A consumer alert has been issued for a popular downtown chocolate company.
The Health Department says the business had committed several violations, including the areas of cleaning and sanitation, waste and refuse storage, and that there was active pest infestation.
In the latest report from Health Department inspectors, bags of trash were observed in the hallway of the business, dead mice were seen on sticky traps and on the floor, and a roof was seen leaking over a prep area, among other violations.
The Health Department will provide an update on its website once the consumer alert has been lifted. Click here for more information.
The US Food and Drug Administration on Friday issued an alert that various products purchased within the last year from Family Dollar Stores across six states may be contaminated and unsafe to use.
(CNN)The US Food and Drug Administration on Friday issued an alert that various products purchased within the last year from Family Dollar Stores across six states may be contaminated and unsafe to use.
Items ranging from dietary supplements and medication to cosmetics and pet foods may have been exposed to insanitary conditions at Family Dollar’s distribution facility in West Memphis, Arkansas, federal officials said in a news release. An FDA inspection found that a rodent infestation could have potentially contaminated the products.
Family Dollar on Friday issued a voluntary recall of particular items that were sold after January 1, 2021, at hundreds of stores throughout Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee, according to a news release.
An SUV barreled through a wall of Oakmont Bakery early Saturday morning, sending workers inside scrambling.
Just after midnight, crews were assessing the damage from silver Ford, which hit the building right under a bakery sign on Sweet Street.
People were working inside at the time, making donuts. One employee, who was five feet from where the SUV came through, also said he feared a few of his coworkers died after they were covered by debris.
However, he was able to get them out, and said none of them were injured.
“I knew three of our guys were down where the debris came down,” Jared Glaser, a bakery employee, said. “So I just ran over started tearing it all out, screamed their names and they didn’t answer me. So I kind of turned into the Hulk. My adrenaline rush went through the roof.”
Dispatchers said crews took one person to the hospital. There was no word what caused the crash.
“It has been another good quarter for the company,” BP CEO Bernard Looney told CNBC’s “Squawk Box Europe” on Tuesday.
A surge in global gas markets through the final months of 2021, coupled with an oil price rally to seven-year highs, has seen the world’s largest fossil fuel giants rake in bumper revenues.
It comes at a time when millions of U.K. households are facing a record-breaking increase in their energy bills amid a cost of living crisis.
Pittsburgh Police were investigating after a man armed with a knife robbed a Rite-Aid store in the city’s Morningside neighborhood.
The robbery happened around 8:15 p.m. Wednesday at the store on Morningside Avenue.
A Pittsburgh Public Safety spokesperson said an employee told police that the man showed the knife and demanded cash and then ran off after getting the money. The suspect was described as wearing dark pants and a dark jacket. No injuries were reported and no arrests have been announced.
In a court filing late Tuesday, investigators stated the office “intends to make a final determination about who is responsible for those misstatements and omissions,” adding that “OAG requires the testimony and evidence sought herein to determine which Trump Organization employees and affiliates — and which other entities and individuals — may have assisted the Trump Organization and Mr. Trump in making, or may have relevant knowledge about, the misstatements and omissions at issue.”
They write that “witnesses closest to the top of the Trump Organization have asserted their Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination. Certain others have professed faulty memories or asserted that they were following instruction from more senior employees.”
The Charley family owns three Shop ‘n Save locations in Westmoreland County.
“It’s something that we’re fighting every day,” Tom Charley said. “We’re sourcing from multiple vendors. We’re using more vendors today than we ever have.”
Charley said his store only received half of their weekly order from their distributors this past week. It’s an issue stores have faced with various products throughout the pandemic.
“People have been very understanding and they know now what to expect at the store, but it’s very frustrating when you put in an order to fill up the store and you only get half the order,” Charley said.
National experts have cited staffing, rising COVID-19 cases due to the omicron variant and winter weather across the country as the reasons behind the latest stretch of supply chain problems.
Those concerns, coupled with recent inflation trends have also caused the price of groceries to jump.
“All of the costs are going up and it’s hitting us with cost increases too,” Charley said. “We are being very deliberate in trying to find the best deals we can possibly find and it’s a challenge.”
Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 reached out to a spokesperson for U.S. Foods, one of the area’s largest suppliers, but did not hear back.
UPDATE: Churchill Borough Council voted 5-2 to approve the proposed Amazon Warehouse during a special meeting Tuesday night.
Hillwood Development wants to create a $300 million Amazon warehouse at the former Westinghouse site. There will be more than 1,000 employees and nearly 700 truck trips per day.
For months, there has been a debate in the borough over it.
“Please do no harm,” said Sandy Fox, who said she lives less than 1,000 feet from the site. “Please protect our lives and protect our environment.”
