Category: News

Pirate Parrott Ranks in Middle of The Pack For MLB Mascots

(Photo courtesy of Frank Sparks)

(Pittsburgh, Pa.) A new survey from Play USA ranked the Pirate Parrot in the middle of the pack, for major league baseball mascots ranking the Parrot 17th out of 27 in a survey of best and worst mascots.

Clark The Cub, the Chicago Cubs mascot took the top spot, followed by the mascots of the Detroit Tigers, Colorado Rockies, Minnesota Twins, and Baltimore Orioles.

“Slider” the furry purple mascot in Cleveland ranked as the worst mascot just below San Diego’s Friar and Miami’s “Billy the Marlin.”

You can see the full list of the MLB” Best and Worst Mascots and how they are ranked by going to:

https://www.playusa.com/best-worst-mlb-mascots-ranking/

Jimmy Buffett’s July Concert at Star Lake Cancelled

There won’t be a sighting of Parrot Heads at Star Lake in July after all. The Jimmy Buffett concert that was scheduled to be at the Pavilion at Star Lake on July 15 has been canceled.

Rescheduled performances created a conflict with a show in Nashville on July 16 and thus the Pittsburgh date has been canceled.
Fans who purchased tickets to the show will be issued refunds.

The first show scheduled for this summer at Star Lake will be when Chicago performs on July 21.

Pa State Trooper Says That Edward Surratt Talked of Other Killings Besides The Six He Admitted To In Pa.

Police say inmate who admitted to 6 killings spoke of others
By MARK SCOLFORO Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — New information has surfaced about Pa State Police’s conversations with convicted Serial Killer Edward Surratt who is serving multiple life sentences in a Florida jail.
Surratt had admitted to the killings of three Beaver County residents in the late 1970’s along with 3 others in the state and Pennsylvania State Trooper Max DeLuca says Surratt also discussed five to seven other slayings here in the state. Trooper DeLuca said yesterday that police in those areas have been alerted. He obtained those details in March from Surratt, who is serving life at a state prison in Raiford, Florida. DeLuca says Surratt implicated himself in the deaths of six people in four Pennsylvania slayings during 1977 and 1978. He’s not expected to be prosecuted for the six Pennsylvania killings. DeLuca says Surratt wouldn’t disclose how many people he killed in Pennsylvania.

US jobless Claims Drop to 385,000, Another Pandemic Low

US jobless claims drop to 385,000, another pandemic low
By PAUL WISEMAN AP Economics Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell last week for a fifth straight week to a new pandemic low, the latest evidence that the U.S. job market is regaining its health as the economy further reopens. Jobless claims dropped to 385,000, down 20,000 from the week before. The number of applications for unemployment aid, which generally reflects the pace of layoffs, has fallen steadily all year. The decline reflects a swift rebound in economic growth and the job market’s steady recovery from the coronavirus recession. More Americans are venturing out to shop, travel, dine out and congregate at entertainment venues. All that renewed spending has led companies to seek new workers.

Shrinking giants: North Atlantic right whales getting tinier

Shrinking giants: North Atlantic right whales getting tinier
By SETH BORENSTEIN AP Science Writer
A new study says the hulking giants of the deep, North Atlantic right whales, are on average about three feet shorter than just 20 years ago. Thursday’s study says the critically endangered whales are shrinking because of the stress of getting tangled in fishing gear, crashing into ships and climate change moving their food supply north. There are only 356 of the whales left. Scientists say their smaller size is a big deal because it reduces their ability to reproduce. Full grown North Atlantic right whales used to average 46 feet. Now the younger generation is on track to not quite average 43 feet.

US will boost global vaccine-sharing, Biden announces

By ZEKE MILLER Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House says the U.S. will share more COVID-19 vaccines with the world, including directing 75% of excess doses through the UN-backed COVAX global program. The White House has previously stated its intent to share 80 million vaccine doses with the world by the end of June. The administration says 25% of doses will be kept in reserve for emergencies and for the U.S. to share directly with allies and partners. The long awaited vaccine-sharing plan comes as demand for shots in the U.S. has dropped significantly. More than 63% of U.S. adults have received at least one dose, and global inequities in supply have become more glaring.

Ross Park Mall To Install Cameras After Criticism Following Shooting

Mall to install cameras after criticism following shooting
PITTSBURGH (AP) — A western Pennsylvania mall says it will install surveillance cameras and take other measures to beef up security following criticism from officials after gunshots that prompted a lockdown and an evacuation of shoppers over the Memorial Day weekend. The Allegheny County district attorney’s office and Ross Township police had criticized Ross Park Mall officials following Saturday’s gunfire, saying mall operators had refused requests to install cameras, although some individual stores have them. Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group, Inc. said in a statement that the company already does a good job of maintaining security at its facilities but “as an additional measure, we will soon begin the process of securing CCTV cameras.”

VIDEO: Western PA Soapbox Derby To Take Place In Ambridge On Saturday

A chance to take on the world’s best can begin in Beaver County.

The Western PA Soapbox Derby Championship will take place on 14th Street in Ambridge beginning at 6:30am on Saturday, June 5. The races will feature drivers from the ages of 7 to 17 competing in stock and superstock car races, battling each other from morning to evening until the winners are crowned.

Tim Cassidy spoke to Matt Drzik about the big event coming up on Saturday, and how long it takes kids to prepare their cars for the big races, and how long the events will be running for. Cassidy also talked about the history behind the Western PA Soapbox Derby, how it returned to Beaver County, and how the winners on Saturday will have a shot in July to compete for the World Championships in Akron, Ohio.

Admission for Saturday’s event is free to the public. Check out the WPASD’s Facebook Page for more updates and information.

Police Looking For Help With Info On Signs Intentionally Knocked Down on Shenango Road

(North Beaver Borough, Pa.) Pa State Police in New Castle are reporting that they are investigating an incident in which road signs were intentionally knocked over along Shenango Road in North Beaver Borough.

Troopers said via release that they were informed that the incident happened some time between the afternoon of May the 30 and noon on May 31, 2021 in which someone intentionally drove along Shenango Road intentionally striking several signs. Police are asking anyone with information with information to contact them at the New Castle Barracks at 724- 598-2211

Longtime Steelers Broadcaster Ilkin Retiring To Fight ALS

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Longtime Pittsburgh Steelers radio analyst Tunch Ilkin is retiring to focus on his fight against ALS. Ilkin played 14 years on the offensive line for the Steelers from 1980 to 1993. He is 63 years old and spent the last 23 as a broadcaster for the team. He announced his diagnosis of Lou Gehrig’s disease last fall.