Historic Deutschtown
Abigail Henderson to Michael Ducey at 602 Middle St. for $235,000.

Manchester
Manchester Citizens Corp. to Chateau Holdings LLC at Chateau St., parcel 0007-B-00208-0000-00, for $325,000.

Marshall-Shadeland
Estate of David Morgan to Praxis Ventures PA LLC at 3234 Bainton St. for $145,000.
Jared William Glatz to CHACHMA LLC at 2705 Pitler St. for $49,200.

Troy Hill
Edward Auer to Brian Standfast at 1146 Brabec St. for $37,000.
Marades Real Estate LLC to Purpleconcepts LLC at 2038 Lowrie St. for $220,000.

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

Project Manager Ana Bennett told The Chronicle that the stream restoration aspect of the project has been completed, affecting the main stream which runs along Mairdale Avenue and four tributaries.

“All of those have been officially completed and been restored,” she said.

Pittsburgh Water workers are now constructing weir walls — walls used to control the flow of water and manage flooding — and creating pools and stream beds to help mitigate overflow over the streams in case of heavy rainfall.

The project began in October with the goal of reducing the amount of sediment flowing into Pittsburgh’s sewers, as well as reducing sewer overflows. Bennett said that a lack of vegetation in Riverview Park has caused a “significant amount of soil” to flow into the sewer system during rainfall.

Further, she said the sewage system isn’t able to handle much rainfall before it begins to overflow. According to Bennett, it only takes more than 1/10th of an inch of rainfall to cause an overflow.

With the new safeguards put into place, excess water during rain will flow into a stormwater facility via a pipe that runs under Riverview Drive. This facility will hold back the water and release it into the sewer on a slow basis, helping to prevent overflows.

During the project, Riverview Drive has been closed. Bennett said the road will not reopen until the project totally wraps up in November, assuming everything stays on schedule.

Once complete, Bennett said the project should result in reduced maintenance needs to sewer systems affected by the sediment and excess overflows, and help reduce general flooding around the stream. As Pittsburgh Water will be planting around the restored streams, it will help contribute to a healthier ecosystem for the park’s forest.

Pittsburgh Water has been working with Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, Friends of Riverview Park and the City of Pittsburgh in completing this project. The agency received funding from ALCOSAN and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.

Upon completion of the project, maintenance of the stormwater facility will be turned over to the City of Pittsburgh.

For more information about the project, visit pgh2o.com/projects-maintenance/search-all-projects/woods-run-stormwater-project-phase-two.

James Dunn trustee to Justine Cunningham at 418 Armandale St. for $115,000.

CityLife North LLC to Jonathan and Gretchen Bender at 221 Alpine Ave. for $305,000.

Allegheny West

Estate of Ingrid Margarett Berglund to Christopher Baiker at 922 Beech Ave. for $929,000.

Brighton Heights

Kathleen Gibson to Tayler Bolea at 1835 Wittmer St. for $245,000.

Natalie Sippel to Christopher and Kylie Burnikel at 1224 Goe Ave. for $277,500.

Eric Miller to Corey Bisbal and Emma Thomas at 3640 Massachusetts Ave. for $241,525.

East Deutschtown

816 Spring Garden Enterprises LLC to 3 Rivers Investment Group LLC at 816 Spring Garden Ave. for $79,000.

Creative Solutions Investments LLC to Lightwell Properties LLC at 918 Rickenbach St. for $580,000.

Manchester

Faiza Enterprises LLC to Byrd Empire LLC at 1417 Pennsylvania Ave. for $105,000.

Estate of Donald Allen Norrington to Tyrone Mowe Simpson at Page St., parcel 0007-B-00145-0000-00, for $20,000.

Zachary Cole to Charles Daniel Jones at 1316 Sheffield St. for $260,000.

Estate of Donald Allen Norrington to Tyrone Mowe Simpson at 1439 Sheffield St. for $125,000.

Marshall-Shadeland

John Newman to Bellflower Real Estate LLC at 2923 Frederick St. for $24,000.

Shawn Coleman to Soulectve Solutions LLC at 1347 Oakhill St. for $99,735.

Estate of Michelle Brunick to La’Quaye Sloan-McBride at 915 Smithton Ave. for $12,500.

Observatory Hill

Marc Laspada to Alfonso Monoyek Mbomio at 38 Watson Blvd. for $300,000. Kyle Scott Mathias to Cienna Chefren at 211 Bascom Ave. for $165,000.

Perry Hilltop

614 Homes LLC to Latawnya Jones -Smith at 2247 Wilson Ave. for $189,900. Diana Close trustee to Christopher Adams at 2216 Wilson Ave. for $93,000.

Spring Hill

Break Brick LLC to US Bank Trust Co. NA trustee at 1315 Diana St. for $30,000 by sheriff’s deed.

Troy Hill

Rose Marie Trzil to HTown 5 LLC at 1822-1824 Elbow St. for $20,000.

Mark Knaiger to Alessandro James Devito at 2063 Liedertafel Way for $42,000.

While the YMCA reopened its doors to the public back in March, the ceremony marked the completion and resumed availability of most of the Y’s facilities. Only the pool still remains closed, though Allegheny YMCA Executive Director Michele Charmello said that amenity should be available soon.

The renovations touched upon just about every aspect of the more than 100-year-old building, with improvements ranging from accessibility ramps and new HVAC systems to the installation of elevators and construction of childcare facilities.

It was not just the public-facing aspects of the YMCA that saw upgrades. The building’s residential areas are also receiving ongoing improvements, including private bathrooms (replacing group shower rooms) and central air conditioning, among other renovations.

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

At the event, Lodge in Bloom, attendees dressed in formal wear and enjoyed several rounds of fine wine tasting guided by lodge member and sommelier Cory Hart, while bidding on artwork, donated prizes and experiences.

“They wanted to go high-end,” Allegheny Elks President Shawn Melvin said of the event’s organization committee. “Let’s show people what this place can look like.”

