A fire that spread through a grassy area of Southwest Florida International Airport has destroyed thousands of rental cars, fire department officials said.
The front-line fighters against the coronavirus in Westmoreland County most certainly include medical professionals, first responders and other health care workers treating patients.
But workers at Latrobe-based Carclo Technical Plastics are quietly supporting their efforts through the manufacturing of tiny plastic collection tubes used across the globe in coronavirus testing kits.
Carclo operates two plants in the county, one in Latrobe and a small factory in Export. About 250 employees work 12-hour daily shifts to churn out the vital parts needed for the coronavirus testing kits as well as other needed medical supplies.
“For the run-of-the-mill customer, nine out of 10 people don’t see our product in the real world, so this has definitely given us an increased awareness and exposure to what we do,” said Rob Stutzman, the company’s divisional chief operating officer.
Donald Trump has directly urged Americans worried about Covid-19 to take a little-studied anti-malaria drug for the disease, despite potentially serious side effects and a lack of data on safety and efficacy in treatment of the pandemic virus.
At a lengthy, rambling and combative briefing on Saturday afternoon, the president also sought to discredit media reports of his administration’s failures and called some outlets in the White House press corps “fake news”.
Media reports about shortages of ventilators and personal protective equipment, he claimed, relied on state governors asking for more supplies than they needed.
According to researchers at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland, by Saturday evening more than 305,000 cases of Covid-19 had been confirmed in the US, resulting in more than 8,000 deaths. New York is by far the state worst hit.
Scientists around the world are looking for potential treatments but so far have not found a success. The drug repeatedly pushed by Trump, hydroxychloroquine, has only shown anecdotal promise.
The drug is used to treat malaria, arthritis and lupus. Reports of its potential have driven up sales and made it difficult for Americans who rely on the drug to fill prescriptions.
“What do you have to lose? What do you have to lose?” Trump said from the White House podium. “Take it.”
He also said he “may take it” himself, though he would “have to ask my doctors about that”.
WASHINGTON — Last month, Capitol Hill was a remarkable scene of solidarity: All 99 senators voted to pass the largest stimulus package in U.S. history, and, two days later, the House followed suit with fast-tracked approval.
And so came the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act, a $2.3 trillion economic spending package signed by President Donald Trump on March 27, providing loans to businesses, cash payments to most Americans and support to hospitals and health care research.
“I know that we’re nearing several holidays, including major religious holidays like Easter and Passover,” Gov. Wolf said. “I am encouraging religious leaders hosting a holiday celebration to consider an alternative that does not bring people together in-person.
Officials said the bus driver, who works out of the West Mifflin garage, has been in medically-directed self-quarantine since April 1, and has not been to work since March 21.
The Diocese of Greensburg has announced that it is closing all church buildings until further notice, with a few exemptions during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Bishop Edward C. Malesic said baptisms and weddings should be delayed if possible and all funerals should take place at the cemetery with a memorial mass scheduled for a later date.
If a baptism, wedding or funeral does take place, only ten people including clergy are permitted to attend.
In addition to all previous directives, the following guidelines and mandates apply to all parishes, parish priests, parish administrators and deacons, parish churches and all public chapels:
•All parish churches and public chapels are to be closed until further notice, except in those cases listed below.
•The Sacrament of Reconciliation should be limited to those in serious need. Confessions should be arranged by appointment.
•Baptisms are to be delayed, if possible. However, should baptism be required, no more than 10 people, including clergy, are permitted to be present, taking extreme caution to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
•Weddings should be delayed, if possible. However, should a wedding occur during this time of threat, no more than 10 people, including clergy, are permitted to be present. Proper social distancing must be maintained.
Bishop Edward C. Malesic said baptisms and weddings should be delayed if possible and all funerals should take place at the cemetery with a memorial mass scheduled for a later date.
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree! These celebrity parents, like Cindy Crawford, Jennifer Garner, and Tom Hanks, all share striking similarities — and features! — with their cute kids. Click through to see these stars
Today, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court rejected an emergency request to dramatically reduce jail populations by allowing the blanket release of certain inmates.
On April 1, the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania filed an emergency request on behalf of five inmates as a plea to reduce county jail populations across the commonwealth. The goal was to stem the spread of coronavirus within jails and among people in contact with current and former inmates.
