Holiday Light Displays + 'The Nutcracker' To Return + Traffics Holdups

Good morning, everybody. It's me, Rachel Tasker, your host of the Pittsburgh Daily — here to impart all the most important things happening in our community today. Today you'll find news about...

• Pittsburgh actor-producer charged with trying to kill wife
• The ultimate guide to holiday light displays in the Pittsburgh area
• PBT to present 'The Nutcracker' Dec. 9-28 at the Benedum Center

Cloudy, flurries; cold. High: 36 Low: 28.

Here are the top stories today in Pittsburgh:

1) Along with the first few winter flakes to stick to the roads, multiple incidents have been reported across the Pittsburgh area Thursday morning, leading to traffic backups on several major roadways. On I-70, a tractor-trailer fire between the Eighty Four and Dunningsville interchanges has closed the eastbound lanes. Route 30 inbound in Hempfield Township is closed between South Main Street and West Pittsburgh Street due to several accidents. Other accidents in the area have been reported on the Hot Metal Bridge and New Kensington Bridge, Route 65 approaching the McKees Rocks Bridge, Allegheny River Boulevard at Daily Way and the Fort Duquesne Bridge off-ramp near the casino.

(WTAE Pittsburgh)

2) A recognizable local man who was featured as an actor in several movies, and served as a producer and writer for another, was arrested Wednesday night. The charges against him are related to the belief of law enforcement authorities that he tried to kill his wife. John Mowod, 58, has been charged with attempted homicide, aggravated assault, possessing an instrument of crime and recklessly endangering another person, according to court records. Mowod's wife suffered two stab wounds in the couple's home. Mowod's son was able to get the knife away from his father during the incident. The wife's condition was unknown as of Thursday morning. According to the Internet Movie Database, Mowod had acting roles in the films "FleshEater" (1988) "Lorenzo's Oil," (1992) and "Santa Claws" (1996). He also produced, wrote and acted in "Shannon's Rainbow" (2009).

(Pittsburgh Patch)

3) As the holidays draw near, here are some 'can't-miss' holiday light displays in the Pittsburgh area. The Clinton Christmas Light Up will run from Nov. 19 to Jan. 1, as a mile-long drive-through of holiday lights. For $10 per vehicle (cash only), you can enjoy an array of holiday lights, inflatable decorations, wooden characters and decorated Christmas trees. Proceeds go to the community. The light show runs from 5 to 10 p.m. daily at 600 Clinton Park Drive, Imperial. Starting the Saturday after Thanksgiving through Dec. 23, guests see more than half a million lights along the Hundred Acres Manor. For $25, visitors will drive along Elf Trail to visit Santa at his Ice Castle at 1 Hundred Acres Drive, Bethel Park. Next up: GLOWLAND. From Nov. 18 through Dec. 17, Schenley Plaza will be converted into a monthlong winter festival with art installations, live music and illuminations. While it is free to stroll through, GLOWLAND is hosting a kick-off party on Nov.18 that requires tickets to attend at Schenley Plaza, 4100 Forbes Ave., Oakland. Finally, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden will be decorated with lights, 1,600 poinsettias, holiday trees, topiaries and detailed props. The Winter Flower Show opens at 5 p.m. each day at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, 1 Schenley Dr., Oakland.. Tickets start at $19.95 and are available online.

(NEXTpittsburgh)

4) Speaking of holiday events, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre's (PBT) will host its holiday classic "The Nutcracker" from Dec. 9-28 at the Benedum Center for the 20th year in a row. The company's production features five scenes, over 150 costumes, 1,500 costume accessories and more than 100 artists from the professional company and PBT School. A Christmas tree that grows to 15 times its size, falling snow and over 30 sleight of hand tricks created by a professional magician add to the production's enchantment. The three-week run includes two family-inclusive and sensory-friendly performances for all audiences, including children and adults with autism spectrum disorder, sensory sensitivities or other individualized needs at 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 16 and Tuesday, Dec. 27.

(Uniontown Herald Standard)

5) A woman who was injured in the Pittsburgh Airbnb mass shooting that occurred in April 2022 has filed a lawsuit. A complaint filed on behalf of Dejonia Rosser alleges negligence on the part of Airbnb, 900 North Group and K&C Ventures. She is one of more than 200 people, many of them juveniles, who attended the party at the Airbnb. The lawsuit claims the three groups did not take steps to ensure the property "would be monitored or used for intended purposes." The suit said Rosser suffered several injuries as she tried to escape the building in Pittsburgh's East Allegheny neighborhood. "Airbnb knew this [the party] was happening," said attorney George Kontos. "They turned a blind eye to it and they allowed it to happen because our claim is that it was in their interest to make money by letting other people rent out their properties."

(WTAE Pittsburgh)

Today in Pittsburgh:

• Prime Rib Night (4:00 PM)
• Odyssey of the Mind: Markham - Mount Lebanon Public Library (5:00 PM)
• Sustainable Pittsburgh Sprint Kickoff Event (5:00 PM)
• Super Smash Tournament - Penn Hills Public Library (6:00 PM)
• Mystery Lovers Book Group* - Northland Public Library (6:30 PM)
• Banned Books Book Club - Northland Public Library (6:30 PM)
• Crazy for Comics - Mount Lebanon Public Library (6:30 PM)
• Book Page Costumes - Plum Community Library (7:00 PM)
• Friends of the Avalon Public Library Meeting (7:00 PM)
• Little Shop of Horrors - PHHS Fall Musical (District Events) (7:30 PM)
• Baldwin Zoning Hearing Board Meeting (7:30 PM)
• Pitt Jazz Ensemble - University of Pittsburgh (8:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• US National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA: "A disturbance will pass through the region tonight and kick off some snow showers. The heavier amounts will occur north of I-80 and along the Laurel Ridges to the southeast. Some bands of snow may develop in the north." (US National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA via Facebook)
• Pittsburgh Bureau of Police: "MISSING: Pittsburgh Police Special Victims Unit detectives are asking for the public's help to find a missing juvenile. Angie'nae Mar, 12, is described as 5'4, 180 pounds, with an Afro hairstyle. She was last seen in Homewood." (Pittsburgh Bureau of Police via Facebook)
• Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh: "We are caring for 65 patients currently and have cared for 4,110 animals this year. If you would like to donate, visit https://humaneanimalrescue.org... #wildlifecenter #winteriscoming #harpsaveslives" (Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh via Facebook)
• The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust: "Celebrate the four elements of Hip Hop culture (Emcee, DJ, Graffiti, and Breaking) at the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Hip Hop Summit — coming on December 3. Preparations are well under way in the Cultural District! " (The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust via Facebook)
• Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens: "Only two more days until the opening of our Holiday Magic! Winter Flower Show and Light Garden! We are pulling out all the stops for this year's Winter Flower Show!" (Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens via Facebook)
• The Andy Warhol Museum: "Just announced: We welcome the eclectic singer/songwriter Cass McCombs on Saturday, January 21. Blending elements of Baroque pop, psychedelia, Americana, and folk-rock, McCombs has crafted his unique sound over ten albums." (The Andy Warhol Museum via Facebook)
• Children's Museum of Pittsburgh: "Join us this Sunday to create sculptures from a familiar medium: soap! Learn to carve a design or make an object to take home with you 🗿 Soap Carving 🧼 Sunday, Nov. 20 (Grades 3-5) 10:30 am - 12:30 pm Location: Children's Museum 🏛️" (Children's Museum of Pittsburgh via Facebook)

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That's it for today. I'll be in your inbox tomorrow 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