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Community Corner

🌱New Teacher Incentives + Derailment Preventions + Picklesburgh 2023

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Pittsburgh.

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Hey, everybody! Rachel Tasker here with your Wednesday edition of the Pittsburgh Patch newsletter. Keep reading to find out everything that's fit to print about what's happening in town these days, including updates on...

  • Gov. Josh Shapiro's budget proposes new teacher incentives
  • Pittsburgh pledges to study rail infrastructure in an attempt to prevent derailments
  • Pittsburgh to improve pedestrian safety near three elementary schools

But first, today's weather: Times of clouds and sun. High: 45 Low: 25.

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Here are the top stories in Pittsburgh today:

1) Due to an ongoing, national teacher shortage, Gov. Josh Shapiro is taking action in his proposed budget for the state. His plan includes a three-year incentive of up to $2,500 a year for newly certified teachers. "The incentive is a tax credit designed to help address complaints from schools board and educators about the growing difficulty in filling critical positions in education." Local education administrators believe that this proposed bill is promising.

(WTAE Pittsburgh)

2) Following multiple trail derailments impacting areas near Pittsburgh, the city is pledging to study rail infrastructure in an attempt to prevent additional accidents from occurring. "As a region, we must continue to monitor the ongoing tragedy in East Palestine, Ohio for any potential short-term or long-term impacts we may see in order to do all we can to protect our air and water for our residents and the region's wildlife," a joint statement from Mayor Ed Gainey and other neighboring community mayors reads. The six mayors involved in the statement believe that an investigation of state rail infrastructure is "critical" to gain "a clear picture... so we can safeguard our communities and hold the railroad companies accountable for any repairs that may need to be made."

(90.5 WESA)

3) Amidst rising safety concerns coming from parents whose children walk to local schools, the city of Pittsburgh is planning to improve pedestrian safety in three key areas surrounding elementary education centers. Specific to Pittsburgh Public Schools, the district's transportation department has been working with the city to address safety concerns for students walking to school. "Planned improvements include lighting, ADA ramps, pavement markings, traffic calming measures and crosswalk improvements." Three schools including Arlington PreK-8, Pittsburgh Faison K-5 and Propel Hazelwood K-8 will see $125,000 in improvements.

(TribLIVE)

4) Pickle fanatics can rejoice — the dates for Picklesburgh 2023 have been revealed. This year, the festival and celebration of all things pickled will be held from Friday, July 21, through Sunday, July 23. "Every year we try to make Picklesburgh better than the year before, and this year is no exception," Jeremy Waldrup, the president and CEO of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, said in a statement. Attendees of the upcoming event can expect to be entertained by dozens of dill-ectable live music performances alongside popular activities like pickle cocktails, pickle beer, the Pickle Juice Drinking Contest, and an abundance of pickle-themed apparel, merch, and more.

(WTAE Pittsburgh)

5) Ross Township is getting a new performance venue, music and film studio — all coming to life in the former location of a church. Most recently home of the Melwood Party Center, the building at 3312 Babcock Blvd. will be converted into a showroom seating between 200 and 300 people depending on configuration. New owner Steve Hofstetter pledged the space will have comedy, music, theater and special event performances. "When we're done with construction, this building is going to be stunning," he said.

(Pittsburgh Patch)

Today in Pittsburgh:

  • Craft Corner: Wine Glass Candle Holder (10 AM)
  • Taps & Apps Happy Hour (5 PM)
  • Wilkinsburg Government Study Commission Meeting (5:30 PM)
  • Heinz Chapel "Women in the Windows" Tour (6 PM)
  • Pittsburgh Radio Club — Plum Community Library (6 PM)
  • Readings in Alternative Everything — Northland Public Library (7 PM)

From my notebook:

  • The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust: "Happy Tuesday, everyone. Hint 3 of 8! 🔜 2023-2024 PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh announcement coming on March 13 🎭" (The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust via Facebook)
  • Tree Pittsburgh: "Young trees need your help! https://mailchi.mp/treepittsburgh/march-2023-news" (Tree Pittsburgh via Facebook)
  • Children's Museum of Pittsburgh: "MuseumLab will be open this Friday from 12 - 5 p.m.! You can explore the world of opposites in our Opposites Abstract exhibit, crawl and climb through Gymlacium and more, all included with admission to the Children's Museum ✨ Learn more here." (Children's Museum of Pittsburgh via Facebook)
  • Bike Pittsburgh: "THIS SATURDAY *March 11* is 311 Day! 🔎⚠️✔️ Help make biking and walking better in your neighborhood by hosting or attending a 311 Day event." (Bike Pittsburgh via Facebook)
  • Carnegie Science Center: "Catch music from 'Phantom of the Opera', 'Beetlejuice,' 'The Lion King,' and much more set to brilliant graphics in Laser Symphony of the Stars! Showings begin at 2 p.m. daily in Buhl Planetarium." (Carnegie Science Center via Facebook)
  • City of Pittsburgh: "Join the City of Pittsburgh for information sharing and networking around Procurement and Job opportunities. RSVP at bit.ly/PGH0330" (City of Pittsburgh via Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Wednesday off right. See you all tomorrow for 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 Patch newsletter? Contact me at pittsburgh@patch.com

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