Supporters said the facility will bring new jobs and millions of dollars in tax revenues that would help Woodland Hills School District.
Others put signs in their yards and protested in front of the borough building,
Those in opposition said there are more than 400 homes surrounding the site and two nearby schools. Their top concerns are excessive pollution and traffic.
“This development will be harmful to people and that’s all they need,” Fox said.
On Tuesday, the Churchill Borough manager declined to talk on the record but said the special meeting was virtual. Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 reached out to the developer.
Fox said if the council votes to move forward with the plans for the Amazon site, she and a group of neighbors will appeal the decision.
“We’re not giving up because this is too important,” she said.
By Patty Tascarella – Senior Reporter, Pittsburgh Business Times
PITTSBURGH — PNC Financial Services Group Inc. is closing another 18 branches across eight states, according to regulatory filings that surfaced on Wednesday.
Two are in Pennsylvania, including one in Millvale. The other is in Blue Bell, on the other side of the commonwealth.
PNC (NYSE:PNC) said the closures will occur on March 18. The Millvale branch is being consolidated with the Shaler Plaza location at 880 Butler Street, about 2.5 miles away.
Raising Cane’s, the popular fast-food chain known for its chicken tenders, Texas toast and special Cane sauce, could be coming to the Pittsburgh area.
Dustin Shearer, the vice president of company restaurants for Raising Cane’s, said they don’t know exactly where the restaurant may settle, but it will bring more than 200 jobs with it.
He said the company will also put 10% of its proceeds back into the community. The Johnstown native is hoping to make Pittsburghers “Caniacs.”
He said beginning next year, 20 restaurants will open in Pennsylvania, starting with one in Philadelphia.
The Raising Cane’s in the Pittsburgh area could open by the end of 2023.
“We do one thing. We are very focused,” Shearer said. “We say we do one thing, and we do it better than everybody else. We serve quality chicken meals — fast, friendly, clean — and we have fun doing it.”
A slew of new stores are set to open at Westmoreland Mall, including two that previously shuttered at the Hempfield site.
Charlotte Russe and Christopher & Banks, which previously occupied storefronts at the mall, will be joined by locally owned Neecs Sneaks and Rock Bottom jewelry store.
The announcements come after the mall for several years lost tenants, with 10 empty storefronts in 2019. The decline was part of a national trend that continued through the covid-19 pandemic, leading to the closure of thousands of stores — including Charlotte Russe and Christopher & Banks.
During the pandemic in 2020, more than 12,000 stores closed nationwide, according to CoStar Group, which tracks data for the real estate industry.
Now, some of those stores are making a comeback.
Charlotte Russe in March 2019 announced the closure of all of its stores, including five in the Pittsburgh region. That same month, the company was purchased by YM Inc., a Toronto-based clothing manufacturer. By April 2019, officials announced 100 Charlotte Russe stores would reopen.
At Westmoreland Mall, Charlotte Russe is expected to open next spring, said Stacey Keating, spokeswoman for CBL Properties, which owns Westmoreland and Monroeville malls. The store will reopen in its previous storefront on the upper level of the former Sears wing.
Millers’ Prom and Formal Wear, which opened in mid-January after moving from its location in Greensburg, currently occupies the space. Store officials said they are moving to first floor of the Macy’s wing where Dressbarn was located.
Christopher & Banks filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in February and began closing more than 400 stores nationally, including the Westmoreland Mall and Pittsburgh Mills locations. The store is slated to reopen in its former storefront at Westmoreland Mall, according to a sign posted outside the location.
Keating said the store will open in early December.
The storefront is occupied by Knockerball Run, which will move to the second floor of the former Sears wing in a storefront previously occupied by Flix Up, a selfie studio.
Neecs Sneaks, which opened in Greensburg last year, will move into the former GNC storefront on the second level of the Macy’s wing.
Better not forget to buy the Thanksgiving turkey this year — a last-minute trip to Giant Eagle will leave you empty-handed.
The O’Hara-based company announced Wednesday that its Giant Eagle grocery stores, Market District stores and GetGo gas stations will all be closed on Nov. 25 for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Giant Eagle said in a news release that its goal is to give its workers the chance to enjoy the holiday.
“Our team members have been working tirelessly to provide a safe shopping environment for our guests while ensuring access to essential food, fuel, and medicines,” company spokesperson Jannah Jablonowski said in a statement. “We cannot thank them enough for the dedication they have shown day in and day out.”
Giant Eagle’s transportation and retail support centers will also close for the holiday.
The company encouraged shoppers to make sure to stock up on stuffing, pumpkin pie and gasoline in advance.
Stores and offices will reopen as normal Nov. 26 for Black Friday.
Pennsylvania’s state-run liquor system will begin rationing sales of a few dozen products on Friday in response to what it describes as supply shortages beyond its control.
