Category: News

Louisville defeats short-handed Pitt 64-54

Louisville defeats short-handed Pitt 64-54
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Sophomores David Johnson and Samuell Williamson each picked up their first career double-doubles, Carlik Jones scored 11 points in his return and Louisville defeated short-handed Pittsburgh 64-54. Johnson scored 17 points with 11 rebounds, and Williamson had 14 points, 12 rebounds and two blocked shots as Louisville controlled the second half. Pitt was missing Coach Jeff Capel, still out after a positive test for COVID-19, and two of the ACC’s top scorers in Justin Champagnie and Anthony Toney out with injuries. Freshman Femi Odukale scored 16 points for his first double-figure game for Pitt but was held to four points after halftime.

Department of Agriculture Releases COVID-19 Restaurant Enforcement Actions, December 14 – December 20. No Citations in Beaver County

Department of Agriculture Releases COVID-19 Restaurant Enforcement Actions, December 14 – December 20

Harrisburg, PA – The Department of Agriculture today released data related to COVID-19 restaurant enforcement actions from December 14 through December 20, 2020. The information is specific to COVID-19 mitigation requirements for restaurants, including masking of employees offering carry-out, delivery and curbside pick-up services, and reflect the temporary order prohibiting dine-in service from December 12, 2020 until January 4, 2021.

These numbers include actions taken during routine food safety inspections and inspections prompted by consumer complaints.

From December 14 through December 20, the department’s Bureau of Food Safety performed 493 inspections, 89 of which were complaint-driven. Of those, 84 were COVID-19 specific complaints. The department received 428 food facility COVID-19 related complaints, and 87 of those COVID-19 related complaints were referred to local and county health jurisdictions.

In addition, the department issued 180 written warnings to restaurants reported to be violating the temporary dine-in prohibition. Of those 180 warnings, 40 restaurants were closed by order after they were confirmed to be open for dine-in service and refused to comply with the order.

The limited-time mitigation order includes:

  • All in-person indoor dining at businesses in the retail food services industry, including, but not limited to, bars, restaurants, breweries, wineries, distilleries, social clubs, and private catered events is prohibited.
  • Outdoor dining, take-out food service, and take-out alcohol sales are permitted and may continue, subject to any limitations or restrictions imposed by Pennsylvania law, or this or any other order issued by the Secretary of Health or by the governor.

A county-by-county breakdown of COVID-19 restaurant enforcement actions can be found on the Department of Agriculture’s website. The data will be updated weekly with data from the previous week.

The Bureau of Food Safety has always operated with an education-first model, and always works to educate and correct issues on-site before taking official action. Businesses will receive a closure order if they are confirmed to be operating in violation of the order and unwilling to cease dine-in service while the inspector is present. If the restaurant continues to operate in any manner following closure order, the restaurant will be referred to the Department of Health for further legal action, including an action in Commonwealth Court to enjoin the continued operation of the restaurant in violation of the temporary order.

Consumers with general food safety complaints or concerns about non-compliance for COVID-19 mitigation can file a complaint online. COVID-19 mitigation restaurant enforcement actions will be released on a weekly basis.

For more information about the Department of Agriculture’s COVID-19 response, visit agriculture.pa.gov/covid.

In Beaver County there were 7 inspections conducted one was due to a complaint. There were no warnings or citations handed out.

Department of Health: 22 More Hospitals Receive Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, Moderna Doses to be Shipped to 51 Hospitals This Week

Department of Health: 22 More Hospitals Receive Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, Moderna Doses to be Shipped to 51 Hospitals This Week

 

Harrisburg, PA – The Wolf Administration today announced as of 12 PM, December 21, 22 additional hospitals have received 30,255 does of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and will begin distributing it to health care workers as outlined in the state’s interim vaccine distribution plan. This brings the total to 109 hospitals to date that have received vaccine.

