Community Corner
🌱 Ross Hit-And-Run + Carnegie Library Kid's Program + Bus Routes
The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Pittsburgh.
Morning, Pittsburgh! I'm back in your inbox this morning with your new edition of the Pittsburgh Daily. Here's all the local news you need to know right now, including...
- Family looking for answers after woman killed in Ross Township hit-and-run
- New year, new librarian, new children's programs at library in Carnegie
- New Pittsburgh bus routes could force some riders to transfer
Here we go!
Partly sunny and milder. High: 46 Low: 35.
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Here are the top stories in Pittsburgh today:
1) A heartbroken family is searching for answers after a woman was killed in a hit-and-run crash in Ross Township last week. The victim has been identified as 31-year-old Elizabeth Griser from Shaler. Sally Gricer, her mother, said her Elizabeth had just gotten off the bus and was heading up to the Sheetz gas station on Babcock Boulevard around 11 p.m. in order to meet her brother, Bobby. That's when police said a car hit her and never stopped. "When she didn't answer her phone, I knew something wasn't right and then I saw her laying there on the road I was praying to God that wasn't her, my heart sank," Bobby Griser said. Police told news outlets that they did locate the car involved in this accident and who they believe to be the driver. Right now, there are no charges filed, as police are still investigating.
2) John Weinstein, longtime Allegheny County treasurer, is running for county executive. He said his county government experience sets him apart from the rest of the field seeking the seat currently held by Democrat Rich Fitzgerald, who is in his third and final term. "I've never lost a dime of taxpayer money over 25 years. I've been investing the money every day, and we've never lost one dime, so I'm prepared to formulate the position of this job immediately on day one," Weinstein said. He has been elected to six straight terms as county treasurer. The father of young twins, Weinstein said he is committed to job creation to give young people opportunities to stay in the region. He is seeking the Democratic nomination in an increasingly crowded pool. A total of seven candidates have now launched their bids for the seat.
3) The Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall has welcomed a new children's librarian to its staff — and she's bringing many new ideas and programs along with her to the role. Samantha Varela, or "Miss Sam" to younger patrons, joined the library in November 2022. Since then, she has expanded the storytimes available for families from just two days per week to every day that the library is open. Lego Club is also being added back to the library's programming. Thursday from 3:30 to 5 p.m., children of all ages are welcomed to join in building a different project each week. Ginny the therapy dog is also excited to visit the library on Tuesdays from 4 to 5 p.m. Readers can call 412-276-3456 to sign up for time slot to read to Ginny. A special collaboration with the ACFL&MH resident theater company Stage 62 is also on the books for 2023.Stage 62 will be performing "Freckleface Strawberry: The Musical" in the Music Hall from Feb. 11-19.
(TribLIVE)
4) Sunday marked the 26th Greater Pittsburgh Lunar New Year Show and Fair at the Carnegie Museum of Art in Oakland. Music, dance and other art forms combined with a variety of exhibits to help usher in the Year of the Rabbit, which officially starts Jan. 22. According to Chinese tradition, the rabbit is a symbol of longevity, peace and prosperity, and people born in such years tend to display intelligence. Highlights included Song Feihong, who sang opera while simultaneously exercising her skill in calligraphy that was put on display; pipa and seven-string qin soloist Zhou Yi, a graduate of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music; and the Pittsburgh Xiaobo Waist Drum Dance Group, featuring red drums strapped to performers' waists by colorful ribbons. The celebration is presented annually by Chinese Association of Science and Technology — Pittsburgh, a nearly 30-year-old nonprofit, nonpolitical organization with the mission of encouraging technological development, scientific research, and investment in cultural diversity and educational outreach.
(TribLIVE)
5) Pittsburgh Regional Transit is planning to institute bus routing changes that will force some riders to switch buses in Oakland for commutes Downtown. Amy Silbermann, director of planning and service development for Pittsburgh Regional Transit, said the reason for the route changes is twofold: first, upcoming construction of the lanes and new bus stops between Downtown and Oakland is going to hold up traffic—so sending fewer buses Downtown will alleviate some congestion and route delays. Second, the organization has been struggling with driver shortages, so for routes that are cut in half, the drivers can drive them twice as often. The changes primarily impact city residents of Bloomfield, East Liberty, Friendship, Garfield, Highland Park, Homewood and Shadyside as well as Homestead, Swissvale and Wilkinsburg. Anyone who has to change buses will not be charged to transfer if they are using weekly or monthly passes or a ConnectCard to pay their fare. However, riders who pay their fare in cash will be charged $2.75 each time they enter a new bus.
Today in Pittsburgh:
- 55 Live! Slot Tournament (10:00 AM)
- Taps & Apps Happy Hour (5:00 PM)
- Healing Through Intergenerational Trauma (6:30 PM)
From my notebook:
- Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh: "Thanks to YOU and our amazing staff, we were able to find loving homes for 114 animals last week. #harpsaveslives" (Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh via Facebook)
- Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens: "This week at Phipps, there are plenty of ways to embrace your creative side! Whether you want to create art, bouquets, crafts or even food, there is surely something here for you! Find the perfect activity here: https://www.phipps.conser..." (Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens via Facebook)
- Carnegie Science Center: "Tour Your Future = awesome opportunities to meet female+ STEM professionals! ⚗️🔭⚛️🔬 🌼 Upcoming spring tours include: 📍 Seneca Resources Company: Thursday, Feb. 23 📍 Braskem I&T: Thurs., March 9 📍 Google: Friday, March 24 📍" (Carnegie Science Center via Facebook)
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Thanks for following along and staying informed! I'll be in your inbox tomorrow with a new 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
