Pennsylvania
Jennifer Liptak leaves Allegheny County to rejoin Rich Fitzgerald at Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission – Pittsburgh Union Progress
![Jennifer Liptak leaves Allegheny County to rejoin Rich Fitzgerald at Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission – Pittsburgh Union Progress](https://www.unionprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/N_Liptak_Via.jpeg)
Jennifer Liptak — who spent 26 years in Allegheny County government, including 12 as the top assistant to former County Executive Rich Fitzgerald — is following her old boss to the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission.
The county announced Friday that Liptak resigned as county manager for new County Executive Sara Innamorato to join the commission in the newly created position of deputy executive director/chief operating officer. Liptak was Fitzgerald’s chief of staff for 12 years and finished as county manager in the final few months of his term after previously working for the district attorney’s office and serving as County Council’s budget director.
“I’ve been thinking for a long time about work-life balance,” Liptak said in an interview Friday after conducting the monthly meeting of the Pittsburgh Regional Transit board, where she is the vice chair.
“I had the opportunity to stay [with the county]. I felt it was the right time to move on to new opportunities.”
In a news release, Innamorato said it was “bittersweet” for Liptak to move on.
“I want to personally thank her for shepherding my administration with an exceptionally professional and smooth transition for the last six months,” Innamorato said. “We have learned so much from her and enjoyed working with her immensely, but after 12 demanding years as a chief of staff to the county executive and county manager we respect her decision to start a new chapter in her professional journey.”
Fitzgerald said in a news release from SPC that Liptak had a lot to do with improvements in many aspects of the county and he’s pleased she is joining him at SPC. In January, Fitzgerald went to the 10-county planning agency, which sets priorities for spending federal transportation funds, when term limits prevented him from another term as county executive.
“From the success of the airport, investing in infrastructure, rehabilitating bridges, the vibrancy of the trails and parks, and making the county government’s operations more efficient, Jennifer has been instrumental in bringing these initiatives to fruition,” he said. “Now, Jennifer will be able to use her outstanding qualities and experiences to support the 10-county region with its transportation, infrastructure, economic, workforce and quality of life priorities.”
At SPC, Liptak will oversee a 50-member staff and report directly to Fitzgerald.
Deputy County Manager Steve Pilarski will serve as acting manager until a new one is selected by Innamorato and confirmed by County Council.
Ed covers transportation at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, but he’s currently on strike. Email him at eblazina@unionprogress.com.
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Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh Under Prolonged Heat Advisory: Latest Update
![Pittsburgh Under Prolonged Heat Advisory: Latest Update](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/22920172/20240617/074216/styles/patch_image/public/heat4___17074154073.jpg)
PITTSBURGH, PA — With heat index values of as high as 104 expected for at least the next several days, the National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania from 11 a.m. Monday until 8 p.m. Friday.
The prolonged hot temperatures and high humidity levels could trigger heat-related illnesses, the weather service warns. The high temperature is expected to be 97 Monday through Wednesday and 98 on Thursday and Friday.
With the dangerous heat on the way, the city of Pittsburgh will have cooling centers open all week.
Now that we’re closing in on the heat wave, the Watch has turned into a Heat Advisory. Please take precautions if you’re outside this week, and check on those that are most vulnerable. pic.twitter.com/m0ZVYdEHvV
— NWS Pittsburgh (@NWSPittsburgh) June 17, 2024
Duquesne Light Company is advising customer to be prepared for potential power outages this week because of the anticipated additional stress on the system and equipment. The utility has increased staffing to ensure that any outages are responded to as quickly as possible.
When outages are widespread throughout the area, DLC prioritizes restoration in this order:
- Public safety hazards.
- Public health and safety facilities.
- Major circuits.
- Small neighborhoods and individual homes.
Customers who experience an outage can report it on DuquesneLight.com or through the company’s free mobile app. Those without internet access can report an outage by calling 888-393-7100.
Pennsylvania
Barron Trump to attend University of Pennsylvania? Pro-Palestinian protests influence college choice
![Barron Trump to attend University of Pennsylvania? Pro-Palestinian protests influence college choice](https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-img/img/2024/06/17/1600x900/APTOPIX-Trump-2_1716016172318_1718598418398.jpg)
Donald Trump’s youngest son, Barron, is currently exploring universities to attend. Having graduated from high school last month, Barron has been applying to various colleges and, according to his father, was accepted at all the institutions he applied to. In a recent Fox News interview, Trump stated that Barron’s college search has been impacted by the recent pro-Palestinian protests and “rioting” occurring on campuses nationwide.
Is Barron Trump planning to attend UPenn?
