SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — President Donald Trump will begin his Independence Day weekend on Friday with a patriotic display of fireworks at Mount Rushmore before a crowd of thousands. But even in a part of the country where many remain supportive of the president, the event has drawn controversy and protests. Trump is expected to speak at the event, which has issued 7,500 tickets to watch fireworks that he has previewed as a “display like few people have seen.” But questions about coronavirus precautions, protests from Native American groups and concerns over wildfires from the fireworks will also greet the president.

HEMPFIELD, Pa. (AP) — A man who says he fatally beat his 92-year-old father in their home because he believed his father was a vampire has been sentenced to 10 to 30 years in prison. Douglas Novak pleaded guilty but mentally ill last November to murder, arson, reckless endangerment and risking a catastrophe charges. Authorities have said he fatally beat Frank Novak with the wooden arm of a dining room chair. Novak’s lawyer said Thursday that his client was off his medication when he attacked his father. But prosecutors say Novak told police he beat his father because the older man was hiding his phone.

Hugh Downs, genial presence on TV news and game shows, dies
By DAVID BAUDER AP Media Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — Hugh Downs, a genial and near-constant presence on television from the 1950s through the 1990s, has died. His family said Downs died of natural causes Wednesday night in Scottsdale, Arizona. Downs was a host of the ‘Today” show on NBC, worked on the “Tonight” show when Jack Paar was in charge, and hosted the long-running game show “Concentration.” He co-hosted the ABC newsmagazine ’20/20’ with Barbara Walters. Until surpassed by Regis Philbin, he had the Guinness Book of World Records mark for most hours logged on television. Downs also hosted the PBS series “Over Easy” and “Live from Lincoln Center.”

‘Truly alarming’: Officials voice concern over virus spike
By MARC LEVY Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania reported its highest one-day total of confirmed coronavirus cases since May. Allegheny County, home to Pittsburgh and 1.2 million residents, also reported its highest one-day total of positive tests that officials called a larger increase than expected. Thursday’s rising figures, and rising rate of positive tests, come as health officials in Philadelphia and Allegheny County point to people socializing in bars and returning from beach vacations and coronavirus hot spots. Pennsylvania reported more than 830 new positive cases of COVID-19. It also reported another 25 coronavirus-related deaths. Allegheny County reported more than 230 more new positive tests. Lt. Gov. John Fetterman called the figure “truly alarming.”

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Aliquippa, Pa.) PA State Police issued a press release into the June 15 shooting of a fifteen year-old female  in Aliquippa at 1:20 a.m.. Aliquippa PD responded to Linmar Terrace , they provided medical attention  for a gunshot wound. The victim was transported to a nearby hospital.  State Police were called to assist.  After further investigation  it was determined the shooting occurred  within the city limits while she was in a moving vehicle, and not in Linmar Terrace.

CENTER – Rep. Josh Kail (R-Beaver/Washington) will be hosting an Identity Theft Prevention and Community Shredding Event for households of the 15^th District on Saturday, July 18, from 9-11 a.m. in his district office parking lot, 3648 Brodhead Road, Monaca.

The event, which will feature an on-site industrial paper shredder, will provide the opportunity for residents to shred up to two large boxes of materials. The boxes will be returned to residents.

“While COVID-19 prevented many of the events I had scheduled for this year, we are able to safely hold the shredding event,” Kail said. “Identity theft is even more of a risk because of the financial desperation so many people are feeling, so it’s especially important to safely dispose of sensitive documents.”

Paper will not be accepted from businesses or organizations. Only paper, not cardboard or CDs, will be accepted. Staples and paper clips need not be removed. All shredding takes place on-site, and the event will be held rain or shine.

Shredding services will be provided by ShredAmerica Iron City. The event is sponsored by EQT. It is not necessary to register for the event, but residents who would like to learn more are asked to call the district office at 724-728-7655.

Pittsburgh, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and AAA East Central today urged the public to drive sober over the Independence Day holiday.