The monthly payments — as well as a freeze on monthly rent and mortgage payments — are part of a list of wide-ranging priorities the progressive senator from Vermont on Friday highlighted that he would like to see in a potential fourth coronavirus relief package that Congress is considering.
President Trump signed into law a week ago a massive $2 trillion stimulus package known as the CARES Act that was overwhelmingly passed in a bipartisan vote by Congress.
Hobby Lobby had attempted to remain open by labeling itself as an essential business, and therefore not under the prohibitions of the stay-at-home orders. Stores in Texas, Colorado, Ohio and Michigan were reopened despite the mandates.
“Hobby Lobby properly closed its stores during Ohio’s stay-home order,” tweeted Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost on Wednesday. “Now they’re open again — what’s changed? Neither the order, nor the seriousness of the health threat, for sure. I sent a cease & desist letter to their general counsel.”
Dave Yost
✔@Yost4Ohio
Hobby Lobby properly closed its stores during Ohio’s stay-home order.
Now they’re open again — what’s changed? Neither the order, nor the seriousness of the health threat, for sure.
“We encourage furloughed employees to file their claims with their State’s unemployment commissions as soon as possible,” read a statement by Hobby Lobby on Friday.
Pittsburgh officials have not ruled out closing city parks if residents fail to heed social distancing guidelines as they did last weekend.
The city has already closed all playgrounds effective Friday, and basketball courts and the Mt. Washington overlooks have been closed since early this week.
Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich said residents have, for the most part, done well at keeping their distance from one another.
“But last weekend was an exception within our city parks and public places,” Hissrich said Friday at an outdoor news conference on the North Shore. “They were packed, and there was no social distancing.”
He said now is a crucial time in the pandemic, and “we have to remain vigilant.”
PITTSBURGH, PA – A third Giant Eagle employee in the Pittsburgh area has tested positive for coronavirus, the grocery chain announced.
A worker at the Giant Eagle on Old William Penn Highway in Murrysville tested positive on April 1. The worker’s last day in the store was March 27. The store has been sanitized and remains open.
The other stores where an employee tested positive were on McKnight Road in McCandless and at Settler’s Ridge in Robinson. Those stores also were sanitized and remain open.
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Thousands and thousands of Pennsylvanians are newly out of work due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there are some places that are still hiring, mainly in essential services such as grocery stores and supply delivery.
We’ve been compiling a list of the places seeking applicants, and will continue to update the list as more places announce they’re hiring.
Cedar Creek Design: We’re in immediate need of an experienced hardscape/landscape construction crew leader. Minimum 3-5 years experienced preferred in a similar leadership position. Crew leader should be knowledgeable in all aspects of residential hardscape and landscape construction, leading a crew of 3-4 people, working within a deadline, etc. Valid PA drivers license required – CDL Class A is a plus but otherwise will train. This is a temporary position that could lead to a permanent one. Pay will be based on experience.
Citizen Care, Inc.: We are hiring for Direct Support Professionals to work in our Residential Group Homes (intellectual and developmental disabilities). Full Time opportunities are available on days, evenings and overnights. Additional professional and management opportunities are also available. Learn more and apply at PFQ.org/Careers.
Delta T Group: Residential aide to work with adults that have intellectual, developmental disabilities and or mental health diagnoses in a residential/group home setting.
FedEx Ground: FedEx Ground is an essential business that needs people to help us support the economy, handling life-saving medications and other items that keep our communities as prepared as possible during these uncertain times. FedEx Ground is hiring part-time and full-time individuals to load and unload packages in our fast-paced warehouse environment.
IPC Services, LLC:Harmony, PA – Environmental Service provider in need of dedicated and reliable field technicians / laborers are first line responders trained to provide countless services to various industries. These services can include emergency response, remediation and oil and gas services.
Magna Service Agency: We Pilot the water trucks and sand trucks on the lease roads for the oil and gas industry. No CDL required. These are all new 2019 standard trucks. Just need a clean driving record and 3 years of driving experience.
Milestone Centers, Inc.: We are hiring for Direct Support Professionals to work in our Residential Group Homes (intellectual / developmental disabilities and Community Residential Rehabilitation). Full Time opportunities are available on evenings and overnights. Additional professional and management opportunities are also available. Learn more and apply at milestonepa.org/careers.
