Paul Guggenheimer stories, Page 29
East Carson Street reopens to traffic following collapsed building demolition
Following the demolition of a partially collapsed building at 1604 E. Carson St. on Pittsburgh’s South Side, the street reopened Thursday afternoon to vehicle and pedestrian traffic. The block of East Carson between South 16th and South 17th streets had been closed ever since the partial collapse Aug. 12. Barricades...
Afghan refugee in Pittsburgh worries about relatives, friends trying to flee
The scenes from Kabul’s international airport are disconcerting enough without actually knowing any one of the thousands desperately trying to get out of Afghanistan. But Pittsburgh resident Noorulhaq Fazly has left behind friends and relatives there, and he’s been worried about them, especially after the Taliban regained control of the...
Afghan refugee in Pittsburgh worries about relatives, friends trying to flee
The scenes from Kabul’s international airport are disconcerting enough without actually knowing any one of the thousands desperately trying to get out of Afghanistan. But Pittsburgh resident Noorulhaq Fazly has left behind friends and relatives there and he’s been worried about them, especially after the Taliban regained control of the...
6 key questions with area expert about chaos in AfghanistanVideo
The Taliban is urging Afghans to stay in Afghanistan. The new rulers of the country are promising an “inclusive government” and opportunities for women (within Islamic sharia law). But can the radical Islamist group be trusted to keep its word? Based on the chaos at Kabul’s international airport, with thousands...
Allegheny Valley School District superintendent proposes keeping mask requirement
Allegheny Valley School District Superintendent Pat Graczyk said masks should remain on the faces of students, teachers and any visitors to Allegheny Valley school buildings for at least the start of the coming school year, and likely throughout it. He also said the same level of social distancing, contact tracing...
‘It came out of nowhere’: Witnesses describe South Side building collapseVideo
Pittsburgh Police vehicles set up a South Side road block between E. 16th and E. 17th streets Friday afternoon to keep motorists off East Carson Street after a building partially collapsed Thursday night. Pittsburgh Public Safety official said no injuries were reported although one firefighter was treated for glass in...
Online event commemorates 100th anniversary of 1921 Blair Mountain labor fight
It’s been called the biggest battle on U.S. soil since the Civil War and it’s hard to believe it happened in 20th Century America. In the summer of 1921, a series of escalating skirmishes between coal miners and mine operators led to the “Battle of Blair Mountain.” It pitted some...
Maroon 5 requiring proof of vaccination or negative test for Star Lake show later this month
Maroon 5 has become the latest big name music act to require that fans be vaccinated to attend their concerts. The requirement will be in effect for the group’s appearance at The Pavilion at Star Lake in Burgettstown on Aug. 25. The band announced that in order to enter the...
Simone Biles to speak at Pa. Conference for Women
Olympic champion Simone Biles, considered by many to be the greatest gymnast of all time and a role model for mental health, has been booked to speak at the Pennsylvania Conference for Women in November. The theme is “Stronger. Wiser. Braver” and organizers say it speaks to how women like...
U.S. Amateur Championship brings welcome business to area establishments
Like many area businesses, restaurants and hotels in Oakmont and Harmar have suffered during the pandemic. It’s going to take time to make up the losses they’ve incurred, but weeks such as this one definitely are helping their economic recovery. The 121st U.S. Amateur golf championship is being held this...
Strong Women Strong Girls Inc. and Sarah Heinz House receive Enterprise grants
Two Pittsburgh non-profit organizations have been awarded $70,000 in local “ROAD Forward” grants from Enterprise Holdings through the Enterprise Holdings Foundation. Strong Women Strong Girls Inc. and Sarah Heinz House Association will each receive $35,000. The grants are made available to “advance social and racial equity,” according to a statement...
Perseid meteor shower is peaking; here are 5 things to know
The famous astronomer, astrophysicist and author Carl Sagan once said, “The sky calls to us.” He could very easily have been referring to the annual Perseid meteor shower. Each year from about late July to late August, a celestial laser light show graces the night sky in the form of...
