At an event held on Aug. 28, Ida’s announced the pending opening of The Parlor by Ida’s, with a goal of serving customers sometime later this year. The expansion was made possible by funding provided by the Neighborhood Community Development Fund (NCDF), a Northside non-profit that provides financing and assistance for projects such as small businesses, affordable housing, neighborhood commercial real estate and more.

“This space is going to be a great addition to the neighborhood,” said NCDF Executive Director Mark Masterson, “and I say this as a resident who lives two blocks away.”

Ida’s and the nonprofit have a history going back to the very beginning of the restaurant. The NCDF had previously provided funding for the opening of Ida’s Sandwich Shop in 2022.

“The Neighborhood Community Development Fund has been part of our journey since the beginning,” said Erica Sumpter, co-owner of Ida’s.

In particular, Sumpter thanked the NCDF not just for the financial support, but for the guidance and assistance they provided in creating a “substantial, sustainable business.”

“One of the biggest things we’ve learned as a small business is you do not know what you do not know,” she said, referencing the many unexpected challenges for which the NCDF was able to help.

In addition to the Ida’s announcement, the Aug. 28 event also served as a celebration of the Pennsylvania Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Network’s new Business Assistance Service Centers (BASC) and Small Business Microgrants programs, which are made possible thanks to $14.2 million in Historically Disadvantaged Business Assistance (HDBA) funding. The NCDF has received a grant to serve as a BASC for the region.

According to a press release from the CDFI Network, BASCs are a statewide network that assists entrepreneurs through no-cost one-on-one business counseling and planning.

“If you’re an entrepreneur, reach out to us or one of our other Business Assistance Support Centers across the Commonwealth,” said Masterson. “We want to build more businesses like this one,  we want to build more jobs, more opportunity and we want neighborhoods that people want to be in, and this helps create that.”

Of the $14.2 million in HDBA funds, $5.84 million will go toward BASCs, and $8.45 million will go toward the Small Business Microgrant program, according to a press release from the Pennsylvania CDFI Network. The HDBA is made possible through a partnership between the Pennsylvania CDFI Network and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.

As you may have seen, Rialto Street in Troy Hill has been closed since September and will remain so for one to two months so that work can occur to repair the abutments of the Lowrie Street Bridge. The following work will occur: replacing aged and deteriorated stones with local quarry sandstone, abutment cleaning, and abutment repointing. Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout construction, but vehicular traffic will be detoured via Route 28, Chestnut Street and Troy Hill Road. The Lowrie Street Bridge is expected to remain open throughout construction.

My office has continued to host neighborhood walkthroughs throughout the summer and visited Summer Hill, East Allegheny, and Brighton Heights, where we identified nearly 200 immediate issues. Many of these are weeds and debris, vacant and abandoned properties, abandoned vehicles, and clogged catch basins. I really appreciate the representatives from the departments who show up each month, ready to tackle whatever issues we identify, and really get to understand the challenges that each neighborhood faces. These events have been a great way to connect with the residents, explain to them the processes for addressing issues, and build relationships between departments, our office, and the neighborhood. I look forward to continuing these for the remainder of the year and into 2027.

ALCOSAN will host a public meeting for residents and ratepayers to meet with their team and learn about the upcoming Ohio River Tunnel project. The meeting will be held on Oct. 6 from 4-8 p.m. at the Allegheny Center Alliance Church located at 250 East Ohio St., Pittsburgh. For more details, visit alcosan.org/clean-water-plan/regional-tunnel-system/ohio-river-tunnel.

There are some wonderful community events coming up this month. Oct. 3 is busy, starting with the Fineview Step Challenge starting at 8:30 a.m., and RP Day at Riverview Park from noon to 4 p.m. To register for the Step Challenge, visit runsignup.com/Race/PA/Pittsburgh/FineviewStepChallenge and to learn more about RP Day, visit pittsburghparks.org/-rp-day/.

This year’s Riverview 5K is back with its Halloween theme, taking place on Oct. 9 at 6 p.m. This is the final event of the 2026 City of Pittsburgh Community Footrace Series presented by Allegheny Health Network. To learn more about the race and to register, visit pittsburghpa.gov/Recreation-Events/Special-Events/Footraces/Riverview-Park-5K-Run-Fitness-Walk.

Lastly, the City’s Deer Management Program has restarted for the 2026-2027 season. Riverview Park remains a location and a new expansion of the program now includes Spring Hill Greenway. This year’s program will also expand its mentorship program which will allow vetted archers to mentor youth and adult hunters in proper archery practices with partnership from the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Archery will take place on the following dates: Sept. 19-Dec. 13, and Dec. 26-Jan. 24. Anyone observing a game violation is asked to report it by contacting the PA Game Commission at (724) 238-9523. For more information, please visit the Deer Management Program Engage PGH page: engage.pittsburghpa.gov/deer-management-program.

If you have any questions or concerns, call us at (412) 255-2135, email us at district1@pittsburghpa.gov, find us on Facebook, and sign up for our newsletter (pittsburghpa.gov/City-Government/City-Council/Districts/Bobby-Wilson-District-1). My staff and I look forward to hearing from you!

Buyer activity typically starts to slow while the number of homes for sale climb – and you need the right strategy to get attention in this type of market.

The good news? There’s a lot you can control. From how you price and present your house to how you negotiate and respond to feedback. Here are four things you’ll want to get right this fall.

#1: Price To Get Buyers’ Attention

In the fall, there are typically fewer buyers looking and more homes for them to choose from. So, you want to make the most of every buyer who comes across your house.

And your price is one of the first things that can make them stop and take a closer look – or keep scrolling.

That’s why this isn’t the time to start high “just to see what happens.” If buyers think your house is overpriced, they have plenty of other options to move on to. And that could leave you sitting and waiting.

So, if you want to sell before year-end, work with your agent to find the right price for your house and today’s market. That may mean listing at market value – or even slightly below it – to grab buyers’ attention.

Redfin explains how a seemingly small difference can change your buyer pool: “Buyers often search in round-number price brackets, so pricing at $499,000 instead of $505,000 can make your home appear in more searches and feel like a better deal.”

#2: Make a Great First Impression

When buyers had very few homes to choose from, they were often more willing to overlook dated finishes or a house that needed some work. That’s harder to count on now.

With more choices, how your house looks online and in person can determine whether it makes a buyer’s shortlist at all.

That doesn’t mean you need a full renovation before you sell, but you should take care of essential repairs, do what you can to boost curb appeal, and make sure your house photographs well. Maybe that’s some light staging, maybe it’s swapping out faucets or lights, or maybe a fresh coat of paint. Small details can help a lot.

After all, you only get one chance to make that first impression. Make it count.

#3: Stay Open To Negotiating

Some sellers are still expecting the kind of leverage they had a few years ago. But in many markets, buyers have more negotiating power today and there’s a lot more give and take.

The latest data from Redfin shows 46.2% of sellers gave buyers some type of concession.

So, consider throwing in a little help with closing costs or covering a repair. Almost half of sellers are.

The takeaway? Playing hard ball may not get you what you want. But being flexible might. The key is not getting so focused on “winning” every individual negotiation that you lose sight of the bigger goal: making your move happen.

Sometimes a small concession is what gets you to the closing table.

#4: Know When It’s Time To Adjust

Sometimes your house tells you when something isn’t working. Maybe you’re getting plenty of online views but very few showings. Or buyers are coming through, but you’re not getting offers. Or maybe buyer feedback has one recurring theme.

Pay attention to those signals. They can help you figure out what needs to change.

Let’s say your price is the most common point of feedback. Talk to your agent about a price drop. It doesn’t have to be a big change to make a big difference. The average price cut right now is 4% according to HousingWire Data. That’s normal.

Now, that doesn’t mean you should panic and slash your price after a week. It means you and your agent should pay attention to what buyers are telling you and adjust if you need to.

Sometimes the smartest move isn’t waiting for the right buyer. It’s making sure you’re giving that buyer a reason to act.

Bottom Line

Selling this fall is absolutely doable. And now you know four of the biggest things to get right.

If you want to sell before the end of the year, let’s make sure you have a winning strategy from day one.

Brighton Heights
Estate of Paul Walch to OAP Ventures LLC at 1152 Termon Ave. for $85,000.

East Deutschtown
Richard Krist Jr. to Megan Jansen at 1012 Constance St. for $205,000.

Marshall-Shadeland
Abdul Rahim to Jalar Const LLC at 3235 Brighton Road for $150,000.

Perry Hilltop
Matthew Engelhardt to Brandi Robinson at 401 Burgess St. for $209,000.
OGR Realty 3 L.P. to Benjamin Geibel at 2623 Linwood Ave. for $100,000.
Dorothy Keller to Wesley Oliver at 748 Maginn St. for $150,000.

Spring Garden
Sally Jo Dukes to Mark Dixon Jr. at 1125 Spring Garden Ave. for $65,869.

