Questions surround Cranberry killing: Police in Cranberry Township shot and killed a “suspicious” Ellwood City man July 2. Guns and “concerning” notes were found in the abandoned rental car of Logan Cumberland, 37, on a private road near Cranberry Highlands Golf Course. A “shelter-in-place” notice was issued for the entire township after the car and notes, which apparently referenced UPMC, were discovered. Kellen Stepler, Tribune-Review. MORE: It has not yet been disclosed whether state or local officers shot the man, whether de-escalation was attempted, or whether the man aimed his weapons at police officers prior to his death. Bob Mayo, KDKA. MORE: State police and the Butler County District Attorney’s office are investigating. Sierra Rehm, WPXI.
Festival benefit fund unfunded: City Council unanimously authorized the mayor’s office to create a $2 million fund to benefit area festivals affected by the pandemic; however, there’s no funding source. The money, which was to come from the city’s share of American Rescue Plan Act funding, has already been “spoken for,” said council finance chair Erika Strassburger. Bill O’Driscoll, WESA.
Bakery Square expansion concerns: Walnut Capital’s planned 14 acre housing and retail expansion for Bakery Square “may rely on Section 8 vouchers for the majority of its affordable apartment units,” and it’s not clear if the housing authority will grant them. Mayor Gainey has called for 15% affordable housing units at the Larimer development; Walnut Capital wants 5%. A vote is expected in two weeks. Eric Jankiewicz, PublicSource. MORE: There are also concerns over the proposed building height of 210 feet, which would make it the tallest structure in any of the surrounding neighborhoods. Ann Belser, NEXTpittsburgh.
South Side’s tide turns: One year after a new police patrol in South Side’s East Carson Street entertainment district, shootings are down, and foot traffic and food sales “appear to be up.” Justin Vellucci, Tribune-Review.
Cops boost Downtown presence: In response to “a recent uptick in crime and disorderly activity,” and three high-profile “stranger-on-stranger” violent crimes, including a random June beating of an intern leaving work, Pittsburgh Police have added 10 additional officers to join their downtown patrol contingent of 20. Justin Vellucci, Tribune-Review.
Community Kitchen leaving Hazelwood: After more than 5 years in Hazelwood, culinary training program Community Kitchen will move to Uptown next spring due to limitations at their current space. The new, larger building will allow the nonprofit to potentially pursue a restaurant space as well as expand their apprenticeship and other culinary training programs, geared especially toward the formerly incarcerated. Juliet Martinez, Hazelwood Homepage
UPMC’s corporate jet set: Months before announcing layoffs of 1,000 people, UPMC signed a lease for a $50 million dollar private jet. Said UPMC CEO Leslie Davis: “We have lots of robots and things that take care of patients in the operating room, and we have transportation issues related to our executives and our physicians when they travel abroad.” Paul Van Osdol, WTAE
ACJ’s solitary use declines: More than 3 years since a voter-approved referendum restricting the use of solitary confinement at Allegheny County Jail went into effect, the practice’s use appears to be declining. But critics, such as the Abolitionist Law Center, say the reductions aren’t enough, and that jail-wide lockdowns are increasing. Julia Zenkevich, WESA.
River trails boost economy: According to a new report from Friends of the Riverfront, the Three Rivers Heritage Trail, which FotR oversees, has a total regional economic impact of $26.5 million. Lauren Myers, Allegheny Front.
Where to find Naloxone: Not everyone needs to carry Naloxone, the active ingredient in opioid antagonist Narcan, says Prevention Point Pittsburgh, in a conversation about harm reduction. But for those who want it on hand, there are many ways to acquire the drug, which can reverse an opioid overdose. Roman Hladio, NEXTpittsburgh.
Skild raises $300 million: East Liberty-based Skild AI has raised $300 million in Series A funding, bumping their current valuation to $1.5 billion. The company, founded by two Carnegie Mellon professors in 2023, produces AI robotic systems that “serve as a general-purpose brain capable of adapting to various robots, scenarios, and tasks.” Pittsburgh Startup News reports.
Warwick pushes pot protections: City councilperson Barb Warwick introduced legislation that would “ban almost all employers in the city from testing prospective employees and current workers for cannabis use if they have medical marijuana cards from the state.” It’s unclear how many residents have lost their jobs due to medical cannabis use. The legislation would not supersede jobs where “federal or state agencies require cannabis testing or any position that requires an employee to carry a gun.” Julia Burdelski, Tribune-Review.
Global graffiti artists converge: HCUAP, the Hemispheric Conversations Urban Art Project, brings international graffiti artists to Pittsburgh as part of a year-long residency. As part of this year’s program, artists from Mexico, Chile and Chicago-via-Hawaii came together for a new, “Welcome to Homewood” mural. Emma Riva, Petrichor.
Sewickley lads’ Norwegian Wrexham: Following up on a Pittsburgh Independent scoop from March, PUP reports on the new, Pittsburgh-area owners of Norwegian soccer team, IK Start. John Santa, Pittsburgh Union Progress.
WPXI sportscaster Chaney passes: Longtime sports reporter and WPXI public affairs director Jonas Chaney passed away at 72, from complications from a stroke. Rob Taylor Jr., New Pittsburgh Courier.
Chef Toni Pais passes: Trailblazing restaurateur and Portugal native Antonio “Toni” Pais, owner of Baum Vivant and Cafe Zinho in Shadyside and Cafe Zao in Downtown Pittsburgh, passed away at 69 from complications of Parkinson’s disease. Joyce Hanz, Tribune-Review.
Peduto spox McNulty passes: Tim McNulty, longtime Post-Gazette reporter and former spokesperson for Mayor Bill Peduto, passed away at 54 after a lengthy bout with cancer. Julia Burdelski, Tribune-Review.
