Julia Felton stories, Page 26
Pittsburgh opens warming shelters Friday amid cold temperatures
Pittsburgh officials announced Friday that warming centers will be available throughout the city as temperatures drop. The city is opening Beechview Healthy Active Living Community Center, Brighton Heights Healthy Active Living Community Center, Greenfield Healthy Active Living Community Center, Homewood Healthy Active Living Community Center, Sheraden Healthy Active Living Community...
Residents support closing Charles Anderson bridge, despite lack of warning
After the Fern Hollow Bridge collapsed in Pittsburgh’s Frick Park in January 2022, Greg Savikas said he thinks it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to closing down bridges that might be unsafe. Savikas, 41, of Greenfield, has driven on the Charles Anderson Memorial Bridge in Pittsburgh’s...
Pittsburgh advances plans for crisis training catered to retail, restaurant workers
Working at the Starbucks in Pittsburgh’s Market Square, Tori Tambellini has faced violent threats, watched angered customers throw things at her manager and twice administered Narcan to people who were overdosing. Tambellini said she and other baristas “signed up to make lattes,” but often encounter people struggling with crises they’re...
Pittsburgh officials closing Charles Anderson Memorial Bridge because of safety concerns
Pittsburgh officials closed the city’s Charles Anderson Memorial Bridge to vehicular traffic Wednesday afternoon because of safety concerns. “I made a pledge to the residents of Pittsburgh that I will not hesitate to close a bridge for the safety of our citizens,” Mayor Ed Gainey said. “Inspection results have come...
Proposed priority list for Pittsburgh athletic field focuses on schools, youth leagues
Pittsburgh City Council is looking to ensure the city’s youth have first priority when it comes to getting permits for athletic fields. Council members have acknowledged that there is often competition among various groups vying for time on the city’s athletic fields and courts. rst. The measure was first introduced...
$5M renovation planned at Pittsburgh’s Sheraden Park
A proposed $5 million project could bring a new playground, community garden and other improvements to Pittsburgh’s Sheraden Park. City officials are seeking input from residents about what exactly they would like to see in the renovations. The park in Pittsburgh’s West End serves residents from neighborhoods including Sheraden, Esplen,...
Nearly 30 Pittsburgh students complete inaugural Youth Civic Leadership Academy
Nearly 30 Pittsburgh students on Tuesday were recognized for completing the city’s inaugural Youth Civic Leadership Academy, a 15-week program that allowed students to earn college credits while learning about local government. “I wanted to expose these kids to something greater than what they see every day,” Mayor Ed Gainey...
Pittsburgh nixes plan for youth curfew enforcement, focuses on creating youth resource centers
Pittsburgh City Council on Tuesday unanimously voted down a proposal to ramp up enforcement of the city’s curfew, as officials are focusing instead on launching resource centers catered to youth and their families. City Council President Theresa Kail-Smith, D-West End, earlier this month introduced a measure that would order officials...
Pittsburgh to pay tribute to August Wilson during Black History Month
Pittsburgh officials said Monday that the city will celebrate Black History Month in February by paying tribute to August Wilson, an acclaimed playwright who was born in the city’s Hill District. The city’s Office of Special Events is partnering with the University of Pittsburgh Library System, which has acquired Wilson’s...
Pittsburgh creating new office to handle events from film productions to block parties
A newly created Pittsburgh government office will be responsible for managing events ranging from large-scale film productions to neighborhood block parties. The Office of Film and Event Management will operate within the city’s Department of Public Safety. The office will receive and vet applications for small- and large-scale events and...
Narcan training in West Deer aims to bolster awareness, knowledge of opioid overdoses
Esther Whittinger doesn’t know anyone who takes drugs. She doesn’t have any loved ones she thinks might overdose. But she still attended a free Narcan training clinic and took with her a few doses of the drug, which reduces the effects of opioid overdoses. “I’m just interested in the aspect...
1 injured in Wilkinsburg shooting
A man was injured in a shooting on Sunday afternoon in Wilkinsburg. Allegheny County police responded to a report of a shooting at the Get-Go on Penn Avenue at 3:43 p.m. First responders found a man there suffering multiple gunshot wounds, officials said. Police said further investigation revealed the shooting...
