September 27, 2021 4:17 am
PITTSBURGH — (WPXI) – An eagle has taken flight over Pittsburgh after escaping from the National Aviary on Saturday. The bird, a two-feet tall Steller’s sea eagle named Kodiak, is believed to have gotten out of his habitat through weakened chain netting, Aviary officials said Sunday morning. Kodiak was last seen flying over the North Side. He’s still believed to be in that area of the city. odiak has been at the Aviary for about 17 years. Animal control and officials with the Aviary are working to safely capture Kodiak. Anyone who sees Kodiak is asked to not approach him and call the Aviary at 412-323-7235.
September 27, 2021 4:14 am
PITTSBURGH — (WPXI) – In response to anticipated increase in demand from recent booster dose guidance, Giant Eagle Pharmacy has reinstated its online appointment requirement for all COVID-19 vaccinations. In an effort to ensure timely access to those who have previously received a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine and qualify for a Pfizer booster dose under the CDC’s September 24 booster guidance, Giant Eagle Pharmacy will return to an appointment-only system. Giant Eagle Pharmacy is now able to provide Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine boosters to certain patients, if it has been at least 6 months since they received the second dose of the initial Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine series, and they meet the eligibility criteria.
September 27, 2021 3:50 am
PITTSBURGH — A woman was stopped from taking a handgun aboard a plane at Pittsburgh International Airport on Friday, marking the sixth time this month someone was caught at the airport checkpoint with a weapon, Allegheny County Police said. A 31-year-old woman, who was not identified by police, was stopped by Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at 3:20 p.m. Friday when officers saw a loaded Glock 9 mm handgun in her purse at the airport’s main security checkpoint and alerted police. The woman had a valid concealed carry permit and told authorities she inadvertently left the firearm in her bag, police said. The FBI was notified. The passenger was permitted to fly, but her gun was confiscated. County police said they do not anticipate charges will be filed against her. TSA officers also stopped a Homer City man on Thursday from bringing his unloaded .380-caliber handgun onto a flight. When TSA officers spotted the gun in the checkpoint X-ray machine, they informed police who confiscated the weapon and temporarily detained the man for questioning before issuing a court summons. With the two guns that were caught at the airport security checkpoint this week, there have been a total of 24 guns confiscated by authorities this year. There have been six guns caught at the checkpoint this month alone, including on Sept. 7, 8, 10 and 14.
September 26, 2021 8:10 am
BERLIN (AP) — German voters were choosing a new parliament Sunday in an election that will determine who succeeds Chancellor Angela Merkel after her 16 years at the helm of Europe’s biggest economy. Polls point to a very close race Sunday between Merkel’s center-right Union bloc, with state governor Armin Laschet running for chancellor, and the center-left Social Democrats, for whom outgoing finance minister and Vice Chancellor Olaf Scholz is seeking the top job. Recent surveys show the Social Democrats marginally ahead. The environmentalist Greens, with candidate Annalena Baerbock, are making their first run for the chancellery, and polls put them several points behind in third place.
September 26, 2021 8:03 am
JERUSALEM (AP) — At least four Palestinian gunmen were killed in shootouts with Israeli security forces during a sweeping West Bank arrest operation cracking down on the Islamic militant group Hamas on Sunday, the Israeli military said. It was the deadliest violence between Israeli troops and Palestinian militants in the occupied West Bank in recent weeks and came amid heightened tensions following this year’s 11-day war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The Palestinian Health Ministry said a Palestinian was shot dead near the northern West Bank city of Jenin and three others were killed in Biddu, north of Jerusalem. The Israeli military said an officer and soldier suffered serious injuries during the arrest in Burqin, near Jenin, and were airlifted to a hospital for medical treatment.
September 26, 2021 8:02 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats pushed a $3.5 trillion, 10-year bill strengthening social safety net and climate programs through the House Budget Committee, but one Democrat voted “no,” illustrating the challenges party leaders face in winning the near unanimity they’ll need to push the sprawling package through Congress. The Democratic-dominated panel, meeting virtually Saturday, approved the measure on a near party-line vote, 20-17. Passage marked a necessary but minor checking of a procedural box for Democrats by edging it a step closer to debate by the full House. Under budget rules, the committee wasn’t allowed to significantly amend the 2,465-page measure, the product of 13 other House committees. More important work has been happening in an opaque procession of mostly unannounced phone calls, meetings and other bargaining sessions among party leaders and rank-and-file lawmakers. President Joe Biden, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., have led a behind-the-scenes hunt for compromises to resolve internal divisions and, they hope, allow approval of the mammoth bill soon.
September 26, 2021 8:00 am
JOPLIN, Mont. (AP) — At least three people were killed Saturday afternoon when an Amtrak train that runs between Seattle and Chicago derailed in north-central Montana, toppling several cars onto their sides, authorities said. The westbound Empire Builder train derailed about 4 p.m. near Joplin, a town of about 200, Amtrak spokesman Jason Abrams said in a statement. The accident scene is about 150 miles northeast of Helena and about 30 miles from the border with Canada. Liberty County sheriff’s dispatcher Starr Tyler told The Associated Press that three people died in the derailment. She did not have more details. Amtrak said in a statement that there were multiple injuries. The train had about 141 passengers and 16 crew members onboard, Abrams said. The train had two locomotives and 10 cars, eight of which derailed, he said. “We are deeply saddened to learn local authorities are now confirming that three people have lost their lives as a result of this accident,” Abrams said.
September 26, 2021 7:45 am
PITTSBURGH (WPXI) — If you looked up in the sky Saturday morning, you may have seen something pretty big flying around. An eagle has taken flight over Pittsburgh after escaping from the National Aviary. “Kodiak” is a two foot tall Steller Sea Eagle. He escaped from the facility early Saturday morning. He was seen flying over the North Side. Animal control and officials with the Aviary are working to capture him safely. If you see Kodiak on your street or flying around, do not approach him and call the authorities. The Aviary can be reached by the public at 412-323-7235.
September 26, 2021 4:18 am
SOUTH STRABANE, Pa. — First Responders were busy Friday evening with multiple calls throughout Washington County. One call came in around 5:30 p.m. for a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of Route 136 (Beau Street) and Cameron Road. South Strabane Fire and Police along with local EMS were dispatched to the scene, where crews took less than five minutes to put out a small car fire following the accident. Officials say there were only minor injuries in the accident. The roads were closed for about in hour in all directions while crews cleared the scene. Another call for a vehicle accident came in around 5:00 p.m. at the intersection of Ginger Hill Road and Route 88 in Union Township. Reports say multiple crews including a medical helicopter were dispatched to the scene. There is no word on injuries from that incident. (Photo: Facebook)
September 25, 2021 4:41 am
REDDING, Calif. (AP) – Thousands of people are under evacuation orders as a wildfire suspected of being started by arson rages in Northern California. The fire north of the city of Redding covers more than 9 square miles and is 10% contained Friday. The Shasta County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday night that approximately 4,000 residents are evacuated. Twenty-five structures have burned, including some homes. Authorities say a 30-year-old woman who was in the area where the fire began Wednesday afternoon was charged with arson. The Fawn Fire is the latest destructive fire to send Californians fleeing this year. Historic drought tied to climate change is making wildfires harder to fight.
