PITTSBURGH (AP) — The city of Pittsburgh has posted a condemnation notice on a Pittsburgh high-rise due to damage from an electrical fire last month, but the building owner is vowing to bring in even more people to hasten repairs. Fire officials said the May 19 blaze at the 44-story Gulf Tower was confined to the basement although smoke could be seen rising from the roof from a ventilation shaft. Building owner Rugby Realty said it has more than 200 people working to repair the damage, and chief operating officer Larry Walsh said officials plan to increase that number to 300.

FDA approves much-debated Alzheimer’s drug panned by experts
By MATTHEW PERRONE AP Health Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — Government health officials have approved the first drug that they say may help slow Alzheimer’s disease. The surprise decision came after the agency’s independent advisers said the treatment hadn’t been shown to help treat the brain-destroying disease. The Food and Drug Administration is not required to follow their advice. The agency approved the infused drug from Biogen. It’s the first new Alzheimer’s treatment in nearly 20 years and the only one that FDA has backed to treat the underlying disease, rather than manage symptoms.

Lawmakers return for June with big agenda, sharp differences
By MARC LEVY Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania state lawmakers are returning to session with a big June agenda and sharp differences. They have four weeks starting Monday to wrap up their work for an on-time budget. The state has some good fiscal news: a huge surplus. Meanwhile, there’s also $7.3 billion of federal coronavirus aid. Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward said the Republican-controlled Senate’s focus is wrapping up the budget, as well as funding for public and private education, broadband and transportation. Election legislation is also a top priority, but deep partisan differences make its passage iffy. Gov. Tom Wolf, a Democrat, wants a $1.3 billion boost to public school aid, about a 20% increase.

Jeff Bezos riding his own rocket in July, joining 1st crew
By MICHELLE CHAPMAN and MARCIA DUNN Associated Press
Jeff Bezos will ride his own rocket into space next month, joining the first crew to fly in a Blue Origin capsule. The Amazon CEO announced Monday that he will launch July 20 from Texas along with his firefighter brother. Also on board the capsule for the 10-minute hop will be the highest bidder in a charity auction. Virgin Galactic’s Richard Branson also plans to launch aboard his own rocket later this year. Blue Origin completed the 15th test flight of its New Shepard rocket in April. For its first launch with passengers, the company chose the 52nd anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing.

Supreme Court rules against immigrants with temporary status
By MARK SHERMAN Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — A unanimous Supreme Court has ruled that thousands of people living in the U.S. for humanitarian reasons are ineligible to apply to become permanent residents. Justice Elena Kagan wrote for the court Monday that federal immigration law prohibits people who entered the country illegally and now have Temporary Protected Status from seeking “green cards” to remain in the country permanently. The designation applies to people who come from countries ravaged by war or disaster. It protects them from deportation and allows them to work legally. There are 400,000 people from 12 countries with TPS status.

(Richland Twp., Pa.) Pa State Police in Gibsonia are reporting that while they were conducting a speed check for traffic along the Pa Turnpike in Richland Township Sunday at 11:40 AM they clocked a black motorcycle going 114 MPH in a 70 MPH zone using radar.

Troopers say that 22-year-old Daniel Alexander Martinez Pereira of Doral Florida did not stop for the trooper’s lights and siren and fled. While pursuing Martinez-Pereira the Trooper who clocked him crashed his Police cruiser. Martinez-Pereira continued eastbound for approximately 4 miles and crashed his motorcycle at the Pittsburgh Interchange.

Martinez-Pereira was transported to Forbes hospital for his injuries. There is no word on his condition. Troopers file charges of fleeing and eluding at the local district court.

(Wayne Twp., Pa.) Pa State Police in New Castle are reporting that they were called to the scene of a motorcycle accident on Wampum Road in Wayne Twp. Sunday night around 11:25 PM.

Troopers stated via release that 65-year-old Keith Shaffer of Ellwood City had to be air lifted to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital for serious injuries that he suffered while operating a 2015 Harley Davidson Street Glide Special Motorcycle on Wampum Road.

Troopers say that Shaffer’s motorcycle was traveling east on Wampum Road when it went off the roadway and struck a residence sign and then struck a guardrail with a mailbox behind it. Shaffer was ejected from the motorcycle and landed approximately 30 feet south from the point of impact. The release stated that Shaffer was wearing a helmet. There is no word on Shaffer’s condition at this time and Troopers are continuing to investigate.

(Moon Township, PA) Heritage Valley Health System and Encompass Health
Rehabilitation Hospital of Sewickley are pleased to announce the renovation and re-opening of a 12-bed inpatient rehabilitation unit located on the fifth floor of Heritage Valley Kennedy hospital.

Officially named the Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Sewickley at Heritage Valley Kennedy, the unit will function as a satellite expansion unit of the main facility located in Sewickley. The location will provide rehabilitation care for patients recovering from strokes and other neurological disorders, brain injuries, hip fractures, and complex orthopedic conditions.

“Heritage Valley and Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Sewickley have a history of collaboration and joint venture relationships,” said Norm Mitry, President and CEO, Heritage Valley Health System. “Establishing the inpatient rehabilitation unit at Heritage Valley Kennedy was a natural fit. It brings much needed services to patients residing in the western and northern communities of Allegheny County. They can now receive this specialized care close to home.”

Patients of the unit benefit from exceptional care that is standard to both organizations. Those receiving care will experience a minimum of three hours per day of therapy for five days each week from a multidisciplinary therapy team, 24-hour nursing care, access to advanced technologies, and frequent visits by an attending physician during their stay.

To learn more about Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Sewickley at Heritage Valley Kennedy, please call 412.749.2396.