Eateries + West Mifflin Stabbing + First Discovery Day + Snow Removal

Hi all. It's me, Rachel Tasker, your host of the Pittsburgh Daily — here to explain everything that's fit to print about what's happening locally. Including news about:

• PF BBQ House opens in Oakland, Butcher in the Rye is sort of coming back, more Pittsburgh restaurant news
• Man found stabbed to death in West Mifflin
• Pennsylvania robotics companies hold first Discovery Day in Pittsburgh

Here we go!

Cold with snow showers. High: 40 Low: 30.

Here are the top stories today in Pittsburgh:

1) 'Foodies' can rejoice at this local eatery news. PF BBQ House has opened in Oakland at 238 Atwood St, in the location of the former Oakland branch of Sichuan Gourmet. The original Squirrel Hill Sichuan Gourmet location remains open, but the Oakland branch that opened in 2015 closed at the start of COVID. Menu items include several varieties of grilled fish, several hot pot selections, pickle pepper frog, konjac hot pot duck, stir-fried clams, and more. And there is more good news—Butcher in the Rye is coming back, sort of. Beginning on December 2nd, the Sixth Street space will open as an 'Apres Ski Bar' for the winter. Mountain and ski themed decor and a new outdoor dining area will give the space the feel of a mini vacation. Guests can expect small plates to share, hot cocktails and a top-flight whiskey and bourbon collection.

(Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

2) A man was found dead after a stabbing in West Mifflin. According to Allegheny County police, crews responded to the area of 5 Midway Drive, at the Mon-View Heights housing complex, at around 4:30 p.m. for reports of a man stabbed. First responders found an adult male at the scene with multiple stab wounds, police said. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Homicide detectives have begun an investigation. Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to call the County Police Tip Line at 833-ALL-TIPS (833-255-8477). Callers can remain anonymous.

(WPXI Pittsburgh)

3) The city of Pittsburgh has set its goals for clearing roads after snowfall for the coming season. Pittsburgh officials outlined the city's plans for snow removal efforts this winter in a virtual meeting Tuesday evening, saying they hope to have all of the city's roads cleared within 24 hours of snowfall. "We're going to do all we can to make sure these streets (are clear)," Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey said. "We know that snow's a big, big question in the city." Director of Public Works Chris Hornstein said the city already has a plan in place to deal with snow events. In the long-term, once the department has built up its equipment and staffing, Hornstein said he'd like to see that turnaround time drop to 10 hours. The Department of Public Works will lease 15 additional vehicles this season to augment its aging fleet. The city's plows, he said, are about 12 years old on average, making them more prone to breakdowns. "New equipment is going to be safer and more operationally sound," Hornstein said.

(TribLIVE)

4) Guests are invited to join half of the robotics companies that make up southwest Pennsylvania for an event today, starting at 10 a.m. The Pittsburgh Robotics Network will host its first Discovery Day at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in downtown Pittsburgh. The trade group says more than 105 robotics companies have locations in the region. Nearly 50 plan to participate in Discovery Day. Guests can expect an open showcase where the businesses will display all kinds of technology, including self-driving vehicles, walking robots, and drones. Some 75 community organizations will also send representatives. Some of them will advise attendees on how to find jobs in robotics or obtain relevant training. The general public is welcome to attend for the free event.

(90.5 WESA)

5) A winter shelter for people experiencing homelessness was scheduled to open Tuesday evening in Downtown Pittsburgh, Allegheny County officials said. The seasonal, low-barrier shelter is slated to open temporarily to provide cold weather shelter until Second Avenue Commons — a new 45,000-square-foot, year-round shelter built Downtown — is open. The temporary winter shelter, located at 620 Smithfield Street, will serve men and women from 7 p.m. till 7 a.m. seven days a week. The temporary shelter on Smithfield can accommodate 20 women and 50 men each night, according to county officials. Only people who are staying in the shelter, shelter staff and clinical volunteers are allowed inside the shelter. Staff at the shelter will work with the people staying there to begin the intake process so they can move into Second Avenue Commons once its doors open.

(TribLIVE)

Today in Pittsburgh:

• Crafterdark for Adults - Community Library of Castle Shannon (6:30 PM)
• Teen Creative Corner - Brentwood Library (7:00 PM)
• Legislative Council Meeting - Wilkinsburg Borough (7:00 PM)
• Century Book Club - C.C. Mellor Memorial Library (7:00 PM)
• Live Music Casino Bar (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• US National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA: "The snow/rain is done and now it's time to look ahead at the forecast. It's going to be a cold week across the Upper Ohio Valley and Allegheny Mountains w/ temperatures expected to remain below 40 all week." (US National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA via Facebook)
• Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens: "Just three more days until Holiday Magic! Winter Flower Show and Light Garden is open! Celebrate the winter season with dazzling lights, an array of poinsettias, topiary animals and so much more! " (Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens via Facebook)
• The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust: "Coming to Hadestown at the Benedum Center this week? Stop by Con Alma before or after the show to try the Thermos — a cocktail inspired by the award-winning musical! LEARN MORE ▶️ https://bit.ly/3g5wIkA" (The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust via Facebook)
• Children's Museum of Pittsburgh: "Children's Museum of Pittsburgh is excited to announce 🌟 GLOW 🌟 Join us on December 10 at 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm as we celebrate the coming winter with a family-friendly evening of art making, exhibits and performances that will glow and sparkle." (Children's Museum of Pittsburgh via Facebook)
• Tree Pittsburgh: "The first snow of the season has us excited for our Winter Tree ID Walk! Join us for a two-hour walk through Homewood Cemetery on December 3. You'll learn tips for identifying trees in the winter, with a special emphasis on conifers." (Tree Pittsburgh via Facebook)
• The Children's Home of Pittsburgh & Lemieux Family Center: "🦃TURKEY RAFFLE TUESDAY!🦃https://bit.ly/GobbleWobbleRaf... $12 per tips 125 total tips available Chance to win: $200 Capital Grille $200 Giant Eagle $100 Target $100 Trader Joe's $100 Whole Foods $100 Aldi's $100 Fine Wine and Good Spirits and more." (The Children's Home of Pittsburgh & Lemieux Family Center via Facebook)

That's it for today! See you all tomorrow morning for your next 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