🌱 UPMC Raises Minimum Wage + Lottery Ticket + Bridge Concerns

Hey, friends! It's me, Rachel Tasker, your host of the Pittsburgh Daily. Let's get this day started off right, with a quick review of the most important things happening these days in town. In today's issue, you'll read about these stories and more...

• UPMC to raise minimum starting wage to $18 an hour by 2025
• $1 Million Winning Lottery Ticket Sold In Western PA
• Residents concerned by rusty debris falling from Pittsburgh bridge

and more! Here we go.

Breezy and mild with rain. High: 55 Low: 34.

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Here are the top stories in Pittsburgh today:

1) Minimum wage for entry-level employees at UPMC is being raised to $18 an hour by 2025 for workers in Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and Williamsport. The increase will take effect in January 2025 for hospitals, outpatient clinics, ambulatory centers and other facilities and sites. UPMC said its additional sites in Southwest Pennsylvania, Western Pennsylvania, Western Maryland and Southwest New York will reach $18 an hour minimum wage by January 2026. UPMC most recently raised its minimum wage for starting employees to $15 an hour in January 2021.

(WPXI Pittsburgh)

2) A winning Mega Millions ticket worth $1 million was sold in Washington County on Tuesday. The ticket matched all five white balls drawn, 7-13-14-15-18, but not the yellow Mega Ball 9, to win $1 million, less applicable withholding. Shyam Retail, 461 Racetrack Road, Washington,will receive a $5,000 selling bonus for selling the winning ticket.

(Pittsburgh Patch)

3) Pittsburgh residents have growing concerns about the rusty debris falling from the California Avenue Bridge, known formally as the Robert McAfee Bridge. It's been reported that rusty pieces of metal constantly break off and fall to the streets below. "There is a lot of stuff falling off of this bridge daily," said Marcie Kemmler, owner of Don's Diner on Eckert Street, located at the border of Brighton Heights and Marshall-Shadeland. After the collapse of the Fern Hollow Bridge, the city of Pittsburgh conducted an intensive study of the city's bridges. After nearly 150 inspections, a comprehensive report was released last month. The California Ave. Bridge was rated in "fair" condition, while 32 other bridges were listed as "poor." "I'm just blown away by that," Kemmler said. A spokesperson from the Mayor's office stated that an emergency inspection of the bridge was performed last week.

(WPXI Pittsburgh)

4) There's no question that crime is happening in Pittsburgh—but a recently awarded grant could be part of the solution. The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency on Wednesday awarded grants totaling more than $21 million to organizations working on violence intervention and prevention in Allegheny County. The grants were announced by Gov. Tom Wolf and Democratic state senators representing the county. PCCD awarded $88.6 million in Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) grants to 122 projects throughout the state, and approximately $12 million in Coordinated Community Violence Intervention (CCVI) Strategies Pilot grants to 5 projects to support targeted anti-violence efforts in Philadelphia, Allegheny County, Chester City, and York. A total of 22 organizations and initiatives in Allegheny County were awarded funds. Specific Allegheny County grant recipients can be found at the link below.

(Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

5) Country music artist Eric Church is set to perform in Pittsburgh. Church will bring his Outsiders Revival Tour to the Pavilion at Star Lake on July 8. Also appearing will be Koe Wetzel and Shane Smith & The Saints. Presale tickets go on sale Jan. 17. Tickets for the general public go on sale Jan. 20th on LiveNation.com.

(Pittsburgh Patch)

Today in Pittsburgh:

• Prime Rib Night (4:00 PM)
• Taps & Apps Happy Hour (5:00 PM)
• Hooks n Books - Plum Community Library (6:00 PM)
• Woman's Club Meeting - Borough of Baldwin (7:00 PM)
• Steve Valentine in LIFE AND OTHER DECEPTIONS (7:30 PM)
• PBR Mashup Thursdays (8:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: "Hundreds of law enforcement officers from across the region and state filled the lawn outside a New Kensington church Wednesday morning ahead of the funeral for slain Brackenridge Police Chief Justin McIntire." (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via Instagram)
• Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens: "There have been some changes going on around Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens! Phipps is currently involved in an ongoing effort to restore the glasshouse to its original façade in 1893." (Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens via Facebook)
• Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh: "Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree…how do I properly dispose of thee? By donating it to our wildlife patients of course! Instead of throwing your tree in the dumpster, drop it off at the Wildlife Center for our patients!" (Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh via Facebook)
• Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens: "On Wed., Jan. 18, Story Time returns to the Tropical Forest! Little ones are invited to hear our storyteller weave tales about gardens, fruits, vegetables, animals and other fun topics! Learn more:" (Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens via Facebook)
• Port Authority of Allegheny County Police: "Today we were honored to attend the services for fallen hero Brackenridge Police Chief Justin McIntire. Please continue to keep his loved ones in your thoughts and prayers." (Port Authority of Allegheny County Police via Facebook)
• Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh: "🧸📚 It's a library playdate! Did you know that many of our branches offer library playdates for children birth-5 and their caregivers? Check our list of events to find one near you! www.carnegielibrary.org/events" (Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh via Facebook)
• City of Pittsburgh: "Pittsburgh City Planning (DCP) is hiring for two positions! Join our team to sustain and enhance a thriving city of neighborhoods for the people who live, work, learn and visit here. Apply today at bit.ly/PGH-CP-Jobs" (City of Pittsburgh via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Estate Planning Seminar at Northland Public Library (January 18)
• Taxes In Retirement Seminar at Mt. Lebanon Recreation Center (January 18)
• Add your event

You're officially in the loop for today. I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow morning 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