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Kecksburg 'alien' hot dogs prove hard to swallow; Greensburg man downs competitors
A Greensburg man who has a stomach for quickly consuming hot dogs, beat 11 competitors Sunday at the Kecksburg UFO Festival’s Alien Hot Dog Eating Contest. The key to James David “J.D.” Gillis’s victory over 10 men and one woman was to break the hot dog and bun in half, dip it in water and then shove it in his mouth, he said after his four-minute sprint to gastronomy fame before a crowd of 50-some people at the Kecksburg Fire Department grounds.
This year’s budget overturns local bans on rodeos. No Pa. lawmaker will take credit.
This story first appeared in The Investigator, a weekly newsletter by Spotlight PA featuring the best investigative and accountability journalism from across Pennsylvania. Sign up for free here. Harrisburg, Pa. — Under a little-noticed provision in the new state budget, Pennsylvania municipalities will be forced to allow rodeo events to take place in their borders even if local lawmakers have voted to restrict them. Only one place in the commonwealth...
Pittsburgh nonprofit creates space for people on sobriety journey to socialize and learn
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — A relatively new non-profit organization in Pittsburgh is creating a safe and vibrant space for people on a journey of sobriety to connect, socialize and learn. At the Teetotal Initiative, organizers plan unique activities and experiences at different locations around the city. It's all free of charge and free of alcohol. President Jackie Slaugenhaupt says Teetotal is marking its one-year anniversary. "We provide social space for people to go to that's sober-focused, so they can meet other like-minded people and have fun and be out and about in the community and just kind of have a good time and live life to the fullest." It's been life-changing for participants like Brett Hammon. "It's been really cool getting to meet people in a similar stage of life who are professionals and don't drink and want to go do something fun," Hammon said. "Just being out and about doing cool things with people is a big win for me."Mocktails replace cocktails at events like yoga sessions, bingo games, crafting, cooking and golf. There was even a comedy night featuring sober comedians.
Route 837 Closure July 22-24 in Dravosburg
PennDOT District 11 is announcing a portion of Route 837 in Dravosburg Borough, Allegheny County, will close to traffic Monday through Wednesday, July 22-24 weather permitting. A portion of Route 837 between the McKeesport-Duquesne Bridge and McClure Street will close to traffic from 7 a.m. Monday continuously through 5 p.m....
Mosquitoes Near Pittsburgh Test Positive for West Nile Virus
Mosquitoes in Highland Park, Homewood, Point Breeze, and Wilkinsburg tested positive for West Nile Virus. ACHD will spray Zenivex E20 on July 24th to reduce risk. Report breeding sites to ACHD. For more info, visit the CDC’s West Nile Virus webpage.
Multiple road projects to begin throughout Pittsburgh area on Monday
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Crews in our area will begin work on multiple major roadways on Monday, from repaving roads to new ramps and even replacing lines underground.Starting on Monday, McKnight Road will be down to a single lane from 8 p.m. to 6 p.m. The narrowed roads will be between East Street and the Babcock Boulevard Interchange. It will allow crews to do some milling and paving until mid-August."The two side lanes need it. The outside lanes need it," Virginia, a shopper at the Kuhn's grocery store on McKnight Road, said. "They paved the inside lanes, but they didn't pave...
In brief: Bethel Park happenings, week of July 22, 2024
South Hills Church of the Nazarene, 5601 Library Road, Bethel Park, presents the next session of the Acting Up Club 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays, Aug. 28 through Dec. 11. The drama and music club for children in secnd through sixth grades features music, movement, and acting skills as they prepare for the musical “The Christmas County Spelling Bee.”
Summerfest at Penn’s Landing fires up nightly through Labor Day Weekend
The double-decker carousel down at Penn’s Landing is a festival favorite during the Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest going on through Labor Day Weekend. “It [double-decker carousel] is one of two in the state,” said Mike Skelly, owner of Skelly Amusements that provides all the rides, games, and food during the festival. “And I love riding the Zipper with my kids.”