 

“Each day, hospitals will be shipped vaccine directly from Pfizer and will begin administering it to health care workers at the hospital,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “The hospitals receiving shipments enrolled to be COVID-19 vaccine providers. The federal government has determined the amount of vaccine and when the vaccine is distributed. Hospitals receiving the Pfizer-BioNtech COVID-19 vaccine must be able to handle the ultra-low temperature storage requirements.”

 

Hospitals that received the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID vaccine today include:

Aria Health-Bucks, Bucks County;

  • Crozer Hospital, Delaware County;
  • Delaware County Memorial Hospital, Delaware County;
  • Geisinger Lewistown, Mifflin County;
  • Geisinger Medical Center, Montour County;
  • Geisinger Wyoming Valley, Luzerne County;
  • Grand View Hospital; Bucks County;
  • Highlands Hospital, Fayette County;
  • Lankenau Medical Center (Main Line Health System), Montgomery County;
  • Lehigh Valley Health Network; Lehigh County;
  • Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center, Cumberland County;
  • Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Dauphin County;
  • Reading Hospital, Berks County;
  • Saint Clair Memorial Hospital, Allegheny County;
  • Saint Vincent Hospital, Erie County;
  • Sharon Regional Medical Center, Mercer County;
  • St. Mary Medical Center, Bucks County;
  • The Medical Center at Woods, Bucks County;
  • UPMC Saint Margaret, Allegheny County;
  • UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital, Allegheny County;
  • Washington Hospital, Washington County; and
  • Wilkes Barre General Hospital.

 

In addition, Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine is due to be received by to at least 51 hospitals throughout the state this week.

“More hospital sites will receive the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine over the next several weeks. Hospital sites are selected by their ability to manage the cold chain requirement with the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, completion of the COVID-19 provider agreement, and successful onboarding with the Department of Health for necessary documentation of vaccination. The number of doses, recipient hospitals and arrival dates are subject to change based on updated information from the federal government and Pfizer.

“These first doses of vaccine are being given specifically to health care workers through hospitals,” Dr. Levine said. “Hospitals are making arrangements to implement these vaccinations, not only to their own frontline staff but to other high-priority recipients. The number of people we can immunize truly depends on how quickly the manufacturers can make the vaccine.”

Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the Food and Drug Administration on Friday, December 11, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) approved its use on December 13.

The vaccine will be available in three phases, beginning with critical populations. Due to the limited supply of vaccine, the first phase is expected to take several months. Initial administration of doses will be according to the ACIP recommendations of vaccine administration to health care workers, residents and staff in long term care facilities.

In the second phase, the department anticipates more vaccine doses will be available. This will allow vaccination of essential workers who cannot work remotely and must work in proximity to others. The third phase is vaccinating all persons of any age not previously vaccinated, once the department has a sufficient supply of vaccine. In this phase, the entire population will have access to a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a nationwide playbook that the department used to develop and still uses to update the Pennsylvania COVID-19 Interim Vaccination Plan.

More information about the COVID-19 vaccine can be found here.

The Wolf Administration stresses the role Pennsylvanians play in helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19:

  • Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
  • Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands.
  • Clean surfaces frequently.
  • Stay home to avoid spreading COVID-19, especially if you are unwell.
  • If you must go out, you are required to wear a mask when in a business or where it is difficult to maintain proper social distancing.
  • Download the COVID Alert PA app and make your phone part of the fight. The free app can be found in the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store by searching for “covid alert pa”.

Updated Coronavirus Links: Press Releases, State Lab Photos, Graphics

All Pennsylvania residents are encouraged to sign up for AlertPA, a text notification system for health, weather, and other important alerts like COVID-19 updates from commonwealth agencies. Residents can sign up online at www.ready.pa.gov/BeInformed/Signup-For-Alerts

MEDIA CONTACT: April Hutcheson, ra-dhpressoffice@pa.gov

Rochester Subway Store Robbed Monday Evening

(Rochester, Pa.) The Rochester Subway located on Adams Street in Rochester was robbed Monday evening around 5:15 p.m. Police responded and before they arrived the suspect had run from the business in an unknown direction.