Summer Hill
Donovan Schueler to Harry Davis at 114 Montville St. for $185,000.

Real Estate Transactions provided by <RealSTATs>.  Contact <RealSTATs> at 412-381-3880 or visit www.RealSTATs.net.

Priory Hospitality Group CEO and president John Graf was joined by beverage-industry veteran Eric Heinauer and a third unnamed partner in taking on the battered brewery. The new ownership was announced in a press conference on Sept. 14.

“We’re all super excited because we came into acquiring Penn Brewery as fans,” Graf told reporters.

The Priory Hospitality Group is the company behind The Priory Hotel and Pittsburgh’s Grand Hall at the Priory, two major landmarks of the Deutschtown neighborhood. Graf told The Chronicle that the brewery fit right in with his existing business’s hospitality focus.

He also noted that the hotel and the brewery both opened in 1986, and that his dad — The Priory Hotel founder Ed Graf — would play St. Nicholas during Christmas-time festivities at the brewery.

Heinauer, meanwhile, has a long history in the beverage industry, including serving for more than 11 years at Penn Brewery under various roles, including director of sales. Other businesses he’s worked at include Pittsburgh Brewing Company, InBev, Straub Brewing and Wigle Whiskey.

While his resume in the industry is quite extensive, Heinauer said that Penn Brewery was always special to him.

“This place has always been my home in a lot of ways,” he said. “I’ve gone to work for a lot of different breweries, but this has always been my passion. I still find myself answering the phone ‘Eric from Penn Brewery.’” Graf told The Chronicle that he would handle more of the “high-level business strategy” of the brewery, and Heinauer would be focused on the day-to-day operations.

Despite the transition, Penn Brewery remained open during its annual Oktoberfest celebrations in September, and Heinauer said he expects the brewery’s restaurant to open back up fully by the end of October with a new menu and some upgrades. The restaurant has been operating under a limited menu in recent weeks.

Regarding changes under the new ownership, Heinauer said he would aim to return the brewery to its traditional German roots. In particular, he said the brewery would resume using a technique called krausening, a carbonation method he said is relatively uncommon among craft breweries these days.

Christopher Rudolph, Penn Brewery’s head brewer, told The Chronicle that the process involved adding wort (an extract from the mashing step of the brewing process) to beer in order to restart the fermentation process. He said this helps make the beverage easier to drink, and that the brewery formerly employed it and would easily be able to restart its use.

“We’re almost designed for it,” Rudolph said.

Rudolph will be staying on with the brewery during the ownership transition, as will Director of Sales and Marketing Amy Huseman. Heinauer said Huseman helped keep the brewery “relevant” through its collaboration with community organizations, something the new ownership plans to maintain.

“We intend to keep all those connections together,” he said. “I think a lot of the time, the first time somebody has tried a Penn Brewery product has been at a community event.”

Huseman echoed the commitment to the neighborhood.

“I wouldn’t be here if it didn’t still have a community focus,” she said.

The new ownership team further indicated that the brewery will be seeing renovations over the course of the coming year, with some to take place before the restaurant’s reopening in October, and some to occur next year. While specific upgrades were not given, Heinauer said the brewery’s brewhouse and beer garden will see updates.

Price changes are also expected for the brewery’s menu with a goal towards being more competitive.

“So prices are not going up,” Graf specified.

Background on the brewery

The location on which Penn Brewery currently sits has housed breweries for more than a century starting in 1848. The first brewing on the site occurred under the Eberhardt and Ober families, German migrants who lived in Deutschtown, according to Penn Brewery’s website.

Beer production continued under various labels until 1952. Penn Brewery was founded in 1986 and resumed brewing operations at the site under the auspices of Tom and Mary Beth Pastorius. The brewery changed hands several times, eventually coming under the ownership of Stefan Nitsch, who was the owner when the brewery declared bankruptcy on March 31 this year.

According to bankruptcy filings, the brewery had estimated liabilities of up to $10 million, including a $5.1 million debt owed to First Commonwealth Bank.

The Northside is no stranger to celebrating the spookiest time of year, and The Northside Chronicle is here to help anyone looking to make the most out of the holiday. We have gathered up a list of four festive events taking place over the course of the month sure to be a bone-tingling good time.

The events are listed in the order in which they occur.

RiverBOO! Park 5K

Looking to get some outdoor exercise in before the weather starts becoming cold? Look no further than the RiverBOO! Park 5K, taking place Oct. 9 at 6 p.m.

CitiParks’ final race event of the year, RiverBOO! takes racers on a 5K run or fitness walk around scenic Riverview Park. The race centers around the Allegheny Observatory and wraps up at the park’s Activities Building. The run’s final mile is a particular challenge, as it is almost entirely uphill, according to the race website.

In keeping with the spirit of the season, many racers dress in costumes during their run, though this is not a requirement.

Awards are available for the top male and female finishers in the following age brackets: 11 and under, 12-15, 16-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69 and 70+.

Registration is $25 until Oct. 6, at which point the price will increase. A complimentary shirt is guaranteed for the first 200 registrants.

For more information or to register, visit pittsburghpa.gov/Recreation-Events/Events/Footraces/Riverview-Park-5KRun-Fitness-Walk.

Spring Hill Halloween Parade

Ghosts, ghouls, superheroes, princesses and more will make their way down to Waisenhaus Park on Oct. 24. Or, at least, kids dressed like them will.

The first of two costume parades that take place on the Northside, the Spring Hill Halloween Parade kicks off at 11 a.m. at the Brady Memorial Funeral Home, located at 1151 South Side Ave., and continues down Romanhoff and Rockledge streets to the park, where participants will receive candy bags.

According to Ben Soltesz, treasurer with the Spring Hill Civic League, the parade got its start as a way for elderly residents to award local kids with candy without having to take part in late-night trick ‘r treating. The residents would donate sweets or money to purchase candy to be given out at the parade.

While Soltesz doesn’t believe that reason is still the impetus for the parade, the annual event has carried on and become a favorite for local families.

“It’s always a great event for the kids, as long as the weather cooperates,” he said.

In addition to the candy bags provided to all participants, awards will be given out for those who go above and beyond with their costumes. The scariest, prettiest, funniest and most original costumes will receive an extra prize at the parade’s end.

Participation in the event is free and open to the public. The parade takes roughly half-an-hour to complete.

In addition, for anyone who needs a costume for either the parade or Halloween in general, the Civic League partners with Emma Munson Foundation to have a free costume giveaway. This year’s giveaway will take place on Oct. 20, from 5-6:30 p.m., at the Spring Hill Elementary School, at 1351 Damas St.

Brighton Heights Halloween Parade

Following quickly on the heels of its fellow Northside neighborhood, Brighton Heights will host their own Halloween parade on Oct. 24 starting at 1 p.m.

This parade kicks off at the parking lot of Kunsak Funeral Home, located at 3552 California Ave., at 1 p.m. The costumed procession will travel down Davis Avenue until reaching Legion Memorial Park.

The parade will be joined by fire trucks, mounted police officers and a marching band.

At the end of the parade, several activity booths will be available at Legion Park to continue the fun.

“We’ll have games and treats for the kids,” said Nick Petrillo, member of the Brighton Heights Citizens Federation, which organizes the annual parade.

Fright Nights at Anderson Manor

The final three days of October are perhaps the spookiest of all on the Northside, as they are given over to Fright Nights at Anderson Manor, a local haunted house attraction that fundraises for a good cause.

Run by the Iota Phi Foundation of Pittsburgh, Fright Nights at Anderson Manor supports two of the Foundation’s programs. The first is the Annual Sylvester Pace HBCU Tour, which takes Pittsburgh area high school students on a tour of historically Black colleges and universities across multiple states, and the second is the Iota Phi Mentoring Program.

“Fright Nights at Anderson Manor is primarily a really fun, family-friend, old-school haunted house,” said Dr. Rahmon Hart, the board chairman of Iota Phi. “It’s designed to be scary and really just to give the community a very economical but high-quality experience that they can enjoy, have fun at and be safe.”

The manor will be open Oct. 29-31 and is located at 1423 Liverpool St. It will be open from 7-11 p.m. on Oct. 29, and then from 7 p.m. to midnight on the remaining days.

For those wanting to be especially scared, Hart recommends coming on the final day.

“We’re going to turn it up a few notches (on Halloween),” he told The Chronicle. “That’s all I can say.”

The house is put together by the students who will be taking part in the tour, as well as by Iota Phi Foundation staff. In fact, Hart himself gets in on the action as a scare actor.

“It’s a great bonding moment for (the students) to see us in not-so-professional light,” he said. “We’re having as much fun as they are.”

Tickets for the haunted house are on sale now at givebutter.com/hbcutour2027. A general admission ticket is $20, while a fast pass — which allows the ticket holder to skip a large part of the line — is $30.

While attendees are waiting in line for the attraction, classic horror movies will be shown on a 14-foot projection screen and concessions, including hot cider and popcorn, will be available for refreshments.

