News Of Western Pennsylvania And The World
Black Friday looks different in Pittsburgh this year amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
There were fewer Black Friday shoppers early in the morning and less lines, though some did venture out in search of deals.
Malls and stores made changes to their hours this year, opening later or staying closed on Thanksgiving.
Many are also offering more sales online to encourage consumers to do shopping from home.
Source: Black Friday looks different for Pittsburgh-area shoppers this year
The Steelers-Ravens game that was set to air on Channel 11 on Thanksgiving has been postponed due to a COVID-19 outbreak among the Baltimore players and staff.
PENN HILLS, Pa. — Power is almost completely restored after around 1,500 Duquesne Light customers woke up without power.
Source: Around 1,500 people woke up without power in Penn Hills Thanksgiving morning
Pat Sajak nearly lost his cool on a “Wheel of Fortune’ contestant on Wednesday, leading him to apologize.
The banter began when contestant Darin solved a puzzle for things that begin with the word “kitchen.”
“Cabinet, oven, towels, sink,” Darin correctly answered. However, the contestant pointed out it didn’t necessarily make sense.
“Kitchen oven? What was that?” Darin said.
“Yeah, where else would you keep an oven?” Sajak quipped.
ALEX TREBEK REMEMBERED BY ‘WHEEL OF FORTUNE’ HOSTS PAT SAJAK AND VANNA WHITE
Pat Sajak almost lost his cool on a ‘Wheel of Fortune’ contestant during Wednesday night’s episode. (Gerardo Mora/Getty Images)
“For sure in the kitchen, but who calls it a ‘kitchen oven?'” Darin furthered.
“You won! Don’t argue, Darin! You got the puzzle! Ungrateful players, I’ve had it!” Sajak responded.
The tall grey dog is the first over her breed ever to be named best in show at the Thanksgiving day contest, lehighvalleylive.com reported.
Source: National Dog Show 2020: Scottish deerhound wins Best in Show
GREENSBURG, Pa. —A Greensburg restaurant owner is continuing her mission to adapt to changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.Lisa Hegedus has owned Caffe Barista for 23 years. This year, she was forced to adapt quickly when the coronavirus pandemic hit in March.
“We developed a box meal program, we delivered to all essential workers and offered curbside pickup,” Hegedus said.
The business is located across the street from the Westmoreland County Courthouse and has always relied on foot traffic. With her catering business taking a hit, Hegedus focused more on getting individual meals to customers.
“You have to pivot your business,” Hegedus said. “If you don’t look at the way things are happening around you and adapt to them, you’re not going to stay open.”
Now, Hegedus is planning to pivot again with an indoor farmers market in her store, starting early next year. The goal is for customers to be able to pick up fresh produce and dairy products, while still offering the food and beverages customers are used to.
“We’re just adding a new dimension to what we already offer. It brings more people into town shopping at all the other businesses,” Hegedus said. “We’re very thankful for everything, for all of our customers the 23 years we’ve been here, and hopefully another 23 more.”
Hegedus said work on the new setup is set to get underway soon, with the goal of having the farmers market open in the early months of 2021.
Source: Greensburg restaurant adapting, plans indoor farmers market
Source: Caffe Barista
Curious tourists have tracked down a mysterious metal monolith that was discovered in a remote area of the Utah desert on November 18. A similar structure appeared in Seattle in 2001.
Curious tourists have tracked down a mysterious metal monolith that was discovered in a remote area of the Utah desert earlier this month, as it’s revealed a similar version appeared nearly 20 years ago on New Years Day in Seattle.
Across the globe UFO spotters and conspiracy theorists have become obsessed with the shiny, triangular pillar that was discovered by baffled local officials counting bighorn sheep from the air last Wednesday in southeastern Utah.
Several adventurous hikers successfully located the monolith on Tuesday and gleefully climbed the mystifying object and snapped photos with it, even though officials didn’t disclose its exact location for fear people would get lost searching for it.
Source: Tourists flock to visit mysterious 12-foot monolith in Utah desert | Daily Mail Online
Auto parts supplier Denso has added 1.5 million vehicles to a recall list for a fuel pump it makes, bringing the total to 3.53 million cars.
The affected model years are 2013-2020.
If you own a vehicle with this fuel pump, Denso says you’ll be notified by the automaker. However, as always with recalls, if you bought the vehicle used, the government and the automaker may not know you’re the current owner. So you should take it upon yourself to enter your car’s VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup page.
