributed its 1 millionth pound of food through drive-up events since the organization’s covid-19 response began on March 16.

The mark was met on Saturday during a distribution event held with the South Hills Interfaith Movement. And while the food bank is pleased to have been able to meet the needs of people who have lost jobs and fallen on hard times during the covid-19 crisis, the milestone is a sobering indication of just how great that need is.

“Since this crisis began, our mission has not wavered,” said Lisa Scales, president and CEO of the food bank. “We are here to mobilize the community to eliminate hunger. Thanks to our staff, volunteers, donors, the National Guard, corporate and community partners, we have been able to meet the unprecedented need this pandemic has created.”

Source: Pittsburgh food bank announces 1 million pounds of food distributed during pandemic | TribLIVE.com

MCKEESPORT (KDKA) – A man was found dead inside an apartment in McKeesport just after 6:00 p.m. on Sunday night.

According to police, McKeesport Police officers arrived at the apartment in the 500 block of Sinclair Street and found a 57-year-old man dead with multiple stab wounds.

They have since requested assistance from the Allegheny County Police Department Homicide Unit.

The identity of the victim has not yet been made available.

No suspects or motive has been named at this time but police are asking anyone with information for call the County Police Tip Line at 1-833-255-8477.

Source: Allegheny County Police Investigating Fatal Stabbing In McKeesport – CBS Pittsburgh