March 19, 2020 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Announcements, Crime and Police News, Duquesne News, McKeesport and Region News, North Versailles Twp. News, White Oak News
Local police departments are modifying their procedures in response to concerns over the spread of novel coronavirus.
Officers will respond immediately to emergency calls to 9-1-1, police said, but tours and routine visits are cancelled indefinitely.
Police in Duquesne, McKeesport, North Versailles Twp. and White Oak are asking residents not to come to their stations in person for routine requests.
Information requests, general complaints and reports about suspicious behaviors should be telephoned to non-emergency numbers, and will be handled by phone. If an officer needs additional information in person, they will make arrangements to meet the other party, police said.
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March 16, 2020 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
McKeesport Area Ministerium has cancelled the remainder of its planned Wednesday noontime Lenten luncheon services, following guidance from public health officials to avoid unnecessary public gatherings.
The Rev. Jim Leuenberger, pastor of McKeesport Presbyterian Church, made the announcement Monday morning. He said the decision was reached after polling members of the ministerium.
“The response was overwhelmingly in favor of canceling the rest of the services and lunches,” Leuenberger said. “I’m sorry to have to do this, but I agree that it is for the best and the responsible thing to do.”
The ministerium’s regularly scheduled meeting this week is also cancelled, he said.
March 15, 2020 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
Allegheny County jurors who were summoned for possible jury duty this week do not need to report, said Christopher H. Connors, district court administrator for the Fifth Judicial District of Pennsylvania.
Any juror who has already been picked to serve on a specific case, however, should still report, he said.
The decision to suspend jury selection was made at the request of Allegheny County President Judge Kim Berkeley Clark, he said.
“Jurors summoned for service in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas for any day during the week of March 16 through 20 will not be required to report for duty,” Connors said. “No new jury trials will be picked (this) week.”
March 15, 2020 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Announcements
Pennsylvania American Water Co. is reassuring customers that their tap water is safe, and that the firm has contingency plans in place to continue operations through the current COVID-19 virus outbreak.
In addition, the company will discontinue service shut-offs during the pandemic, and restore water service to customers who were already shut off, said Gary Lobaugh, the company’s external affairs manager for Western Pennsylvania.
The company also is suspending all non-essential field appointments to limit the amount of contact with customers, he said.
Pennsylvania American Water operates the McKeesport wastewater treatment plant and also provides drinking water to customers throughout the South Hills and Mon Valley area, including Liberty, Glassport, Clairton and West Mifflin.
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March 15, 2020 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Announcements
McKeesport Regional History & Heritage Center in Renziehausen Park will be closed through at least March 30, and leaders will decide when to reopen based on county and state health recommendations.
“As always, our top priority is the safety of our visitors, volunteers and staff,” said Teresa Trich, director of community outreach. “We will also be postponing all events and meetings during this time. We hope to resume regular operations on March 31 pending recommendations by the state.”
“An Evening With Duane Michals,” scheduled for March 25, has been cancelled and the center hopes to reschedule it at a later date, she said.
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March 15, 2020 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
No visitors are being admitted to Allegheny County’s four Kane Community Living Centers, until further notice, except on an emergency basis, a spokeswoman said.
Amie Downs, county director of communications, said the decision was made based on recommendations from the state Department of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
The county’s four skilled nursing facilities in McKeesport, Glen Hazel and Scott and Ross townships serve elderly patients and people with long-term medical conditions. According to health experts, the elderly and those with serious underlying conditions are most at risk of serious complications from COVID-19.
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March 15, 2020 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
Carnegie Library of McKeesport and its branches in Duquesne and White Oak are closed through March 29, a spokeswoman said Saturday.
All programming at the library and its branches is also cancelled through March 29. The closure was recommended by the state Office of Commonwealth Libraries, CLM said.
While the library is closed, there will be no overdue fines on items that are checked out, and any items that were requested to be held will remain held until the library reopens.
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March 15, 2020 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Announcements
(This is a developing story and will be updated as new information becomes available.)
Clairton officials announced Sunday afternoon that a city resident who may be suffering symptoms of COVID-19 has been treated at AHN Jefferson Hospital.
Clairton Councilwoman Denise L. Johnson-Clemmons and Councilman Tony Kurta said via Facebook the city was notified and is working with Allegheny County Health Department to get additional information.
At a joint news conference Saturday, health officials from the county, AHN and UPMC reported Allegheny County’s first two confirmed cases of COVID-19. The patients were both adults, one in their 70s and one in their 60s, who were exposed to the virus during travel out of state.
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March 13, 2020 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Announcements
• State waives 180 day requirement
• Will consider extending closure if necessary
Gov. Tom Wolf on Friday ordered all Pennsylvania schools serving kindergarten through grade 12 to close for 10 business days, effective Monday.
School districts will not be penalized if they are unable to meet the state-mandated 180 days of instruction, Wolf said.
The closure is being ordered because of the spread of the so-called “novel coronavirus,” or COVID-19.
According to NBC News, over the past 24 hours, 200 people in Italy have died from the virus, which has caused more than 1,000 deaths in that country over the past few weeks.
On Friday afternoon, officials said there are 33 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania — mostly in the eastern part of the state — including the first confirmed case in a child.
At the end of the 10-day period, Wolf said, the state will decide whether extending the school closure is warranted.
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March 13, 2020 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Announcements, McKeesport and Region News
McKeesport Area School District will be closed through April 14, the district announced via Facebook.
“At this time, the McKeesport Area School District has decided to close all campuses through spring break,” the district said. “Classes are tentatively scheduled to resume in McKeesport Area School District schools on Tuesday, April 14. In the event that this date would change, we will communicate that in a timely fashion.
“Please know that we understand the challenges and stress that a prolonged closure will put on our families. However, we believe that shutting down our campuses is in the best interest of protecting the health and welfare of every member of our educational community, especially those at a higher risk of contracting coronavirus. We will be here to assist our families in any way that we can during this time.”
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