Source: Denso fuel pumps recalled in 3.5M Toyotas, Hondas, Fords, Subarus | Autoblog
President-elect Joe Biden on Wednesday appealed for unity in fighting the coronavirus pandemic, telling Americans “we’re all in this together.” Yet his plea comes as his fellow Democrats continue getting busted for breaking the same rules that they continue to preach.
Signs of a tattered, but resilient, voting system were on full display this week, as one of the most contentious elections in U.S. history rolled toward completion.
Pennsylvania, Michigan, Nevada and North Carolina put the final stamp of approval on their official vote counts, as workers re-tallied millions of ballots in Georgia and Wisconsin to assure the Trump campaign that the initial count was accurate. Courts in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and elsewhere reviewed and almost uniformly, rejected legal challenges for lack of merit.
The 2020 election was extraordinary in so many ways. A pandemic forced election workers to shift their attention from guarding against Russian phishing attacks to acquiring adequate supplies of hand sanitizers and printing millions of mail-in ballots. But more extraordinary were the unrelenting attacks on the legitimacy of the system, primarily by President Trump and his allies, and the resulting decline in public trust.
Source: As States Certify Election Results, An Extraordinary Election Ends : NPR
It appears that many people are looking to get tested for coronavirus to keep their holiday safe.
Source: Long lines form outside Palm Beach County coronavirus testing site
Europe remained the biggest global contributor to new Covid-19 cases and deaths in the past week, the World Health Organization (WHO) said, despite signs that stricter measures against the spread of the virus are starting to have an impact.
(CNN)Europe remained the biggest global contributor to new Covid-19 cases and deaths in the past week, the World Health Organization (WHO) said, despite signs that stricter measures against the spread of the virus are starting to have an impact.
The European region accounted for 44% of global new cases and 49% of global new deaths in the past week, according to the latest weekly WHO report, released Tuesday.While the number of new cases in the region is declining on a weekly basis, the number of deaths is still rising, with 32,684 new fatalities reported in the previous seven days.This update comes as countries across the continent grapple with how to allow people to celebrate upcoming holidays, including Christmas, and mitigate the economic pain to businesses while countering the pandemic.
Source: Europe Covid: WHO says continent was largest contributor to new deaths in the past week – CNN
PITTSBURGH —Even with a state-wide stay-at-home advisory in Pennsylvania, thousands of people are expected to hit the skies for the Thanksgiving holiday.Still, the numbers are expected to be much lower compared to air travel on past Thanksgiving weekends.
The CEO of the Allegheny County Airport Authority said that a typical Thanksgiving week before the pandemic saw about 18,000 travelers a day.
This year, it is expected to be able 6,000 travelers a day, a drop of about 65%.
Source: Fewer people flying out of Pittsburgh on Thanksgiving eve
Break happened early Wednesday morning
NORTH HUNTINGDON, Pa. —
A water main break in North Huntingdon has led to road restrictions in the area.
North Huntingdon police posted early Tuesday morning telling drivers to avoid Main Street in the area of Hillview Drive and Byerly Drive.
It was not immediately clear how many customers were affected or how long repairs might take.
Source: Water main break leads to road restrictions in Westmoreland County
China has increased the testing of frozen foods after the country said it has repeatedly discovered the coronavirus on imported products and their packaging,
The most recent instance saw frozen shrimp imported from an Ecuadorian company banned for one week on TuesdayStudies have shown the virus can survive for a time on cardboard and plastic containers, but it remains unclear how serious a risk that poses.
FAST FACTS
- Packaging first became a major issue with outbreaks in China linked to wholesale food markets
- China pushed back against the U.S. which has questioned whether the country’s crackdown is scientifically based
Studies have shown the virus can survive for a time on cardboard and plastic containers, but it remains unclear how serious a risk that poses.
Source: Live Updates: China says it found COVID-19 on packaging of frozen imports | Fox News
PITTSBURGH —Thanksgiving looks a little bit different this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Shoppers at Waterworks Market District in Pittsburgh grabbed turkey, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie filling, but they also got items such as toilet paper and paper towels that are in high demand.Giant Eagle workers said last-minute holiday shoppers, combined with what they call “panic shoppers” because of the COVID-19 pandemic, could create an increase of shoppers in grocery stores.
But they said workers are strictly following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, have put safety measures in place such as plexiglass shields, and are using alternate vendors to keep what shoppers need on hand.
“Going into these busy winter months, we were prepared, and we have everything our guests need to feel safe and secure and stocked up in their homes,” Giant Eagle spokesperson Jannah Jablonowski said.
