Community Corner
🌱 Pittsburgh Regional Transit Change Routes + Homebuyer Grants + More
The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Pittsburgh.
Morning, friends! Happy Monday! I'm back with your new edition of the Pittsburgh Daily. Here are all the things you need to know about what's happening in town, including:
- Pittsburgh Regional Transit accepting comments on route changes through Feb. 1
- City of Pittsburgh to give grants to first-time homebuyers
- Gunfire erupts again in Downtown
Periods of snow and rain. High: 42 Low: 22.
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Here are the top stories today in Pittsburgh:
1) The proposed changes to Pittsburgh Regional Transit routes servicing East End riders are open to community discussion and feedback. "Instead of running between the Swissvale Park and Ride and Fifth Avenue at Robinson Street in Oakland, the proposal calls for the P3 to start at Wilkinsburg Station, travel through Oakland and continue Downtown, then turn around and travel back through Oakland to Wilkinsburg." Many current users of the public transportation system are not looking forward to the longer commute times the planned changes will bring. PRT is asking for those impacted to leave their comments about the proposed changes by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 1 either online, or by calling 412-566-5335 and leaving a message.
2) An East Pittsburgh gas station is down one gasoline pump as of this morning, after a vehicle crashed into it overnight. The Sunoco on Lincoln Highway experienced an 18-year-old driver sliding off of the road and into one of its pumps. "State police said the driver lost control of the 2016 Kia Soul along the roadway before spinning out into the gas station pump, striking it on the passenger side of the vehicle." Reports states that the driver as well as three passengers were taken to the hospital for suspected non-life-threatening injuries.
3) Shots rang out in Downtown Pittsburgh once again in the early hours of the morning. Around 2 a.m. today, police were called to Sixth Avenue and Smithfield Street following reports of multiple gunshots being fired. At this time, no injuries are being reported, but there were multiple areas of physical damage, including a parked vehicle, a traffic control box, and a police car. This incident follows a long string of gun violence that has occurred in the Downtown area recently.
4) Low-income and first-time homebuyers in Pittsburgh are getting some support from the city. Funding in the amount of $90,000 grants and forgivable loans from the URA and the city's housing authority are now available, along with which also has its own homeownership assistance program. "Applicants must not have owned any real estate property within the last three years, and may not earn more than 80% of the area median income (AMI), or $75,850 annually for a family of four." In addition, prospective buyers must also be able to secure a mortgage loan with one of three local lenders—Dollar Savings Bank, First Commonwealth Bank and Slovak Savings Bank—to receive funds.
5) The opening of the Millvale Market marks the first easily-accessible grocery store for the local community in 20 years. "'This was basically a food desert until they opened,' said shopper Airen Germesin." The newly-opened small grocery store also serves as a coffee shop. The establishment is located on Grant and North Avenues. Shoppers can expect to find fresh fruits and vegetables from local farmers 6 day of the week, Tuesday through Sunday.
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Today in Pittsburgh:
From my notebook:
- Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens: "We interrupt your regularly scheduled broadcast for some lady-slipper love 😍 Begin your adventure today with Orchid and Tropical Bonsai Show: Origin Stories – you don't want to miss it! Learn more" (Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens via Facebook)
- Children's Museum of Pittsburgh: "Did you know that your Allegheny County library card can get you free admission (up to 4) to the Children's Museum? It's part of the new RAD Pass program that offers library card holders ages 18+ free or discounted access to the region's amenities." (Children's Museum of Pittsburgh via Facebook)
- Three Rivers Arts Festival: "Tomorrow is the FINAL day to apply for five of our six 2023 Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival open calls! " (Three Rivers Arts Festival via Facebook)
- Children's Museum of Pittsburgh: "We've been nominated as one of the best children's museums in the country 🤩 You can vote in the USA TODAY Readers' Choice poll every day now through Monday, Feb. 13. We appreciate your support! Vote here" (Children's Museum of Pittsburgh via Facebook)
- City of Pittsburgh: "We need your thoughts on the Sheraden Park Phase I Design! Provide your feedback at https://engage.pittsburghpa.gov/sheraden." (City of Pittsburgh via Facebook)
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You're officially in the loop for today. I'll be in your inbox tomorrow with 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 Daily? Contact me at pittsburgh@patch.com
