Community Corner
🌱 'Dance Moms' Studio Sold + Hill District Housing + Charity Donation
The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Pittsburgh.
Hello, Pittsburgh! I'm here in your inbox this morning to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on in town, including news on...
- Ex-'Dance Moms' Star Abby Lee Miller Sells Pittsburgh Studio
- Pittsburgh City Council approves $31 million for housing in the Hill District
- Fox Chapel Area School District raises big bucks for charity
Let's go!
Increasing cloudiness. High: 52 Low: 46.
🏠 The competition is fierce in Pittsburgh to be the top local real estate agent. With our exclusive newsletter sponsorships, you can stand out from your competitors and attract local clients. Click here to learn more.
Here are the top stories today in Pittsburgh:
1) Abby Lee Miller, who catapulted to fame as the mercurial instructor on the Lifetime series "Dance Moms" has sold her Pittsburgh-area studio. Allegheny County real estate records show that the Saltsburg Road studio was sold earlier this month for $300,000. The buyer was Timothy Krise of Punxsutawney, the owner of a student transportation company. The studio was the site of the filming of "Dance Moms," which became a Lifetime hit in 2011. Miller appeared on the show for seven seasons. In 2017, she was sentenced to a year in prison for bankruptcy fraud. Miller currently lives in a home in Davenport, Florida, that she purchased in 2005, according to the New York Post.
(Patch)
2) A police chase in Whitehall ended in a crash that left one injured. Allegheny County 911 confirms that a person has been transported to the hospital after a vehicle crashed on Wednesday night. According to Whitehall dispatch, the crash involved a stolen vehicle. Allegheny County had units to Stilley and Doyle Roads in Whitehall around 10 p.m.
3) Pittsburgh City Councilors on Wednesday voted unanimously to support a major housing initiative in the Hill District. Council members approved legislation to apply for a $50 million federal grant and to invest an additional $31 million in the neighborhood if the initiative is selected to receive the grant. The Choice Neighborhoods implementation grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development would allow the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh to replace 411 affordable units at Bedford Dwellings, one of the oldest public housing developments in the country. It opened in 1940. "It's about time," said Caster Binion, the authority's executive director. "It will [be] a transformation of the Hill."
4) Students in the Fox Chapel Area School District raised more than $95,000 in December for a local charity. Participants from all grades in the district's six schools hosted fundraisers during a monthlong, districtwide campaign that culminated in the 33rd annual telethon fundraiser — dubbed Fox Fest — in the high school auditorium. The money raised will benefit Fox Families Care. The telethon raised $95,638, according to district communications spokeswoman Bonnie Berzonski. Fox Families Care is a nonprofit founded by school district parents in 2019 and dedicated to bridging the gap between the needs of families and children in the district. The telethon included students and staff from Hartwood, Fairview, Kerr and O'Hara elementaries, Dorseyville Middle School and Fox Chapel Area High School.
(TribLIVE)
5) A former employee at a Pittsburgh cosmetology school has filed a whistleblower lawsuit accusing the school of fraud. The lawsuit was filed in federal court by Jennifer Michael, who was the operations manager at Fountain of Youth Academy in Squirrel Hill. The complaint said the school targeted low-income African-American women and created false invoices to receive financial aid. The suit said the school applied for financial aid in students' names without their approval and would not refund unused financial aid. The lawsuit accused Fountain of Youth and owner Cheri Herold of "a pattern of racketeering activity... intentionally defrauding students, state and federal agencies, state and federal financial institutions and state and federal funds/resources."
Today in Pittsburgh:
- Senior Jazz Connection to Host New Year's Jazz & Free Lunch Party for Pittsburgh Seniors (11:30 AM)
- Northgate Winter Classic Basketball Tournament (3:00 PM)
- Prime Rib Night at Live! Casino (4:00 PM)
- Dazzling Nights Pittsburgh (5:30 PM)
- Coin Collecting for Kids and Teens - Northland Public Library (6:00 PM)
- Pajama Storytime - Mount Lebanon Public Library (6:30 PM)
- PBR Throwdown Thursday (8:00 PM)
From my notebook:
- Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium: "Reminder! Today is Donation Day at the Zoo. Visitors who bring a donation of a non-perishable item will receive free general admission." (Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium via Facebook)
- City of Pittsburgh: "Want the ULTIMATE Bragging Rights? The neighborhood group who recruits the most volunteers will win the Golden Shovel Award! Compete across neighborhoods and find out who is the Ultimate Snow Angel! Sign up today to be a volunteer." (City of Pittsburgh via Facebook)
- Visit Pittsburgh: "Ring in the new year at the most iconic New Year's Eve party in Pittsburgh! 🥳🍾🎆 Highmark First Night Pittsburgh, a production of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is a free celebration in the heart of Downtown." (Visit Pittsburgh via Facebook)
- Tree Pittsburgh: "Thank you for supporting a greener Pittsburgh https://mailchi.mp/treepittsburgh/ending-2022" (Tree Pittsburgh via Facebook)
- Grow Pittsburgh: "Learn more about the full-time and seasonal positions we are looking to fill at growpittsburgh.bamboohr.com/jobseasonal production team positions!" (Grow Pittsburgh via Facebook)
More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!
Events:
- Senior Jazz Connection to Host New Year's Jazz & Free Lunch Party for Pittsburgh Seniors (December 29)
- Right TurnClyde at Sneaky Pete's Bar and Grill (Formerly the Hop House) (December 30)
- T-Mobile Tuesdays: Fresh Perks Every Week (January 3)
- Taxes in Retirement Webinar (January 3)
- College Planning and Financial Aid Webinar (January 3)
- Add your event
Job listings:
- Shift Lead / Team Member (Details)
- Add your job listing
You're all caught up for today. I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow with another update!
— Rachel Tasker
About me: Rachel is a native Pennsylvanian with stops in Erie and State College before making Pittsburgh her home in 2020. She's got a background in a little bit of everything... from working in media newsrooms and public health to the 2016 Presidential election in Washington, D.C. and the 2019 Super Bowl where (surprise!) Tom Brady won... AGAIN. She loves good coffee, bad reality T.V., attending local events and trying new food in the 412. She resides in the South Hills.
Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Pittsburgh Daily? Contact me at pittsburgh@patch.com
