March 14, 2020 4:13 am
PHOENIX (AP) – The U.S. government says a new rule disqualifying more people from green cards if they use government benefits will not apply to immigrants who seek care for symptoms of the illness caused by coronavirus. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said late Friday that seeking treatment or preventive services won’t affect someone’s immigration status under the new public charge rule, which took effect last month. The announcement came after lawmakers and advocacy groups urged the government to suspend the rule during the coronavirus outbreak. Advocates say they have been fielding panicked calls from immigrants who are worried about the impact on their status if they seek health care.
March 14, 2020 4:09 am
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – Elections officials in the four states holding presidential primaries next week say they have no plans to postpone voting amid widespread disruptions caused by the coronavirus outbreak. They say they are confident voters will be able to safely cast their ballots on Tuesday. They have been scrambling to recruit replacements for poll workers who are dropping out over fears of contracting the virus, providing cotton swabs for voters to use on touchscreen machines and extending absentee voting deadlines. Only one state, Louisiana, announced plans to postpone its primary, which was scheduled for early April.
March 14, 2020 3:57 am
Governor Tom Wolf announced Friday that all K-12 Pennsylvania schools will be closed for 10 business days effective Monday, March 16. The administration has been working with school districts as well as state and local officials to gather input on this decision. The Wolf Administration will continue to monitor Covid-19 in the commonwealth, and at the end of 10 days will reevaluate and decide whether continued closure is needed. Governor Wolf made the following statement: “We understand that these are trying times and recognize the impact of the coronavirus on our students and communities. First and foremost, my top priority as governor – and that of our education leaders – must be to ensure the health and safety of our students and school communities. As such, I am ordering that all schools in the commonwealth close for the next two weeks. Be aware that no school district will be penalized if it fails to meet the 180 day or school hours requirements. The Department of Education will work with intermediate units and other stakeholders to support school districts with any continuity of learning plans they may be pursuing. Also, the Pennsylvania Department of Education announced today that it received a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to allow eligible schools to serve meals to low income students in a non-congregate setting, such as a drive-through or grab and go, during this closure. We will also work with schools to assist them with those plans.
March 14, 2020 3:53 am
WASHINGTON, Pa. (WPXI) — A presumptive case of coronavirus has been announced in Washington County. This is the first case in western Pennsylvania. County officials said the person has not yet been named, but they were treated at a private practice, tested positive and their results were sent to the state. The private practice has not yet been named either. As of 5 p.m. on March 13, there are 35 total presumptive cases in the state and 6 cases that have been confirmed by the CDC. The state has not specified which cases are presumptive and which are confirmed, but below are the counties impacted. Even though this is the first case locally, Pittsburgh-area colleges started taking precautions weeks ago. The state health department suggests washing your hands often, disinfecting shared spaces and staying home if you feel sick.
March 14, 2020 3:37 am
Bishop David Zubik issued the following statement on Thursday, March 12, 2020: “Following a joint conference call with all the bishops of Pennsylvania, effective immediately and until further notice, I wish to share with you that in union with all my brother bishops I am dispensing the faithful of the Diocese of Pittsburgh from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass. “Despite the suspension of the obligation to attend Sunday Mass, all regularly scheduled Masses will remain open to the public for those who wish to attend. “Regarding other sacramental events, such as confirmation, further announcements will be forthcoming in the near future. “With this announcement, it is most important that we increase our personal prayer and fasting as we look to God as our strength in this critical time.”
March 14, 2020 3:32 am
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) – Gov. Jim Justice has shuttered schools statewide in response to the coronavirus pandemic, even though West Virginia is one of the last states in America without a confirmed case. Justice says the closures going into effect as the school day ends Friday will last as long as necessary. As of Friday afternoon, state health officials said West Virginia has no confirmed cases of COVID-19. They said 31 people have been tested, with 26 negatives and five tests still pending. But Justice said that with so few tests being done, people could be infected and not know it.
March 14, 2020 3:08 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump has declared the coronavirus pandemic a national emergency in order to free up more money and resources. He has also thrown his support behind an aid package from Congress that the House approved early Saturday, on track to provide direct relief to Americans. Still, he has denied any responsibility for delays in making testing available for the new virus, whose spread has roiled markets and disrupted the lives of everyday Americans. The aid package from Congress would provide free tests, sick pay for workers and bolster food programs. The crush of late-day activity caps a tumultuous week in Washington.
March 13, 2020 12:55 pm
Amid Coronavirus fears, Presbyterian SeniorCare Network in Washington and South Hills Rehabilitation and Wellness Center in Canonsburg have suspended visits. Both facilities are allowing only essential personnel into the buildings. ManorCare Health Services in Peters Township says it is restricting visitors to one person per day per patient. Presbyterian SeniorCare’s no visit policy encompasses its skilled nursing/rehab centers, personal care and assisted living communities.
March 13, 2020 9:36 am
BELLE VERNON, Pa. — (WPXI) – The Belle Vernon Area School District and its teachers reached a tentative agreement Thursday night, preventing a strike that would have started Friday, the Belle Vernon Area Education Association announced. Negotiations began in January 2019. Teachers had been working without a contract since June 30, when the previous agreement expired, officials said. Details of the agreement are not being released until both sides are able to formally vote on the final contract, the BVAEA said. “Our teachers were passionate about reaching an agreement with the Board, and our negotiations team worked to get it done at the last minute,” BVAEA President Daneen Watson said in a statement. “We are very pleased that we could get this hammered out for the benefit of everyone involved.”
March 13, 2020 9:14 am
PHILADELPHIA (AP) – Authorities say a Philadelphia police officer was shot and killed as he served a homicide warrant at a home in the city’s Frankford section. Cpl. James O’Connor was shot around 5:45 a.m. Friday. Officials say he was shot in the shoulder above his bulletproof vest when officers entered the home. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later. The 46-year-old O’Connor was a married father of two – including a son who also serves on the force.
