Julia Felton stories, Page 49

The Rev. Glenn Grayson said he lost “by a fluke” this month in a Democratic committee vote to become the party’s nominee in a special election to fill Jake Wheatley’s former state House seat for the rest of the year. Grayson, 62, tied social worker and community activist Aerion Abney,...

Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey’s office is adorned with artwork produced by local Black artists as a celebration of Black History Month. It is the first exhibit in a rotating art exhibition that will feature art meant to celebrate the city’s diversity. Each month, the mayor’s office will be decorated with...

Pittsburgh’s 30th Street Bridge connecting Herr’s Island and River Avenue will likely see $2.5 million worth of repairs next year. Pittsburgh City Council is considering allocating money for the project from two funds designated for bridge improvements. Council also is considering spending $384,400 to pay for a construction inspection. The...

Pittsburgh City Council voted Tuesday to reduce the speed limit in the city’s parks to 15 mph, down from 25 mph. The measure allows the city’s Department of Mobility and Infrastructure to make exceptions. Councilman Bobby Wilson, who sponsored the bill, said there will likely be higher speed limits on...

Pittsburgh City Council announced Tuesday that the city is dedicating February as Mayor Ed Gainey Month. “I can’t imagine recognizing Black History Month without recognizing our own mayor in the city of Pittsburgh,” said Council President Theresa Kail-Smith. Gainey, of Lincoln-Lemington, became the city’s first Black mayor when he took...

Pittsburgh City Council on Tuesday allocated $12.8 million to Port Authority of Allegheny County’s proposed Bus Rapid Transit project. Port Authority has touted the BRT project as a “high-quality, bus-based transit system that delivers fast, comfortable and cost-effective services via dedicated lanes and frequent operations.” The plan for the Downtown-Uptown-Oakland-East...

Pittsburgh City Council appears poised to allocate $12.8 million for Port Authority of Allegheny County’s proposed Bus Rapid Transit project, though at least one council member has said the city should investigate whether that cash could be spent on other infrastructure needs. Port Authority has touted the Bus Rapid Transit...

A portion of the sidewalk on Penn Avenue in Downtown Pittsburgh was closed Sunday after police noticed bricks falling from a building. Police spotted the falling bricks around 4:15 p.m. in the 900 block of Penn Avenue. They called the Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire for assistance, as well as the...

Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh Bishop David Zubik announced Sunday that he is set to undergo shoulder surgery. The surgery is slated for Monday at UPMC Mercy, Zubik said, and will repair a significant tear in his left shoulder. “I have full confidence in my well-respected surgeon and his very capable...

Three people were injured in a head-on crash involving two cars in Pittsburgh’s Lincoln Place neighborhood Saturday afternoon. Police responded to the collision on Mifflin Road, just past Mooney Road, around 1:35 p.m. Police found an injured male and female inside one vehicle. Medics transported them both in critical condition....

As discussions about the safety of Western Pennsylvania’s bridges continue in the wake of last month’s Fern Hollow Bridge collapse, Pittsburgh’s South Negley Avenue Bridge is the latest span to raise concerns. The Shadyside bridge has attracted attention for wooden posts placed beneath the deck that appear to be supporting...

Pittsburgh City Council on Wednesday heard input from local activists and the Philadelphia councilman whose legislation spurred Pittsburgh to ban traffic stops for minor, secondary violations. Pittsburgh in December passed legislation sponsored by Councilman Ricky Burgess to stop police from pulling over drivers for having a burned-out brake light or...

Pittsburgh is launching a training program for Black women to learn about financial planning, investing and saving, according to Mayor Ed Gainey’s office. The program, called Money Talks, is set to launch in March with workshops hosted by financial experts. Smaller peer sessions also will allow participants to share their...

Pittsburgh City Council on Tuesday approved Mayor Ed Gainey’s appointments for city solicitor and public safety director. Krysia Kubiak, who previously served as director of state regulatory strategy and government affairs for Duquesne Light Company, will serve as the city solicitor. Acting Director of Public Safety Lee Schmidt, who has...

Pittsburgh City Council on Tuesday approved a measure that will allow restaurants and retailers to continue using sidewalks and streets for outdoor dining and retail, something that became popular during the covid-19 pandemic. The legislation, introduced by Councilman Bobby Wilson earlier this month, allows businesses to apply for permits to...

Pittsburgh’s Urban Redevelopment Authority on Thursday approved using $800,000 in Housing Opportunity Fund money to stabilize two senior living facilities in the city’s Hill District. The URA will provide a $500,000 loan to Western Manor and $300,000 in grant money to Western Manor and Milliones Manor. Both facilities sit in...

Four city of Pittsburgh employees have been fired for failing to comply with the city’s covid-19 vaccination mandate, according to Mayor Ed Gainey’s office. Former Mayor Bill Peduto announced in November that all city employees would be required to be fully vaccinated against the virus — except those with a...

Proposals before Pittsburgh City Council to increase focus on the city’s infrastructure in the wake of the Fern Hollow Bridge collapse are drawing mixed reactions from council members. The first piece of legislation would create a 15-member committee of city officials, construction industry professionals, organized labor representatives and others to...

A proposal to allow Pittsburgh restaurants to continue offering outdoor dining is essential for some eateries’ survival, according to several community organizations. Legislation before City Council would allow restaurants and retailers to apply for permits to use sidewalks and streets for dining and shopping. The practice became commonplace during the...

Consideration of Pittsburgh’s proposed Oakland Crossing zoning ordinance had been put on hold for another 30 days. Walnut Capital, the Shadyside developer that revitalized Bakery Square, has proposed a major transformation of a portion of the city’s Oakland neighborhood. Oakland Crossings, a 17-acre project, would require a zoning amendment, which...

Pittsburgh City Council on Tuesday approved allocating about $12 million to buy new vehicles and equipment for several city departments. Money to buy new vehicles was included in this year’s capital budget, and the purchases will be partially covered by American Rescue Plan funding. The purchases include buying the Department...

Legislation before Pittsburgh City Council would create a committee to address what it calls an affordable housing crisis in the city. “We have to make sure that everybody in our city has access to clean, decent, affordable housing (that is) affordable to their income level,” said Councilman Ricky Burgess, who...

Pittsburgh’s fleet of snowplows will have 12 new vehicles for the rest of the winter season. City Council on Tuesday approved a measure to reallocate about $470,000 from the city’s budget to buy six snowplows and lease six more for the remainder of winter. The original proposal included taking more...

Pittsburgh City Council is considering a proposal to reduce the speed limit in city parks to 15 mph, down from 25 mph. The legislation introduced Tuesday noted that many of the roads running through the city’s parks don’t have sidewalks and are shared by pedestrians and vehicles. “It’s going to...

Pittsburgh firefighters are no longer required to live within the city of Pittsburgh, after an arbitrator struck down the city’s residency requirement. The measure will allow the city’s more than 650 uniformed firefighters to live where they want. Fire Chief Darryl Jones said he believes the residency restriction will be...