Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Allegheny County Medical Examiner Karl Williams said this is the first time on record that there have been more murders in the county's suburbs outside Pittsburgh than within the city's borders.
Wilkinsburg had 12 homicides in 2012, the highest number in a single municipality outside the City of Pittsburgh. KDKA-TV reports there were 96 homicides in Allegheny County in 2012, 42 of which occurred in City of Pittsburgh—compared to 54 in suburban Allegheny County. Law enforcement officials say that's a sign that criminal elements are moving into untapped regions. Homicides in the county were up 32 percent over 2011, according to WTAE-TV. There was a 62 percent increase in suburban homicides last year, the station reports. Are you concerned by these numbers? Do you think these numbers are driven by drugs and gang violence? What will it take to stop the deaths? Tell us in comments. _______________________ Forest Hills-Regent Square …
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Is your Christmas tree dropping its needles or looking a little tired? Drop it off to be turned into mulch at a county park or add it to the pile for Forest Hills' annual tree burning.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
- Cindi Lash
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Tuesday, January 1
It's time to take down those Christmas trees. Forest Hills will hold its annual Christmas Tree Burning Ceremony at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 11, at the Forest Hills/Westinghouse Recreation Center on Barclay Avenue. More information will be available on Patch later this week. Allegheny County's fifth annual Christmas tree recycling program runs through Saturday, Jan. 19, at all nine regional parks—including Boyce Park in Plum Borough. To participate in the county's program, residents can drop off trees from dawn to dusk daily. All lights, decorations, tinsel and stands must be removed from trees. The trees will be turned into mulch for use in Allegheny County’s nine regional parks. Trees may be dropped at these locations in the parks: Also, …
Friday, December 21, 2012
Here are some tips to keep your family safe this winter.
The holidays and winter can be a wonderful time of the year, but only if you're safe. The National Fire Protection Association and National Fire Sprinkler Association are providing tips to prevent fires during a season of dry Christmas trees and space heaters. According to the NFPA, a fire that spreads to a Christmas tree can grow large very quickly. To see how quick, watch the attached video. Here are some tips from both the NFPA and NFSA: Allegheny County also is offering a list of resources to help you and your family. To check out the safety tips, click here. _______________________ Forest Hills-Regent Square Patch is on Facebook and on Twitter. Don't forget to sign up for our daily email newsletter by clicking here.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
The county's tax rate will be 4.73 mills in 2013.
Allegheny County Council passed a 2013 budget that includes a millage rate decrease. On Tuesday, county officials approved a a $799.4 million budget, reducing the millage rate to 4.73 mills, according to the Tribune Review. The millage was reduced from 2012's rate of 5.69 mills to offset the increase property values stemming from the county's reassessment. Under the reassessment, taxing bodies can't receive more than 5 percent in property tax revenue so as not to use the reassessment as a major tax increase. Under the new tax rate, a resident would pay $473 for every $100,000 of assessed property value. County Executive Rich Fitzgerald said in a statement that he is happy with the approved budget. "(I) am glad that we are able to move into…
Monday, December 3, 2012
Council meets Monday night and plans action on a few budget-related items.
Edgewood Council meets tonight (Monday) at 7:30 p.m. and plans to take action on some items related to the 2013 budget. But according to borough Manager Warren Cecconi, the proposed tax rate will not be able to be determined until Allegheny County files its property assessment numbers on Dec. 17. Edgewood's tax rate is dependent on knowing the assessed valuation of properties in the borough to determine how much a mill will provide in tax revenue. Council has proposed a $2.77 million budget for 2013. Tonight, council will vote on whether to hold a public hearing on the budget on Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. Council will also vote on approving a $350,000 2013 tax anticipation note at an interest rate of 1.80 percent from First Commonwealth Bank. …
Sunday, October 28, 2012
The National Weather Service reports that there is potential for flooding and wind damage as the remnants of Hurricane Sandy approach western Pennsylvania early this week.
As Hurricane Sandy continues to churn in the Atlantic Ocean, the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh has issued a High Wind Warning and Flood Watch for Allegheny County. Under the Flood Watch—in effect 6 a.m. Monday to 7 p.m. Tuesday—prolonged and heavy rain associated with a cold front and a post Tropical Storm Sandy might cause some flooding. According to the NWS, areas that get more than two inches of rain on Monday and Tuesday might flood where drainage is poor. Larger rivers also might be impacted. The High Wind Warning is in effect from noon Monday to 7 p.m. Tuesday. Winds could blow 25 to 35 miles per hour with damaging wind gusts of 50 to 60 miles per hour. Winds could knock down trees and power lines. Monday through Wednesday …
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Pennsylvanians who intend to vote in the upcoming general election by filing absentee ballots must apply by Oct. 30.
Pennsylvania voters who intend to cast absentee ballots in the upcoming general election Nov. 6 must apply to obtain those ballots before 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30. Absentee ballots are available to registered voters who will be away from their community or cannot vote due to illness or physical disability. In Allegheny County, voters may obtain absentee ballots by visiting or contacting the county elections division, 601 County Office Building, 542 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Eligible voters may also obtain an application by visiting www.votespa.com or calling the elections divions at 412-350-4520. Registered voters are encouraged to request absentee ballot applications as soon as possible. Those voting by absentee ballot will be …
Monday, September 24, 2012
The open house provides networking opportunities for minorities, women and disadvantaged businesses—and a chance to learn about programs and services.
The Allegheny County Department of Minority, Women & Disadvantaged Business Enterprise will host its ninth annual Open House from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 25, in the Liberty Room on the lower level of the Human Services Building, One Smithfield Street in downtown Pittsburgh. “Allegheny County MWDBE works to ensure that minority-owned, woman-owned and disadvantaged businesses have the best opportunities to compete for contracts with the county and other local governments and public agencies,” MWDBE Director Ruth Byrd-Smith said. “Our open house is the perfect chance to network with Allegheny County department directors and other local entrepreneurs, as well as to learn about our programs and services, including financial options …
Monday, September 10, 2012
Due to increasing costs and declining sponsorship, Allegheny County will not hold the Celebration of Lights at Hartwood Acres this year.
The holiday season will lack a bit of light in Pittsburgh this year. Allegheny County officials said Monday that the annual Celebration of Lights at Hartwood Acres Park will be suspended this year. Increasing costs and declining sponsorships, particularly in light of the county's limited financial resources, are to blame. “This is not a decision that we made lightly. The Celebration of Lights has been a great holiday tradition since 1991. We have been proud to partner with the Salvation Army and WTAE TV 4 for the past twenty years on this and are gratified that we have helped to generate $3.7 million in revenues for Project Bundle-Up and other local charities during that time,” said County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, in a statement released…
Thursday, August 9, 2012
A tentative contract agreement that could prevent Port Authority service cuts has been reached.
The Port Authority, the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 85 and Allegheny County have reached a tentative contract agreement. If approved, the agreement is the first step in preventing the 35 percent service cuts, resulting in layoffs and closing of the Collier Garage and various park and ride lots around the area. The cuts were scheduled to take effect in September. That agreement will be considered by the Local 85 membership on Aug. 19 and the Port Authority Board, which will meet in the days following the union vote. Details will be made public at that time. Continue to follow Patch as details become available.
Ed M
10:56 pm on Friday, August 10, 2012
The trolley's use to go all over the city! West End, Oakland but PAT eliminated those routes decades ago, They kept the trolley routes where the population boom was - the South Hills. Remember, NYC and Boston have had a subway system in place for decades. Comparing Pittsburgh's T to NYC & Boston is apples to oranges. Did you ever drive a subway car??? If you answer is no, then you have no idea … more ›