October 14, 2020 4:06 am
MOSCOW (AP) – A trio of space travelers has launched successfully to the International Space Station, for the first time using a fast-track maneuver to reach the orbiting outpost in just three hours. NASA’s Kate Rubins, along with Sergey Ryzhikov and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov of the Russian space agency Roscosmos, lifted off as scheduled Wednesday from the Russia-leased Baikonur space launch facility in Kazakhstan for a six-month stint on the station. For the first time, they are trying a two-orbit, three-hour approach to the orbiting outpost. Previously it took twice as long for the crews to reach the station. Rubins said the crew spent weeks in quarantine to avoid any threat from the coronavirus.
October 14, 2020 4:05 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – Amy Coney Barrett has said repeatedly at her confirmation hearings that she’d be her own judge if she’s confirmed to the Supreme Court. But she was careful not to take on the president who nominated her. And she sought to create distance between herself and her own personal positions, past writings on controversial subjects and even her late mentor. Barrett’s confirmation to the Supreme Court to take the seat of the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg seems inevitable, as even some Senate Democrats acknowledged on Wednesday. The shift would cement a 6-3 conservative majority on the court and would be the most pronounced ideological change in 30 years, from the liberal icon Ginsburg to the conservative appeals court judge.
October 14, 2020 4:03 am
(AP) – The Supreme Court has ruled that the Trump administration can end census field operations early, in a blow to efforts to make sure minorities are properly counted in the crucial once-a-decade tally. The decision is not a total loss for plaintiffs in a lawsuit challenging the administration’s decision to end the count early. They managed to get nearly two extra weeks of counting people as the case made its way through the courts. However, it increased the chances of the Trump administration retaining control of the process that decides how many congressional seats each state gets – and by extension how much voting power each state has.
October 14, 2020 4:00 am
ALTOONA, Pa. — (WPXI) – Sheetz announced Tuesday plans to hire over 3,000 employees company wide including here in our area. The convenience store chain is looking to expand its full-time positions at its store locations, in addition to food operations, distribution services and more. The company says it is committed to staying open during the pandemic to serve the needs of the community and officials said it wants to provide employment opportunities for those who have lost their jobs during the COVID-19 crisis. The company has also implemented several safety measures to keep both employees and customers safe, including installing plexiglass at registers and Made-to-Order areas. Sheetz currently operates over 600 stores and offers competitive pay and benefits packages, 12-week fully paid maternity leave, a 401 (k) retirement plan, college tuition reimbursement and more.
October 14, 2020 2:50 am
In a press release in advance of their monthly meeting, North Franklin Township Supervisors released results of a community survey. The survey was sent to nearly 1800 residential properties and approximately 25% of the property owners responded. According to Supervisor Chairman Bob Sabot, one of the questions was about policing in the township. In a 2-1 margin residents wished to continue with police service provided by Pennsylvania State Police and not to contract with any neighboring police force. Residents also weighed in on plans for recreation choices in the township. Sabot says residents are looking for walking trails, dog walking trails and physical facilities like basketball courts. Sabot also announced that supervisors are actively considering a nearly 14% tax cut in property taxes. Sabot says that the township has gone from a $700,000 deficit in 2018 to a budget surplus of $700,000 in 2020. Supervisors will be increasing budget commitments to the fire department in the range of 80% and will continue with a $500,000 road improvement campaign and will move forward with the construction of a new municipal building while still delivering the tax cut in 2021. The preliminary budget will be advertised in November and formally adopted in December.
October 13, 2020 4:26 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) – Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says that he’s scheduling a procedural vote on a GOP COVID-19 relief bill for next week. He says aid to hard-hit businesses shouldn’t be held up by gridlock involving other aid proposals. The Kentucky Republican says in a statement Tuesday that the Senate will take a test vote Oct. 19 when the chamber returns on Monday. Democrats filibustered a GOP-drafted aid bill last month and recent talks on a larger deal with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., fell apart this past weekend, probably for good. McConnell’s announcement came as President Donald Trump continues to agitate for “stimulus,” saying that Republicans should “go big” rather than the limited approach they’ve been advocating. (Photo: CNN)
October 13, 2020 3:58 pm
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) – Tanzanian authorities say 500 volunteers have been trying to put out a fire on Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest peak. A Tanzania National Parks statement said Tuesday that the volunteers have managed to limit the fire’s spread. Spokesman Pascal Shelutete says the cause of the fire has yet to be established. He doesn’t say how the fire that has been burning for more than a day has affected wildlife or vegetation. But he assures tourists of their safety. The mountain is popular with hikers and climbers.
October 13, 2020 8:50 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – Social Security recipients will get a modest 1.3% cost-of living-increase in 2021, but that might be small comfort amid worries about the coronavirus pandemic and its consequences for older people. The increase amounts to $20 a month for the average retired worker, according to government estimates released Tuesday. The cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, affects the personal finances of about 1 in 5 Americans. The economic fallout from the virus reduced tax collections for Social Security and Medicare, likely worsening their long-term finances. But there’s been no real discussion of either program in the personally charged election contest between President Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden.
October 13, 2020 4:56 am
Fire crews rescued a man from a fire overnight in Mount Pleasant Township. It broke out around midnight along Burgettstown Road. According to reports, fire crews from several departments responded and used a ladder to rescue the man through a second floor window. He was taken to a Pittsburgh hospital by ambulance but there is no word on his identity or his condition. Officials say the fire appears to have broken out in the kitchen and was mainly contained to that area. Only minor damage is reported to the exterior of the home.
October 13, 2020 4:38 am
Peters Township Council spent Monday night going over expenses eligible for reimbursement due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Washington County Commissioners made $634,000 available to Peters Township from federal CARES Act funding. Council looked at several items eligible under the CARES Act. The most obvious are expenditures for lost wages because employees were to be paid for any time off if they or any family members had contracted the virus or needed to quarantine. Personal protective equipment was also included. The township will also be submitting requests for upgrades to the library HVAC system. Engineers will design a system to maximize air exchange and install an air purification system to filter viruses from any air circulated in the building. A no touch door system for the recreation center will also be on the list. The fire department will also be requesting no touch defibrillators and CPR vests. The fire department does provide advanced life support in emergency calls, and the CPR vests are designed to provide the compressions that normally would be administered by an EMT. The full list of reimbursements will be completed this week and submitted to the County Commissioners.
