Category: Politics
Councilman O’Connor builds on father’s mayoral career
By Tony Sonita, Point Park News Service: When Mayor Bob O’Connor suddenly died from a rare brain cancer in 2006, his youngest son, Corey, started rethinking his own life plans. He always talked with his father about becoming a teacher, but O’Connor realized he could have a major impact in politics too. “Growing up, I’d […]
General election brings slow day at many polling places
Two long check in tables lined the basement of St. Catherine School at 1915 Broadway Ave in Beechview in the closing hours of Election Day. Behind those tables were many exhausted workers, along with voting booths that went largely unfilled throughout the day. “It’s been really slow,” Judge of Elections Rose Getty said. “This is […]
Peduto pledges to modernize, streamline
Story by Sara Payne, Point Park News Service Video by Marina Weis, Point Park News Service Walking in Downtown during peak times can turn into a game of chicken with cars and buses as people are pushed into the street at crowded bus stops. Councilman Bill Peduto said he wants to update this transportation system, […]
Graffiti Watch tackles neighborhood tagging
By Tony Sonita, Point Park News Service: South Side resident Steve Root says keeping his neighborhood clean is not just a goal but a mindset. As a member of the South Side Community Council and head of the neighborhood’s Graffiti Watch, Root organizes regular events aimed at painting over graffiti in the area. “We’re trying […]
Residents, businesses angle for parking
By Andrew Goldstein, Point Park News Service: Parking in South Side has drawn the ire of residents and visitors of the neighborhood for years, and it could soon become a more widespread issue than ever. More residential permit parking areas are likely to appear in addition to zones that already exist in South Side to […]
Some Mt. Washington residents see a different view
By Akasha Chamberlain, Point Park News Service: Raymond Wehring, who has lived on Mt. Washington for 50 years, remembers when his street was vibrant and full of neighbors. Now surrounded by empty houses instead, Wehring said he wants nothing more than to leave and take his two grandchildren with him. “If I won the […]
PA not ready to pay wrongfully convicted
By Kalea Hall Point Park News Service After serving 17 years for a murder he did not commit, Terrell Johnson was finally able to walk out as a free man last September, yet Johnson has not received any form of assistance from the state to help him reintegrate back into society. Pennsylvania is one of […]
Expectations for a new mayor
A beginning journalistic writing and editing class interviewed a number of people enjoying a beautiful spring day Downtown and asked them what they wanted the next mayor of Pittsburgh to do after he is elected. These are their responses. Lauren Finkel Bob Santamoor, 62, board chairman of the GE Aerospace Conference Board, Saratoga Springs, N.Y. […]
Criminal court judge recognizes offender backgrounds, favors rehab
By Marina Weis Point Park News Service Growing up without any family to support her, a young girl developed serious emotional problems that followed her into juvenile court. She was denied many times at placements for counseling because of her violent behavior. That was until Judge Jill Rangos made special arrangements to send her to […]
Pittsburgh native fighting to ‘revive government’
By Kim Roberts Point Park News Service Stephanie Summers spends her days in Washington, D.C., smack in the middle of conversations about two very touchy subjects: religion and politics. As the Chief Executive Officer for the Center for Public Justice, the 35-year-old Pittsburgh native is particularly busy this election season educating citizens about a biblical […]