Many people said they are having smaller turkey dinners because they are celebrating with just their immediate family to stop the spread of coronavirus.
“We tried to plan ahead for that. We figured we would get a lot of those smaller sized frozen and fresh turkeys, stock up on those breasts and just make sure we have a lot of options across the store,” said Jablonowski.
Other shoppers are changing the menu altogether.
“Doing something a little different. We’re going to have London broil for Thanksgiving dinner,” shopper Harvey Adams said.
Some shoppers are buying prepared meals for minimal work in the kitchen.
Giant Eagle said that, along with sanitizing carts between uses, the store is also hiring more workers, especially with its curbside service picking up because of the pandemic.
Source: Increase of last-minute shoppers at Pittsburgh grocery stores
Squad members Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. and Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., are mounting a petition against Biden nominating his former chief of staff Bruce Reed, who they say is a “deficit hawk,” to a role within the incoming administration.
Source: AOC, Ilhan Omar try to block ‘deficit hawk’ from Biden administration | Fox News
The United States Postal Service is hiring for the holidays — and for the future.
Pay ranges from $16.55 to $18.15 hourly.
Source: USPS hiring for seasonal, permanent positions in Pittsburgh area
PITTSBURGH —A bicyclist was shot by a driver following an altercation in downtown Pittsburgh on Tuesday afternoon, police confirmed.
Sky 4 video showed markers indicating shell casings on the ground near the corner of Fort Duquesne Boulevard and Seventh Street.
Officers responded to a report of a car crash at about 3:45 p.m. and learned that a shooting had occurred after some sort of dispute between the driver and a man on a bicycle, police spokesman Chris Togneri said.
The car drove onto the sidewalk, where it hit a Port Authority bus shelter, and the driver got out and shot at the bicyclist, who was struck in the leg, Togneri said.
The shooter was being questioned at police headquarters Tuesday evening. The bicyclist was taken to a hospital in stable condition.
The Port Authority tweeted that downtown bus service was being affected as police remained at the scene.
Source: Gunfire reported in downtown Pittsburgh
HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP (KDKA) — After months of construction and planning, Live! Casino Pittsburgh at Westmoreland Mall will open to the public today.That project has brought a lot of jobs to the area and opening in the middle of a pandemic is no easy feat.The casino will hold its grand opening on Tuesday morning, not too much longer before those doors open and people get to press their luck.
With the casino opening during the Coronavirus pandemic, safety measures will be in place.There will be mask requirements, temperature checks, physical distancing, and repeated cleaning of high-traffic areas, slot machines, and table games.
Source: Live! Casino Pittsburgh Holds Grand Opening, Opens To The Public For First Time – CBS Pittsburgh
Somerset Area School District Superintendent Krista Mathias reported on Friday that officials learned about four new positive COVID-19 cases in the district.
“All students and employees who were close contacts of the affected individuals have been notified and quarantined accordingly,” she wrote in an email.
As a result, the entire district will be closed for 14 days. School will resume on Dec. 7, barring additional cases or directives from the state.
All students will be learning remotely Monday and Tuesday of next week, as well as on Dec. 1-4.
Mathias said that she is in contact with state health officials each time a case is reported. Thorough cleanings and other precautions are part of the mitigation efforts.
Source: Somerset school district to close until Dec. 7 | Somerset | dailyamerican.com
A woman was allegedly under the influence of marijuana when she backed into a pedestrian in a doctor’s office parking lot, causing serious injuries.
The Allegheny County Health Department has ordered two Pittsburgh nightclubs to close for violating coronavirus-related regulations.
PITTSBURGH, PA — The Allegheny County Health Department has shut down two Pittsburgh nightclubs for multiple violations of state and county coronavirus mandates. Ordered closed for at least seven days were Tilden on Liberty Avenue in the Downtown Cultural District and Bridgez on Arlington Avenue in the South Side Slopes.
Source: Two Pittsburgh Clubs Shut Down For COVID-19 Mandate Violations | Pittsburgh, PA Patch
President Trump’s attorneys asked the courts to throw out ballots that were missing information.
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court rejected the Trump campaign lawsuits Monday that called for the dismissal of more than 8,000 absentee ballots in Allegheny County.
In five lawsuits, President Trump’s attorneys asked the courts to throw out ballots that were missing information, such as a handwritten name or address or the date on which the ballots were signed. In its ruling, the state’s Supreme Court determined the ballots should be considered valid.