Though the Elks are no strangers to raising money — usually for various good causes such as their Christmas charities campaign or their scholarship program — Lodge in Bloom was a fundraiser for the Elks themselves. The organization is planning a total refurbishing of their lodge building, one that is hoped to not just beautify the structure but also open up numerous opportunities for the group and establish new event spaces on the Northside.

Lodge in Bloom was aimed at fundraising the final $50,000 toward the first phase of this renovation: a restructuring of the building’s front porch. The planned scope of this first phase, which will cost $300,000 in total, includes restoration of the building’s main entry doors, cleaning and repairing of masonry and brick steps on the face, restoration and repair of light fixtures and the addition of a chair lift and new sidewalk entry for Americans with Disabilities Act compliance.

However, the Elks have much loftier ambitions. The social group is planning an estimated $16 million total renovation of the lodge, including returning the building’s grand ballroom and rooftop garden venue into operational order.

Elks leadership viewed Lodge in Bloom as a kickoff to this entire effort, and a way to get membership thinking of raising funds for the renovations.

“Once you start down the path, you really want to keep the momentum going,” said Tim Zinn, the Allegheny Elks Lodge Historian.

Zinn said the fundraiser was a way to let people and potential funders know that the lodge is “serious” in its effort, which will help when the social club makes future, larger requests for money.

As a historian, Zinn is keen to see that the renovation retains the historic character of the lodge. The building, designed by renowned local architect Edward B. Lee, was opened on March 5, 1926. Zinn said the refurbishment will “Get back to the bones of the building” and return it to its classical look, while accepting modern conveniences, such as the planned installation of an elevator.

Of particular interest to Zinn is the possibility of reopening the lodge’s rooftop garden venue, which was popular during the “height of the flapper era.” As for why the lodge is launching this effort now, Allegheny Elks Building Revitalization Chair Carly Dobbins-Bucklad told The Chronicle that a certain factor played into the start of the project.

“You need to have leadership who are willing to put the time in, and the lodge has that right now,” she said.

Further, Dobbins-Bucklad said the Allegheny Elks is growing in membership, and has become a “cultural hub” on the Northside. With that kind of prestige, as well as the lodge celebrating the 100th anniversary of its building this year, beginning a renovation effort made sense to undertake.

Overall, Elks leadership was happy with the outcome of Lodge in Bloom. According to Melvin, the event was “close to sellout,” with only a single digit number of tickets left. As for what exactly comes next, Lodge in Bloom Host Committee Member Sally Graubarth said the Elks hope to hold a party just before the work on the porch begins, with a follow up event taking place once it is complete as a kind of “before and after” of the first stage of renovations.

The Allegheny Elks also hope to hold more fundraising events, possibly some in the style of Lodge in Bloom, as the grand renovation project continues. Those wanting more information should keep an eye on the Allegheny Elks’ website, alleghenyelks339.weebly.com.

Brighton Heights
Michael Miller to Ross Mickley at 3718 Millerton Ave. for $175,000.

California-Kirkbride
Taylor Ann Yenick Smith to Lauren Stackhouse at 1537 Brighton Pl for $225,000.

Fineview
Oneroof Real Estate Inc. to Above & Beyond Care Services LLC at 2102 Letsche St. for $1 (state deed transfer stamps indicate a value of $50,000).

Historic Deutschtown
Ross Greenwood to Cameron Smith at 606 Lockhart St. for $350,000.
RC Congration Mary Immaculate Street Cyp to East Allegheny Associates LLC at 907 Middle St. for $525,500.

Marshall-Shadeland
Darlene Griffin Triplett to M&L Property Group LLC at 2647 Brighton Road for $100,000.
George Reffert Jr. to Schneiders Properties LLC at 1229 Courtright St. for $100,000.
VB Two LLC to Daniel Michael Rhoades at 1430 Dickson St. for $10 (state deed transfer stamps indicate a value of $167,500).

Observatory Hill
Lisa Lin Ni Yu to Arlene Alonso at 3613 Baytree St. for $35,600.

Perry Hilltop
Donna Pierre Grayson to Dady Alvord at 617 Danbury St. for $174,900.
Donna Fordenbacher to John Robinson Jr. at 845 Marshall Ave. for $161,000.
Ru Emmons to John Jeffries at 520 Suffolk St. for $120,000.

Spring Garden
Linhart C&C LLC to Tony Bazemore Jr. and Natia Dais at 1619 Haug St. for $180,000.

Spring Hill
Jeffrey Hawk to Charisse Smith at 924 Haslage Ave. for $175,000.
Harry Bartolowits to Melinda Mae Suttor at 1411 Hetzel St. for $295,000.

Troy Hill
Albert Kachinko to Marshall and Teresa Ninehouser at 1804 Ley St. for $165,000.

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

“Honestly, we didn’t see much of a crowd at all,” said Lexi Bernotas, manager at The Sandwich Shoppe. “We definitely expected a little more than what we thought.”

Located only a few blocks north of Acrisure Stadium, The Sandwich Shoppe had prepared for extra business the weekend of the draft, April 23-25. The restaurant extended its usual hours until 6 p.m., up from a typical closing time of 2:30 p.m.

However, the demand for sandwiches just wasn’t there, and Bernotas said the latest the Shoppe ended up staying open during the weekend was 3 p.m., as the expected extra customers didn’t show up. She suspects the lack of business was due at least in part by locals and regulars staying out of the area during the draft for fear of huge crowds and traffic congestion.

“I think that people who actually live here got really scared and thought ‘I need to leave,’” she said.

The experience was similar over at Max’s Allegheny Tavern, located less than two miles away from the Steelers’ stadium and center of draft activities. Owner Douglas Diegelman estimated his bar had about a “quarter” of the usual weekly crowd.

“Yeah, the whole week no one was around,” he said.

