December 18, 2020 2:54 am
The Executive Director of the LeMoyne Center in Washington has died. Joyce Ellis was a lifelong resident of Washington and was well known throughout the area for her entrepreneurial drive, propelling her successful dance studios, and her charitable zeal in resurrecting the abandoned LeMoyne Community Center beginning in 2007. Board members from the center say the facility was a shell of what it had once been and was considered for demolition. They say Joyce applied her grit and determination to continue to overcome obstacles, major and minor, to not only bring the center back to life, but take it into new programs of community outreach. Ellis died Wednesday and friends and elected officials are remembering her tireless community service. Ellis was also a motivational speaker and the owner of the former Joyce Ellis Dancers. According to a release from the LeMoyne Centers Board of Directors, due to COVID-19 restrictions, any in-person remembrance will be deferred until an appropriate “Celebration of Life” event can be held later in 2021. To ensure Joyce’s legacy continues into the future, the Board has named Linda Harris as the Interim Executive Director.
December 17, 2020 6:33 pm
President-elect Joe Biden plans to nominate New Mexico Rep. Deb Haaland as interior secretary. That’s according to two people familiar with the selection who weren’t authorized to discuss it publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday. The historic pick would make her the first Native American to lead the powerful federal agency that has wielded influence over the nation’s tribes for generations. If confirmed by the Senate, the first-term congresswoman would also be the first Native American member of a president’s Cabinet. Tribal leaders and activists around the country, along with many Democratic figures, have urged Biden for weeks to choose Haaland.
December 17, 2020 6:29 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) – A U.S. government advisory panel has endorsed a second COVID-19 vaccine. The action Thursday paves the way for the shot from Moderna to be added to the U.S. vaccination campaign. The Food and Drug Administration is expected to act quickly to authorize the vaccine for emergency use. The vaccination effort kicked off this week with a vaccine from Pfizer. A second vaccine is urgently needed as coronavirus infections, hospitalizations and deaths in the U.S. climb to new highs ahead of the holidays. Doses for now are being earmarked for health care workers and nursing home residents.
December 17, 2020 4:20 am
LOS ANGELES (AP) – Two people are dying of COVID-19 every hour in California’s most populous county as hospitals struggle to keep up with the surge of coronavirus patients. On Wednesday, the state set daily records for newly reported cases and deaths. Most of California’s 40 million residents are under stay-at-home orders because of dwindling intensive care unit capacity. The massive rise in infections began in October and is being blamed largely on people ignoring safety measures and socializing with others. A pair of state advisory committees has started making potential life-and-death decisions over who is next in line for scarce vaccines.
December 17, 2020 4:19 am
As COVID-19 vaccinations roll out, health authorities are keeping close watch for any unexpected side effects. Doctors already knew to be on the lookout for severe allergic reactions like an Alaska health worker had after receiving the Pfizer vaccine Tuesday. She is recovering and another worker with an adverse reaction Wednesday has been released from treatment. The cases are a reminder to follow U.S. advice to hang around after the injection just in case of such reactions. More common are flu-like reactions as the immune system revs up. But the government is tracking how recipients fare in several ways, including checkups-by-text in the days after a shot.
December 17, 2020 4:17 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – Interior Secretary David Bernhardt has become the latest administration official to test positive for the coronavirus. Interior spokesman Nicholas Goodwin says Bernhardt received the test results Wednesday. Goodwin says Bernhardt is currently without symptoms and plans to keep working from quarantine. A series of other administration officials also have tested positive in the course of the pandemic, including President Donald Trump, who was hospitalized in October. Vice President Mike Pence is expected to receive the vaccine Friday.
December 17, 2020 4:16 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – Congressional leaders appear to be on the brink of a COVID-19 economic aid package. But there’s no deal yet. As negotiators went home from the Capitol Wednesday night, agreement seemed near on legislation that would extend help to individuals and businesses and ship coronavirus vaccines to millions. Negotiators are working on a $900 billion package that would revive subsidies for businesses hit hard by the pandemic, help distribute new vaccines, fund schools and renew soon-to-expire jobless benefits. They’re also looking to include new direct payments of about $600 to most Americans. There’s intense pressure for a deal. Unemployment benefits run out Dec. 26 for more than 10 million people. Many businesses are barely hanging on after nine months of the pandemic.
December 17, 2020 4:14 am
Members of the family who own OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma are scheduled to answer questions from a congressional panel about their role in the nation’s long-running opioid addiction crisis. It marks a rare appearance in a public forum for the Sacklers, who have faced increased scrutiny in recent years over Purdue’s role in the nation’s opioid addiction and overdose crisis. Activists have been waiting to hear them field tough questions. Kathe Sackler and David Sackler agreed to testify after the committee’s chairwoman, Democratic Rep. Carolyn Maloney, threatened to issue subpoenas. Purdue Pharma’s CEO also will answer questions.
December 17, 2020 4:08 am
NORTH VERSAILLES, Pa. — (WPXI) – A man was hit and killed by a North Versailles Public Works plow truck that was out clearing snow-covered roads on Wednesday afternoon. According to investigators, County 911 was called just before 5 p.m. for a vehicle versus pedestrian accident in the 100 block of Union Avenue. Police said the man was walking with a snow blower when the plow truck was backing up the street. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene, and homicide detectives are investigating. The victim’s identity has not yet been released.
December 17, 2020 4:06 am
The ‘dig-out’ has begun. Washington County residents dealing with some eight-inches of snow after a powerful storm system rolled through. Travel around the region could still be tricky in some spots. State Police Washington tell WJPA that reduced speed limits remain on Interstates 70 and 79. Troopers tell us there was also an issue overnight involving several disabled tractor trailers at the south junction to I-79. State police tell us ,once crews were able to get to the area, the situation cleared. There are also reports of some power outages. West Penn Power is reporting nearly 500 customers without service early Thursday morning. The outages the result of the weather, specifically the heavy wet snow bringing down tree and limbs onto power lines.
