April 25, 2020 9:18 am
(AP)-Italy will start distributing free protective masks to nursing homes, many of which have been devastated by coronavirus infections and deaths. Domenico Arcuri, the government’s commissioner for the pandemic, says free masks will be distributed to public officials, transport workers and police. Millions of Italians will be allowed to return to workplaces starting on May 4. Italy, with some 26,000 reported deaths, most of them of elderly persons, has Europe’s highest toll from COVID-19.
April 25, 2020 9:16 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – The top Navy officer has recommended that Capt. Brett Crozier be returned to his ship. Officials say Adm. Mike Gilday has recommended the reinstatement of the aircraft carrier captain fired for sending a fraught email to commanders pleading for faster action to protect his crew from a coronavirus outbreak. That’s according to officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the results of an investigation that have not yet been made public. Gilday met with Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on Tuesday and with Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Friday morning to lay out his recommendations.
April 25, 2020 4:36 am
The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board is expanding its curbside delivery service. On Monday, 389 more Fine Wine and Good Spirits Stores will be added to serve customers seeking wine and spirits. A total of 565 stores across Pennsylvania will be accepting phone orders for curbside pickup. Most stores will support curbside service Monday through Saturday. They will take a limited number of calls on a first-call, first-served basis. Hours will be from 9:00 AM until 6:00 PM. Some stores will have more limited hours. Orders are limited to six bottles and credit card is the only method of payment. Pennsylvania is not considering reopening stores to the public at this time.
April 25, 2020 4:19 am
State Representative Pam Snyder (D-50) announced new funding assistance under the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Securities Act. The funding was announced by the Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Dennis Davin. Snyder indicates that the following municipalities and counties will get funding. Cumberland Twp., $67,206; Franklin Twp., $68,912; Waynesburg, $60,849; Fayette County, $159,506 and Greene County, $159,506. Snyder says that the funding will go to provide immediate and direct relief to individuals struggling as a result of the Coronavirus.
April 25, 2020 3:58 am
Governor Tom Wolf reminded Pennsylvania residents that mental health is important and support is available during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Wolf directed residents to the “Reach Out PA: Your Mental Health Matters” program introduced in January. The initiative is to remove barriers to mental health care and remove stigma. The Wolf Administration conveyed its concern about mental health during the daily Coronavirus Updates. The administration states that it is not unusual for people to feel anxious, alone and frightened, and for some those feelings may be surfacing for the first time during this pandemic. They want residents to know where to turn for mental health needs.
April 24, 2020 12:42 pm
The annual Whiskey Rebellion Festival scheduled for July 9-12, 2020, in downtown Washington has been canceled. “Out of an abundance of caution due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns, the organizing committee decided, after much discussion, that it must, regrettably, cancel this year’s festival,” said festival co-chair Joseph Piszczor. The multi-day festival was created 10 years ago to celebrate the region’s unique place in the history of the Whiskey Rebellion. It is organized completely by volunteers and activities are free to the public. “We would like to thank the dozens of committee members who work diligently for months to make this festival the success it has been over years,” remarked Joe DeThomas, one of the festival co-chairs. Although the 2020 festival has been canceled, the committee hopes to celebrate the spirit of the Whiskey Rebellion with online “virtual” events this summer. Details will be announced at www.whiskeyrebellionfestival.com and on social media. “Hopefully, we will get the ‘all’s clear’ in 2021 to hold the festival during its usual second weekend in July next year,” he added. “We would also like to thank the community for its unwavering financial support for the festival,” noted Tracie Liberatore, Executive Director of the Bradford House Historical Association. “When funds are tight, sponsors and individuals step up and make sure the event, which is so vital for tourism and the area’s economy, becomes a reality.” Net proceeds from the festival benefit the organization, headquartered in the former home of attorney David Bradford, a key figure in the Whiskey Rebellion during the late 1700s.
April 24, 2020 2:37 am
TOKYO (AP) – Asian shares have fallen after a rally on Wall Street fizzled out, while oil prices extended gains. Benchmarks in Japan, Australia, South Korea and China fell in morning trading. On Wall Street, the S&P 500 flipped between gains and losses in a microcosm of markets’ extreme swings as investors struggle to set prices for where corporate profits and the economy will be months from now. Dismal economic data showed weak manufacturing and services activity in Europe and the United States and weak sales of new U.S. homes. The worst was an update on job losses, with roughly one in six U.S. workers filing unemployment claims in five weeks.
April 24, 2020 2:35 am
NEW YORK (AP) – The federal government is making it tougher for public companies to tap a small business relief program, and seeking refunds in some cases from companies that already did. Although the intent of the program is to help small businesses hit by the coronavirus outbreak, some publicly traded companies did secure loans, setting off a backlash. The government now says companies must certify that the loan is necessary and they don’t have other sources for the money, criteria public companies are unlikely to meet. The government also said public companies that already received them could refund the loans by May 7. Some have announced that they will.
April 24, 2020 2:35 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – The maker of Lysol and another disinfectant says its products should not be used as an internal treatment for the coronavirus. The company issued a statement Friday to combat what it said was “recent speculation” after President Donald Trump raised the possibility of disinfectants being injected into people to combat the virus. The disinfectant manufacturer said that “under no circumstance should our disinfectant products be administered into the human body (through injection, ingestion or any other route).” Trump on Thursday also touted “emerging” research on the benefits of sunlight and humidity in diminishing the virus threat. Past studies have not shown good evidence of that.
April 24, 2020 2:33 am
TORONTO (AP) – A Canadian police official says the country’s worst mass shooting started as a domestic dispute between the gunman and his girlfriend, who survived the attack. The official confirmed to The Associated Press late Thursday that the weekend rampage erupted after an argument between the pair. The official spoke on condition of anonymity and said more details will be provided at a new conference Friday. The suspect was shot to death Sunday morning, about 13 hours after the attacks began. Police have said 51-year-old Gabriel Wortman acted alone.