Doug Kamper, vice president of the East Allegheny Community Council (EACC), told The Chronicle that the council was facing issues getting Pumpkinfest organized without founder Barbara Burns, and made the decision to hold off on the event for a year.

“It sucks, we wish we could have done it this year,” Kamper said. “But we didn’t want to do it wrong or poorly.”

The 2026 Pumpkinfest, before its cancellation, would have been the first one since the passing of Burns, who co-founded the event in 1991. Burns died on Nov. 5, 2025 following a battle with illness at the age of 76, only a few days after the 31st Northside Pumpkinfest.

Northside Pumpkinfest got its start in 1991. Burns, who was a school director with Pittsburgh Public Schools, partnered with fellow school director Carole Annis to create a pair of fall festivals for Northside kids.

Burns ran Deutschtown Pumpkinfest, while Annis organized the sister event Brightwood Pumpkinfest. The two festivals later merged into the joint Northside Pumpkinfest and, save for a hiatus from 2020 to 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ran every year.

The committee consisted of EACC, Northside | North Shore Chamber of Commerce, the Northside Leadership Conference, The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy and Allegheny Center Alliance Church. The committee hired Ryan Dawson as a project manager during the 2025 festival in order to learn Burns’ process for organizing the event.

A major reason the 2026 Pumpkinfest was unable to come together, according to Kamper, was that the EACC was unable to rehire Dawson to lead the organization effort.

Kamper said Dawson had taken “a full-time position out in the middle of Pennsylvania,” and was unavailable to take part in the 2026 planning effort.

“He is who we were really hoping to carry the torch this year,” Kamper said. The EACC is hoping to hold the festival again in October 2027. “We wanted to honor her legacy by continuing to do Pumpkinfest,” he said. Northside Pumpkinfest was traditionally held on the second Saturday of October each year at Allegheny Commons Park. The festival included games, shows and rides for kids, with the highlight of the event being an offering of free pumpkins and a pumpkin decoration contest.

Pumpkinfest has traditionally been a “zero profit event,” Kamper said, meaning any money it generates goes back into setting up the festival for the next year. While attendees have been asked to donate to the festival in the past, Pumpkinfest has traditionally been free to attend.

Brighton Heights
Pittsburgh City to Carin Mincemoyer at Mcclure Ave., parcel 0075-H-00030-0000-00, for $3,920.

East Deutschtown
Plum-Bloomfield Associates to Eric and David Leathers at Chestnut St., parcel 0024-J-00284-0000-00, for $52,500.
AMD Construction & Development LLC to Adam Abraham at Lovitt Way, parcel 0024-J-00361-0000-00, for $10,000.
Lawrence Iarrapino to 827 Peralta LLC at 827 Peralta St. for $100,000.

Marshall-Shadeland
John Tokar to Ulric Joseph and Jennie Canning at 3200 Central Ave. for $110,000.
Ridgeland Casa LLC to Jose Candido Garcia Macario at 1124 Ridgeland Drive for $91,000.

Observatory Hill
Mintwood LLC to Myles Cramer at 67 Semicir St. for $166,000.
Bellevue Property L.P. to Nathalia Escobar Villarreal at 243 Watson Blvd. for $170,000.

Spring Hill
Sean Gregory to Jordan Soyka and Veronica Barnes at 2104 Rockledge St. for $285,000.

Summer Hill
Michael Miller to Malika Riley at 3654 Colby St. for $206,000.
Robert Wasileski IV to Alexander Ricci and Eden Wirtz at 4263 Evergreen Road for $150,000.

Troy Hill
High on the Hill Holdings L.P. to 1720 NRM Lowrie LLC at 1718-1720 Lowrie St. for $179,000.

Real Estate Transactions provided by <RealSTATs>.  Contact <RealSTATs> at 412-381-3880 or visit www.RealSTATs.net.
 

Northside Sandwich Week will see 10 local restaurants compete for the title of Sandwich King or Queen. During Oct. 19-25, each of these restaurants will offer their entry into the competition at a special discount. Then, Oct. 26, they will come together at The Priory Grand Hall with bite-sized samples of their sandwich for a final judging event, during which ticket buyers will have the chance to taste each sandwich and vote for their favorite.

The top three vote-getters will receive plaques; the one with the most votes will get the coveted crown and cape, and enter the annals of sandwich royalty.

Two of our top three finalists from last year are returning, aiming to either repeat or improve upon their previous success. Breadbox, which claimed second place last year, has entered their Fig & Smoked Gouda Chicken Panini into the contest. This toasty sandwich features fig jam, shredded chicken, arugula, spicy mustard, mayonnaise sauce and smoked gouda cheese, all on a crisped ciabatta bread. The restaurant will be offering the sandwich for $1 off during Sandwich Week.

Meanwhile, third-place finisher Ida’s Sandwich Shop is coming in hot with their Sweet Heat Smashburger. This twist on a classic meal features a juicy smash burger topped with gouda cheese, fresh jalapenos, red onions and a creamy house-made spread blended with candied jalapenos and bacon. As Ida’s co-owner Erica Sumpter put it, “Sweet heat. Big flavor. Ida’s style.” During Sandwich Week, this burger will be available with a free side of fries.

Also returning to the competition is Wise County Biscuits & Cafe, which fared well last year but not quite high enough to place among the top three. They’re hoping to change that this year with a roast turkey breast sandwich featuring apple, squash, curly endive and cranberry mayo on herb focaccia, a meal sure to be a fierce competitor. Anyone finding this sandwich to sound particularly tasty can snag it for a Sandwich Week discount of $2 off.

However, it is not all returning competitors, as seven new restaurants will step up to the plate this year, all hoping to show off just how delicious their food can be.

Northside staple Bistro-To-Go is coming in hot with their Southern Club, featuring bacon, turkey, tomato, chipotle mayo, candied jalapeno and pickled okra between two Everything Buns. Snag it for $1 off during the week and see if this offering deserves the crown.

Newcomer SoHo is coming in big with the largest discount of the competition. The restaurant will offer their Pittsburgh Lasagna (which combines lasagna and meat sauce with vine-ripened tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and garlic toast) for half-off as part of Sandwich Week.

Deutschtown’s The Smash Shack is bringing a sandwich that just screams Pittsburgh. They’re entering their Smashed Kielbaustrian, featuring kielbasa and potato pancakes along with green apple slaw and Austrian mustard on a pretzel bun. The Shack hasn’t decided on their deal yet, so follow Northside Sandwich Week or The Northside Chronicle on social media to get the details as soon as they become available.

Fans of spicy food should be sure to check out Modern Cafe’s entry, the Northside Chick. The sandwich features spicy garlic herb-grilled chicken, pickled jalapeno coleslaw and spicy pickle kettle chip crunch on a brioche bun, finished off with a new signature Modern Sauce. Save big during Sandwich Week by getting this meal for $2 off.

With “sandwich” in their name, The Sandwich Shoppe is sure to be major competition for the other restaurants. This Allegheny West restaurant is going with an Italian-American classic, bringing their The Godfather hoagie and offering it with a free soft drink for the week.

We have a dual entry this year, as new restaurant The Eastman and Taqueria Acosta are jointly submitting their Beef on Weck. This western New York classic features medium rare roasted beef on a homemade kimmelweck bun, and served with hot au jus and cool horseradish. The sandwich will be 50 cents cheaper for Sandwich Week, so be sure to take advantage of this deal.

Finally, De Fer Coffee & Tea’s Troy Hill location is going for a very different kind of sandwich, one which attendees might eat last but will hopefully rank first. They’re bringing their Chocolate Chip Cookie Sandwich with Espresso Buttercream, a tasty dessert that will come with a free drip coffee for Sandwich Week.

And that brings us to the end of our sandwich reveals. So be sure to visit all these wonderful restaurants during sandwich week, take advantage of their amazing deals and support Northside businesses.

Then, try them all in one place at our final judging event, taking place Oct. 26 from 6-9 p.m. at The Priory Grand Hall. Tickets are on sale right now here. Your $25 ticket not only lets you sample a bite-sized version of each of the above sandwiches, but also gets you two free beers from Penn Brewery, only on offer at the event.

What’s more, for only $19.99 more during your ticket purchase, you can get a six-month subscription to The Northside Chronicle to support us even more. That’s a more than 50% discount off standard subscription prices, so if you’ve ever wanted to give The Chronicle a try, here’s a cheap way to do so.

We want to thank all the participating restaurants and Penn Brewery for supporting us, as well as all of our eventual attendees. We also want to thank the Ya-Jagoff! podcast, who will be the emcees at our final judging event, and who are securing our panel of judges (which will include Northside rockstar Johnny Angel).

For more information about Northside Sandwich Week, visit https://northsidesandwichweek.com/ or follow the event on Facebook or Instagram (@nschron). Purchase tickets now while they’re available, as it will be a tasty night you won’t want to miss.