Rochester Police investigated and pulled video footage and were able to determine that the
suspect looked to be a white male that was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt underneath of a Brown Carhartt jacked with a brown winter cap, dark jeans and dark colored work boots. The Rochester Police are asking for the help of the public to try and identify this male. Anyone with information is pleased asked to contact the Rochester Borough Police Department at (724) 775-1100.

You can view the video by going to the link below:

https://www.facebook.com/RochesterBoroughPD/videos/706493386665672/

 

Steelers HOF Linebacker Kevin Greene Passes Away

HOF linebacker, pass rush great Kevin Greene dies at 58
By STEVE REED AP Sports Writer
Hall of Fame linebacker Kevin Greene, considered one of the fiercest pass rushers in NFL history, has died. He was 58. Greene died Monday, according to the family and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. A two-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowl selection, Greene finished his career with 160 sacks, which ranks third in league history behind only Bruce Smith and Reggie White. He also had 23 forced fumbles, 26 fumble recoveries and five interceptions.

PennDOT Driver License, Photo Centers and Harrisburg Riverfront Office Center Closed for Christmas Holiday

PennDOT Driver License, Photo Centers and Harrisburg Riverfront Office Center Closed for Christmas Holiday

Harrisburg, PA –The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) today announced that all driver license and photo centers, including the Riverfront Office Center in Harrisburg, will be closed Friday, December 25, 2020, in observance of the Christmas holiday.

Additionally, the Riverfront Office Center in Harrisburg, which is only open for motor vehicle transactions, will close at 12:30 PM on Thursday, December 24. Driver license and photo center locations will close at 12:15 PM on Thursday, December 24.

Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services, including all forms, publications and driver training manuals, online through PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services website, www.dmv.pa.gov.     Driver and vehicle online services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and include driver’s license, photo ID and vehicle registration renewals; driver-history services; changes of address; driver license and vehicle registration restoration letters; ability to pay driver license or vehicle insurance restoration fee; driver license and photo ID duplicates; and driver exam scheduling. There are no additional fees for using online services.

A complete listing of PennDOT driver and photo license center closings in 2020 is available online.

Motorists can check conditions on major roadway miles by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information, and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras.

511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.

Follow PennDOT on Twitter at www.twitter.com/PennDOTNews and like the department on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PennsylvaniaDepartmentofTransportation and Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/pennsylvaniadot/.

Virus-weary Americans less festive this year

AP-NORC poll: Virus-weary Americans less festive this year
By TAMMY WEBBER and HANNAH FINGERHUT Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Fewer Americans say they are feeling festive this holiday season as a year marred by a national health crisis and teetering economy comes to an end. Just 22% of Americans say they feel very or extremely festive this year, down from 49% one year ago. That’s according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. The survey also finds that some Americans are feeling a bit sadder, lonelier and less grateful than last year. About 4 in 10 Americans are still intensely worried about the novel coronavirus, and roughly three-quarters are at least somewhat concerned that they or a relative will be infected.

US Rep Conor Lamb Leads Bipartisan Effort To Address K-12 Testing During COVID-19

LAMB LEADS BIPARTISAN EFFORT TO

ADDRESS K-12 TESTING DURING COVID-19

 

(WASHINGTON, DC) – Today, Representative Conor Lamb (PA-17) led a bipartisan coalition of Members in a letter to Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos regarding standardized testing during the coronavirus public health crisis.  The letter urges the U.S. Department of Education to provide clarity, guidance and support to K-12 schools as they navigate decisions around student assessments.  The Pennsylvania School Boards Association and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) have endorsed the letter.

“Since the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year, our offices have heard from students, families, teachers, and school leaders who are concerned by COVID-19’s disruption of student learning and effect on student learning outcomes,” the lawmakers wrote.

