Two weeks ago, coronavirus — specifically COVID-19 — arrived in Pittsburgh. In the form of two tiny vials less than two inches tall containing roughly 50 million viruses. Now, researchers at the Center for Vaccine Research on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh are growing coronavirus. Some people have expressed concern that something as dangerous as coronavirus has been shipped into the city. But researchers at Pitt are trying to assure the public the reason it is here is because they are working to safely and quickly develop a vaccine for the disease.

Robert Morris University is canceling all faculty-led study abroad programs scheduled for this spring as COVID-19, the coronavirus, continues to spread. Officials say the students currently studying abroad for the semester are not being asked to return. The university is keeping in contact with those students and is advising them on the appropriate precautions to take.

WEST NEWTON, Pa. (AP) — Authorities say a mother wearing a Cookie Monster costume apparently overdosed on heroin while sitting in her running car, shortly after she had dropped off her 9-year-old son at a babysitter’s home. 38-year-old Rachel Love Martin of Westmoreland County was charged Wednesday with child endangerment. Authorities say the babysitter called police to her West Newton home because she was concerned Martin may have been under the influence of drugs. Authorities say they are puzzled as to why Martin was wearing the Cookie Monster costume…but they are looking into it.

A former Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher charged with sexual assault is asking a judge to get out of jail. Felipe Vazquez is accused of engaging in sexual activity with a 13-year-old girl in Scottdale, Westmoreland County. Vazquez has been in the Westmoreland County Jail ever since he was arrested last year. His new attorney, Gary Gerson, said Vazquez is unfairly being denied bail because he is a native of Venezuela and because of a false perception that he is a wealthy baseball player. Vazquez is accused of sexually assaulting the girl outside her Scottdale home. He allegedly met her at PNC Park, and then the relationship escalated online. But in court papers filed Wednesday, Gerson said, “All alleged acts in this case were initiated by the alleged victim.” Gerson also said that Vazquez “took reasonable steps to ascertain the age of the alleged victim after being contacted and was presented with identification by the alleged victim that showed she was over the age of consent.” In 2018, Vazquez signed a four-year, $22 million contract, including a $2 million signing bonus. Prosecutors cited his money and status as a professional baseball player as concerns he might be a flight risk. But Gerson said the perception of wealth is false. In fact, he said, Vazquez “has no significant funds.”

A missing Beaver County native reported missing from Erie earlier this week has been found alive in Washington state. 22-year-old Jordan Lampus is currently hospitalized. She’s getting checked out after she was found along a road in Seattle.
She wasn’t wearing her glasses, something she normally has on. The woman was found several days after police discovered Jordan’s 2006 blue Toyota van parked on the side of the road. Officers say the circumstances were suspicious. At this time, it’s not clear why she went to Seattle or how she got there.

WEATHER FORECAST FOR FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28TH, 2020

 

TODAY – PARTLY SUNNY. HIGH – 32.

TONIGHT – MOSTLY CLOUDY. A FEW FLURRIES OR SNOW
SHOWERS POSSIBLE. LOW AROUND 20.

SATURDAY – CLOUDY. A FEW FLURRIES OR SNOW SHOWERS
POSSIBLE. HIGH NEAR 30.

SUNDAY – MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGH NEAR 50.

Click here for more information on participating in this year’s event, or to follow the Beaver Falls Car Cruise on Facebook.