As surveillance technology becomes increasingly prevalent in our everyday lives, the responsibility rests on public officials to ensure these devices are not being misused to violate people’s privacy, freedom, and safety. I am proud to be among a bipartisan group of state lawmakers introducing legislation to establish statewide safeguards for automated license plate readers in Pennsylvania.

There is no question that these systems can have legitimate use. Flock cameras can capture much more than a license plate. They can record a vehicle’s make, model, color, distinguishing characteristics, location, and the exact time it was seen. That information can create a detailed record of where someone has been and when they were there.

Once that information exists, we must ask: who can access it, why are they accessing it, and what happens if they abuse that access? Those questions are especially important for people who are trying to escape an abusive relationship or an individual who is stalking them.

Throughout my time in the legislature, I have worked to strengthen protections for survivors of domestic violence and sexual violence and to make sure our laws recognize the very real dangers that stalkers and abusive partners can pose. We know that technology can be weaponized by people who want to intimidate, monitor, or control someone else. A former partner should not be able to use surveillance tools intended for public safety to instead figure out where someone lives, where they work, where they go to school, or which places they visit.

That is not a theoretical concern. Across the country, there have been reports of people with authorized access to automated license plate reader systems, including law enforcement officers, have been arrested and are facing criminal charges for allegedly using that information to stalk former partners and violate people’s privacy for reasons completely unrelated to public safety.

Flock cameras are in use all across our Commonwealth, and Pennsylvanians should not have to experience these abuses before we establish clear rules around these devices. As such, my colleagues and I are proposing legislation that would create a statewide accountability framework for Flock and other automated license plate reader systems. It would establish clear rules about who can access this information and require documented reasons for searches. It would create audit trails so there is a record of who accessed data and why, establish standards for how long information can be retained, and improve transparency around how these systems are being used.

Just as importantly, there needs to be accountability when someone abuses this technology. Our legislation would establish meaningful civil penalties for unauthorized access, use, or disclosure of license plate reader data. It would also give state Attorney General and county district attorneys the authority to investigate violations and pursue civil enforcement. These are basic safeguards for a technology that can provide an extraordinary amount of information about ordinary people.

This legislation is not about preventing law enforcement from doing its job. It is about protecting your Fourth Amendment rights, guaranteeing that when government and law enforcement have access to powerful tools, there are equally powerful rules governing how those tools can be used.

Pennsylvanians should be able to drive to work, visit a friend, go to a doctor’s appointment, attend a protest, or simply run errands without worrying that their movements could be maliciously tracked or misused by someone with access to a security database. We can support effective law enforcement while also protecting constitutional rights and personal privacy. We can embrace useful technology while demanding accountability for the people who operate it. That is what responsible policymaking looks like.

It is our duty to establish clear guardrails before misuse of this technology becomes even more widespread. I believe every Pennsylvanian deserves that protection and I will continue working to make sure our laws keep people safe without sacrificing their rights to privacy.

If you want to learn more about this bill, or other issues I am working on, I encourage you to call my office at (412) 321-5523, email Rep-Kinkead@pahouse.net, or visit my office at 658 Lincoln Ave. in Bellevue.

These facilities can require enormous amounts of electricity and water and can have significant impacts on the communities around them. The companies building them should be expected to contribute to the communities where they operate and to account for the infrastructure and resources they use. Families and small businesses should not see their utility bills increase because large technology companies are expanding their operations. At the same time, residents deserve a meaningful voice in decisions that could affect their neighborhoods, quality of life, and local resources.

That is why I support a more responsible approach to data center development. Before taxpayers provide incentives, or communities are asked to accommodate these facilities, companies should have to demonstrate that they are bringing real benefits to where they locate. They should also be held to clear standards for their use of electricity and water and for the impacts that their operations have on neighboring communities.

We also need to make sure that local governments have the tools they need to guide development. A community in western Pennsylvania might have very different circumstances from a community elsewhere in the Commonwealth. Decisions about where these facilities belong, how they should be designed, how much noise they can produce, and what equipment they can operate should not be dictated by a one-size-fits-all approach from Harrisburg.

I support legislation that would give municipalities more time and authority to evaluate major data center proposals, including a moratorium period while appropriate safeguards are developed. I also support creating model local ordinances that communities can use when establishing standards for issues such as noise, siting, equipment and building design. When state incentives are involved, we should ask whether they are still even necessary — or whether they simply subsidize projects that would happen anyway.

These are reasonable expectations, not an effort to stop innovation. Pennsylvania can compete for the jobs and investment associated with the technology economy, while still insisting that growth be done the right way.

Unfortunately, too many of these commonsense protections have stalled in the Senate. I will continue working with my colleagues and advocating directly to Governor Shapiro for action. Where the administration has the authority to protect consumers, strengthen accountability, and ensure responsible development, it should use it.

The choices we make today will shape Pennsylvania’s energy system, communities and economy for decades. We should not make those decisions based solely on how quickly we can approve the next project. We should ask whether these projects benefit the communities that host them, protect our resources, and make sense for Pennsylvania families and businesses. We can embrace innovation and investment while making sure that growth comes with accountability and that Pennsylvania communities are not left paying the price.

I love reading The Northside Chronicle. I love being informed of what’s going on in my neighborhood. I live in the Marshall-Shadeland area. I like those events going on in Legion Park. I’m a member of Christ Our Savior Parish. I go to the St. Cyril’s worship site. I loved it a few years ago when the Davis Ave. bridge was rebuilt.

I walked it up and back one day. I’ve lived in the Marshall-Shadeland area my whole life. 

From, 

Joe Tusa 

Marshall-Shadeland

Manchester
Ricola Michelle Cross to Steel Ventures LLC at 1428 Adams St. for $105,000.

Marshall-Shadeland
Jacqueline Boeh, to Hugo and Ernestina Payares at 2906 Wadlow St. for $135,000.

Observatory Hill
Robert Thomas to Janet Flecker at 3336 Delaware St. for $275,000.

Perry Hilltop
Kapaco Invest Group LLC to Alec Dean Logan and Elena Dawn Stipetich at 110 Milroy St. for $140,000.

Real Estate Transactions provided by <RealSTATs>.  Contact <RealSTATs> at 412-381-3880 or visit www.RealSTATs.net.

Alex Ventura to Luke Myers and Rachel Dimarco at 1312 Boyle St. for $459,000.

Lawrence Dicicco to Stephen Denosky at 114 E. North Ave. for $525,000.

Zachary Alan Bernazzoli to David and Valerie Gliem at 1516 Buena Vista St. for $680,000. Michael Johnson to Timothy and Rachel Daniels at 520 Alpine Ave. for $343,500.

Brighton Heights

John Fiedler to Michael Grguras at 3951 Oakdale St. for $35,000.

Beth Lazaara to Douglas D L and Jessica Baker at California Ave., parcel 0075-B-00358-0000-00, for $30,000.

Diane Marie Galardi to Invest Pro 888 LLC at 1437 Orchlee St. for $160,000.

HSBC Bank USA NA Tr to Manchester Living Matters LLC at 1156 Pemberton St. for $91,000.

Grace Cammarata to Fareri Homestead LLC et al. at 3921 Riddile St. for $189,000.

Sharon Marie Miller to NM&D LLC at 1014 Stanford Road for $180,000.

Estate of James Kaiser to Thomas and Lisa West at 408 Chandler Pl for $295,000.

Haven Home Builders LLC to Emilio Townsend and Megan Schillinger at 1536 Cooper Ave. for $188,000. Estate of Ann Caroline Restaine to Edward Disy at 1144 Goe Ave. for $210,000.

Garrett Brewer to Cartus Financial Corp. at 3448 Harbison Ave. for $180,000.

Cartus Financial Corp. to Kristen Locante at 3448 Harbison Ave. for $180,000.

George Pringle to Manchester Living Matters LLC at 1131 Pemberton St. for $98,000.

California-Kirkbride

Wayne Joyce to KGRANDBEAN LLC at 1417 Brighton Road for $175,000.

East Deutschtown

Creative Solutions Investments LLC to Jeffrey Bednarski II at 909 Rickenbach St. for $595,000.

Fineview

Estate of Robert Matthews Dixon to Devlinc Inc. at 2100 Federal Street Ext. for $155,000.

Historic Deutschtown

Daniel Bobovnyik to William Francis Sarro Jr. and Clara De Andrade Graciano Humberg at 1202 James St. for $425,000.

Ann Vilcheck to Euan and Angharad Morgan at 1000 Middle St. for $467,500.

Manchester

Marc Hillard Fogel to Dominic James Dicostanzo at 1003 Allegheny Ave. for $460,000.

1448 Beldale LLC to Secured Investment High Yield FD II LLC at 1448 Beldale St. for $5,430 by sheriff’s deed.

Rebecca Kritschil Chappell to Daniel Wilkerson at 1210 Sheffield St. for $335,000.

