Week In Review: No school sports until January, Ross nursing home coronavirus cases spike, Rib Fest canceled, offensive name removed from park

Aug. 8--Here are some recent Tribune-Review news and feature stories from around the region.

For more details on these and other stories, follow the links below or see TribLIVE.com.

Gov. Wolf recommends high school sports be delayed until Jan. 1

With fall sports in the balance, will the PIAA treat Gov. Tom Wolf's recommendation as a suggestion or a mandate?

Wolf's administration wants all youth sports -- interscholastic and recreational -- postponed until January, a request that jeopardizes football, soccer and other high school sports days before they're scheduled to start.

A statement released Thursday by the departments of health and education described the delay as a "strong recommendation and not an order or mandate."

The announcement was met with mixed reactions from local school sports officials.

Ross nursing home reports 39 new coronavirus cases

A Ross nursing home is reporting a coronavirus outbreak among more than three dozen residents, according to data last updated on the facility's website Friday.

The ManorCare Health Services North Hills location, one of 42 ManorCare facilities in Pennsylvania, is licensed for 200 beds.

The facility previously reported fewer than five cases of the coronavirus among residents, eight among staff and zero deaths, according to Pennsylvania Department of Health data last updated July 28.

Heinz Field Kickoff and Rib Fest canceled

The annual Heinz Field Kickoff and Rib Fest has been canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic, officials said Tuesday. The five-day festival had been scheduled to start Sept. 3.

Officials said in a news release that they made the decision to cancel because of concerns about the health and safety of attendees, employees and vendors. The annual event brings more than 100,000 people to the North Shore who buy more than 60,000 pounds of ribs.

O'Hara Council: Squaw Valley Park is now O'Hara Township Community Park

People watching the O'Hara Council meeting online via Zoom on Tuesday night erupted in cheers and applause following a vote to rename Squaw Valley Park.

Council voted 6-1 to rename the site O'Hara Township Community Park, bringing a swift resolution to a two-month heated debate over removing the word Squaw -- a word originally meaning a Native American Indian or wife that is now considered a slur.

"It's always the right time to do the right thing," Councilman John Denny said. "The issue of whether the word is a slur is done. We know it's bad and it offends. It's council's job to make decisions that are right for the community."

The change began with a petition drive by residents who wanted the offensive name removed.

Tony LaRussa is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tony at 724-772-6368, tlarussa@triblive.com or via Twitter .

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