The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board notified license holders on Thursday that two-bottles-per-day purchase limits for customers at state stores, as well as well for bars, restaurants and other license holders, will remain in place indefinitely.
The PLCB said “sustained supply chain disruptions and product shortages” prompted the restrictions on certain types of alcohol.
The 43 items on the list of restricted products also will not be available through store-to-store transfers starting Friday.
Amazon is planning to hire hundreds of new workers as it expands in the Pittsburgh area.
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — KDKA has learned that Amazon is planning to hire hundreds of new workers as it expands in the Pittsburgh area.
Amazon prides itself on the fast delivery of online orders. But to do that, the world’s largest online retail store has to have fulfillment and distribution centers in most major markets. Pittsburgh is no exception.
With the opening of its newest facility in Imperial last week, Amazon says it needs more people on its payroll in Pittsburgh. The company told KDKA’s Jon Delano that it will announce Tuesday the total number of workers it will be hiring, and it will be “substantial.”
More than $104 million in Pennsylvania Turnpike tolls went uncollected last year as the agency fully converted to all-electronic tolling, with the millions of motorists who don’t use E-ZPass having a nearly 1 in 2 chance of riding without paying under the “toll-by-plate” license plate camera system.
An internal turnpike report issued in July and obtained by The Associated Press through a Right-to-Know Law request showed nearly 11 million out of the total of about 170 million turnpike rides generated no revenue for the agency in the year that ended May 31.
“We take this issue very seriously. It is a big number, there’s no question,” turnpike Chief Executive Mark Compton said. “But we, as an organization, are leaving no stone unturned in the way in which we’re going after that leakage.”
Toll revenue “leakage” – an industry euphemism for uncollected tolls – has become the focus of turnpike agencies across the country as the use of E-ZPass transponders and license plate cameras continues to spread.
It is a particular problem for the debt-strapped Pennsylvania Turnpike, where more than half of its total revenue goes to pay borrowing costs and tolls have more than quadrupled in 12 years for the minority of motorists who don’t have E-Z Pass to pay for rides.
Last year, license plates could not be identified in 1.8 million Pennsylvania Turnpike rides, bills were undeliverable in just over 1 million instances, and motor vehicle agencies failed to provide vehicle owner addresses more than 1.5 million times. An additional 6.7 million transactions were marked as “not paid.”
After tolls and fees go uncollected for about three years, the turnpike writes them off.
The owner of an Illinois retail and wholesale meat store told FOX Business he has been increasing prices for his products as the industry grapples with higher raw material costs, global supply chain challenges and a rebound in demand.
This as the Biden administration announced it plans to take a tougher stance toward meatpacking companies the White House argues are causing higher prices for meat at grocery stores.
Richard Whittingham, the owner of R. Whittingham & Sons Meat Co., told Jeff Flock during an interview on “Cavuto: Coast to Coast” on Thursday that he doesn’t blame the processors for the spike in prices, but acknowledged that “competition never hurts anybody,” noting that “that is what built our country.”
In a Wednesday blog post, President Biden’s top aides blamed the four companies that control much of the meat processing market in the U.S. for the price spikes.
In the post, the aides acknowledged that “factors like increased consumer demand have played a role” in higher prices, but argued that “the price increases are also driven by a lack of competition at a key bottleneck point in the meat supply chain: meat-processing.”
The aides wrote that “Just four large conglomerates control the majority of the market for each of these three products, and the data show that these companies have been raising prices while generating record profits during the pandemic.”
The post pointed to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which noted that just four firms “control approximately 55-85% of the market” for beef, pork, and poultry, pointing out that the figure reflects “dramatic consolidation of the industry” over the last 50 years.
Seven Springs Mountain Resort wants to hire more than 1,000 employees for seasonal, part-time and even full-time positions for the upcoming winter season.
Seven Springs, Hidden Valley Resort and Laurel Mountain are holding multiple hiring events throughout the fall. Those include a job fair from noon-3 p.m. Sept. 25, a hiring party from noon-3 p.m. Oct. 16 and Walk-In Wednesdays starting this Wednesday, all at Seven Springs.
At the hiring party, resort department managers will talk to prospective candidates. The party will include complementary Seven Springs food favorites, games, prizes and giveaways.
Walk-In Wednesdays is a new concept to be held through November, where applicants may come by any Wednesday from noon-3 p.m. and be hired for winter on the spot.
All resort professionals receive a multitude of unique perks including a complementary season pass for skiing and snowboarding and up to three additional season passes at a discounted rate for immediate family members. Additional perks include discounts on resort-wide activities including dining, sporting clays, spa services, snow tubing, swimming and more.“
Throughout the summer, we have been eagerly planning for another exciting winter on the mountain and now is the perfect time to secure a job unlike any other out there,” said Jim Singer, Human Resources Manager. “Whether you are a high school or college student looking to line up work for the winter or an active adult or retiree looking for a new fulfilling opportunity, we have something for everyone.”