Diegelman believed the sheer variety of activities and services available down at the main draft event kept crowds centered around the stadium, meaning they did not stray further into the Northside and dine or shop at the local scene.

“I think they did a really good job down there where they were doing everything,” he said. “There was a lot to do down there.”

Newly opened bar The Eastman, which held its soft opening only a week ahead of the start of the draft, had ordered extra cans of beer in preparation for a draft crowd that never manifested. Co-owner Michael Schmidt said the three days of the draft did not end up matching The Eastman’s busiest days, something he was at least partially thankful for.

“It may not have been our best weekend, but for us starting out, overall it turned out good,” he said. Schmidt said The Eastman had “ebbs and flows” in terms of traffic during the draft, which made things easier to handle for the relatively new restaurant.

In a further unexpected benefit, Schmidt said the feared parking issues caused by the draft did not occur. He had been worried staff would have difficulty parking near the East Ohio Street bar, but instead found they had “ample” parking space.

“I think the neighborhood and the city in general heeded the warning not to drive,” he said.

In every market right now, there’s one clear exception: Well-priced, well-presented homes are still selling, and it’s often faster than you’d expect. If you can tap into that, you can still set yourself up to move quickly, too. Here’s how to get it done.

How Long It Takes To Sell Today

According to Realtor.com, homes are selling in about 52 days right now. That’s how long the process takes from the day it hits the market until closing day. And while that may sound slow to you, it’s not slow. It’s normal.

That’s because it’s pretty much right in line with what it was during the last normal years in the market (see 2018-2019 in the graph below): It just feels slow when you’re eager to move – or when you think back a few years to when homes seemed to sell almost instantly.

But here’s what matters most. The market is normalizing. Not at a standstill.

This is the norm for timing from start to finish. You may have an accepted offer in hand even faster than this.

Markets Where Homes Still Sell Quickly, Even Now

Zillow says the typical home will go “pending” or “under contract” in 19 days. Some homes even see it happen in as little as 7 days. It just depends on where you are – and how you prep your house.

So, don’t let the slowing pace of sales stress you out. Homes can still sell fast, if they’re positioned right.

Just to show you, here’s a quick look at some of the markets that are moving faster than the norm, according to Zillow (see map below). This’ll show you how different it can be based on where you live.

The key things you need to remember when looking at this visual: It varies a lot based on where you live. Within the same state, individual neighborhoods or pockets may sell much faster than the norm. Even in slower moving states, you can still sell quickly. As the map shows, in those places there are still homes that go under contract in as little as a week. So don’t worry about if your state made either list. As Orphe Divounguy, Senior Economist at Zillow, says: “The cream of the crop is still selling fast, even in markets that have slowed considerably. . .

The Big Reasons Some Homes Sit, and Some Sell Fast

And here’s the big secret. While location can definitely play a role, it’s not just about location. It’s about strategy. Today’s buyers are paying attention to condition. They’re comparing photos, upgrades, layout, location, and price. And they’re choosing homes that feel move-in ready and well worth the value. The homes that check those boxes?

They’re not sitting for long – no matter where they are.

As the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) explains:

“. . . some homes are still flying off the shelves. These houses are often in the Midwest or Northeast, where the lack of new construction keeps a lid on supply. Certain homes in other markets are selling quickly, too, often when a home is move-in ready.”

Because in any market – hot or not – if a home is overpriced, needs too much work, or just doesn’t meet current buyer expectations, it’s not going to sell. In this market, the sellers who win are the ones who get real about their house. They’re honest about how their home compares to other listings, realistic about price, and they work with an agent who truly understands today’s market and what it takes to sell. When your agent knows how to price strategically, spotlight the strengths of your home, and move quickly when the market gives clear signals, that’s when the results follow.

Bottom Line

Today’s housing market rewards the right strategy. Because even in a slower area, the homes that are priced realistically and positioned well are still selling — sometimes faster than you may expect.

Let’s connect if you’re ready to make yours one of them.

Bicycle Heaven — which is the world’s largest bicycle museum — organizes this gathering of cycling enthusiasts to give them a chance to show off, and potentially sell, parts of their collection. Everything from retro easy-riders to sporty BMX bikes to novelty children’s bikes filled the parking lot of the Chateau-based attraction.

“We get people from all over the country,” said Bicycle Heaven owner Craig Morrow, citing visitors from as close as New York to as far as California.

Despite the often long distances attendees have to travel, Morrow said that repeat visitors to the meet are common. In his estimation, about half of the people who take part in the meet come every year.

Check out the July 2026 edition of The Northside Chronicle for the complete story.

The event, titled Community Gathering, was held at Penn Brewery, and featured both silent and live auctions, raffles and the chance for neighbors to vote on what features they want to see for the planned park, which will be built at the vacant lot located at the corner of Tripoli and Chestnut streets and is owned by CASGED. The park will also incorporate the neighboring Food City, a community garden managed by CASGED.

“It’s an important park for us because we’re a really dense neighborhood with a lot of old houses and not a lot of yards,” said Erik Kath, CASGED’s president.

The community group is planning several amenities for the space — which is going by the name of Tripoli Park — such as a stage, a roof ed pavilion, the planting of additional trees, and the reuse of the old trolley tracks that used to run along Chestnut Street as a sculpture, kiosk or furniture. Attendees at the party were able to vote on some additional features, such as the shape and material for the park’s planned picnic tables. They were also able to vote for one of three additional park amenities, the choices consisting of grills, bike racks or a community bulletin board.

In addition to the money raised by CASGED, the group received support from a PNC Charitable Trust grant for the park, specifically for the construction of picnic tables and planting of new trees. The planning phase for the park was supported by a grant from the Urban Redevelopment Authority.

Kath said CASGED decided to hold the party at Penn Brewery for two reasons. The first was that the group held a similar event at the brewery last year, which worked as a sort of “beta test” for this year’s event. The other reason was the desire of the group to support Penn Brewery in the wake of its bankruptcy proceedings, which was reported on by The Chronicle in the May 2026 issue.

