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 19, 2020 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: North Versailles Twp. News
North Versailles Twp. cancelled the commissioners’ meeting scheduled for Thursday night as the number of cases of COVID-19 continues to increase in Western Pennsylvania.
A township spokesperson said the meeting will not be rescheduled. The township also has cancelled the annual “Spring Fling” and the citizens’ police academy.
The closure follows President Trump’s decision to declare the coronavirus pandemic a national emergency, the township announced.
Access to the township municipal building is restricted until further notice to staff and authorized personnel only, a spokesperson said. Residents who do not have appointments to visit the building are being to asked to transact business by telephone and email. To ask a question, call (412) 823-6602.
Bills, taxes and fees may be paid by mail to 1918 Greensburg Ave., North Versailles, PA 15137, or deposited in the drop box at the front of the building.
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 Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
(Courtesy Office of Gov. Tom Wolf)
All restaurants and bars in Allegheny County have been ordered to close their dining rooms at midnight tonight, and to stay closed for 14 days.
The order was issued by Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, citing recommendations from the state health department.
Wolf said he was exercising his authority under the state’s COVID-19 disaster declaration order. Four other counties — Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery — also are affected.
Eating and drinking inside restaurants and bars in those counties is temporarily prohibited. Carry-out and delivery service may continue, the governor said.
Ohio Gov. Michael Dewine issued a similar order earlier on Sunday, effective statewide at 9 p.m.
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March 15, 2020 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Allegheny County Health Director Dr. Debra Bogen and chief Executive Rich Fitzgerald announce Sunday that all non-essential busnesses are being asked to close for two weeks to slow the spread of COVID-19. (Allegheny County via YouTube)
Allegheny County officials are asking all “non-essential businesses” — especially those where residents congregate for long periods of time — to close for 14 days in an attempt to slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The announcement came just after the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that all gatherings of more than 50 people scheduled for the next eight weeks be cancelled or postponed.
Both the county’s advice and the CDC guidance follow increasingly serious reports from Italy, where doctors report that emergency rooms are overwhelmed with victims of COVID-19, a mutated form of coronavirus that causes rapid respiratory failure in some patients.
Italian hospitals on Sunday reported nearly 400 deaths from COVID-19 in a single 24-hour period.
In a video released Sunday evening, Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald and Health Director Dr. Debra Bogen asked all businesses to voluntarily close or find alternative ways of doing business for at least 14 days.
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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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