Trump’s Doctor’s Comments Spark Confusion

October 5, 2020 4:21 am

For the second day in a row, the Navy commander in charge of President Donald Trump’s care left the world wondering: Just how sick is the president? Dr. Sean Conley is trained in emergency medicine, not infectious disease. He said Sunday that Trump is doing well enough that he might be sent back to the White House in another day — even as he announced the president was given a steroid drug that’s only recommended for the very sick. He also backtracked on whether the president has been given oxygen, confusing experts and raising questions about his credibility.

White House Press Secretary Tests Positive For COVID-19

October 5, 2020 4:18 am

WASHINGTON (AP) – White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany says she has tested positive for COVID-19. This comes days after President Donald Trump tested positive for the coronavirus. McEnany says in a statement that she tested positive Monday morning and is experiencing no symptoms at this time. She spoke briefly with reporters Sunday evening, but says that no members of the White House press corps spent enough time around her to be considered close contacts. She says that she is beginning the quarantine process and “will continue working on behalf of the American People remotely.”

4 Firefighters Injured Battling Large Pittsburgh Blaze

October 5, 2020 4:12 am

PITTSBURGH — (WPXI) – Multiple crews battled a large house fire in Pittsburgh’s South Side Slopes neighborhood. According to officials, the fire started around 8 p.m. Sunday on Mt. Oliver Street and quickly engulfed the entire side of the structure. Channel 11 crews could see flames shooting out of the roof and side of the building, and officials said neighboring homes were also evacuated to keep residents safe from potential spread. The fire reached three alarms, and four firefighters were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries sustained while battling the flames. It’s unclear how the fire started, and safety officials told Channel 11 there were two collapses in the backside of the building. That is where most of the damage is. However, fire officials said two nearby buildings were severely damaged due to water and smoke. Luckily, everyone that was inside the building made it out safely after the fire started.

Westmoreland County Elementary Closed Over COVID-19

October 5, 2020 4:09 am

WESTMORELAND CO., Pa. — (WPXI) – Just three days after officials with the Penn-Trafford School District said one of its elementary schools would be closed for five days because three staff members tested positive for the coronavirus, two more have the virus. That prompted Level Green Elementary to shut down for the next 14 days. In a message sent to parents Saturday, the superintendent said these five positive cases caused the district to reevaluate its previous plan. Students will learn remotely during the closure, something not all parents agree with. “I think it’s more disruptive to the kids to sit at home, not interact with their friends, and not learn. I think these are key years for their growth and I think it’s really impacting them by not being in school. I think that’s a far greater risk than their health concerns to be honest,” said Dominic Bergamasco. However, the district said it has an obligation to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all members of the community — not just the schools. Another elementary school in the same district — Sunrise Elementary — is closed due to a staff member testing positive for COVID-19, but it is set to reopen Monday.

Family Escapes South Strabane Twp Fire

October 5, 2020 4:06 am

WASHINGTON CO., Pa. – (WPXI) – A Washington County family escaped a massive fire at their house but lost everything inside. Several fire departments responded to the blaze Sunday morning on Quarry Road in South Strabane Township. The homeowner told Channel 11 that the smoke and heat actually woke him up. “I could feel the heat coming right through the wall,” said Sonny Keeney. ““The heat and the fire just knocked me back into my bedroom. It literally knocked me back and I’m thinking, ‘I got to get out of this room.'” His home of 45 years turned into an inferno in just minutes. The house was charred, gutted by the large flames. The retired iron worker sprinted into action. Keeney said he plowed through the bedroom door, quickly getting his wife and two sons out of the house — and then tried to put the fire out himself with a garden hose. Keeney told Channel 11 he was able to find his wife’s wallet in the debris, but that was about it. He said he has insurance, and his family is staying with his daughter for now. The fire marshal is still investigating what exactly caused the destructive blaze.

Tropical Storm Approaching Cancun

October 4, 2020 8:13 am

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Tropical Storm Gamma hit the resort-dotted coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula at near-hurricane force on Saturday, flooding streets, knocking down vulnerable buildings and stranding people trying to return from outlying islands. The storm came ashore near Tulum with maximum sustained winds of nearly 70 mph (110 kph) — 4 mph (9 kph short of hurricane force), according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami. By night, winds had dipped to 60 mph (95 kph), and it was centered about 85 miles (135 kilometers) north-northwest of Tulum, moving to the northwest at 7 mph (11 kph).

8 Missing After Floods Hit France

October 4, 2020 8:12 am

PARIS (AP) — French authorities deployed about 1,000 firefighters, four military helicopters and troops Sunday to help search for at least eight people still missing in a mountainous southeastern region after devastating floods that killed two people in neighboring Italy. Floods washed away houses and destroyed roads and bridges surrounding the city of Nice on the French Riviera after almost a year’s average rainfall fell in less than 12 hours. Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi said over 100 homes were destroyed or severely damaged. Rescuers on Sunday were also providing emergency assistance, including food and water, to residents living in isolated villages.

Chris Christie Tests Positive For COVID-19

October 4, 2020 8:08 am

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie tweeted Saturday that he’s checked himself into a hospital, hours after he announced he had tested positive for the coronavirus. Christie said that after consulting with his doctors, he went to Morristown Medical Center on Saturday afternoon. He said he’s only experiencing mild symptoms. Christie, who has publicly struggled with his weight, is the latest in a string of virus cases connected to President Donald Trump’s inner circle. Trump’s former 2016 rival told The Associated Press on Friday that the last time he was with the president was Tuesday in Cleveland during preparations for his debate with former Vice President Joe Biden. Christie had tweeted Friday morning that he had last tested negative ahead of Tuesday’s debate and was not having any symptoms then.

Three Blow Up ATM But Flee With No Cash

October 4, 2020 8:07 am

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Three men blew up an ATM in a Chinese takeout restaurant in Philadelphia while the establishment was still open but were unable to get any cash, police said. The men entered the Golden Chinese/American takeout restaurant in northwest Philadelphia shortly after 9 p.m. Friday and ordered food, police said. They then placed some kind of explosive device which damaged the ATM and the window and knocked items off shelves behind the counter, police said. The three went back into the establishment but were unable to remove the cash box that was still inside the damaged ATM, police said. The three then fled, one on a bicycle and the other two on foot. Police were searching for suspects and no arrests were immediately reported.

Convict Tried To Steal $22 Million In PPP Loans

October 4, 2020 8:05 am

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A California man convicted five years ago of defrauding several local governments in the state has been charged with trying to steal $22 million from the Paycheck Protection Program. Attila Colar, 48, of Richmond, who goes by several aliases including Dahood Sharieff Bey, was charged with bank fraud in an alleged scheme where he falsified documents to take advantage of the federal program intended to keep small businesses afloat during the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in San Francisco said Friday. Colar faces up to 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine if convicted.