March 29, 2020 7:43 am
STOCKHOLM (AP) – The coronavirus is not keeping people in Sweden at home even while citizens in many parts of the world are sheltering in place. Swedes still sit at outdoor cafes in the center of Stockholm. Teenagers still chat in groups in the parks of the capital. Some still greet each other with hugs and handshakes. Swedish authorities have advised people to practice social distancing and asked those over age 70 to self-isolate. But restaurants, preschools and primary schools are still open. Some scientists have criticized the country’s Public Health Agency’s approach as irresponsible. But the country’s chief epidemiologist has defended Sweden’s strategy as more sustainable than “drastic” measures like the nationwide lockdowns elsewhere.
March 29, 2020 7:42 am
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) – As the coronavirus rages through Europe, and major American cities like New York and Los Angeles, more than a third of counties across the U.S. still have not reported a positive test result for infection across what are predominantly rural areas. A data analysis by The Associated Press shows that 1,297 counties have no confirmed cases of COVID-19 out of 3,142 counties nationwide. Counties with zero positive tests for COVID-19 tend to have older, rural populations with lower incomes where rural health networks might be overwhelmed. The demographics hold major implications as the administration of President Trump develops guidelines to rate counties by risk of virus spread, empowering local officials to revise social distancing orders
March 29, 2020 7:40 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – A gun rights group is cheering the Trump administration’s designation of the firearms industry, including retailers, as part of the nation’s critical infrastructure during the coronavirus emergency.. The designation by the federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is advisory and does not override determinations by individual jurisdictions. The group Gun Owners of America says in a statement that it is encouraged that the Trump administration is not ignoring what it calls “the ability to protect yourself.” Gun rights groups have filed suit after the Los Angeles County sheriff closed gun stores in the wake of California Gov. Gavin Newsom letting counties decide for themselves whether firearms dealers are nonessential businesses subject to closure.
March 29, 2020 7:34 am
BEIJING (AP) – Health authorities have urged millions of residents of the New York City region to avoid non-essential travel due to surging coronavirus infections. Deaths in the United States and Europe rose and countries including Russia and Vietnam tightened travel and business restrictions. The number of confirmed American deaths passed 2,000, more than double the level two days earlier. The travel advisory applies to New York City, the hardest-hit U.S. municipality, and the states of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Worldwide infections surpassed 660,000 mark, with more than 30,000 deaths as new cases, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.
March 29, 2020 7:33 am
JONESBORO, Ark. (AP) – Officials in Arkansas say a tornado ripped through the northeast part of the state and hurt six people in the college town of Jonesboro. Local media coverage showed buildings missing walls and with roofs ripped away Saturday. Jonesboro E-911 Director Jeff Presley says the six people hurt were hospitalized with minor injuries and that first responders were searching the area. Forecasters with the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma, had warned that a severe weather outbreak was possible for much of the central U.S.
March 29, 2020 7:26 am
WEST MIFFLIN, Pa. (WPXI) — A portion of Route 837 in West Mifflin is closed until further notice due to a landslide. Route 837 has closed in both directions between the Boswell Oil Company in Dravosburg and the McKeesport-Duquesne Bridge, county officials said. This comes after heavy storms and strong winds rolled through Western Pa. Saturday evening. The roadway will be closed until further notice.
March 29, 2020 7:24 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) – Severe weather in parts of western Pennsylvania prompted flood warnings and severe thunderstorm warnings – and for a time a tornado warning. The National Weather Service issued flash flood warnings Saturday afternoon for parts of Beaver, Allegheny, Westmoreland, Lawrence, Butler, and Armstrong counties. Weather officials warned of “wind gusts to 60 mph and quarter-size hail” with damage to trees and power lines expected to result in some power outages. A tornado warning issued for parts of Jefferson, Washington, Beaver and Allegheny counties expired as the threat diminished, but weather officials warned residents to expect large hail and damaging winds.
March 29, 2020 3:14 am
In light of the Coronavirus pandemic, the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh announced on Friday major changes for the celebration of Holy Week. They are as follows:
Bishop Zubik will live stream Masses and Prayer Services that people will be able to watch through the diocesan website. A list of parishes with live stream schedules will also be shared at www.diopitt.org.
All previous directives will remain in effect to adhere to the current government recommendation of no more than ten people gathered. For this reason, there will be no public celebration of liturgies.
Churches will not be open during scheduled Masses/liturgies but may remain open at other times for individuals who wish to make a short visit. People should contact their parishes to confirm times.
Palm Sunday, April 5, 2020: Bishop Zubik will celebrate a Mass that will be live streamed at 10 a.m. Priests throughout the diocese will also celebrate private Palm Sunday Masses and bless palms which will be made available for people to pick up at a later date when restrictions are lifted.
Holy Thursday, April 9, 2020: Bishop Zubik will celebrate the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper, live streamed at 7:00 p.m. The Washing of the Feet, which is optional, will be omitted from observances this year.
Good Friday, April 10, 2020: Bishop Zubik will celebrate Friday of the Passion of the Lord, live streamed at 3:00 p.m.
Holy Saturday, April 11, 2020: The traditional ecumenical blessing over the City of Pittsburgh is postponed and will be rescheduled once the restrictions are lifted. There will be no blessing of Easter baskets. Bishop Zubik will celebrate the Easter Vigil, live streamed at 8:30 p.m.
Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020: Bishop Zubik will celebrate Holy Mass, live streamed at 10:00 a.m. The annual Blessing of Families at St. Paul Cathedral is cancelled.
March 29, 2020 3:11 am
Governor Tom Wolf announced a stay-at-home order for Washington County at his 1 p.m. press conference with Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine Saturday. Washington County Commissioner Diana Irey Vaughn told WJPA that she received a call from the Governor’s office earlier in the day. Washington joined Beaver and Centre counties in the announcement Saturday. Washington will now be one of 22 under a stay-at-home order from the Governor. This comes as Pennsylvania announces 533 new cases, 9 of which are for Washington County bringing the county’s total to 23.
March 28, 2020 5:15 pm
A unit of the Consol-Bailey Mine is closing due to Covid 19. Richard Martelli from Consol states that a second employee at the Crabapple location has tested positive for Covid-19. In an abundance of caution the Bailey Mine Crabapple location will cease production for the recommended 14 days. Other locations will remain operational. Employees will be contacted this weekend with further details.
