Tom Davidson stories, Page 6
From Amazon to Independence, these were Westmoreland County’s stories of 2023
The year 2023 marked Westmoreland County’s 250th birthday — its semiquincentennial for those who want to twist their tongues. It was a year filled with celebrations of the county’s heritage and the evolution of some of the county’s institutions and traditions. Amazon confirmed it was the tenant of a massive...
Few remain to remember infamous Pearl Harbor attack 82 years ago today
The Japanese attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, was 82 years ago today. With a death toll of more than 2,400, it was the deadliest attack on the United States prior to 9/11 and hastened the country to enter World War II. Here are a few...
Requiem for the Blue Streak and the memories of Conneaut Lake Park
In the Pittsburgh area, we celebrate summertime fun at places like Kennywood and Idlewild. For those who live an hour or so north of the three rivers — think of them as Yankee Yinzers — there also was Conneaut Lake Park. It pains me to type the “was” part. Located...
Laurel Valley uses Election Day to elect student council representatives
Laurel Valley Elementary School held its own election last Tuesday. Students in grades 3-5 wrote speeches and campaigned for the office of student council representative for their grade levels. Students used iPads to vote and received a sticker saying “I Voted Today!” Two representatives were elected from each homeroom....
Here’s what you need to know about traumatic brain injuries
Brain injury is a complex condition that is unique to each patient and requires a multi-pronged approach to recovery that includes the participation of the patient’s support system. “I always remind my colleagues that if you’ve seen one brain injury, you’ve seen one brain injury,” says Thomas Franz, MD, lead...
Pittsburgh Public Schools names longtime administrator as interim superintendent
Pittsburgh Public Schools has named one of its longtime administrators to serve as interim superintendent to replace Anthony Hamlet, whose resignation is effective Friday. Wayne Walters, who serves as assistant superintendent of professional development and special programming, was named interim superintendent during a school board meeting Wednesday. Walters will be...
First round of American Rescue Plan funds allocated by Allegheny County Council
The $380 million that Allegheny County will receive from the federal government under the American Rescue Plan Act will improve programs that help people who need it most, Allegheny County Councilman DeWitt Walton said Tuesday. “These dollars really begin to address many of the challenges that we’re confronted with in...
Pandemic caused a drinking boom in Pa. as liquor control board reports record sales, profits
Pennsylvanians bought more wine and liquor during the pandemic than ever before, according to financial numbers released Wednesday by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. Sales for the fiscal year ending June 30 totaled $2.9 billion, including sales taxes. It was $349.4 million — 13.7% — higher than the 2019-20 fiscal...
$7.1 million deposited in fund to revitalize Pittsburgh’s Hill District
A $7.1 million infusion of cash has been deposited into a fund that aims to revitalize Pittsburgh’s Hill District neighborhood, the city announced Monday. The money is now in the Greater Hill District Neighborhood Reinvestment Fund. Administered by the Urban Redevelopment Authority, the fund will make grants for development projects...
Former Pittsburgh Public Schools principal faces $750 fine for state ethics violations
A former Pittsburgh Public Schools principal is facing a $750 fine from the Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission for failing to complete statements of financial interests between 2016 and 2018. Deonne M. Arrington has until Oct. 17 to pay the civil penalty, the commission said when it released its findings Friday....
As scooter use increases, Pittsburgh officials remind people about ‘common sense’
Pittsburgh City Councilman Bruce Kraus has a simple message for people using electric scooters in the city: “You have to use common sense, for God’s sake. Please help us help you.” “You can not ride them through the Liberty Tunnels. You can’t go on the Liberty Bridge with them,” Kraus...
Here’s how Pittsburgh is spending $95 million in American Rescue Plan funds
It took Pittsburgh council less than three months to effectively spend all but $30 million of the $167.5 million it received in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds this year, Councilwoman Deb Gross told her colleagues Tuesday. The city should have slowed the process and held off on transferring the...
Man wanted in Wilkinsburg killing arrested in New Kensington
A 19-year-old man wanted since July in connection with the May 23 drug-related killing of a teen in Wilkinsburg was arrested Wednesday in New Kensington, police said. Daeshuan Eric Smith of Penn Hills is charged with homicide, conspiracy and firearms violations in connection with the killing of Darin Hobdy, 17,...