Available positions include winter operations such as snowmakers, lift operators, snowcat operators, ski and snowboard instructors, snow tubing attendants and ski rental attendants. Hotel and food and beverage positions include housekeeping, front desk agents, cooks, dishwashers, servers, bartenders, resort security, massage therapists and more.
Interested applicants should be prepared to complete an application and take part in an immediate interview.
Candidates attending the hiring events are encouraged to apply in advance at www.7springs.com/employment. Conditional job offers may be extended. Candidates attending the hiring events are also asked to follow current CDC and State Health Guidelines, including wearing a mask and practicing social distancing.
Seven Springs is located at 777 Waterwheel Drive, Seven Springs, Pa., 15622.
With the push and pull of a 25-foot claw attached to heavy equipment stationed on South Pennsylvania Avenue in Greensburg, workers started the laborious task of bringing down a dilapidated former restaurant building Sunday morning. The three-story building that once housed the former Derby’s Delicatessen but has been vacant for a decade.
PITTSBURGH — Giant Eagle is looking to hire more than 1,000 people across the Pittsburgh area.
To fill those positions, the company will host an in-store job fair at all of its supermarket locations.
During the job fair, candidates will meet with recruiters and could possibly get job offers the same day.
Giant Eagle is looking to fill a number of positions across all shifts including personal shoppers, pharmacy technicians, deli and prepared food clerks, cashiers, bakers and more.
The company will host a National Hiring Week from Sept. 20-24, during which local stores and warehouses will host interview events to fill available positions.
PITTSBURGH —
ALDI announced Monday it is hiring more than 20,000 new store and warehouse employees across the country through February 2022 and beyond.
ALDI says it’s looking to fill more than 450 positions in the greater Pittsburgh area.
The company will host a National Hiring Week from Sept. 20-24, during which local stores and warehouses will host interview events to fill available positions.
ALDI recently increased pay for store and warehouse employees and the new national average. Starting wages for store and warehouse positions will be $15 and $19 per hour respectively.
ALDI employees are also eligible for benefits, including health care, retirement plans, financial wellness and employee assistance programs and paid time off.
The building is located in the 1600 block of East Carson Street. There are bricks and debris on the sidewalk.
Officials said the collapse may have been weather-related.
Public Safety officials said the second floor was vacant and there were no injuries to patrons who exited the business below. The business below is Swirl Penguins, an ice cream shop.
A worker who was inside Swirl Penguins told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 that she believes the building was struck by lightning.
Officials said a firefighter was treated for glass in his eye.
Public Safety officials said East Carson Street between S. 16th and S. 17th Street will be closed overnight.
The integrity of the building is being inspected.
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The upper floor of a two-story building in the 1600 block of E. Carson Street has partially collapsed.
No one was inside. There were no injuries to patrons who exited the business below.
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Police and fire in Pittsburgh at S 17th St. and E Carson St.
One man is dead and another wounded after an exchange of gunfire in a crowded Lower Nazareth Township shopping center parking lot Sunday afternoon.
Northampton County District Attorney Terry Houck confirmed the fatality in the shootout at Lower Nazareth Commons, 3835 Dryland Way, which is home to the Target and a Burlington Coat Factory, among other stores.
Houck said the investigation is active and the identities of the people involved aren’t being released yet.
The shopping center is in the jurisdiction of the Colonial Regional Police Department but police at the scene said information would come from state police or the district attorney’s office.
The gunfire erupted a little before 2:15 p.m. Hunter Phillips, 21, of Palmer Township said he and his father arrived in the parking lot of the Target about that time and were looking for a parking spot when the younger Phillips heard gunshots.
In the next aisle over, Phillips said he saw a man leaning over the hood of a white car firing a gun toward a black car. A man on the driver’s side of the black car was firing back toward the white car.
The man behind the white car started running toward the Target, losing his shoes in the process, Phillips said. Another witness said the man ran up to her car and asked for help. The man on the driver’s side of the black car also took off running, Phillips said, but he did not see where the man went.
Phillips said he saw the passenger side door of the black car open and a man fall out onto the ground. Phillips got out of his car and ran to aid the man, who appeared to have gunshot wounds to his neck, back and shoulder.
Despite some back and forth between township supervisors, a proposed Dollar General store is one step closer to opening in North Hempfield.
Supervisors during a meeting last week granted final conditional approval for proposed plans in a 3-2 vote. Supervisors Rob Ritson and John Silvis voted against the project.