Marshall-Shadeland

Amber Kotari Imam to MS Capital Group Pittsburgh LLC at 10 Courtright St. for $1 (state deed transfer stamps indicate a value of $29,000).

Real Deals LLC to Central Florida Income Fund LLC at 3124 Frederick St. for $60,000 (state deed transfer stamps indicate a value of $180,000) by sheriff’s deed.

Estate of Frances Hein to Andrew McCue at 2917 Frederick St. for $20,405.

Bellflower Real Estate LLC to John and Brenda Hoover at 2923 Frederick St. for $215,000.

Carol Lee Croker to Joseph Hnat at 129 Mitchell St. for $49,900.

Joshua Haefele to TB Capital Group LLC at 912 Rothpletz St. for $45,000.

Observatory Hill

Oleksandr Zharkov to Cal Uren at 56 Bascom Ave. for $182,000.

Estate of Richard Werner to Chanessa Schuler at 403 Wabana St. for $215,000.

Perry Hilltop

Estate of Harry McKinley to Sean Link at 1977 Federal Street Ext. for $155,000.

Rosalie Wisniewski to Chad Minton at 409 Bark St. for $60,000 (state deed transfer stamps indicate a value of $180,000) by sheriff’s deed.

Grey Steel City LLC to Hoan Nhut Do Tan at 2917 N Charles St. for $65,000.

Spring Garden

Cynthia Boles to Jason Weaver at 1843 Spring Garden Ave. for $85,000.

Estate of Ronald Samuel to Barlow Investments LLC at 1237 High St. for $55,000.

Kathryn Anne Benson to Nicholas McGraw at 2300 Spring Garden Ave. for $11,000.

Spring Hill

Katherine Crystal Smith Sinagra to Deborah McNier at 54 Woessner Ave. for $1 (state deed transfer stamps indicate a value of $35,200).

Summer Hill

Joanne Schmidt to Hsuan Yu and Yi Ching Lin at 4642 Mt. Troy Road Ext. for $295,000.

Troy Hill

Victoria Stephen to Michael Weleski and Donato Demarco at 1833-1835 Ley St. for $420,000.

Louis Testoni to Cesare and Ann Marie Donatelli Frepoli at 79 Waterfront Drive for $1,100,000. James Campbell to Laura Byrd at 59 Waterfront Drive for $715,000.

Susan Cosentino to Roxanne Mahfood at 8 Waterside Pl for $615,000.

Doug Kamper, vice president of the East Allegheny Community Council (EACC), told The Chronicle that the council was facing issues getting Pumpkinfest organized without founder Barbara Burns, and made the decision to hold off on the event for a year.

“It sucks, we wish we could have done it this year,” Kamper said. “But we didn’t want to do it wrong or poorly.”

The 2026 Pumpkinfest, before its cancellation, would have been the first one since the passing of Burns, who co-founded the event in 1991. Burns died on Nov. 5, 2025 following a battle with illness at the age of 76, only a few days after the 31st Northside Pumpkinfest.

Check out the October 2026 issue of The Northside Chronicle for the full story.

Throughout college, Dominick built a reputation as both a leader and a community builder. As the Founder and President of the Ithaca D.I.Y. Festival, he organized and promoted concerts and large-scale events, coordinated volunteers, managed budgets, developed marketing campaigns, and built partnerships with performers, venues, and organizations. His work culminated in a three-day music festival featuring more than 100 performers and attracting approximately 500 attendees, while generating nearly $20,000 to support the event.

In addition to his event planning experience, Dominick served as a manager for Ithaca College’s Phonathon program, helping lead fundraising campaigns that generated more than $200,000 for the college’s Annual Fund while supervising and training a team of more than 30 student callers. His experience also includes customer service management, public speaking, volunteer leadership, and internships with nationally recognized organizations in the entertainment industry.

At the Chamber, Dominick will oversee communications, marketing, and event coordination while supporting initiatives that promote economic development and strengthen the Northside business community. His enthusiasm for creating meaningful experiences and telling the stories of local businesses makes him a tremendous addition to our team.

We recently sat down with Dominick to learn more about his background, what inspired him to join the Chamber, and what he’s most excited to accomplish in his new role.

Can you tell us a bit about your career path and how your experiences have shaped your professional journey?

I graduated from Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School with a concentration in Filmmaking Design and Photography before attending Ithaca College, where I majored in History. Outside of the classroom, I spent much of my free time attending local concerts and community events. Those experiences sparked my interest in event management and inspired me to think about how events could grow in scale and impact.

Eventually, I organized the Ithaca D.I.Y. Festival, which featured more than 100 local bands performing across four downtown venues over three days. During college, I also worked in Ithaca College’s Phonathon office, where I built relationships with alumni and encouraged them to support the college’s annual fund. That role strengthened my communication, fundraising, and relationship-building skills.

What drew you to the Northside | North Shore Chamber of Commerce and to this specific role as Event & Communications Coordinator?

To me, this position combines everything I loved working on in college—design and visual communications, event planning, writing, research, and helping businesses grow. It felt like the perfect opportunity to bring all of those interests together in one role while making a positive impact on the community.

With your background in event planning and fundraising, what aspects of this position felt like the right next step for you?

My previous experience in event planning and fundraising is both extremely applicable and very different from what I’ll be doing at the Chamber. I learned the fundamentals of organizing events and building relationships, but I worked with very different audiences. I’m excited to apply what I’ve learned to networking events and business-to-business engagement while continuing to learn and grow professionally.

The Chamber’s mission is to Promote, Connect, and Support our business community. Which of those pillars resonates most with you, and how do you hope to advance it in your role?

While all three are incredibly important, I think promotion is often the most overlooked. I’ve learned that one of the biggest factors in the success of an event or business is simply making sure people know what you’re doing — and, just as importantly, how well you’re doing it. I’m excited to help tell the stories of our members and increase awareness of everything happening throughout the Northside.

What are you most looking forward to accomplishing during your first few months with the Chamber?

I’m really looking forward to running events — especially being there to help them operate smoothly from beginning to end. Seeing an event come together successfully is one of the most rewarding parts of the job, and I’m excited to be part of that process.

Are there particular initiatives—like NorthSide- Works! or the Northside Cultural Collaborative— that you’re especially excited to work on?

I don’t know if I’m sharing any insider secrets here, but the upcoming NorthSideWorks! Career Exploration Events seem incredibly exciting. They have the potential to make a real impact by giving people a firsthand look at industries that can often be difficult to enter. I hope to help make these events well attended because they provide such valuable opportunities for our community.

What role do you see your event planning and communications skills playing in promoting the Northside as a great place to live, work, and visit?

Since joining the Chamber, I’ve already discovered the incredible variety of businesses throughout the Northside that many people may not know about. By helping these businesses connect with one another and by sharing their stories more effectively, I believe we can strengthen the business community and make the Northside an even more connected and vibrant place to live, work, and visit.

What are you hoping to learn or grow into professionally through this new opportunity?

I’m hoping to become known as someone who is dependable, reliable, and responsive — someone that Chamber staff, members, and community partners can count on to deliver high-quality events and communications.

Finally, what’s one fun fact or personal tidbit you’d like our members to know about you?

This past summer, I volunteered at eight D.I.Y. music festivals, including the Northside Music Festival. Event management is more than just my job — it’s one of my biggest passions. If any Chamber members ever need an extra volunteer to help with an event, I’d be happy to lend a hand!

Please join us in welcoming Dominick Petrucci to the Northside | North Shore Chamber of Commerce. We’re excited to have him on board and look forward to the creativity, enthusiasm, and fresh perspective he’ll bring as we continue working together to support and strengthen our business community.

Marshall-Shadeland
Maria Menzel to IRB Detroit LLC at 1120 Marshall Ave. for $125,000.

Observatory Hill
Brian Clonan to Grand Key LLC at 4137 Franklin Road for $49,900.
OGR Realty 3 L.P. to Raffaele Dilullo at 2401 Maple Ave. for $155,000.

Troy Hill
Estate of Selma Uhlig to Colton Edward McCloskey and Hanna Churella Dausch at 1841 Ley St. for $280,000.

Real Estate Transactions provided by <RealSTATs>.  Contact <RealSTATs> at 412-381-3880 or visit www.RealSTATs.net.

A large deficit, state budget cuts and decreasing enrollment at Pittsburgh Public Schools has led to a proposal that could close two Northside public schools in 2012.

The Pittsburgh Public School District hopes to transform itself from a system of small schools with varied educational quality to a system with fewer but better schools that operate more cost efficiently. To do this, the school board proposed a plan that would close eight schools, including the Northside’s Oliver High School and Northview PreK-8 The plan proposes that Oliver’s 344 students move to Perry High School.

Special education offices and the McNaugher Education Center would move into the Oliver building. Northview PreK-8 students would be divided and reassigned to Morrow PreK-8 and King PreK-8.

No plans have been announced for Northview’s building.