Murray Avenue Kosher: Prep cook, dishwasher, deli counter and customer counter to help enforce social distancing. Email: aryehm21@yahoo.com
Sierra Experts: A provider of Remote Systems Management, Remote Monitoring, Data Center Hosting, Telephony, and Application Development services is seeking an aggressive, career-focused individual to join our expanding team for the position of Server Operations – Tier II. This individual is responsible for the systems support as it pertains to the current client base of the company. This position must support active clients and work with future clients by developing a thorough understanding of their business needs as they relate to their Technology needs. This opportunity is ideal for individuals that excel at systems support with the goal of professional growth and broadening skillsets.
Summit Academy: Summit Academy is seeking individuals who want to make a difference in the lives of our young men through counseling, training, athletics and education!
The Academy Schools: If you feel that you have the character to make a difference and change the direction of a student’s life, we invite you to learn more about our unique career opportunities that we offer.
ZTRIP TAXI:zTrip is currently hiring candidates interested in an Independent Contractor position that would require on demand taxi driving services.
Bill Withers, who wrote and sang a string of soulful songs in the 1970s that have stood the test of time, including “Lean On Me,” “Lovely Day” and “Ain’t No Sunshine,” has died.
A University of Wisconsin-Madison doctor and her husband have been found dead in what cops are calling a targeted double homicide.
A jogger discovered the bodies of Dr. Beth Potter, 52, and Robin Carre, 57, in a ditch at the campus arboretum — a popular research and recreation area with more than 1,200 acres of forests and prairies — around 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, authorities said.
Carre was pronounced dead at the scene, while Potter was transported to a local hospital, where she also died, according to police.
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Allegheny Health Network is creating thousands of test kits in preparation for a possible surge of coronavirus cases.
“The people you have on site today include nurses, include physicians, include other clinical people, include data analytics and project managers,” said Kelly Glass, the vice president of Strategy, Operations, and Shared Services at AGH.
It’s a critical time for Allegheny County.
With more and more people testing positive for coronavirus, additional testing is essential.
The assembling of the kits is happening inside the Highmark Health Penn Avenue Plaza.
(Photo Credit: KDKA)
“This is in response to a shortage of commercially available specimen collection kits,” said Glass.
“And so rather than waiting to see whether or not these vendors, through supply chain, can bring these items to us, we started to take items individually and putting them together,” said Dr. Brian Parker, chief quality & learning officer for AHN.
Doctors say it’s important for those experiencing symptoms, such as a fever or shortness of breath, to get tested.
The last thing they want is to waste test kits.
“Because right now, the big shortage in the country is the swabs that use to get the sample to send to the lab,” said Parker.
KDKA learned workers will be putting these kits together all next week, as well.
ELLWOOD CITY — Business has declined at Alborn Tires, as it has for many businesses during the coronavirus crisis. So owner Justin Neupauer decided to put the slow time to good use this week.
On Tuesday, Neupauer, three of his employees and a group of about 20 volunteers worked to disinfect and clean up Lawrence Avenue and surrounding areas where there are businesses.
“I just wanted to do something positive for our town because it just such an amazing place,” he said.
The volunteers, keeping all the social distancing rules, spread out over Lawrence Avenue, picking up trash, spraying weeds, disinfecting parking meters, crosswalk buttons, benches and anything the public would touch. Using gloves and protective gear the volunteers disinfected the community plaza tables and the Seventh Street Park.
The warehouse at the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank is normally filled with volunteers from the community, but on Thursday it was filled with members of the Pennsylvania National Guard.
“When we got the call…we literally showed up the very next morning,” said Raymond Pritchard, National Guard. “They called us yesterday and we’re here today to be supportive and help out wherever they need help at.”
17 members of the 128 Brigade Support Battalion to Task Force West are packing emergency food boxes at the facility.
“With the nature of this crisis we’ve really had to cut back on the amount of volunteers that we can welcome into our building so we’ve been really strapped in order to pack emergency food boxes,” said Charla Irwin-Buncher, Chief Development Officer of the Great Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. “(They’ll be) doing some of our direct distribution here at the building and also doing some mass distributions as well, so we plan to have the guard plug into all three of those areas.”
On Thursday, guard members were packing 3,000 boxes with food supplies.
“I work at a high school so my job runs with the high school and the high school’s closed and I’m out of a job,” said Kristina Lewis, National Guard. “To be able to come out here and to help with my free time, come out here and help the community with food. I know a lot of people are without food right now because they’re also out of work so it means so much to me to be able to help out my community since I’m from Pittsburgh.”