The event featured local celebrity auctioneers, including Councilman Bobby Wilson and state Rep. Lindsey Powell.

Overall, Kath was pleased with the turn out for the event, estimating around 100 people or more attended.

Work on Tripoli Park is planned to start this summer, but will take several years and multiple phases until it is complete, Kath said.

For more information about Tripoli Park, visit casged.org/tripoli-park

East Deutschtown
816 Spring Garden Enterprises LLC to 3 Rivers Investment Group LLC at 816 Spring Garden Ave. for $79,000.

Manchester
Faiza Enterprises LLC to Byrd Empire LLC at 1417 Pennsylvania Ave. for $105,000.

Marshall-Shadeland
John Newman to Bellflower Real Estate LLC at 2923 Frederick St. for $24,000.
Shawn Coleman to Soulectve Solutions LLC at 1347 Oakhill St. for $99,735.
Estate of Michelle Brunick to La'Quaye Sloan-McBride at 915 Smithton Ave. for $12,500.

Troy Hill
Rose Marie Trzil to HTown 5 LLC at 1822-1824 Elbow St. for $20,000.
Mark Knaiger to Alessandro James Devito at 2063 Liedertafel Way for $42,000.

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

One-year subscriptions (Usually $60) are discounted to $40, or 33% off, for the first year, while two-year subscriptions (Usually $110) are discounted to $70, or 36% off, for the first two years.

Subscriptions are the best way for readers to support The Northside Chronicle, and come with multiple perks. Subscribers receive a printed copy of The Chronicle delivered to their door every month, ensuring they never miss an issue, and access to our archive of past digital issues on our website.

What’s more, subscriptions are a show of support for your community newspaper. The Northside Chronicle prides itself on being able to provide most of its services for free to our neighborhood, ensuring the Northside receives the attention it is due.

We cover everything from new businesses opening up and festivals happening in your community, to bringing the city government decisions that most affect you as a Northside resident.

To take advantage of the sale, we have set up two promo-codes to be used during checkout on our website, thenorthsidechronicle.com. First, select either 1 Year One-Time Sale or 2 Year One-Time Sale option to pick your duration. Then use promo- code NSC20 for the one-year subscription and NSC40 for the two-year subscription during checkout to activate the discount.

The discounts are also available to anyone purchasing a subscription by mail using the form on page 2 of every edition of The Northside Chronicle. Simply mail us a check at the discount- ed amount during the month of June, and we’ll get you signed up for your Chronicle subscription.

The Northside Chronicle wishes to thank all its current and future subscribers for supporting our mission of reporting all the news fit to print on the Northside. We truly cannot exist without the community’s support, and every little bit goes a long way to help us in shining a spotlight on our neighborhood and ensuring the Northside’s story does not go untold.

CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE ONLINE

Last month, my office hosted a neighborhood walkthrough in Fineview with city departments, including the Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections (PLI), Environmental Services, and the Mayor’s Office, as well as members of the Fineview Citizens Council and the Fineview Community Organization. Together, we identified nearly 80 action items requiring follow- up, with common concerns including abandoned properties, illegal dumping, and roadway maintenance needs. My staff and I will continue working with the appropriate departments to ensure these issues are addressed.

The City of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police recently completed a citywide abandoned vehicle removal effort, resulting in 151 vehicles being towed. These vehicles had been reported as abandoned for weeks and, in some cases, even years. As Zone 1 continues this effort, I encourage residents to report any vehicles that appear abandoned through 311, as these reports are shared directly with Zone 1 Police.

I’m happy to share that my vape shop ordinance, Bill 2025-2250, recently received a positive recommendation from the Planning Commission and has now returned to City Council for further consideration. Since coming back to Council, the bill has been amended to strengthen and clarify key provisions, including infrastructure improvements and other capital projects that impact our neighborhoods. These updates include a 1,000-foot buffer requirement between vape shops and primary or secondary schools, along with changes to how vape shops are classified in the zoning code. A public hearing will be scheduled, and I will share that date on my Facebook page as soon as possible. You can sign up to speak or provide written testimony here: pittsburghpa.gov/City-Government/The-City-Council/Clerks-Office/Council-Meeting-Schedule.

Applications are now open for the 2026 Learn & Earn Summer Youth Employment Program, which connects young people aged 14 to 23 with paid summer jobs and workforce development opportunities across Allegheny County. This program is a great option for teens and young adults looking for meaningful summer employment opportunities. Applications are being accepted through June 5. To learn more and apply, visit: partner4work.org/learn-earn.

Finally, I encourage District 1 residents to participate in the city’s upcoming budget process by attending a Capital Budget Forum. These forums allow residents to share priorities and feedback on how city resources should be allocated, including infrastructure improvements and capital projects that impact our neighborhoods. A forum will be held in District 1 on May 28 at 6 p.m. at Northside Institutional Church at 302 W North Avenue. Registration is required and can be found here: bit.ly/2027capitalbudgetforum.

If you have any questions or concerns, call us at (412) 255-2135, email us at district1@ pittsburghpa.gov, find us on Facebook and X, 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! n

That question has been at the center of the national conversation around abortion and reproductive rights for decades. Here in Pennsylvania, the Commonwealth Court recently gave a resounding answer: that decision belongs to you, regardless of how much money you make.

In a landmark ruling, the court struck down our state’s longstanding ban on Medicaid coverage for abortion care, finding it unconstitutional under Pennsylvania’s Equal Rights Amendment. In doing so, the court affirmed the fundamental truth that reproductive freedom cannot be reserved only for those who can afford it.

For decades, Pennsylvania maintained a two-tiered system of reproductive health care where those with financial means could access the full spectrum of care, and those without were denied that same autonomy. With this ruling, the court has made clear that discrimination of this kind violates our state constitution.

