April 26, 2020 7:38 am
GREENSBURG, Pa. (AP) — A western Pennsylvania woman awaiting sentencing on felony convictions of helping her cousin evade capture following a police officer’s slaying has been released from custody to ensure the safety of her unborn child amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The Tribune-Review reports that 33-year-old Lisa Harrington appeared via video at a hearing Friday and a judge ruled that she will be allowed to live with her husband and three children until six weeks after she undergoes a C-section in June. Judge Rita Hathaway said she would consider jail a safe environment but for the defendant’s “high-risk pregnancy.” Defense attorney Adam Gorzelsky said that since his client’s incarceration last month, she has been diagnosed with the flu, has been hospitalized with pneumonia and has gestational diabetes. Harrington had been held without bond following her conviction last month on charges of hindering apprehension, evidence-tampering and a firearms offense. Her sentencing hearing will be scheduled six weeks after the birth of her child. Prosecutors said she drove 31-year-old Rahmael Holt out of town after the November 2017 slaying of New Kensington officer Brian Shaw and then disposed of the suspected murder weapon. Harrington denied the accusations at trial. Prosecutors have said Holt was an armed drug dealer who had planned to rob the driver of a sport utility vehicle that Shaw attempted to stop in Old Kensington. Holt said he wasn’t the person who fired. He was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death in February.
April 26, 2020 4:28 am
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania, Inc. filed a request with the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission for a rate hike. The revised rates would go to upgrades and replacement of the company’s underground pipelines. The company is asking for an increase of $100.4 million annually. Residential customers could see an increase of 17.84 percent. If the rate increase is approved, it will not go into effect until 2021. Columbia Gas says this is the first request for a rate increase in over two years.
April 25, 2020 9:28 am
NEW YORK (AP) – Nearly two months after ending his presidential campaign, Mike Bloomberg is again deploying his massive personal fortune – this time to combat the coronavirus. The billionaire businessman is spending tens of millions on a variety of local and international initiatives aimed at halting the spread of the virus and supporting first responders. Bloomberg allies say his efforts are a reflection of Bloomberg’s unique strengths as a business leader with a vast political network. But they’re also helping the former New York City mayor rehabilitate his image after an embarrassing finish in the Democratic presidential primary.
April 25, 2020 9:26 am
MOSCOW (AP) – An unmanned Russian cargo capsule has docked with the International Space Station, bringing more than two tons of supplies to the three-person crew. The Progress spacecraft docked at 0512 GMT Saturday, about 3 1/2 hours after blasting off from Russia’s Baikonur launch complex in Kazakhstan. The ship carried fuel, water, food, medicine and other supplies. There are three astronauts aboard the space station: Russia’s Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner and Chris Cassidy of the United States.
April 25, 2020 9:22 am
MEXICO CITY (AP) – The Mexican government says it plans to reopen automotive factories in conjunction with the United States and Canada. The Foreign Relations Department said Friday the details of the plan will be released in the coming days. The department says health safeguards will be in place to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, which caused Mexico to order the closure of non-essential plants several weeks ago. The announcement comes three days after the U.S. government launched a campaign to get Mexico to reopen plants, suggesting the supply chain of the North America free trade zone could be permanently affected if they didn’t.
April 25, 2020 9:20 am
BANGKOK (AP) – Sri Lanka has reimposed a countrywide 24-hour curfew after a surge in the number of confirmed coronavirus cases, most of them navy sailors who were hunting those evading quarantine. The 46 new infections on Friday were the highest in a day. They brought to 420 the number of COVID-19 patients in the Indian Ocean island, including seven deaths. Sri Lanka partially lifted a month long curfew on Monday during daytime hours in more than two thirds of the country. For the 10th straight day, China reported no new deaths from the coronavirus. Twelve new cases were reported on Saturday, 11 of them brought from overseas and one local transmission in a province bordering Russia. South Korea has reported 10 fresh cases.
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.
