Community Corner
Pittsburgh Parkway West Crash + Cold Front Forecast + Homewood Farm
The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Pittsburgh.
Hi all. I'm back this Tuesday morning with your fresh copy of the Pittsburgh Daily. Keep reading to find out everything that's fit to print about what's happening in the community, including updates on:
- Pittsburgh Parkway West crash causes major traffic holdup
- Wintery weather is heading toward Pittsburgh: latest forecast
- A farm offers food, classes and a place to 'just be' in Pittsburgh's Homewood neighborhood
Let's go!
Clouds and sun; not as cold. High: 37 Low: 24.
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Here are the top stories in Pittsburgh today:
1) A tractor-trailer jackknifed on the Parkway West near the Carnegie interchange Tuesday morning, causing significant delays in both directions. The tractor-trailer initially was on the highway's Jersey barrier, blocking the left lanes of both the inbound and outbound lanes. The tractor-trailer has been removed from the barrier but remains on the roadway. It's unclear if anyone was injured in the crash.
2) Winter officially arrives on Wednesday, and with it comes a major meteorological event to the nation that will bring accumulating snow, high winds and dangerously cold temperatures to Western Pennsylvania. Possible impacts include travel delays, power outage, wind damage, frostbite, according to the National Weather Service. A powerful cold front is expected to sweep through the area early Friday morning, with temperatures likely to fall 25 to 35 degrees with a few hours of its passing. The weather service is not yet predicting how much snow will fall in the Pittsburgh area. State College-based AccuWeather is forecasting accumulations of up to three inches in the metro area, with as much as six inches north and east of the city. How could will it get? The weather service says Friday night's low temperature will be about five degrees. The high on Christmas Eve will be near 14. The low that night will be around 6 and the high on Christmas Day will be near 17.
(Patch)
3) A farm located in Pittsburgh's Homewood neighborhood offers food, classes and a place to 'just be' in nature. Oasis Farm & Fishery has been around since 1956 as a branch of the Bible Center Church, but the Oasis Project, which is the nonprofit arm of the church, was created in 2010. Shortly after that, Pitt's Katz Business School granted the organization funding to put in a solar array and a bio shelter, which is a Chinese-style greenhouse. All of the produce grown on the farm is earmarked to go towards outlets that are within the community, like the Homewood Farmer's Market, which Oasis is a proud contributor to. Ahmed Tacumba Turner Junior, program manager, said "We're just trying to be a vessel for helping people, you know, continue along their wellness journey, whether that's through learning how to grow or cook or just being inspired to do more stuff in the outdoors, take advantage of spaces like this, like a third space. So we try to make it as accommodating for folks to be able to come out and chill and just be."
4) Ten floors of The Roosevelt building in downtown Pittsburgh are temporarily condemned, according to Mayor Ed Gainey's press secretary, Maria Montano, and documents posted on the building. This comes after an apartment caught fire on Dec. 11. Montano said the reason for the condemnation is to allow the state to inspect the elevator and ensure the fire suppression system is working correctly. Barbara Johnson, 80, of Pittsburgh, was killed in the fire. The cause and manner of Johnson's death have not been determined. The Red Cross of Greater PA was unable to comment on what property management will or will not be offering but said, "The Red Cross is still providing ongoing casework, recovery resources, and assistance to the tenants."Former correctional officer arrested for allegedly selling drugs at Allegheny County Jail
5) A local high school student coordinated the donation of 3,000 socks to the Light of Life Rescue Mission. Eden Christian Academy junior Carter Cropper learned that socks are one of the most requested items at homeless shelters, so he contacted sock manufacturers and coordinated the delivery through The Odd Sock,a nonprofit organization from North Carolina. Light of Life spokesperson Annie Cairns says the number of homeless in Allegheny County has grown nearly 30% since 2021 and this year alone Light of Life has housed 3,000 overnight guests. Donations like socks, winter coats, hats, gloves and scarves can be dropped off Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Light of Life offices located at 913 Western Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15233.
Today in Pittsburgh:
- Guy's Burger Night at Guy Fieri's American Kitchen + Bar (9:00 AM)
- Scrabble - Penn Hills Public Library (5:00 PM)
- BNY Mellon Presents JazzLive: Fall 2022 (5:00 PM)
- Welcome Winter Party - Community Library of Castle Shannon (5:30 PM)
- Dazzling Nights Pittsburgh (5:30 PM)
- Holiday Handbell Choir - Penn Hills Public Library (6:00 PM)
- Teen Game Night -- on Discord! - Northland Public Library (7:00 PM)
- Live! Trivia Night / Taco Tuesday (8:00 PM)
From my notebook:
- US National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA: "Our odds of a "White Christmas" are looking up! A late-week system is forecast to drop some snow followed by cold and gusty conditions through the holiday. This could leave some snow on the ground by Christmas morning. " (US National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA via Facebook)
- Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium: "The Zoo Lights Drive-Thru is happening Monday through Friday this week! Enjoy over 100 animal lights with new displays, festive music, and holiday treats. Buy your ticket ➡️ https://bit.ly/3jU3G6r" (Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium via Facebook)
- Bike Pittsburgh: "🥹 Well, we've officially said goodbye to the BikePGH Messageboard. It was a cool time in history, but technology has moved past the need for one. Check out our Blog for how you can use *current technology* to stay connected. " (Bike Pittsburgh via Facebook)
- Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens: "Are you trying to find the time to take yourself on a grand arctic adventure this winter but just haven't had the time? You're in luck! You can now take a virtual tour of Phipps Holiday Magic!" (Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens via Facebook)
- Carnegie Science Center: "Embark on a holiday scavenger hunt with I Spy-style clues in the Miniature Railroad & Village®! Find ice skaters, Santa and one reindeer, a Kwanzaa celebration, a large Menorah, a Lunar New Year Festival, and much more." (Carnegie Science Center via Facebook)
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You're officially in the loop for today! 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