Barron, 18, was previously chosen by the Florida GOP to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, an offer he later declined. He often makes headlines due to his tall height and his resemblance to his mother, Melania. The only child of Donald and Melania Trump, Barron was a senior at Oxbridge Academy near West Palm Beach and recently graduated in the midst of his father’s high-profile hush money trial. About a year ago, Donald Trump mentioned that his youngest son was considering the University of Pennsylvania, where he himself attended and studied at the Wharton School.
Also read: US braces for wild weather week: Extreme heat in Midwest, Northeast to sudden snowfall and thunderstorms
College decision altered by ‘rioting’
Lately, numerous prestigious colleges in the United States, such as UPenn, Columbia, and NYU, have emerged as key locations for intense pro-Palestinian protests. Across the country, more than 130 educational institutions have seen thousands of students come together to protest the current situation in Gaza, arranging rallies and establishing temporary camps. Even with over 2,000 arrests, these protests continue as colleges prepare for their upcoming graduation ceremonies.
During his interview with FOX, the Republican party’ presumptive nominee said, his son’s choice of college destination was changed due to “rioting.” Its is yet to be seen where he goes.
Also read: Meghan Markle’s business move has nothing to do with Kate’s return as she has ‘no control over…’
UPenn plans to tackle campus protests
On June 6, the University of Pennsylvania introduced new, stringent guidelines for campus events and demonstrations. The “temporary standards and procedures” policy specifies that “encampments and overnight demonstrations are not permitted in any University location, regardless of space (indoor or outdoor). Unauthorised overnight activities will be considered trespassing and addressed.”
With the updated regulations, the university has the authority to request identification from individuals at gatherings or demonstrations to verify their affiliation with the university. Should they not be Penn students, these non-students may face more restrictions in their freedom of expression on campus compared to Penn students.
Pennsylvania
103-year-old WWII veteran credits soda and dark chocolate for his longevity as he celebrates birthday
![103-year-old WWII veteran credits soda and dark chocolate for his longevity as he celebrates birthday](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/newspress-collage-h0dl3rbgf-1718527234775.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&1718512873&w=1024)
A Pennsylvania World War II veteran celebrated his 103 birthday earlier this month, calling it the greatest day of his life, while he shared the secret of his extraordinary longevity.
Frank Pugliano Sr., dressed in his WWII veteran jacket and hat, enjoyed the birthday festivities along with his family and friends at Boyce Park, outside of Pittsburgh, PA. last weekend where tables were decorated with tiny American flags.
“The greatest day of my life,” he told WTAE. “I never thought I’d be here at 103, going from what I went through. You never know. A lot of my friends never made it, but I made it.”
Pugliano credits Coca-Cola and dark chocolate as the reason he made it to 103, he told the outlet.
The Italian-born soldier immigrated to the US when he was only 6 years old and graduated from Penn Hills High School in 1942, according to the Tribune-Review.
Pugliano enlisted in the US Army and served for three years in the Pacific theater, where he survived a Japanese torpedo attack while he was deployed on a convoy mission to Luzon in the Philippines.
He says he saw a lot of young men lose their lives during the attack.
Pugliano was honorably discharged from the Army in 1945.
Following his return home, Pugliano married his high school sweetheart, Mary Strough, and the couple were married for 65 years until she died in 2011.
He became a diesel mechanic after his military service, specializing in heavy equipment.
At the time of his centennial milestone, Pugliano credited “good Italian genes” and staying active as the reason he reached triple digits.
“The doctor told me, ‘Whatever you’re doing, do it,’” Pugliano told the newspaper, boasting about his excellent health except for bad knees.
“His health is remarkable and he doesn’t look his age. His frame of mind, everything … it’s absolutely incredible,” Pugliano’s son, Frank Pugliano Jr. said at his father’s 100th birthday.
The 103-year-old says he cuts his grass and maintains his home to keep active.
The Greatest Generation member still keeps up with the times, using his iPad daily and running his own Facebook account.
“That’s how I keep in touch with my relatives,” Pugliano said.
He most recently worked at a 55-and-over residential community, maintaining the clubhouse until he was 98 years old.
Pugliano said his favorite dishes include three eggs, bacon, hash browns, toast and coffee at Kings Family Restaurant and pasta fagioli at his favorite restaurant, The Olive Garden, according to the Tribune.
In March, Vincent Dransfield, a former New Jersey volunteer fire chief and great-grandfather of seven turned 110.
Dransfield is one of the few men in the group of 110-plus-year-olds and has lived a healthy life all those years with just some knee pain to complain about, according to “Today.”
He lives alone with no home aide or extra help, cooks simple food for himself, walks up and down his three-level house and drives “pretty good” daily with no issues.
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