Community Corner
Franco Harris Death + Firefighter Response Policy Change + Mark Cuban
The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Pittsburgh.
Hello all! Rachel Tasker here with your Wednesday edition of the Pittsburgh Daily, filled with all the community information you need to know right now. Including updates on...
- Pittsburgh Steelers Hall-Of-Famer Franco Harris dies
- Policy change will send Pittsburgh firefighters to all shooting scenes in city
- Mark Cuban returns to Pittsburgh for 'CBS Sunday Morning' segment
Some sun, then turning cloudy. High: 43 Low: 34.
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Here are the top stories today in Pittsburgh:
1) Pittsburgh Steelers Hall-of-Fame running back Franco Harris has died, family members said. He was 72. The cause of death was not immediately known. Harris was an integral part of the Steelers 1970s dynasty that saw the team win four Super Bowl championships. He was named the most valuable player in Super Bowl IX after rushing for 158 yards as the Steelers defeated the Minnesota Vikings for their first NFL title. Harris died just days before the Steelers were set to retire his number during halftime of their game with the Las Vegas Raiders on Christmas Eve as part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception.
2) Pittsburgh Public Safety is looking to get more hands on deck when a shooting takes place in the city. Effective Monday morning, Pittsburgh firefighters will respond, along with police and EMS, to all crime scenes involving gunshot wounds, Public Safety Director Lee Schmidt said. Previously, firefighters only responded to mass casualty situations, or scenes involving multiple gunshot victims. "They will be there to support the police and EMS," Schmidt said. "I think this also provides our firefighters with some experience in trauma situations so, if there is a mass shooting, they're more prepared." The new plan is in no way a response to Pittsburgh currently experiencing a spike in homicides and gun violence, Schmidt said.
(TribLIVE)
3) A holiday giveaway of winter clothing at the Light of Life Rescue Mission came at the perfect time with the blast of cold weather on the way. Potentially lifesaving gifts like coats, socks and hats were handed out to some of the area's most vulnerable. "The weather is changing, so they need to get warm clothes," Executive Director Jerrel Gilliam said. Gilliam and his staff are preparing for additional people at the shelter. It's already nearing capacity but 20 beds can be added to the cafeteria. "We also have outreach teams going out to the camps to come in and get out of the cold. As you know, it's one thing to be cold. This weather, it can be life-threatening," Gilliam said. The shelter will be open 24/7 to help people who might need it in the next few days.
4) Speaking of the weather—a major winter storm and rapid temperature drop will potentially have a big impact on holiday travel across the Pittsburgh region. Spotty showers will break out Thursday with a wintry mix of freezing rain and rain in the mountains. Winter Weather Advisories have been posted for the day Thursday for many of the higher elevations. A powerful cold front arrives before sunrise Friday rapidly turning rain to snow showers and dropping temperatures nearly 30 degrees in two hours. Wet roads will freeze very easily causing a 'skating rink' impact on Friday morning for commuters. Wind chills will stay below zero into Christmas day, with winds gusting to 50 mph at times Friday night and Saturday.
5) If you dined at Bakery Square's Galley food court yesterday, you might have seen Mark Cuban. The Dallas Mavericks owner was back in his native Pittsburgh on Tuesday to tape a segment for an upcoming profile on "CBS Sunday Morning," grabbing lunch with four childhood friends. Todd Reidbord, one of the owners of Bakery Square parent company Walnut Capital who arranged the lunch location, has been friends with Cuban since middle school. Some of the others who joined them for lunch — investment consultant Jerry Katz, insurance consultant Steven Rosen and advertising sales executive Stu Chaban — have known Cuban since kindergarten. Reidbord said CBS News correspondent Jim Axelrod asked questions about what it was like growing up with Cuban in Mt. Lebanon, if they thought Cuban would become as successful as he has. And what did Cuban order and from which Galley counter? Pierogies from Elevate. "He said he doesn't get back to Pittsburgh enough but when he does he likes Polish pierogies," Reidbord said.
(TribLIVE)
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Today in Pittsburgh:
- Madden Tournament (5:00 PM)
- Dazzling Nights Pittsburgh (5:30 PM)
- Teen Christmas Karaoke - Brentwood Library (7:00 PM)
- Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra Holiday Concert (7:00 PM)
- Live Music Casino Bar (7:00 PM)
- Pittsburgh Public Theater presents A CHRISTMAS STORY: The Play (8:00 PM)
From my notebook:
- Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium: "We are excited to share that we recently made a $5,000 donation to Polar Bears International to help support their mission of securing a future for polar bears and their Arctic home. " (Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium via Facebook)
- Pittsburgh Bureau of Police: "MISSING: Detectives seek information to help find Kneno "Cino" Weaver. He was last seen in the intersection of Lincoln Avenue at Lemington Avenue at 1 a.m. on Sunday morning (12/18). He was wearing a black t-shirt, blue jeans, and purple sneakers." (Pittsburgh Bureau of Police via Facebook)
- US National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA: "With all of this talk of the coming cold, now may be a good time to refamiliarize yourself with our wind chill products. Chances are, you will be seeing some of these on our homepage in the coming days: https://www.weather.gov/pbz/🥶" (US National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA via Facebook)
- Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh: "Last minute gift idea? Stop by our North or East Side location and grab the Penguins & Paws Calendar! All proceeds go directly to benefiting the animals in our care! #happyhowlidays" (Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh via Facebook)
- Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens: "Tonight and on Thursday evening, have the kids gather round to enjoy the final round of Virtual Stories with Santa of the season! Thank you to everyone who participated in this wonderful event. Register today: https://www.phipps.conserva..." (Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens via Facebook)
That's it for today! I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow morning with 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
