Community Corner
Open Ice Skating Rinks + $900K Food Service Program To Feed Youth
The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Pittsburgh.
Hello, Pittsburgh! I'm here in your inbox today to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on in town. Today's issue includes...
- Free STI test kits available for Allegheny County youth
- Open Ice Skating Rinks in the Pittsburgh area
- Pittsburgh to spend $900K on food service program to feed youth during summer
Rain; windy, cooler. High: 55 Low: 27.
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Here are the top stories in Pittsburgh today:
1) A new pilot program from the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) is making it easier for young people to access STI testing at home and with no cost and no insurance. ACHD Clinical Services Deputy Director Dr. Barbara Nightingale says this program is essential for overcoming the common barriers that young people face in dealing with their sexual health — a lack of insurance or primary care provider. "Many young people are not established with any primary care provider because they're generally in good health," Nightingale says. "And as we all know, a lot of people don't go see any kind of healthcare provider until they actually have a problem. So this is a way for people without any symptoms at all and without access to health care to get tested." In 2021 in Allegheny County, there were 2,398 reported cases of gonorrhea, a 6% increase from the prior year. In the same year, there were 5,715 cases of chlamydia, a 1% increase.
2) A dispute between the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy and Mayor Ed Gainey has come up over the plans for parks in the city—like Baxter Park in Homewood. The playground, renovated two years ago by the city with slides, swings and a climbing wall, is devoid of children. But Jackson, executive director of Operation Better Block, sees what the city could have done. "We're not saying the equipment they put up isn't nice," he said. "There's not enough here." In its nearly $2.9 million request recently, the conservancy ranked Baxter as its number one priority for this round of money from the Pittsburgh Parks Tax. In denying this request, critics argue, the mayor rewards less needy neighborhoods like Oakland's Schenley Park and leaves needy neighborhoods like Homewood out in the cold. "This is not just on this mayor but every mayor who's been in office and has said that they have this love for Homewood, and Homewood is a priority," Jackson said. He also wondered what the absence of money for the Conservancy says about its relationship with the city.
3) Two people were taken into custody and a police officer was injured in a pair of violence incidents in Downtown Pittsburgh on Tuesday evening. Around 7:20 p.m., police were called for a fight that broke out at the Five Guys Burgers and Fries at Market Square. A police officer suffered a hand injury after trying to break up the fight. The officer was taken to the hospital for treatment. One minor was arrested on scene for assaulting the officer, Pittsburgh Public Safety said in a news release. Police said when officers arrived at that scene, several men ran off. According to court paperwork, a plain clothes officer later heard a group of others talking about beating up a cop. The officer who heard that statement, as well as uniformed police, confronted the group. Police said that's when one member of the group from the original fight ran off again, allegedly firing a gun several times as officers chased him. No officers were hit by the gunfire. The man was taken into custody on Strawberry Way. He is facing several charges including aggravated assault and is being held in the Allegheny County Jail.
4) Pittsburgh City Council on Tuesday approved a measure to provide $900,000 for a food service program that provides meals to local students over the summer when they aren't served meals at school. The amount of money for the program has been "flat" for several years, Councilwoman Deb Gross said, questioning whether the city should look to increase that figure."There's been tremendous inflation," she said. "Like everything else in the world, there are additional costs."Gross said there has also been increased demand. Maria Montaño, a spokesperson for Mayor Ed Gainey, said much of the money for the initiative comes from federal grant money. She could not immediately say whether the Mayor's Office was considering additional funding for the program. Gainey has proposed a $3 million food justice fund in his 2023 budget, which council will vote on next month. That money, however, would come from the $10 million initially proposed to fund the Land Bank next year.
(TribLIVE)
5) Holiday ice skating rinks are officially open in the Pittsburgh region. The City of Pittsburgh's ice rink in Schenley Park opens for the season Monday evening. The first 90-minute session will be held from 4 to 5:30 p.m. The city-owned ice rink will host public ice skating sessions seven days a week. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for kids. Skates are available to rent for $3. The city will also hold several themed skates: SKATE WITH SANTA: Saturday, Dec. 10 — 1:30 to 3 p.m.; MASCOT SKATE: Saturday, Jan. 14 —1:30 to 3 p.m.; DISCO NIGHT: Saturday, Feb. 4 —8 to 9:30 p.m.; VALENTINES ON ICE: Tuesday, Feb. 14 — 7 to 9 p.m. Residents can also skate Tuesday through Sunday at two county-operated rinks: one at North Park and another at South Park, which boasts an NHL-sized rink and skate trail. Those looking to skate in the heart of Pittsburgh can visit the UPMC Rink at PPG Place, located between Third and Fourth Avenue. The rink first opened in 2001 and operates annually from mid-November to the end of February. Admission ranges from $10 to $12, with discounts for children, seniors, first responders and active military members. Skates are available to rent for $5.
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Today in Pittsburgh:
- Movie - Plum Community Library (5:30 PM)
- Dazzling Nights Pittsburgh (5:30 PM)
- Dinovember Paint Party! - Plum Community Library (6:00 PM)
- Teen Karaoke Night - Brentwood Library (7:00 PM)
- Pittsburgh Public Theater presents A CHRISTMAS STORY: The Play (7:00 PM)
- Live Music Casino Bar (7:00 PM)
From my notebook:
- US National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA: "Rain will move across the area tonight and continue through Wednesday morning with the approach and passage of a cold front. Wind gusts between 35 and 45 mph are also expected through the day Wednesday." (US National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA via Facebook)
- Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens: "Join us virtually on Dec. 12 and learn how to create beautiful and all natural urn arrangements this season! From fresh evergreens to scented pinecones, decorate your home with classic winter elements that will be sure to impress any hou..." (Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens via Facebook)
- Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh: "To all those who have made their contribution today, #THANKYOU. There is still time to make a difference at humaneanimalrescue.org/giving" (Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh via Facebook)
- Carnegie Science Center: "It's a star-studded evening on Fri., Dec. 16 for our 21+ Solstice Party! SkyWatch with Planetarium staff, see a cosmic drag show, sing your favorite songs for laser karaoke and more. Get your tickets today, this event is expected to fill up!" (Carnegie Science Center via Facebook)
- Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy: "Did you hear about the Sensory Classroom coming to the FEC? The project will create sensory experiences and teachable moments of various sizes organized along an accessible route that winds through the natural landscape of the FEC!" (Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy via Facebook)
Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Wednesday. I'll see you soon!
— 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