The plan also proposed that Brighton Heights’ Morrow Elementary split into a PreK-4 in the Morrow building with grades 5 through 8 in the Rooney building, which is currently not being used as a school.

The earliest possible board vote on this proposal would be November 22, 2011. If approved, the plan would take effect for the 2012-2013 school year The proposal is designed to decrease the estimated $41.2 million deficit that the district currently faces and to decrease the number of empty seats in Pittsburgh Public Schools from 10,191 to 5,902.

“I think the thing that we want to emphasize is that, as many people know by now, we have a serious financial situation on our hands,” said Pittsburgh Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Linda Lane. “We’re taking a number of steps to address the under-utilization of our schools and classrooms, and if this proposal passes, it will be the first portion of our plan to get our schools to be fiscally stable.”

If the proposal passes, Perry High School will go from being a full magnet, where all students have applied and take more challenging classes, to a partial magnet, where the school will house magnet-program students as well as regular feeder-pattern students.

The district hopes that combining Oliver and Perry would give an advantage to kids at Oliver who Lane said are “capable and willing” to take more advanced classes that are not offered at Oliver because of its small enrollment.

However, the district addressed that there would be challenges to merging Oliver and Perry.

“You don’t lightly go about combining two high schools,” said Lane, who also said that if the proposal passed, measures would be taken to help smooth the transition and to work with the students to help them get to know and accept each other.

Though Oliver High School currently has the smallest high school class sizes in the district, averaging 10 to 23 students per class, only 24.2 percent of students were at proficient or advanced levels on the PSSA reading tests and only 17.4 percent scored proficient or advanced in math last year.

At a special public hearing regarding the proposal on August 22, Oliver High School parent, Deshauna Ponton stood in opposition to the closing of Oliver High School.

She pointed out the school’s positive attributes, such as an award-winning ROTC program, a cosmetology program, family movie nights and evening computer classes for adults that she saw while her son attended Oliver. She also recalled his positive experience there.

“It was not an abnormality to receive a phone call at nine or 10 o’clock at night about my son to say he was doing poorly or doing well,” Ponton said. “My potentially failing student is now a college student who started his first day today.”

Pittsburgh Public Schools currently has over 10,000 empty seats in the district caused by population decreases and parents choosing alternatives to public schools. In the past 50 years, enrollment in the Pittsburgh Public School District has fallen from around 75,000 students to under 30,000.

At a special public hearing regarding the proposal on August 22, City Council President Darlene Harris addressed the possible consequences that school closings could have on the city.

Harris noted that as city council president, she knows the fabric of the city and understands that it is “stretched as far as it can go.”

Though she acknowledged the challenges of budget cuts and population decline, she warned the school board of the cutbacks, if not handled responsibly, may only further these problems because the schools are “a driving force in the city.”

“The more we cut, the more we close, the more population will go down,” she said. “The board holds the city’s future in its hands. We just have to decide correctly.”

The Northside Leadership conference advocated keeping Manchester PreK-8 open and for Morrow to be split into two buildings, both of which were included in the proposal.

Both the NSLC and the Northside Community Development Fund withheld comments regarding Northview until they had the feeder patterns for the neighborhood.

NSCDF Executive Director Mark Masterson requested that the school board “really take a look at the buildings that are closed,” in the Northside.

“Please don’t do what you did last time, as it was detrimental to the community,” he said.

He mentioned that the previous closings, like Observatory Hill’s Chatham Elementary in 2006, were “flawed” because the buildings were left unused.

President of Northview Heights Citizens Council Inc., Valerie Lauw, spoke at the hearing to address the closing of Northview PreK-8.

Lauw noted that she was in “total support of the public school system,” but questioned if closing Northview was the right choice for the neighborhood, which has grown by 200 residents in the past year.

“We all want to be close to our children, especially when they’re being educated,” she told the board, noting that filtering Northview students into King PreK8 and Morrow PreK-8 would limit parent involvement and create the additional expense of bussing the students out of the neighborhood for the district.

There will be a series of public meetings throughout the next three months for community members to address their concerns about the proposal.

“The committee hopes that Northsiders are going to speak up and say what they want and what they don’t want,” said NSLC Executive Director Mark Fatla.

Priory Hospitality Group CEO and president John Graf was joined by beverage-industry veteran Eric Heinauer and a third unnamed partner in taking on the battered brewery. The new ownership was announced in a press conference on Sept. 14.

“We’re all super excited because we came into acquiring Penn Brewery as fans,” Graf told reporters.

The Priory Hospitality Group is the company behind The Priory Hotel and Pittsburgh’s Grand Hall at the Priory, two major landmarks of the Deutschtown neighborhood. Graf told The Chronicle that the brewery fit right in with his existing business’s hospitality focus.

He also noted that the hotel and the brewery both opened in 1986, and that his dad — The Priory Hotel founder Ed Graf — would play St. Nicholas during Christmas-time festivities at the brewery.

Heinauer, meanwhile, has a long history in the beverage industry, including serving for more than 11 years at Penn Brewery under various roles, including director of sales. Other businesses he’s worked at include Pittsburgh Brewing Company, InBev, Straub Brewing and Wigle Whiskey.

Check out the October 2026 issue of The Northside Chronicle for the full story.

CeaseFirePA is holding a Community Safety Forum on Gun Violence Prevention through Secure Firearm Storage Conversations and Practice on Sept. 22 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh in Lawrenceville (279 Fisk St., Pittsburgh, PA 15201). You can RSVP by visiting their website at carnegielibrary.org/clp_location/lawrenceville/ 

With back-to-school season in full swing, I bring good news from Harrisburg. Statewide, this year’s budget delivered $678 million in additional K-12 funding, including allocations for both basic and special education programs, school infrastructure improvements, mental health resources, and investments in closing the funding gaps in lower-wealth school districts.

As always, if you need any assistance with other state resources, do not hesitate to reach out to our office at (412) 781-2750 or email RepPowell@pahouse. net. My team also has office hours from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the second floor of the Shaler Municipal Building every Thursday.

Be well, Lindsay Powell

Brighton Heights
Sean Daugherty to DP Holdings One LLC at 1157-1159 Davis Ave. for $285,000.

East Deutschtown
West Aircomm FCU to Tripoli Blossom LLC at 847 Blossom Way for $719,550.

Spring Hill
Estate of Harry Edward Saputski to Brittany Hale at 1002 Goehring St. for $70,000.

Real Estate Transactions provided by <RealSTATs>.  Contact <RealSTATs> at 412-381-3880 or visit www.RealSTATs.net.

Emmanuel Episcopal Church, located at 957 West North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15233, has announced the schedule for the 35th season of its free jazz concerts.

The jazz concerts are free and open to the public, and start at 5 p.m.

The schedule, as well as the theme for each day, is as follows:

Sept. 13: Rhythm

Oct. 11: Playing the Changes

Nov. 8: Interlude

Dec. 13: Transposition

Jan. 10: Harmony/Dissonance

Feb. 14: Chord Progression

March 14: Syncopation

April 11: Perfect Pitch

May 9: Improvisation 

For more information, visit emmanuelpgh.org/jazz-emmanuel-season-35/ or call (412) 231-0454.

Free health event to be held Sept. 12

Several organizations will come together to hold a Family Health Program at New Zion Baptist Church & Pilgrim Baptist Church, located at 1440 Juniata St., on Sept. 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The event will involve wellness education programs, on-site health screenings and food distribution.

Organizations involved in putting on the event include Highmark Whole Care, UPMC for Life, Sisters Saving Ourselves Now Inc., The BUHL Foundation, ONE Northside, Northside Institutional COGIC, Kappa Chapter Inc. of Chi Eta Phi Sorority Incorporated, Pittsburgh Black Nurses in Action and Dollar Bank.

The event is free and open to the public. No advanced registration is required.

For more information, contact Jerry Ann Allen at jaa3418@hotmail.com or Rev. Dr. Judith Campbell Moore at drjudithcmoore@gmail.com.

Shore Thing wins international development award

Shore Thing, the floating venue anchored on the North Shore, was one of the nine winners of the 2026 Urban Land Institute Americas Awards for Excellence, recognizing notable development projects in North, South and Central America.

Built on 10 small barges, the space was one of nine winners of the award, as announced in a press release from Riverlife, the creators of Shore Thing.

Riverlife is an organization that promotes Pittsburgh’s riverfronts. Shore Thing was opened last year and, according to Riverlife, welcomed more than 50,000 people in its initial season.

A lot of people are putting their plans on hold because they believe much lower mortgage rates are right around the corner. But, based on today’s forecasts, that may not happen. And you should know that before you decide what to do.

Let’s look at why experts don’t expect a dramatic drop in rates – and the options that could help you buy anyway. Because even if rates don’t fall, you can still move. Here’s how.

1. Mortgage Rates Aren’t Expected To Fall in a Meaningful Way 

If you’re waiting for rates to fall, you’re not alone. A recent survey from Clever-Best Interest found 42% of people believe mortgage rates will drop below 5% this year.

