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Community Corner

🌱 Rodent Problem + First Night New Year's Event + Superior Court Post

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Hello, Pittsburgh! It's nearly 2023! I'm here in your inbox today to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on in town, including news on:

  • Rodent problem plagues Western PA elementary school
  • 6 transported to hospital after SUV crashes into tree in Pittsburgh
  • First Night in Pittsburgh to feature an ice maze and New Year's magic

Let's go!

Mostly cloudy. High: 63 Low: 47.

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Here are the top stories today in Pittsburgh:

1) Rodents were found in a wall at Hopewell Elementary School, where a number of students became ill and forced the school to briefly switch to remote instruction earlier this month.The rodent issue was confirmed by Hopewell Area School District Superintendent Jeff Beltz in a Dec. 15 letter to district families that recently was posted on the district's website. "I appreciate your patience as the district works through the rodent issue discovered within a classroom and bathroom exterior wall," Beltz wrote. "The odor has lessened significantly in the primary classroom wing, and the issue may be resolved. However, we will continue to search once winter break begins and rectify any issues that arise. Upon completion of the restoration process, the district will seek an air quality test and communicate results." The letter was written the day the school had approximately 20 students leave throughout the day due to illness. Most symptoms were similar to those associated with gastroenteritis, Beltz said. He said the state Department of Health has been in contact with the district. "To date, the (health department) has not made any conclusions or recommendations; however, the results of that investigation will be shared with families." No update has been posted on the website since the Dec. 18 letter.

(Patch)

2) Pittsburgh attorney Jill Beck is taking a run at the Superior Court post. The statewide appellate court that handles appeals in civil and criminal matters decided at the Common Pleas level. Voters will have to fill two vacancies on the 15-member panel. "I like to call myself a reluctant politician," said Beck. "But it's the job I want to do." In one sense, the Duquesne University law school graduate has served in Superior Court before: She clerked for Judge Christine Donahue, who brought Beck with her when she became a Supreme Court Justice. But Beck has worked on behalf of clients as well, with a special focus on abused and neglected children she represented through advocacy group KidsVoice. An attorney at the firm of Blank Rome, she's been active in pro bono cases for LGBT clients and others often underserved by the justice system. She said that work will ground her approach to cases that come before her. "I've been in that court … so I really know the law," she said. "The other part, though, is I know the human aspect of these cases."

(90.5 WESA)

3) Six people were transported to area hospitals after a Jeep crashed into a tree in the South Shore neighborhood overnight. The crash occurred around 2 a.m. in the area of S. First and E. Carson streets. First responders found the vehicle smoking and against a tree, according to a Pittsburgh Public Safety report. A media photographer at the scene said the Jeep was towed and the scene clear by 4 a.m. The victims were in stable condition, according to the report.

(WPXI Pittsburgh)

4) The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is ringing in the New Year with an ice maze and other family-friendly activities in the city's cultural district. "Pittsburgh's Cultural District is a special destination on New Year's Eve," said Sarah Aziz, Director of Festival Management for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. "Through the power of the arts, we can reflect on the past and celebrate our future." Master ice carver and founder of Ice Creations Richard Bubin is creating an immersive walk-through maze of giant ice blocks five feet high, specially designed and carved for the Backyard at 8th and Penn. The popular experience first debuted eight years ago and will make a grand return for this Saturday's Highmark First Night Pittsburgh. "Highmark First Night Pittsburgh is a community tradition that highlights the tremendous impact of arts and culture on quality of life in Pittsburgh," said David Holmberg, Highmark Health President and CEO. A block away from the ice maze, Wood Street Galleries will host choreographer and multidisciplinary artist Hiroaki Umeda, bringing his high-intensity dance and digital imagery installation, "Intensional Particle." A number of other features are also included in Highmark First Night, among them: Dollar Bank Children's Fireworks at 6 p.m. on the Dollar Bank Stage in front of the Benedum Center; the winner of this year's Williams SING-OFF Competition will perform and be introduced to the stage by the competition's special guest judge, Nick Cortazzo, a Pittsburgh native currently performing in the National Tour of "Hairspray;" R&B artist INEZ will perform on the Highmark Stage from 10:45 to midnight; face painting at the Byham Theater from 6 to 10 p.m.; the Highmark Holiday Block Party & AHN Family Zone also from 6 to 10 p.m. at 7th and Penn to win prizes, warm up and celebrate the new year with creative activities curated by community organizations.

(Observer-Reporter)

5) A man is facing a list of charges after police say he terrorized people with a large knife Wednesday. Police arrested Daniel Michael Hersey, 24, for allegedly making threats and breaking the window of a bar. According to the complaint, Pittsburgh police responded to a hotel on S. 10th Street around 8 p.m. for a report of a man threatening people while holding a machete. Earlier in the day, officers responded to the area of S. Tenth and Bingham streets for a report of a man matching the same description threatening motorists while wielding a knife. They checked the area but didn't locate anyone, according to the report. Police spoke to an employee and guests of the hotel, who told them Hersey displayed a machete and made threatening comments, according to the complaint. Police arrested Hersey, who was in possession of a large survival knife with a serrated blade and heroin, according to the report. He is facing numerous charges, including making terroristic threats, possessing an instrument of crime, simple assault, disorderly conduct, possession, harassment and criminal mischief.

(WPXI Pittsburgh)

Today in Pittsburgh:

  • Right TurnClyde at Sneaky Pete's Bar and Grill (Formerly the Hop House) (8:00 PM)
  • Northgate Winter Classic Basketball Tournament (3:00 PM)
  • Dazzling Nights Pittsburgh (5:30 PM)
  • The Roof & The Weird Sisters (7:00 PM)
  • DJ Sports & Social Steel City (10:00 PM)

From my notebook:

  • US National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA: "Scattered showers will be moving out with the cold frontal passage Saturday night, so while you're likely to need an umbrella at some point in the evening for outdoor New Year's Eve festivities." (US National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA via Facebook)
  • Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium: "Thank you to everyone who has already donated a non-perishable item for today's Donation Day! We truly appreciate the community coming together to support this cause." (Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium via Facebook)
  • Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens: "Looking for something to do on a night in? You can now take a virtual tour of our Holiday Magic! Winter Flower Show and Light Garden from the comfort of your very own home!" (Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens via Facebook)
  • Carnegie Science Center: "Carnegie Science Center is closing early Sat., Dec. 31 at 4 pm. We are open regular hours Sun., Jan 1 from 10 am to 5 pm." (Carnegie Science Center via Facebook)
  • Children's Museum of Pittsburgh: "Join us on Saturday, Dec. 31, for a family-friendly countdown to noon to say farewell to 2022! 🥳 Enjoy art and making activities to celebrate the last day of the year and look forward to new adventures 🚀 " (Children's Museum of Pittsburgh via Facebook)
  • Children's Museum of Pittsburgh: "Have you found how tall you are in 🍏🍏 yet? Measurement Rules will be closing on January 8. Come explore creative ways to measure yourself and objects in this interactive exhibit, before the measurement party is over! 📏🎉 " (Children's Museum of Pittsburgh via Facebook)

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Alrighty, you're all good for today! See you all tomorrow morning 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 Daily? Contact me at pittsburgh@patch.com

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