“Many schools in the Commonwealth and other states are providing virtual-only or hybrid learning, and unfortunately, in most cases school leaders have been unable to identify when it will be safe for fully in-person learning to resume.  We are committed to our students and understand that their futures rely on a high-quality education, which benefits from the close monitoring of students’ learning through assessment.  However, we are concerned about the challenges schools face in implementing federally required annual assessments during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The letter asks the Department of Education to provide clarity about:

  • Whether a waiver process similar to last year’s will be considered this year;
  • If the Department will provide flexibility in assessment design as states may need to make changes to how they assess students because of COVID-19; and
  • What kind of guidance and support schools can expect from the Department on matters of testing and assessment during COVID-19.

“School districts across Pennsylvania are facing and overcoming unprecedented challenges to ensure their students are safe and learning during the pandemic.  While assessments are a critical piece in helping our students stay on track, we know things will continue to look different through the spring.  We appreciate Rep. Lamb and his colleagues for urging the Department of Education to provide additional clarity, flexibility, and guidance so we can continue to support and prioritize student success,” said John Callahan, Chief Advocacy Officer of the Pennsylvania School Boards Association.

“There is no doubt that students need to be back in school as long as the appropriate safety measures are in place.  But with COVID continuing to spread through communities at alarming rates, states need the option of waivers this school year.  We should also think about more creative ways to assess students’ progress such as year end and capstone projects, not just this year but moving forward,” said Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers.

In addition to Lamb, the bipartisan letter was signed by Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1), Brendan Boyle (PA-2), Dwight Evans (PA-3), Madeleine Dean (PA-4), Susan Wild (PA-7), Matt Cartwright (PA-8), Mike Doyle (PA-18), Alma Adams (NC-12) and Lauren Underwood (IL-14).

Shell to Test Employees After New Years Reset

(Potter Twp., Pa.) Shell Chemicals plans on testing all employees once they return from an upcoming Holiday break. The construction facility located in Potter Twp. will close, for what officials are calling a 2021 reset, from January 1 thru January 5, 2021.  When workers return on January 6 site safety personnel will conduct Rapid Antigen tests on employees. Workers who test positive will then be tested to confirm the results with the PCR test.

Shell officials said in a statement that being proactive will reduce the likelihood of the possible spread of the COVID-19 among employees and communities. Shell also feels that by testing 8,00o returning workers after the break they do expect an increase  in the number of positive case of COVID-19 among the workforce.

Look to the sky at the Christmas “star” Tonight

When Jupiter and Saturn appear close together in the night sky on December 21, their combined light might be what the Bible’s nativity story in the Gospel of Matthew called the Star of Bethlehem, according to faculty and staff at Ball State University.

“People have long wondered if the Star of Bethlehem could be explained by natural celestial events. Some astronomers believe the ‘star’ may have been a series of celestial events,” said Dayna Thompson, director of the Charles W. Brown Planetarium.

The planetarium’s “Christmas Star” program explores potential natural explanations for the Star of Bethlehem and common modern-day misconceptions about the event, researched and written by Dr. Ron Kaitchuck, the previous director of the Brown Planetarium and professor emeritus.

As the planetarium is closed this holiday season due to COVID-19, its “Christmas Star” planetarium program is on YouTube 360 at https://youtu.be/Wq_1CwKbkaY

In coming days, Jupiter and Saturn will appear closer in the sky then they have in 400 years. This event has been labeled “The Great Conjunction,” Thompson said.

 Such events have been recorded for thousands of years, she noted.

“For ancient people, the word ‘star’ didn’t have the same meaning that it does for us today,” she said. “Sometimes comets were referred to as stars. Also, ‘star’ didn’t have to refer to a single celestial object or event.”

Jupiter and Saturn appeared close together in the sky in the years 7, 6, and 5 BCE in a constellation astrologically significant to the Jewish people. This was followed by the appearance of an exploding star in the pre-dawn sky of 5 BCE. These events are all candidates for natural occurrences of the Star of Bethlehem, Thompson said.

 

“This is one reason why people are referring to the upcoming close grouping of Jupiter and Saturn on December 21 as a ‘Christmas Star’ event,” she said. “The other reason, of course being the date of the event, as it’s so close to Christmas. December 21 also happens to be the date of the Winter Solstice – the shortest day of the year.”