No injuries reported after shots fired in Downtown Pittsburgh overnight
No one was injured after gunshots were fired in Downtown Pittsburgh early Sunday morning, public safety officials said. Police officers in the area of Sixth Avenue and Smithfield Street reported hearing multiple gunshots just after 1 a.m. that they believe were fired into the air, officials said. The shots damaged...
Fallen Officers Food Drive raises food for neighbors in need, honors local law enforcement
The Fallen Officers Food Drive in Lower Burrell serves two purposes: to collect food for neighbors in need and to honor local police who have died in the line of duty. Hosted at Mogie’s Irish Pub in Lower Burrell, the annual food drive is in its fifth year, said Leslie...
State police investigating chase on the Parkway East near Swissvale
The state police are investigating a pursuit that started at the Parkway East (Interstate 376) eastbound near the Swissvale on-ramp, police said. The chase started with a Chrysler minivan near the Swissvale ramp around 4 p.m. Saturday, according to the state police. The vehicle minivan got off the Parkway eastbound...
Man shot in Pittsburgh’s South Side Slopes, stable condition
A man was injured in a shooting in Pittsburgh’s South Side Slopes neighborhood early Saturday morning, according to public safety officials. Police responded to a one-round ShotSpotter alert at the 1900 block of St. Paul Street just after 1 a.m. Officers found casings nearby and a firearm in the area...
2 injured after deck collapses at Vandergrift home
Two people were injured after the deck collapsed at their Vandergrift home Saturday morning. Katie Bragg, 34, and Mike Horton, 33, were injured when the deck collapsed around 9:45 a.m., relatives said. The pair used the deck space every day, said Sophie Bragg, their 11-year-old daughter. Half of the deck...
Pittsburgh City Council nixes plans for curfew enforcement to combat youth violence
Pittsburgh City Council has nixed a proposal to ramp up enforcement of the city’s curfew for minors. Council members, however, say they remain committed to opening 24-hour resource centers geared toward the city’s youth to try to curb an increase in violence in Pittsburgh. Council President Theresa Kail-Smith, D-West End,...
Pittsburgh looks to spend $2.6M on playground projects in Schenley Park, Lincoln Place
Pittsburgh is planning to spend $2.6 million to renovate one city playground and build another. The city’s Department of Public Works is removing all playground equipment from Schenley Park’s Anderson Playground to clear the way for a renovation project there this summer. Also known as the Dinosaur Playground because of...
$2 ticket surcharge at planned entertainment venue would support Hill District revitalization
A portion of all tickets sold at a planned entertainment venue on Pittsburgh’s former Civic Arena site will go toward revitalizing the Hill District. Plans to develop the 4,600-seat entertainment venue, along with a six-story parking garage, retail space and a public safety station, on the former arena site in...
Pittsburgh looks to create program to train retail, food service workers how to help people in crisis
A program being considered by Pittsburgh officials would train front-line workers in the retail and food service industries how to deal with people in crisis. Legislation introduced Tuesday by City Councilwoman Deb Gross, D-Highland Park, would create a training program through the city’s Office of Community Health and Safety. Gross...
Strip District development with nearly 300 apartments, dozens of townhouses earns approval
Plans for a Strip District development with nearly 300 apartments and dozens of townhouses are moving forward. Pittsburgh’s Planning Commission approved plans Tuesday for The Brickworks Residential Development. It includes eight buildings on a 3.45-acre lot at 2121 Smallman St. Plans call for two six-story apartment buildings with 114 rental...
Pittsburgh declares homelessness a public health emergency, looks for solutions
Homelessness has been declared a public health emergency in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh City Council approved legislation Tuesday asking the mayor, city housing authority and several city departments to come up with proposals to address homelessness in the long term, as well as temporary, immediate solutions to help homeless people right away....
Pittsburgh City Council approves plan for medical debt relief
Pittsburgh City Council passed legislation Tuesday to use $1 million in covid-relief funding to alleviate residents’ medical debts. Councilman Bobby Wilson, D-North Side, who introduced the legislation last month, had initially suggested contracting with the New York-based nonprofit RIP Medical Debt to buy dischargeable health care debt from hospitals and...
Commissioners approve plans for Raising Cane’s in Oakland
Pittsburgh’s Planning Commission on Tuesday unanimously approved plans to convert an existing restaurant in the city’s Oakland neighborhood into a Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers. The restaurant chain is planning to open a location at Fifth Avenue and Atwood Street in a building that formerly housed the restaurant and bar Thirsty...
