$6.3M raised for synagogue massacre families, survivors
By MICHAEL RUBINKAM Associated Press
A $6.3 million fund established after the Pittsburgh synagogue massacre will primarily be split among the families of the dead and survivors of the worst attack on Jews in U.S. history, organizers announced Tuesday.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh set up the Victims of Terror Fund after the Oct. 27 attack at Tree of Life synagogue that killed 11 and wounded seven. The fund took in more than 8,500 donations from 48 states and at least eight countries.
The donations are “expressions of love, generosity, compassion and a desire to help in the healing process,” the independent committee overseeing the fund wrote in its report Tuesday. The committee acknowledged that “no amount of money can compensate for the loss of a loved one’s life” or “completely heal our hearts or our communities.”
Most of the money, about $4.4 million, will be given to those most directly affected by the attack, including victims’ families and two seriously injured congregants. The committee awarded about $437,000 to nine congregants who were trapped inside Tree of Life, “fearing for their own lives and, in some cases, watching relatives and friends being murdered,” the report said. Police officers who were shot and wounded while responding will split $500,000.
The committee also set aside $650,000 for the three congregations that share space at Tree of Life and were gathered for Sabbath services when the gunman walked in and opened fire. Some of that money will pay for repairs to the heavily damaged synagogue, which the committee noted will be “a costly, complicated and extended process.” The balance of the fund, $300,000, will be given to a future memorial, as well as an education initiative.
The fund stopped accepting donations Feb. 27.
“The outpouring of support from around the world has been tremendous,” Meryl Ainsman, chair of the Jewish Federation’s board of directors, said in a statement.
An anti-Semitic truck driver named Robert Bowers has been charged in the attack. Authorities have said Bowers expressed hatred of Jews as he opened fire with an AR-15 rifle and other weapons. Bowers pleaded not guilty to federal hate crimes and dozens of other counts, but his lawyer has signaled he might be open to a plea deal.
Federal prosecutors in Pittsburgh have previously indicated their intention to seek the death penalty.

TSA agents find non-working grenade launcher in luggage
ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) — A Florida man’s plans to bring a military rocket-propelled grenade launcher back home were shot down after security screeners at a Pennsylvania airport spotted the non-functioning weapon in his checked bag.
The Transportation and Security Administration says the unassembled parts of the launcher and a replica grenade were found on Monday when an alarm went off as the bag passed through security equipment at Lehigh Valley International Airport in Allentown, about 60 miles (96 kilometers ) north of Philadelphia.
The man, from St. Augustine, was stopped by police and told officials he thought he could bring the non-functioning launcher onboard in a checked bag.
The items were confiscated and he was able to catch his flight to Orlando.
TSA says no realistic or replica weapons of a military nature are allowed onto airplanes.

Can the memory of Michael Jackson survive “Leaving Neverland?” The documentary that aired for two nights on HBO gave the public graphic details of alleged sexual abuse from two men who say Jackson molested them as children. Jackson’s estate and family say those claims are utterly false. But the film could bring a new reckoning of Jackson at a #MeToo moment when old allegations are ending careers. So far, there has been no major damage to Jackson’s estate or music.

A MAN ACCUSED IN A SERIES OF DAYLIGHT BUARLARIES IN BADEN IS IN CUSTODY THIS MORNING. BEAVER COUNTY RADIO NEWS CORRESPONDENT SANDY GIORDANO HAS DETAILS. Click on ‘play’ to hear Sandy’s report…

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TRIPLE-A HAS A WARNING FOR PARENTS THIS MORNING: WHILE WARM, PUFFY JACKETS CAN SERVE AS AN EXTRA LAYER OF PROTECTION FROM COLD WEATHER, THEY CAN ALSO POSE A THREAT TO CHILDREN WHEN WORN UNDERNEATH A SEATBELT. GIVEN THAT CAR CRASHES ARE THE NUMBER ONE KILLER OF CHILDREN UP TO AGE 13, TRIPLE-A ADVISES PARENTS TO LIMIT THE LAYERS OF PADDING OR CLOTHING BETWEEN A CHILD AND THEIR HARNESSES AND BELTS. TERRI RAE ANTHONY – SAFETY ADVISOR FOR TRIPLE EAST CENTRAL –

…SAYS PUFFY COATS CAN BE A SAFETY HAZARD…

…AND SHE OFFERED THESE SUGGESTIONS TO PARENTS…

…AND SHE SAYS BULKY WINTER JACKETS CAN INTERFERE WITH CAR SEAT SAFETY…

ANTHONY SAYS AFTER SECURING YOUR CHILD’S SEAT BELT, YOU CAN ALWAYS TUCK A BLANKET AROUND HIM OR HER…JUST MAKE SURE TO NEVER FIT A SEAT BELT OVER THE BLANKET. CHILDREN CAN ALSO WEAR A HAT AND OR GLOVES TO HELP KEEP WARM.

Companies testing autonomous vehicles in Pittsburgh will have to immediately report crashes resulting in any injuries. Mayor Bill Peduto signed an executive order Monday that included the guidelines meant to help build public confidence in the testing after a deadly accident in Arizona last year. Representatives of the five companies testing autonomous vehicles in Pittsburgh express support for Peduto’s measure.

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger on Monday announced $70,000 in donations from his foundation to help K-9 programs at two Beaver County police departments. The grants will be used to create new K-9 units, replace retired dogs, buy vehicles and safety equipment, and train and certify K-9 officers. Departments receiving the grants are the Beaver County Sheriff’s Office and the Center Township Police Department. This is the 12th grant cycle for the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation. The organization says grants were also distributed to K-9 units in cities where the Steelers played their road games in 2018.