As a woman, I felt a profound sense of relief reading this decision. It recognizes that bodily autonomy is not a privilege reserved for some, but a fundamental right that belongs to all of us. The court’s acknowledgment that reproductive decision- making is protected under our state constitution is a powerful reminder that our laws must respect the dignity and equality of every Pennsylvanian.

While this ruling is a victory, it is nowhere near the end of the fight. This case may still be appealed, and we know that reproductive rights remain under sustained attack across the country. Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, we have seen a wave of extreme restrictions take hold in states nationwide. In some places, abortion is banned outright. In others, access has been so severely limited that it is effectively out of reach for many.

Here in Pennsylvania, the legislature has the opportunity and duty to codify the rights to bodily autonomy into law once and for all. That is why I am proud to be a co-sponsor of H.B. 1957, the Reproductive Freedom Act. This legislation would amend our state constitution to explicitly guarantee the right to reproductive freedom, including the right to choose or refuse an abortion, contraception and fertility care, without discrimination. The state House passed this bill in December and it has sat idle in the Senate since.

The Commonwealth Court’s decision underscores exactly why this legislation is necessary. While the court found that our constitution already protects these rights, leaving them subject to ongoing legal challenges creates uncertainty and instability. Constitutional protections should be clear, explicit and enduring. We cannot allow them to be chipped away through shifting interpretations or political agendas.

By advancing this constitutional amendment through H.B. 1957, we would give Pennsylvanians the opportunity to vote directly on whether these fundamental rights should be permanently protected. Opposing this effort is, quite simply, saying that the people should not have a voice in decisions that affect their own bodies and futures.

When access to reproductive care is restricted, it is low-income individuals, young people and marginalized communities who bear the brunt. We have already seen devastating impacts in other states, including patients traveling hundreds of miles for care, providers leaving communities altogether, and tragic cases where individuals are denied life-saving treatment.

We should be doing everything in our power to ensure that Pennsylvania is a place where people can access the care they need, when they need it, with- out fear, stigma or financial barriers. We cannot rely on courts alone to protect our rights. Legislative action is essential to ensure that these protections are not only recognized, but secured for future generations.

The Commonwealth Court’s ruling is a meaningful step forward. But it is also a call to action. We must build on this momentum by passing the Reproductive Freedom Act and enshrining these rights in our state constitution. We must continue to push back against efforts to undermine bodily autonomy. And we must remain steadfast in our commitment to equality, dignity and freedom for all.

Your rights should never depend on your gender, your ZIP code, your income or who happens to be in power. They should be guaranteed. If you have questions about how I’m working to protect reproductive rights, or any other issues, I encourage you to call my office at (412) 321-5523, email RepKinkead@pahouse.net, or visit us at 658 Lincoln Ave. in Bellevue.

“That’s for everything, the entire park,” Andrea Ketzel, Senior Landscape Architect for the Pittsburgh Department of Public Works, told The Chronicle. “We are really hoping to get some phases of the park open a little earlier, with the possibility of opening up at least the playground before the end of the year.”

The renovation is affecting the entirety of the park, which is currently almost unrecognizable from its former state, being little more than a field of churned up dirt and mud as construction vehicles perform demolition and begin ground excavation.

Planned improvements include a new playground (including a slide running down the length of a hill), a splash pad for warm weather, a full-court basketball court a nd a pickleball court. T he park’s baseball field is also getting rebuilt.

The park is, however, losing its dek hockey arena. Ketzel said feedback by residents showed a preference for the basketball and pickleball courts over keeping the dek hockey arena.

Ketzel expects most renovations for exterior features of the park to finish before the end of the year. She said the spring 2027 date is due to work on interior features, such as the planned concession stand and press box/community event space, which will take longer than the outdoor areas.

She said the baseball field will likely be “offline” for the season due to the renovations, and that the city is working with organizations who utilize the field to gain access to other areas for practice and matches.

The renovations are the result of two different factors. One was a study done by the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy that found a need for “equitable investment” in Spring Hill to keep pace with other neighborhoods.

The other, Ketzel explained, was the fact most of the playground equipment was reaching its end of lifespan, and extensive replacement was needed.

“Those were over 20 years old and really needed a renovation,” she said.

Two months into the work, things are going well for the construction.

“So far, so good,” Ketzel said. “No issues have come up yet, but it is a city project on city property, so there’s always some unknowns in terms of what we run into underground.”

For more information on the project, or to contact city employees involved on the work, visit engage.pittsburghpa.gov/spring-hill

In April 2025, Sophia opened Northside Community Pilates where she teaches “classical Pilates,” which not only improves your body and its ability to move pain free; it also promotes a mentally calming influence. Sophia has faithfully used and taught Pilates for the last 28 years and it shows.

First, a little backstory on Pilates which Sophia shared with me: Joseph Hubertus Pilates, a German physical trainer born in 1883, is credited with inventing Pilates. As a child, Joseph was “sickly” and was introduced to physical exercise by his parents to improve his health and strengthen his weak body. Seeing the results of strength training and exercise, Joseph became “passionate about physical fitness.”

While interred in a prison camp during World War I, Joseph helped to rehabilitate injured prisoners through specific exercises focusing on breathing, flexibility, and strengthening muscles. Legend has it that he removed the springs from hospital bed mattresses and secured them to the bed frames which allowed the patients to “exercise against resistance in a recumbent position.” It was this crude apparatus and method of exercise that served as a foundation for Pilates.

After World War I, Joseph opened a studio in New York City where famous dancers flocked to his studio to improve their strength, flexibility, and coordination. To this day, Pilates and its unique apparatuses continue to be popular for creating a “systemically healthy body.”

It is this “fully holistic system” of classical Pilates from the 1930’s that Sophia uses in her studio to help clients create a healthy body that is toned, strong, and balanced. As Sophia explained, Pilates “affects the whole body” by creating healthy muscular and skeletal systems, which in turn creates a healthy respiratory system, affecting a healthier vascular system thus creating an overall stronger body.