“Here we conclude that while failures to include a handwritten name, address or date in the voter declaration on the back of the outer envelope, while constituting technical violations of the Election Code, do not warrant the wholesale disenfranchisement of thousands of Pennsylvania voters,” the ruling said.
PERDUE, LOEFFLER BACK TRUMP CALL FOR GEORGIA RECOUNT, MORE SIGNATURE MATCHING
In addition, the state Supreme Court reversed a lower court ruling that had invalidated 2,349 ballots in Allegheny County over missing information. The ruling was a setback for Trump as the state’s counties move forward with efforts to certify the Pennsylvania vote.
Source: PA Supreme Court rejects Trump challenge to absentee ballots in Allegheny County | Fox News
Ultimately, minor delays in a handful of counties fully certifying their results shouldn’t affect the overall certification process statewide.
At least four counties home to more than 600,000 voters will not have election results certified when they’re due Monday to the Pennsylvania Department of State, though three of them expect to wrap up within the next couple of days. President Trump won all four counties.
Source: At Least 4 Pennsylvania Counties To Miss Election Certification Deadline
The specter of another COVID-19 shutdown is looming over Los Angeles County, as another record-high number of daily coronavirus cases Monday pushed the region over its self-set threshold for issuing a new stay-at-home order.
When such an order will be handed down, or what precise form it will take, is unclear — though the county director of public health, Barbara Ferrer, said Monday that “for sure we’re not going back to all of the restrictions that were in place in the original Safer at Home order.
“We’ll be working with the Board [of Supervisors] to determine additional safety modifications,” she said, describing the new health order as a “targeted Safer-at-Home order.”
The board is scheduled to meet Tuesday.
Source: L.A. County nears new stay-home order as COVID cases rise – Los Angeles Times
Taking a crucial step toward finalizing the 2020 election, Allegheny County and other counties across Pennsylvania certified their vote counts Monday, as the few remaining legal challenges continued to proceed through the courts.
In a 2-1 vote along party lines, the Allegheny County elections board ratified the vote count — minus a few minor categories pending legal proceedings — and were set to send them to state officials for further action.
County Executive Rich Fitzgerald and at-large Councilwoman Bethany Hallam, both Democrats, voted to certify the results, while Republican at-large Councilman Sam DeMarco rejected the ratification.
As of mid-afternoon Monday, it was unclear how many other counties had certified their results.
Source: Allegheny County certifies election results | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
(CNN)A limited number of cases of organic romaine lettuce hearts have been recalled because of a possible risk of E. coli.
The US Food and Drug Administration announced Saturday that Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc. voluntarily recalled the produce.Dole is coordinating with regulatory officials, and no illnesses have been reported in association with the recall.The impacted products were distributed in Arizona, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota and Virginia, and were harvested and packed nearly four weeks ago, so they should no longer be on store shelves.
Source: E. coli: Romaine voluntarily recalled over possible E. coli risk, FDA says – CNN
A manufacturer of electronic voting systems tied to billionaire George Soros has reportedly been caught lying about its connection to Dominion Voting Systems.
According to a Sunday report, foreign-owned Smartmatic licensed voting technology from the controversial company. Smartmatic once owned Sequoia Voting Systems, but divested from its U.S. holdings following a 2007 court ruling with Dominion purchasing the company in 2010.
While Smartmatic has denied any continued ties, a recently resurfaced 2015 interview with chairman Mark Malloch Brown shows this was far from the truth. Smartmatic continued to license Dominion technology. Brown has sat on the boards of several Soros’ organizations.
“The fact is, yes, a part of our technology is licensed from Dominion, but you tell me a large technology company which isn’t using in part licenses from other companies,”stated the chairman. “And we have a license for the international use of that particular piece of the technology that we employ.”
WATCH: @ChanelRion on “Dominion-izing the Vote”
(PART 2) pic.twitter.com/mrk0CcIHOs
— Team Trump (@TeamTrump) November 22, 2020
It’s unclear whether Smartmatic maintains any financial interests in Sequoia’s U.S. holdings.
RELATED: Dominion Voting Systems under scrutiny for security
State health officials said there are 9,870 deaths attributed to coronavirus, with 69 additional deaths reported over the last two days.
The Department of Health said 3,379 patients were hospitalized as of Monday morning. Of those, 775 were in an intensive care unit. State health officials said the state has reached levels seen in May, when hospitalizations were at their highest.
“The trend in the 14-day moving average of number of hospitalized patients per day has increased by nearly 2,100 since the end of September,” the health department said. “Statewide percent positivity for the week of November 13-November 19 stood at 11.1%.”