The challenge is, that’s not what the experts who study mortgage rates every day are expecting.

Forecasts from Fannie Mae, the Mortgage Bankers Association, and Wells Fargo all show mortgage rates staying relatively steady in the low-to-mid 6% range through at least mid-2027 (see graph below): Why? Rates are influenced by inflation, the overall economy, Treasury yields, Federal Reserve policy, global events, and a lot of other moving pieces. And right now, those factors simply aren’t pointing toward the kind of dramatic rate drop many buyers are waiting for.

Could rates move a little? Of course. But if you’re holding out for a bigger drop, today’s forecasts suggest you may be waiting a lot longer than you expect.

2. Inflation Is Still Elevated – And That’s Working Against Lower Rates 

One reason experts aren’t expecting rates to fall much? Inflation. Generally speaking, high inflation is the enemy of lower mortgage rates.

And after a period of relative stability from mid 2023 to late 2025, recent data shows inflation has actually been trending higher lately (see graph below): In other words, one of the biggest ingredients needed for much lower mortgage rates simply isn’t in place today. That helps explain why experts aren’t forecasting the kind of meaningful decline so many buyers are hoping for.

3. Today’s Rates Aren’t High, They’re “Normal”

And this may be the biggest mindset shift of all. The reality is, while today’s rates may feel high compared to a few years ago, they’re not high. They’re normal.

Historically, mortgage rates have spent the majority of their time somewhere between about 5% and 10%. And data from Freddie Mac shows we’re actually well in that range today. It just feels high because we all remember the ultra-low rates homeowners got during the pandemic (see graph below): Now, this doesn’t suddenly make a 6% mortgage feel exciting. But it does remind us that waiting for super low rates again may not be a realistic strategy.

So... What Should You Do Instead?

None of this is meant to convince you that you have to buy today. You don’t. But if you need to because something in your life’s changed, there are still ways to find better affordability without waiting for mortgage rates to fall.

Check out newly built homes. Many builders are offering incentives to attract buyers, including price cuts, potentially lower rates, free upgrades, and more.

Ask about an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM). If you don’t plan to stay in the home long-term, an ARM may offer a lower initial interest rate than a traditional 30-year fixed mortgage. It’s not the right choice for everyone, but it’s worth asking a lender if it fits your plans.

Look into mortgage rate buydowns. This is when you pay upfront to reduce your mortgage rate so you can get for a lower monthly payment without waiting for rates to fall.

Find out about assumable mortgages. An assumable mortgage allows you to take over the seller’s existing loan, including its lower mortgage rate.

The important thing is you shouldn’t assume waiting is your only option.

Talk with your real estate agent and lender about whether one of these strategies could be a good fit for you.

Bottom Line

If you’ve been putting your home search on hold because you’re convinced mortgage rates will be much lower soon, it may be worth taking another look at that strategy.

Let’s connect so you have an expert who can at least walk you through your options and decide whether waiting really puts you in a better position – or just keeps you on the sidelines a little longer. n

The annual festival of all things reggae music celebrated its sixth year with a day that, while overcast, otherwise served perfect weather for the outdoor event. Lead organizer Kevin Maskol said he was glad the cloud cover kept things from getting too hot, and a slight breeze both kept things cool and helped to carry reggae tunes throughout the venue.

Now going on for more than half a decade, Reggae at Riverview began as a relatively small event by Maskol and as a way to offer reprieve from the then-ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, it has continually grown, managing to attract new attendees each year.

Felicity Wolfe, a Perrysville Avenue resident, attended Reggae at Riverview for the first time. Wolfe said she is a big fan of reggae music, but perhaps found the scenery the best part of all.

“I didn’t even know about this part of the park down here,” she said.

Reggae at Riverview is held around the Valley Refuge Center, located in the southeastern part of the park known as the Kilbuck Valley. This was a big year for the section of the park, as the Valley Refuge Center — which has served a key part in Reggae at Riverview — received a Construction Award for Rehabilitation at the 2026 Pennsylvania Historic Preservation Awards for renovation work which was completed last year under the direction of the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy.

The Conservancy has supported Reggae at Riverview since 2023, and was more than happy to show off the completed renovations during the event.

“It is really special to be here after the project is complete,” said Erin Tobin, the Conservancy’s outreach coordinator. But, of course, the true centerpiece of Reggae at Riverview is the music. One of the acts performing this year was Lopaka Rootz, a reggae musician from Hawaii who first got in contact with Maskol after performing at Grandview Park in Pittsburgh two years ago.

Rootz, whose real last name is York, praised the festival, saying he enjoyed the natural venue and the “chill ambience” the park brought.

Rootz explained that he got into reggae music after attending a party where Ziggy Marley, son of the famous reggae musician Bob Marley, was playing. He described himself as “enamored” with the music genre.

“It’s a feeling,” he said. “You’ve got to feel it to play it.”

He described his particular flavor of reggae as a mix of California and Hawaii reggae.

On top of the music, this year’s festival featured spray painting lessons by a Rastafarian artist, Jamaican food vendors, handcrafted hula hoops and various other activities and vendors.

Reggae at Riverview is traditionally held during the first Saturday of August. For more information and updates on next year’s event, search for it on Facebook or follow the festival on Instagram, at @reggae_at_riverview.

Fineview
Nicholas Gee to Equity Homes LLC at 246 Lafayette Ave. for $105,000.

Historic Deutschtown
Yarnovich Capital LLC to Patricio Ernesto Brito and Christina Eugenia Gonzalez Zorrilla at 910 James St. for $329,900.

Manchester
Robert Harris to Brandon and Ryan Groom at 1513 Manhattan St. for $105,000.

Observatory Hill
Flerahus LLC to Jakub Skrzypczak and Margaret Mary McGaughey at 4016 Vinceton St. for $101,000.

Spring Garden
Patrick Adam Kissel Jr. to NSP Assoc. LLC at 2010 Spring Garden Ave. for $10,000.

Spring Hill
Brittne Lawson to Equity Homes LLC at 2328 Gershon St. for $20,000.

Real Estate Transactions provided by <RealSTATs>.  Contact <RealSTATs> at 412-381-3880 or visit www.RealSTATs.net.

While there is, of course, the nationally-known Pittsburgh Steelers, the neighborhood also has the Northside Steelers.

The difference between the two teams? About a 20-year age gap between the average player.

The Northside Steelers youth football team kicked off their season on Aug. 9 and will be playing through October. Part of the Northside Youth Athletic Association (NYAA), the team consists of local kids from ages 5 to 13 competing in the AFC Division of the Western Pennsylvania Youth Athletic Association.

“We have an unbelievable number of 107 football players and 63 cheerleaders (this year),” Audie Chapman, NYAA executive director and Northside Steelers head coach, told The Chronicle.

The team practices at Fowler Field, while home games are played at the former Oliver High School. Chapman said the team focuses on teaching every kid “from scratch” on how to play, building up their skills as they continue with the team.

“There’s a lot of kids here that have never played football before,” he said.

Beyond football capabilities, the practices also help build up the kids’ social skills and team work. In a time where many kids are staying indoors on the computer, the practices and games draw the teammates together for some outdoor fun and physical activity.

“Where else around [here] are you getting 107 kids together at any given time?” Chapman asked rhetorically.

In addition to the football players, the team also has its cheerleaders, whom Chapman called a “foundation” of the program.

“They’re the ones that are bringing the grandmas, the sisters, the moms and dads (to the game),” he said.

“The cheerleaders bring the crowd,” he said later. While sign-ups are closed for the team this year, registration for next year will open up in May and will end in July. For more information, visit nsyaasports.org.

“Around the Northside, there’s nothing like it,” Chapman said of the program. “When they age out of our program, they come back, still wanting to be involved.”

As for those who want to watch a Northside Steelers game, their schedule can be found below: l Sept. 5, against Homewood, home game 

• Sept. 12, against Hill, home game (HBCU Day)
• Sept. 20, against Penn Hills, away game
• Sept. 27, against Sto Rox, home game
• Oct. 3, against Lincoln, away game
• Oct. 10, against West Side, home game (Homecoming) 

Tickets to attend a game are $5.

I’m happy to share that at the end of July, Council passed legislation I introduced to strengthen Pittsburgh’s parking regulations. Bill 2026-0771, removes an outdated exception in the City Code that allowed vehicles to stop or park in prohibited locations for the purpose of “protecting a vehicle.” This update provides greater clarity in the parking code and supports more consistent enforcement, helping keep sidewalks, bike lanes, crosswalks, and other restricted areas clear, safe, and accessible. While this is an important step forward, I recognize that more work remains to ensure our streets remain safe and accessible for everyone who uses them. My office will continue working with city departments to identify additional improvements that enhance safety throughout our neighborhoods.