Originally from Colorado, Sophia is a graduate of the Advanced Teacher Training Program and Master Program from The Pilates Center in Boulder. While living in California, Sophia studied and trained to become a certified Massage Therapist specializing in orthopedic massage, myofascial release, and manual lymphatic massage at the renowned McKinnon Body Therapy Center in Oakland.

Once their daughters were grown, Sophia and her husband Dan decided to relocate from their Oakland home. As it turns out, our beautiful city of Pittsburgh ended up on their radar. After a couple trips to Pittsburgh, a visit to the Mattress Factory, “seeing the creativity” of the Northside and the “kindness” of the residents simply by walking around the neighbor- hood, Sophia and Dan said it “felt like home.” In November 2024, they moved into a home in the Mexican War Streets near the Mattress Factory.

Having growing limitations with my body movements — I am no longer doing back handsprings as I did as a youth — and always wanting to support our local Northside businesses, I thought I’d try Pilates with Sophia. However, I knew little about Pilates.

Four tenets for beginners that Sophia taught me about Pilates are: 1. Pilates is not to be confused with Yoga (It’s totally different).

2. Pilates is a journey of fitness and not a “one and done” where one class will make you stronger and healthier.

3. Pilates makes you stronger and builds muscle so you will not necessarily lose weight.

4. Pilates is for every BODY type i.e., slim, heavy set, tall, short, young, middle aged and seniors! (Sophia’s youngest client was 13 and her oldest was 88).

As a beginner to Pilates, Sophia recommended that I begin with a private class. Sophia’s private classes are one-on-one, designed to assess your body, its strengths and limitations, and teach the Pilates basics. Sophia’s vast knowledge of human anatomy combined with her patient and encouraging teaching style made an immediate positive impression on me. With her ability to communicate effectively, I realized if I am to do Pilates, she was the instructor for me. After my first private session, I was hooked and purchased a package of different classes.

Following a few private sessions to learn the correct breathing techniques (an important aspect of doing Pilates correctly) and fundamental Pilates exercises on the different apparatuses, I was ready for my first group class. Unlike certain large health club chains, Sophia’s classes are intimate where you get personalized attention.

My first group class was the “mat” class with three other people of my level (beginner). The exercises were performed on the padded mat area of the “reformer” apparatus and relied on your own body weight and gravity for resistance to facilitate the exercises. This class builds core strength, flexibility, and overall body control. Even after the first class, my body felt better and more limber. After a few “mat” classes, my next step was to move to the more challenging “reformer” classes.

It’s okay if you are not familiar with the term “reformer” outside of perhaps prison reform, because neither was I. A Pilates “reformer” is an adjustable spring-loaded carriage that moves back and forth along rails designed to provide resistance and support for your body while exercising. The reformer allows you to perform the exercises while lying, sitting, kneeling, or standing with support from straps and springs. The reformer enhances core strength, flexibility, balance, and posture. I couldn’t believe that my body could bend and stretch the way it did using the reformer — without pain.

And speaking of reformers, it is interesting to note that Sophia has two hand crafted wooden reformers which are patterned after an original reformer designed and used by Joseph Pilates. Talk about authentic!

The most interesting and fun apparatus that I used was the Trapeze table or “Cadillac.” This table is outfitted with a full frame along with a trapeze bar attached to the top and a padded platform below. There are also various springs and straps attached to the frame to allow for a wide range of exercises.

Typically, a private session needs to be scheduled to use this piece of equipment. The table also allows for extended leg and arm movements and supports “hanging” and “pull ups” which “create better muscle tissue and range of motion.”

This was my favorite apparatus because I was able to increase the stretch and strength of my muscles resulting in improved range of motion in a very comfortable, safe, and fun way. Sophia guides your every movement through these more complicated exercises to ensure your success.

After these sessions, I felt looser, lighter on my feet, and stronger. Ready to do a split? Not yet, but I am certain that Sophia will help me reach my goal.

After a very long flight this past summer, my (replaced) hips were out of whack from sitting so long. The tightness in my hips caused my gait to be off, and I was uncomfortable while walking. My thoughts navigated to Sophia to see if she could help me out. In addition to Pilates, Sophia is qualified to perform orthopedic massage. If you have body movements that are challenged due to injury, arthritis, overuse, or even a past surgery, an orthopedic massage may be just what you need.

Although I love a Swedish massage, an orthopedic massage is not that. Rather it is an “active session” intended to evaluate the restrictions of the fascial system (i.e., dense connective tissue that surrounds muscles) causing the difficulty in your movements. The restrictions or areas of tightness are identified primarily through palpations.

Then, a “correction to those imbalances” is achieved through “myofascial manipulation” i.e., sustained and controlled pressure and manipulation. This “correction” releases the tension so that you can regain movement.

Unlike a Swedish massage, you will be up and down from the massage table during this type of massage to pinpoint the area(s) needing “correction” and determine the effectiveness of the massage. This type of massage “reorganizes how the muscles act on the joints” so that better body movements are restored.

After a single one-hour session of the orthopedic massage, my gait and ability to walk was greatly improved. And I felt more balanced in my body. Sophia does it again!

To ensure I fully represent all services Sophia has to offer, I wanted to mention one service that I have not yet experienced. It is a manual lymphatic drainage massage.

After an illness such as Lyme disease or “long” COVID, “viral and bacterial reservoirs” remain in our lymph nodes. Applied pressure on the lymph nodes and interstitial tissue, can “clear out metabolic debris” which can “help relieve pain associated with edema.” Ultimately, this type of massage aids in an improved immune system.

Sophia shared a story of a client who had a drastic improvement resulting from this type of massage. A man in his 80s had a wound from an MRSA infection that would not close. His doctors were not hopeful it would ever close and told the gentleman, “to live with it.” The man’s wife signed him up for lymphatic drainage massages. After several sessions with Sophia over time, this man achieved relief and his wound had closed. That’s how powerful a lymphatic drainage massage can be.