New outdoor concert venue in Harmar set to hold 1st act next month
So far, it seems to be a pretty well-kept secret. But a new outdoor concert venue is coming to Harmar. The Mountain View Amphitheater is at 10 Rich Hill Road, off Route 910. It’s up the hill from the Harmarville business district and not far from Pennsylvania Turnpike Exit 48...
Ladles restaurant to reopen in Springdale
The popular Springdale restaurant Ladles is set to reopen soon, according to a Facebook message from the owner of the eatery. “Since the building has not sold and we haven’t had any interest (from) potential buyers, I have decided to reopen because I do not want to lose my employees...
Kurt Angle reflects on gutsy gold medal victory 25 years later
The pain was excruciating, and Kurt Angle remembers it vividly. It stands out among the memories of his 1996 Olympic experience: the neck pain he had to deal with through seven wrestling matches, two during the Olympic trials and five more in the Atlanta Games. There have been many courageous...
Rep. Conor Lamb jumps in race for Pat Toomey’s Senate seat
U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb announced Friday he is joining the crowded race for Pennsylvania’s open Senate seat, seeking the Democratic nomination for the 2022 election. He made it official during an afternoon event before a crowd of about 200 people at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 5 in...
Renowned Periwinkle’s Bakery & Café returns after 15 years
All it took was one bite of a fresh maple-cinnamon roll for a patron to know he was in the right place. Periwinkle’s Bakery & Café, a descendant of the iconic Harmar bakery Periwinkle’s, has finally opened the doors at its new location in O’Hara along Route 28, at Exit...
FitzDaniels? Allegheny County executive meets doppelganger, Jeff Daniels
For years, many observers have remarked about Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald’s uncanny resemblance to Emmy Award-winning actor Jeff Daniels. Some might have wondered if they were the same person. That theory was put to rest Monday as the two met up on the set of Showtime’s “American Rust” series...
Paul Guggenheimer: Men’s field hockey? Yes, it’s a thing and what a sport it is
A few days ago I was expressing my quadrennial lament to a colleague about the lack of coverage of one of my favorite Olympic sports — men’s field hockey. His reply: “Men’s field hockey? Men play field hockey?” “Yes!” I told him. “Men play field hockey all over the world,...
Meadowcroft village offering free admission to kids in August, September
Young people age 17 and under can get into the historic Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village for free through August and September. The Heinz History Center, which oversees Meadowcroft, made the announcement on Friday. In a statement, the museum said that support from UMPC made it possible. Meadowcroft is the...
Change in plans: Ramp from Freeport Road to Highland Park Bridge to reopen Monday
Construction plagued motorists received some good news Friday. The ramp from northbound Freeport Road to the Highland Park Bridge in Sharpsburg will reopen at 9 a.m. Monday and stay open until the project is completed in mid-November, PennDOT said. A week ago, PennDOT announced it was permanently closing the ramp....
Experts: Here is what to expect as delta variant surges
A surge in coronavirus infections fueled by the delta variant has predictably caused global concern. But that appears to be about the only predictable aspect of the delta variant, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reportedly indicating it’s as contagious as chickenpox. Information is very fluid at this...
Excited Steelers fans converge on Heinz Field for 1st open practice in 2 yearsVideo
Wednesday was Ellen Smith’s birthday and there was no other place she wanted to be than Heinz Field. Smith, a 55-year-old Mt. Airy, Md. resident, was standing in line with her husband, Rick, waiting to get into a Steelers training camp practice. The day marked the first time in two...
What the CDC mask recommendations mean for Western Pennsylvanians
As expected, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now recommending that even vaccinated people wear masks indoors in parts of the U.S. where coronavirus cases are surging. The CDC made the announcement Tuesday, adding vaccinated people with vulnerable household members, including young children and those who are immunocompromised,...
PWSA receives $24 million state loan for sewer line repairs
The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority has been given a $24 million low-interest state loan for wastewater infrastructure repairs. City officials announced the loan Monday. It’s part of a nearly $100 million Pennsylvania Investment Authority (PENNVEST) funding package for clean water infrastructure projects in 19 counties. The PWSA will put...