Pittsburgh's Picklesburgh Festival Draws Record Crowds with Brined Delicacies and Unique Culinary Creations
It's crunch time for pickle enthusiasts as Downtown Pittsburgh transforms into a veritable shrine for the brined delicacies. Celebrating its ninth year, Picklesburgh drew massive crowds yet again with estimates suggesting another record-setting turnout. Eating their hearts out, pickle fans are having a juicy time as festivities continue through July 21, WPXI reports.
Pittsburgh officials, residents come together to honor Gus Kalaris
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The city of Pittsburgh honored a local legend on Saturday.Gus Kalaris of Gus and Yayia's Ice Ball Cart died earlier this month at the age of 92.Several people and city officials gathered to celebrate his legacy at Allegheny Commons Park.Mayor Ed Gainey says Gus' memory goes well beyond his product."It's hard to replace a legend, Mayor Gainey said, "but it's really not about the product that they serve that makes them. It's the love that they pour out. The one thing that people will tell you about Gus is that when they came here, he made them feel special."The mayor says city officials already have plans to name a street after Gus in Allegheny Commons Park so his kindness will live on forever.
Bethel Park Alert: Highland Bridge Repairs to Cause Detours Beginning July 22
Beginning Monday, July 22, drivers navigating through the area of Highland Bridge will need to prepare for detours and potential delays, as construction teams move in to repair the vital piece of infrastructure. According to a recent announcement by the City of Bethel Park, available on their website, these repairs are scheduled to take approximately 50 days, temporarily disrupting the flow of Southbound traffic in particular.
Pickle-flavored food and drinks bring thousands to Downtown Pittsburgh
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Friday marked day two of Picklesburgh in Downtown Pittsburgh. Pickle fans from all over flocked to the Steel City for the annual festival. Picklesburgh is in its ninth year, and it is a very big dill. "I came here, and I couldn't believe that there were this many people here to celebrate pickles," Tyler Emerick said.The festival has so many food options with a pickle twist. "Pickle watermelon sorbet," Enid Jame said."We have the pickle pizza, the spicy version," Kendall Brown said. "It is pretty good. Ten out of 10.""Pickle potatoes were also really good," Emerick said. "I was surprised...
Pittsburgh Public Schools consultant explains factors that will determine school closings
In a 90-minute meeting that was ostensibly about closing schools, the words “closing schools” were never uttered by the consultant hired to help determine what buildings should shut down. Instead, Angela King Smith, a partner of Boston-based Education Resource Strategies hired by the Pittsburgh Public Schools, talked about...
In brief: National Night Out, high school reunion and more in the South Hills
Neighborhoods throughout Pleasant Hills are invited to join forces with thousands of communities nationwide for the 30th Annual National Night Out crime and drug prevention event. Residents are invited to join in the celebration with police, fire and medics by turning on their lights, locking their doors and coming outside to spend the evening with family members and neighbors. Residents are encouraged to host block parties, cookouts and youth activities. This is a great time for all age groups to get to know each other and build relationships. Emergency equipment from numerous public safety organizations will form a procession and travel throughout the borough, visiting neighborhoods. Groups or organizations from the area that wish to participate in the procession with their motorized units are invited to join public safety personnel in making this year’s event even bigger than those held in the past.
Letter to the editor: Let's protect the South Side
The perpetual problem of the South Side once again begs a call for some sort of redress. I submit a couple ideas that might be fruitful. The time has come to ban public urination during daylight hours. The ban could be from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. over the winter. It could take effect around the time change in early November and extend to the spring equinox (St. Patrick’s Day?). The ban could be extended to 9 p.m. over the summer months. This would bring a dose of civility for residents and guests alike.
Pittsburgh's public staircases gain global attention; local groups step in for maintenance
PITTSBURGH — There are more public staircases in Pittsburgh than in any other city in the United States. And if you've ever used them, you know that each set is unique, given Pittsburgh's unique topography. Some are in better shape than others, which has made Pittsburgh quite popular on...
Editorial: Votes, not violence should decide elections
Americans received a sobering reminder on Saturday of the threat that political violence poses to our democracy. It is a mercy that Donald Trump was not seriously injured by gunfire at an evening campaign rally in Butler, a Pennsylvania city north of Pittsburgh, and a tragedy that at least one person at the rally was killed. We hope that Mr. Trump recovers quickly and fully. There is much we don’t know yet about the gunman and the shooting, which is being investigated as an attempted...
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