U.S. stock index futures fell late Thursday, leaving Wall Street on track for another week of losses. As of 9 p.m. Eastern, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures YM00, -1.21% were down more than 200 points, or 1%, while S&P 500 futures ES00, -1.17% and Nasdaq-100 futures NQ00, -1.20% slipped as well. Earlier, stocks gained in the regular session, with the Dow DJIA, +2.24% closing up more than 2% as President Donald Trump hinted at imminent production curbs by feuding oil giants Saudi Arabia and Russia. But investors may be bracing for Friday’s March jobs report, which is expected to be ugly though not fully indicative of the massive job losses caused by businesses shutting down due to the coronavirus pandemic. On Thursday, data showed that unemployment applications last week soared to a record 6.6 million.
As the world battles the coronavirus crisis, researchers are warning of a potentially active Atlantic Ocean hurricane season, which kicks off June 1 through the end of November.
Specifically, the team forecasts 16 named tropical systems; 12 is the average. Eight of those named systems are forecast to reach hurricane status, with winds greater than 74 mph; Six is the usual amount per year. CSU is also forecasting more major hurricanes than is typical per year: four as opposed to the average of 2.7.
At least eight of the 16 named tropical storms that are forecast will reach hurricane status with winds greater than 74 mph, according to Colorado State University.
A man suspected in a homicide on March 20 in Greenville, South Carolina was arrested on Thursday in Pittsburgh following a police chase on Interstate 79 in Washington County.
Ryan@WPXIPhotogRyan
High speed chase that started in Washington County ends in Pittsburgh on the 900 block of Saw Mill Blvd. Canonsburg PD cruiser sustained damage. 2 suspects detained. @PAStatePolice investigating. #wpxi
What’s next
Pitt scientists want to begin the first of three stages of human testing for their covid-19 vaccine in the next several months. The first phase will involve trying the vaccine on healthy volunteers to test safety and dosage. Pitt scientists want to use volunteers from the Pittsburgh region. The second and third phases typically examine efficacy, side effects and adverse reactions, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The trials could be completed in 12 to 18 months, Pitt officials said. They have not yet determined how volunteers will be recruited.
A fire that spread through a grassy area of Southwest Florida International Airport has destroyed thousands of rental cars, fire department officials said.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been admitted to a hospital with the coronavirus 10 days after testing positive.
“I know that we’re nearing several holidays, including major religious holidays like Easter and Passover,” Gov. Wolf said. “I am encouraging religious leaders hosting a holiday celebration to consider an alternative that does not bring people together in-person.
Officials said the bus driver, who works out of the West Mifflin garage, has been in medically-directed self-quarantine since April 1, and has not been to work since March 21.
Today, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court rejected an emergency request to dramatically reduce jail populations by allowing the blanket release of certain inmates.
A teenager in Penn Hills was shot in the backside on Friday afternoon.
Production of Corona beer is being temporarily suspended in Mexico because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Dave Yost
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf is asking Pennsylvania residents to wear a mask when leaving their homes to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Bill Withers, who wrote and sang a string of soulful songs in the 1970s that have stood the test of time, including “Lean On Me,” “Lovely Day” and “Ain’t No Sunshine,” has died.
In the final two weeks of the month, 10 million Americans applied for unemployment benefits, a stunning sign of the scope of the economic crash.
U.S. stock index futures fell late Thursday, leaving Wall Street on track for another week of losses. As of 9 p.m. Eastern, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures YM00, -1.21% were down more than 200 points, or 1%, while S&P 500 futures ES00, -1.17% and Nasdaq-100 futures NQ00, -1.20% slipped as well. Earlier, stocks gained in the regular session, with the Dow DJIA, +2.24% closing up more than 2% as President Donald Trump hinted at imminent production curbs by feuding oil giants Saudi Arabia and Russia. But investors may be bracing for Friday’s March jobs report, which is expected to be ugly though not fully indicative of the massive job losses caused by businesses shutting down due to the coronavirus pandemic. On Thursday, data showed that unemployment applications last week soared to a record 6.6 million.
A man suspected in a homicide on March 20 in Greenville, South Carolina was arrested on Thursday in Pittsburgh following a police chase on Interstate 79 in Washington County.
Ryan@WPXIPhotogRyan