It should be noted that I am at the beginner Pilates stage. Sophia designs the programs for your level, your body strengths, and/or challenges. As you become more confident, stronger, and more flexible, you can advance to the more complicated and advanced exercise techniques with Sophia’s guidance. If you are at the point in your Pilates journey where you know the exercises, are comfortable using the apparatuses, and need minimal or no instruction; Sophia also offers “Open Studio” where you can sign up to use her studio on your own.

Whether you are an athlete wanting to improve performance, a dancer (or just an ordinary individual) looking to gain more flexibility or strength, or a senior who is tired of compensating for challenges with certain movements, look no further than to Sophia and Northside Community Pilates for an extremely competent and knowledgeable instructor and studio to begin your Pilates journey. Just remember, it is not a one and done, yet your body will thank you for the adventure. And remember, all BODIES are welcome!

P.S. Congratulations to Northside Community Pilates which celebrated their one-year anniversary in April!

Northside Community Pilates is located at 900 Middle St. Sophia may also be contacted at sophia@sophiathorsenpilates.com or (510) 301-7899.

The storm was so severe locally that three Western Pennsylvanians were killed, and Pittsburgh’s National Weather Service office sent crews to Wilkinsburg to look for evidence of tornado damage.

In the aftermath, as residents and business owners began cleaning up and fixing their properties, I heard from people who reported unusually high quotes for repairs. They suspect they were being price gouged.

That shouldn’t happen. When prices are artificially inflated to take advantage of a situation, it impacts us all, but the impact is particularly harsh for vulnerable populations — seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income families.

To prevent that from happening, I introduced H.B. 1496. It closes a critical loophole in the Pennsylvania Price Gouging Act to extend the law’s provisions to local disaster emergencies — those declared by municipalities, counties, or other local governing bodies.

Provisions of current law apply only to price increases during a state of disaster declared by the governor.

This gap in the law leaves Pennsylvania consumers vulnerable to unfair price hikes during times of local emergencies, such as natural disasters, public health crises, and other community-wide emergencies where local authorities may declare a state of emergency to respond to the situation.

House Bill 1496 seeks a common- sense amendment to existing law.

Last fall, the bill cleared the House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee with bipartisan support, and it is now pending before the full House.

Notably, every member of the Allegheny County Democratic House Delegation has signed onto this legislation as a co-sponsor. That says something about how much support this bill has in our region.

My bill would establish price gouging as a price hike of more than 20% above the average price for similar goods or services in the affected area within 30 days of the termination of an emergency declaration.

The legislation also includes a provision to help businesses stay informed about emergency declarations. It allows trade associations and corporations to register an agent to receive notifications of local or state emergency declarations.

On April 30 last year, Allegheny County and the city of Pittsburgh promptly declared disaster emergencies, and either declaration should have been enough to trigger the laws that protect consumers.

There should be no gaps, no loopholes in the law, and no vulnerable residents as a result. Sometimes our laws need a dose of common sense, and that is why I’m working to write some common sense into this one.

State Rep. Aerion A. Abney represents the 19th Legislative District.

Jaclyn Lee Gillespie to Robert Beatty and Mish Lori Robinet at 1007 Allegheny Ave. for $452,500.

Brighton Heights

Melissa Rubin to Christopher and Dana Beamenderfer at 416 Chandler Place for $263,000.

Brighton Heights Citizens Federation to Breezing Point One LLC at 3328 Fleming Ave. for $109,000. Stephanie Boccella to Brian Andrew and Cora Lyne Mills Rowe at 3549 McClure Ave. for $469,000.

Pittsburgh City to Cesar Lira and Vania Da Silva Brito at 3580 Elmhurst Ave. for $5,300.

Kolor Homes LLC to Renter Venture LLC at 3537 Fleming Ave. for $196,000.

Chateau

Blackwood Supply Co. Inc. to Lionshare Properties LLC at 1231 Western Ave. for $3,498,000.

East Deutschtown

Amy Lynn Shreckengost to Alexis Phillips at 841 Blossom Way for $260,000.

Fineview

Estate of Andrew David to Jeffrey Daniel Phillips at 310 Lafayette Ave. for $252,000.

Historic Deutschtown

Jodi Lynn Butler to Robert and Irene Clare at 611 Suismon St. for $652,800.

Bruce McKnight to WP Reality Holdings LLC at 605 Avery St. for $124,000.

Manchester

Estate of Carl Reynolds Gunn to David and Kimberly Nitchkey at Adams St., parcel 0022-F-00112-0000-00, for $65,000.

James Berry to Jame Kuhn IV and Ruth Llan at 1323 Liverpool St. for $700,000.

Martin Duggan III to John Kocka at 1226 Sheffield St. for $575,000.

Marshall-Shadeland

OAP Ventures LLC to Auren Emily Beal at 848 Grand Ave. for $225,000.

Yicheng Wang to Bamidbar LLC at 2617 Stayton St. for $41,500.

SCAR Investments LLC to Antonelli Sustainables II LLC at 2348 McCook St. for $55,000. JCM Properties L.P. to Costruzione Realty LLC at 2835 New Beaver Ave. for $2,900,000.

Observatory Hill

John Jones to RCF 2 Acquisition Tr at 269 Dalton Ave. for $20,000 by sheriff’s deed.

Heidi Jurecko to Thai Nguyen and Cassandra Morales at 2945 Perrysville Ave. for $340,000.

Perry Hilltop

Antjaun Washington to National Besketball Federation Ltd. at 2316 Osgood St. for $89,550. Kathleen Gilson to William Emerson Behrens at 301 Milroy St. for $131,000.

Matthew Lee Gilson to Steven Farley at 2904 Perrysville Ave. for $313,500.

Albert Grace to Grey Steel City LLC at 2917 N. Charles St. for $26,626 by sheriff’s deed.

