December 31, 2020 4:16 am
GRAFTON, Wis. (AP) – A Wisconsin health system said Wednesday that 500 doses of coronavirus vaccine that had to be discarded after they were left unrefrigerated now appear to have been deliberately spoiled by an employee. Aurora Medical Center first reported on the spoiled doses on Saturday, and said they had been accidentally left out overnight by an employee at Aurora Medical Center in Grafton. In a statement late Wednesday, Aurora said the employee involved “today acknowledged that they intentionally removed the vaccine from refrigeration.” Aurora’s statement said they had fired the employee and referred the matter to authorities for further investigation. Their statement said nothing about a possible motive for the action.
December 31, 2020 4:14 am
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – A winter storm moving across parts of Texas and Oklahoma could dump up to 18 inches of snow in places before moving eastward and possibly spawning tornadoes. The National Weather Service says 12 to 18 inches of snow in southwestern Texas is possible by Thursday. Some snow is also expected in northwest Arkansas. Forecasts say the storm then will move eastward, creating a threat of tornadoes across Louisiana and southern Mississippi on New Year’s Eve as the colder temperatures are met with moisture and warmer air. The storm produced what forecaster Jeremy Grams said was likely a brief tornado in Corsicana, Texas, on Wednesday.
December 31, 2020 4:13 am
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) – President Donald Trump is cutting short his Florida holiday vacation and will be returning to Washington on Thursday, a day earlier than originally expected. The White House has offered no explanation for the change. It was announced hours after Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri said that he will raise objections next week when Congress meets to affirm President-elect Joe Biden’s victory in the November election. The challenge in Congress is a futile effort to remain in power that Trump has been pushing following the failure of scores of legal challenges by his campaign to the election outcome.
December 31, 2020 4:12 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – A Republican senator says he’ll object when Congress meets next week to certify President-elect Joe Biden’s victory in the election. Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri says he’ll protest the Electoral College certification because “some states, including notably Pennsylvania” didn’t follow their election laws. A Biden spokeswoman is dismissing Hawley’s move as “antics” that will have no bearing on Biden being sworn in on Jan. 20. Hawley isn’t giving specifics or evidence in the statement he released announcing his intentions. Hawley’s move is likely to force votes in the House and Senate that would delay the certification of Biden’s win, but not change the outcome.
December 31, 2020 4:10 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has all but shut the door on President Donald Trump’s push for $2,000 COVID-19 relief checks. The Republican leader says Congress has provided enough pandemic aid and he’s blocked another attempt by Democrats to force a vote. McConnell is unwilling to budge, despite political pressure from Trump and even some fellow GOP senators. Trump wants the recent $600 checks increased threefold. But McConnell is dismissing the idea of “survival checks” in a House-passed bill, saying the money would go to plenty of American households that don’t need it.
December 31, 2020 4:09 am
CANBERRA, Australia (AP) – This New Year’s Eve is being celebrated like no other. Pandemic restrictions are limiting crowds in many places as people bid farewell to a year they’d prefer to forget. Australia is among the first nations to ring in the New Year due to its proximity to the International Date Line. One million people would usually crowd the Sydney Harbor to watch the annual fireworks that center on the Sydney Harbor Bridge. But this year authorities are advising revelers to watch the fireworks on television. New Zealand, Taiwan and other places with successes against the virus are celebrating like usual.
December 31, 2020 4:07 am
PITTSBURGH — (WPXI) – The sign above the door at the Crack’d Egg in Brentwood says it all: “We are fighting back.” The Allegheny County Health Department has pulled the restaurant’s permit and is taking the owners to court over defying Gov. Tom Wolf’s shutdown orders. “Until there’s a court order telling us to shut down, we plan on running our business as is our right,” said Sy Lampl, attorney for the restaurant. Several other businesses are also reportedly in the same boat. If they don’t close, they could also face legal action: Piacquadio’s, Castle Shannon, Carbonara’s, Castle Shannon, Tailgater’s, Harmar, Al’s Cafe, Bethel Park, Il Pizzaiolo, Mt. Lebanon, Gianna Via’s, Castle Shannon, David’s Diner, Springdale, Bobby P’s Inn. Dr. Debra Bogen, director of the health department, said every business defying orders is putting the health and safety of their employees, their families and the community at risk. Both sides will be in court on Tuesday.
December 31, 2020 4:02 am
BEDMINSTER, Pa. (AP) – A hunter who fatally shot a man he apparently mistook for an animal at a state park has been charged with homicide and weapons counts. Kenneth Troy Heller made his initial court appearance Wednesday and was jailed after the judge denied him bail. It wasn’t known if the 52-year-0old Warminster man has retained an attorney. The shooting occurred Oct. 24 in Nockamixon State Park, which straddles the towns of Bedminster and Haycock. Bucks County District Attorney Matt Weintraub says he believes Heller thought he was firing at an animal and didn’t intentionally shoot 18-year-old Jason Kutt. The West Rockhill man was shot once in the back of the head while sitting with his girlfriend.
December 31, 2020 2:51 am
A Coal Center man accused of homicide and attempted homicide in two separate incidents faced his preliminary hearing on Wednesday. Dylan Dustyn Lesnik, 28 is accused of trying to kill his pregnant girlfriend in one case and in a second case he is accused of killing a man who lived in his apartment building. District Justice Joshua Kanalis heard testimony from Lesnik’s former girlfriend who recounted the attack on her in their former apartment. The attack caused Cassie King, 30 to be life-flighted to a Pittsburgh hospital to treat stab wounds to her neck that nearly took her life. In a second incident Lesnik is accused of killing Marshall Y. Craig, 27 of Coal Center. Testimony from Pennsylvania State Trooper Robert Schmid described the crime scene at 135 Spring Street in Coal Center and how Lesnik was apprehended in Fayette County. Schmid provided testimony to Lesnik’s confession to both cases involving King and Craig. Kanalis held all charges against Lesnik for court. In a related case, Troy Matthew Chiera had his case continued so he can seek legal counsel. Chiera is accused of being an accomplice in the assault case against Lesnik. Both men are being held without bail in the Washington County Jail.
December 31, 2020 2:09 am
LOS ANGELES (AP) – Dawn Wells, who played the wholesome Mary Ann on the 1960s sitcom “Gilligan’s Island,” has died. Her publicist says Wells died Wednesday morning in Los Angeles of causes related to COVID-19. Besides TV, film and stage acting credits, her other real-life roles included teacher and motivational speaker. Born in Reno, Nevada, Wells represented her state in the 1959 Miss America pageant and quickly pivoted to an acting career. Her early TV roles came on shows including “77 Sunset Strip,” “Maverick” and “Bonanza.” Then came “Gilligan’s Island,” a goofy, good-natured show that became an unlikely but indelible part of popular culture. Dawn Wells was 82 years old.