Short-Term Rental Regulation Bill 20260009 was briefed at the Planning Commission last month, with a hearing scheduled for Sept. 8 at 2 p.m. After the Planning Commission issues its recommendations to Council, a separate public hearing will be scheduled. As a refresher, the bill would prohibit new short-term rentals in residential zoning districts while establishing where short term rentals are permitted throughout the city. The companion licensing legislation, Bill 2026-0008, will remain on hold until the zoning bill completes this process and returns to Council. I encourage anyone interested in this issue to stay engaged and participate in the public process. For the latest information on the Planning Commission’s decision, meeting materials, and opportunities for public comment, visit: pittsburghpa.gov/Business-Development/City-Planning/Public-Notices.

The 10th Annual Garbage Olympics will take place on Sept. 19 from 9-11 a.m. with a closing ceremony at Spirit (242 51st St.) from noon to 2 p.m. featuring free food from their kitchen sponsored by the Clean Pittsburgh Commission. To learn more, register a team, or join an existing team, visit www.pghgo.org/.

Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) is holding a public comment period for its proposed Bus Line Refresh project until Sept. 30. A public hearing is scheduled for Sept. 10 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Heinz 57 Building, 345 Sixth Ave. This is a great opportunity to share your feedback directly with the organization as they move forward with a final proposed network. For details about the project and how to provide public comment, visit engage.rideprt.org/buslineredesign.

This month, the Department of City Planning will host five final public workshops for residents to review the draft Comprehensive Plan and share critical feedback before revisions are applied and the plan moves into the approval and adoption process. To find out more and register for a workshop, visit pgh2050.com/#welcome-join-us-and-share-your-voice-at-upcoming-events.

I’m thrilled to share that the City of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy received a 2026 Pennsylvania Historic Preservation Award from Preservation Pennsylvania for the rehabilitation of the Valley Refuge Shelter in Riverview Park. The project received a Construction Award for Rehabilitation, recognizing exemplary work to preserve Pennsylvania’s historic places while adapting them to serve communities for generations to come. The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy has been a tremendous partner for residents of the Northside, investing in projects at both Allegheny Commons and Riverview Park, and I look forward to continuing this relationship.

If you have any questions or concerns, call us at (412) 255-2135, email us at district1@pittsburghpa.gov, find us on Facebook, and sign up for our newsletter (pittsburghpa.gov/City-Government/City-Council/Districts/Bobby-Wilson-District-1). My staff and I look forward to hearing from you!

The renovation project will receive a Pennsylvania Historic Preservation Award from Preservation Pennsylvania, an organization that assists with various historic preservation projects across the state, at an award ceremony on Sept. 16 in York, Pennsylvania. Specifically, the City and Conservancy will receive a Construction Award for Rehabilitation, “recognizing exemplary work to preserve Pennsylvania’s historic places while adapting them to serve communities for generations to come,” according to a press release from the City.

“As I understand it, the state preservation awards are not handed out easily,” said Brandon Riley, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy’s Community Projects and Engagement Director.

“We’re really proud and excited that the Valley Refuge Shelter was selected,” he said later.

First built in the late 1930s, the shelter was in need of some major renovations after decades of use. The structure’s roof and flagstone flooring had deteriorated, and its restrooms were not Americans with Disabilities Act compliant.

The renovations were launched and completed last year, with the shelter having its first major event only a few weeks after reopening with the 2025 Reggae at Riverview music festival on Aug. 2, 2025.

Erin Tobin, the Conservancy’s Outreach Coordinator, said the renovations were a careful act of both preserving the historic look of the shelter, and updating it for modern use and convenience.

“It’s a cool thing to be able to balance all of those different needs and to honor the history of such a cool place in Riverview Park,” she said.

While the City and the Conservancy are receiving the award, Riley said many different organizations were involved in getting the work done. Besides those two, Friends of Riverview Park, the Pittsburgh Department of Public Works, state funding agencies and private foundations all played a part in both paying for and ensuring the project was completed.

“If everyone chips in something, you can get a lot more done,” he said. The rehabilitation used funding from the City of Pittsburgh’s Parks Tax Fund, as well as a Keystone Historic Preservation Grant from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and private support.

Despite the major accomplishment, the Conservancy is not resting on its laurels. Tobin said the organization will soon begin work on a renovation of Watson’s Cabin in Riverview Park. The cabin is the former home of Samuel Watson, the farmer who sold the land to create the park, and was used as a shelter until it was largely destroyed in a fire.

For more information about that upcoming project, visit engage.pittsburghpa.gov/watsons-cabin.

The City and Conservancy are one of 21 recipients who will be recognized at the awards ceremony.

Brighton Heights
William Kavals to Nicholas Koroly at 3509 Fleming Ave. for $115,000.
Clinton Branchen to Beck Jacobson at 1259 San Pedro St. for $267,500.

East Deutschtown
Penn Pioneer Enterprises LLC to Staywalt Properties LLC at Vista St., parcel 0024-E-00201-0000-00, for $10,000.

Manchester
Melvin Adams to David and Lauren Abt at Stedman St., parcel 0022-P-00240-000A-00, for $12,500.

Marshall-Shadeland
Steve Bernardi to Meghan Gwinn-Linder at 12 Boston St. for $148,500.
Thomas Hartman Jr. to P8 Hold Co. 1 LLC at 3158 Shadeland Ave. for $34,000.

Observatory Hill
Donald Stone to PB4 Enterprises LLC at 259 Watson Blvd. for $52,500.

Real Estate Transactions provided by <RealSTATs>.  Contact <RealSTATs> at 412-381-3880 or visit www.RealSTATs.net.

Pittsburgh’s Department of Mobility & Infrastructure (DOMI) held a public design workshop on Aug. 5 at the Manchester Citizens Corporation to allow attendees to review three plans to transform State Route 65 and reconnect Manchester and Chateau. Despite a heavy rain storm occurring that day, the event drew a packed crowd of people to give their feedback.

Beginning construction in 1960, a 1-mile portion of State Route 65 bisected Manchester and Chateau, leaving residents with few non-vehicular options to cross over from one neighborhood to the other, despite them being adjacent to one another.

Kris Chandler, a principal planner with DOMI and project lead, said such occurrences were common during the construction of the national highway system, saying many of these major roadways were built through Black and low-income communities, effectively cutting neighborhoods up.

The United States Department of Transportation is funding a feasibility study to lessen the barrier represented by the highway through its Reconnecting Communities Pilot Grant Program. While DOMI’s project will not definitively result in construction, Chandler said the plan is to take the feedback given by the public to inform future decisions to address the highway.

Attendees at the workshop were given score cards in order to grade the three plans presented by DOMI under a variety of criteria. In addition, DOMI is collecting feedback via the project’s Engage page, at engage.pittsburghpa.gov/state-route-65-feasibility-study.

The three plans presented by DOMI went under the names Cross Connections, Boulevard and Street Grid.

Cross Connections would keep the elevated structure of State Route 65, but would create four additional multimodal crossings beneath it, making it easier for cars, bikes and pedestrians to get from Manchester to Chateau and vice-versa. The plan would replace the foundation of the elevated highway with large pillars instead of solid concrete in order to enable these crossings, as well as allowing for the building of green spaces.

Boulevard, meanwhile, would lower State Route 65 to ground level and restrict traffic to two center-running lanes with limited access to local streets. The adjacent Beaver Avenue would also be moved farther east, creating new open land plots for development and around 200,000 square feet of green space. The plan would create six street connections from Manchester to Chateau, using traffic lights to allow for safe crossing and to slow traffic on the road.

Finally, Street Grid would remove the elevated highway and replace it with two street-level roads. This would recreate the historic street grid-like pattern between Manchester and Chateau. The plan would make five street connections between the neighborhoods, and would create four new city blocks for potential development, as well as creating around 390,000 square feet of green space.

The planning study project is lasting through the end of September.

Public reaction

The Chronicle spoke with various members of the public in attendance at the workshop to see how they felt about the plans presented.

Charis Walker, a resident of Manchester for 12 years, said she found herself leaning towards Boulevard most out of the three plans, though wasn’t strictly opposed to any of them.

“I like something about each of them,” she said.

Walker said Boulevard stuck out due to creating more space for redevelopment by shifting Beaver Avenue over.

Betsy Coleman, who has lived in Manchester for 52 years, said she favored Cross Connections, as she wanted to keep State Route 65 elevated. She thought it the most convenient for people coming and leaving from the area, as well as being the safest for pedestrians and cyclists.

Jess Jackson, a Manchester resident of 16 years, was unable to choose which was her favorite, saying all plans “have their positives.” However, she said her biggest concern was about traffic speeds with whatever plan is put into action.

Jess’s husband Drew Jackson, also in attendance at the meeting, said he most favored Street Grid, seeing it as creating the best connections between the neighborhoods while slowing traffic down the most to safe levels.

However, he said that whichever plan comes out of the study, he most hopes that it is actually taken up by the city, expressing some worry that a plan could be made but never carried out.

“I hope they come to fruition,” he said.