 The safety partners reminded the public of the dangers of operating a vehicle while impaired by drugs or alcohol. Such substances weaken a person’s judgement, balance, vision, reaction time and decision-making abilities, creating a dangerous situation on the roadway and water around them.

 The Independence Day holiday is widely celebrated in the United States with many Americans making plans to celebrate with family and friends. While the usual options such as large celebrations, block parties and outings to local businesses are not available this year, many may resort to backyard parties and barbeques where there is plenty of alcohol. If drinking becomes part of the plan for celebrating, it is important to put safety first, especially while behind the wheel and celebrating the holiday.

 Party-goers are urged to plan ahead for travel accommodations. Be sure to have a designated driver to ensure your safety and the safety of others on the road. Options include asking a friend or family member for a ride, downloading a ride share app or utilizing public transportation.

 According to 2019 PennDOT data, there were 2,917 crashes that resulted in 40 fatalities statewide during the week leading into the Independence Day holiday last year. Of these crashes, at least 334 were drug or alcohol-related.

 Motorists practicing responsible driving is key to significantly reducing impaired driving crashes and fatalities, which are 100 percent preventable. There is no excuse for driving under the influence.

 For more information on impaired driving, visit www.PennDOT.gov/Safety.

 For regional twitter updates, visit www.twitter.com/511PAPittsburgh.

Pittsburgh, PA (July 2, 2020) – Allegheny Health Network (AHN) today announced that John S. Lee, MD, has been appointed as the organization’s new Chief Medical Information Officer (CMIO), effective immediately.  Dr. Lee succeeds Robert White, MD, who announced his plans for retirement earlier this year.  Dr. White will stay with AHN through the end of the year to help support a seamless transition.

Dr. Lee joins AHN from Edward-Elmhurst Healthcare, based in Naperville, Ill., where he has served as CMIO since 2016.  At AHN, Dr. Lee will assume oversight of the network’s electronic health record integration and optimization as well as direct all strategies and technological solutions related to the convergence and utilization of telemedicine, population health management and health care analytics.  In this capacity, he’ll work closely with network and Highmark Health clinical and executive leaders in assessing, designing and implementing clinical support systems that maximize quality, safety, patient engagement, and process improvement.

In 2019, all eight of AHN’s acute care hospitals were recognized as Most Wired® providers by the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME).  Most Wired® is the industry-leading survey and recognition relative to IT implementation, integration and innovation in health systems across the country.   AHN is one of the nation’s largest health system’s with a singular electronic health record (Epic) that integrates all affiliated sites of care, including now 12 hospitals, five large Health + Wellness Pavilions and other outpatient care facilities, and hundreds of physician practices.

In addition to implementing systems such as Epic, Most Wired® designated organizations are those that have deployed technologies and strategies such as population health and cost-of-care analytics, telehealth, and patient portals, to expand access to care and improve clinical and efficiency outcomes.

“Information technology has been the foundation of our success in building a transformative, physician-led and patient-centered model of care for our region,’ said Cynthia Hundorfean, AHN president.  “It takes exceptional talent and visionary leadership to sustain and continuously advance the IT systems we deploy, and we could not have found a more accomplished and qualified physician executive to take those reigns for our organization than Dr. Lee.”

An undergraduate of Johns Hopkins University, Dr. Lee earned his medical degree from the Loyola University of Chicago’s Stritch School of Medicine, and completed residencies at Cook County Hospital in Chicago. His professional affiliations include fellowship in the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS).

Last year, Dr. Lee was named the Physician Executive Leader of the Year by both HIMSS and the Association of Medical Directors of Information Systems (AMDIS).

“AHN’s commitment to investing in a robust, leading-edge IT strategy and system that drives better healthcare value, outcomes and experiences for patients has been extraordinary,” said Dr. Lee. “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to help build upon the program’s success and to shape its future course as part of a blended health and wellness enterprise.”