Fans barred from Penn Hills-Woodland Hills football game after hayride shooting
Fans won’t be allowed and security will be increased at the Woodland Hills-Penn Hills high school football game Friday amid concerns about “unresolved feelings and emotions” after one 15-year-old was killed and another was critically wounded at a North Versailles haunted hayride on Saturday. “We believe restricting those allowed onsite...
Pittsburgh schools superintendent Hamlet’s resignation is official with $400K payout
The Pittsburgh Public Schools board on Tuesday formally accepted Superintendent Anthony Hamlet’s resignation, effective Oct. 1. The board approved measures to accept the resignation and Hamlet’s severance package of nearly $400,000 which includes one year’s salary plus the value of his benefits. Hamlet tendered his resignation Sept. 8 after the...
Hallam, Bennett to introduce mask requirement proposal to Allegheny County Council
People would be required to wear masks at any indoor gathering and at outdoor gatherings of more than 250 people under legislation that will be introduced at Tuesday’s Allegheny County Council meeting. The ordinance is sponsored by council members Bethany Hallam and Olivia Bennett. Under the legislation, those who fail...
Report details lending inequities between Blacks and whites in PittsburghVideo
Pittsburgh’s Black residents and those who live in the city’s Black neighborhoods are less likely to get a mortgage for a home than white residents or people who live in white neighborhoods, according to a report released Thursday by city officials. The 129-page report, “Inherited Inequality: The State of Financing...
Pittsburgh’s first responders can get help using new wellness app
Police, fire and other professionals are there for the public in times of crisis, but when they face crises themselves it’s often hard for them to get help. Clinical psychologist David Black worked to change that after 9/11 solidified how important it is for first responders to have access to...
Pittsburgh council supports $500 monthly payments to 200 residents
Pittsburgh City Council members support a program to provide a no-strings-attached $500 monthly payment to 200 low-income residents as part of an experiment being done by dozens of cities across the country to measure the impacts of guaranteed basic income. “This is the right thing to do at the right...
Pittsburgh Public Schools Superintendent Anthony Hamlet resigns
Pittsburgh Public Schools Superintendent Anthony Hamlet is resigning, effective Oct. 1, district officials said Wednesday. The move comes after the Pennsylvania Ethics Commission found Hamlet violated the state’s Ethics Act with regard to travel expenses, accepting cash for speeches and failing to make required disclosures of financial interests between 2016...
Pittsburgh’s council, school board districts to be redrawn using 2020 census figures
If you like to look at and draw maps, crunch population and demographic numbers and you live in the City of Pittsburgh, there’s an unpaid gig that requires regular meetings for the next year or so. The process to redraw Pittsburgh’s city council and school board districts will begin later...
Pittsburgh could pave 120 more streets than initially planned
Pittsburgh officials are planning to use about $4.7 million to pave 120 more city streets this year, under legislation that cleared council’s standing committee Wednesday. The transfers are possible because the city is using $19 million of its $335 million federal American Rescue Plan Act funding to improve its recreation...
Experimental program will provide $500 per month to 200 Pittsburgh residents
A program that could be launched before the end of the year would give a $500 monthly payment to 200 low-income Pittsburgh residents for two years with no strings attached. “It allows people to use the money in the way they need to improve their lives and the lives of...
Penguins, FNB break ground on tower to anchor Civic Arena developmentVideo
The new FNB Financial Center in Pittsburgh’s Lower Hill District was touted Wednesday as the catalyst for a transformation of a neighborhood that was razed six decades ago to make way for the former Civic Arena. “The Hill is greater than just the people who live in it,” said state...
Pittsburgh officials revisit ending pension offset for retirees
After receiving a petition signed by more than 200 city employees Tuesday, Pittsburgh City Council members said they support removing a pension offset that decreases the benefits paid to retirees who are also collecting Social Security. Councilman Anthony Coghill presented the petition to council President Theresa Kail-Smith and said he...