Spring Hill

Katelyn Fowler trustee to Schneiders Properties LLC at 2470 Sunset Ave. for $85,000. Alaina Investment Co. LLC to Sherrill Industries LLC at 15 Solar St. for $129,500.

Troy Hill

Carlos Pinto to HBE Property Investments LLC at 1124 Province St. for $195,000.

East Deutschtown
Creative Solutions Investments LLC to Lightwell Properties LLC at 918 Rickenbach St. for $580,000.

Manchester
Estate of Donald Allen Norrington to Tyrone Mowe Simpson at Page St., parcel 0007-B-00145-0000-00, for $20,000.
Zachary Cole to Charles Daniel Jones at 1316 Sheffield St. for $260,000.
Estate of Donald Allen Norrington to Tyrone Mowe Simpson at 1439 Sheffield St. for $125,000.

Observatory Hill
Kyle Scott Mathias to Cienna Chefren at 211 Bascom Ave. for $165,000.

Perry Hilltop
Diana Close trustee to Christopher Adams at 2216 Wilson Ave. for $93,000.

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

ALLEGHENY CITY CENTRAL — A small, but beloved Northside park is getting a facelift thanks to a group of volunteering organizations headed by the Mexican War Streets Society.

Joined by Tree Pittsburgh, Landforce and Davey Tree Expert Company, the Society began work to replace invasive plants at Mechanics’ Retreat for native species on April 21. The volunteers were further assisted by Commonplace Coffee, which provided water for the workers as they brought out their shovels and rakes for some heavy-duty gardening.

Michael Koester, a member of the Society’s board, explained that the park had several invasive plants that had begun to die. These invasives were removed, but that created a new problem.

“That took a lot of shade out of here,” he said. The Society got in contact with Tree Pittsburgh, who offered to help with planting new trees for free. Landforce also offered their services, while Davey Tree Expert Company donated trees to the project.

Susan Benn, the society’s garden consultant, explained that when the park was first established in the 1980s, several non-native species had been planted there. Most notable was a Bradford Pear Tree, which rapidly colonized both the park and some surrounding areas with its seeds, sprouting “thousands” of young Bradford Pears.

The issue with the Bradford Pear was that native caterpillar species couldn’t eat it, damaging the ecosystem by depriving those bugs of a food source, especially as the Bradford Pears’ seeds sprouted and overtook the park.

Replacing the Pear and other invasives will be more native plants, including Hawthorns, Inkberries and Redbuds. In addition to those trees donated by Davey Tree Expert Company, Benn was able to source trees for the replanting from some interesting places, including getting some from movie sets.

The park will also be receiving a new shed as part of the renovations.

Koester said the Society will likely have more work days on the park in the future, and that anyone interested in volunteering for such projects should follow the Society’s social media or newsletter for a chance to get involved. To sign up for the Society’s newsletter or find links to their social media, visit mexicanwarstreets.org Mechanics’ Retreat Park is located at the corner of Jacksonia and Buena Vista streets. The park is named after the old-fashioned name for laborers, which was simply “mechanic” regardless of the laborers’ actual job, Benn explained.

When your house sits on the market longer than expected, it can get frustrating fast.

You start asking: what now? And for a growing number of homeowners, that turns into: should I just rent it instead?

While it sounds like a simple backup plan, becoming “accidental landlord” is actually a much bigger decision than most people realize. That’s when someone planned to sell, didn’t get the price or traction they hoped for, and decided to rent the house out instead.

And lately, that’s happening more often.

Why the Number of Accidental Landlords Is Rising

If you’re faced with the same choice to rent or to sell, here’s what you need to know. First, you’re not alone. And that should actually be some comfort.

According to Zillow about 2.3% of homes available for rent were previously listed for sale. That may not sound like a lot, but it’s actually the highest share in almost 6 years.

Before you go that route yourself, it’s worth slowing down and looking at the full picture. Ask yourself these 3 questions first.

1. Would Your House Actually Work as a Rental?

What’s right for your situation is going to depend on your location, your home’s condition, and what the rental market looks like in your area. Think about: If you’re moving away, do you have a plan for how you’ll handle ongoing maintenance and repairs from afar?

Does your house need repairs before it’s rental-ready? And do you have the time, energy, and the funds for that?

What’s the market like in your area? Are there a lot of rental vacancies? What monthly rent could you realistically expect? As C&C Property Management explains: “At the heart of any rental market is the balance between supply and demand. When more tenants are looking for housing than there are available units, rental prices rise. On the other hand, if new construction adds hundreds of apartments or homes to a neighborhood, prices can soften as tenants have more choices.” If your home would struggle to stand out or command the rent you need, that’s something to take seriously. Just because you can rent it doesn’t mean it’s the best option for you.

2. Are You Ready To Be a Landlord?

This is the part people don’t always think about upfront. On paper, renting sounds like easy passive income. But in reality, it’s a hands-on responsibility.

Imagine:

Taking midnight calls about clogged toilets or broken air conditioners Chasing down missed rent payments Covering unexpected repairs Fixing damage between tenants And those costs can hit when you least expect them.

3. Have You Run the Real Numbers?

There’s also the financial side of things. For starters, renting out your house comes with extra expenses. Here are a few of the biggest according to Bank rate: Higher insurance premiums (landlord insurance typically costs about 25% more) Management fees (if you use a property manager, they typically charge around 10% of the rent) Routine maintenance and services Advertising fees to find tenants Gaps between tenants, where you cover the mortgage without rental income coming in For some people, that’s totally manageable. For others, it’s more than they want to take on.

Your Next Step: A Conversation with Your Agent Before you make any decision, talk to your current agent about overhauling your sales strategy first. Sometimes it’s not that buyers aren’t out there. It’s that something about the pricing, presentation, or marketing isn’t quite lining up with what they’re looking for.

And a few small adjustments can make a big difference.

Because while renting can be a great choice for the right person with the right house, if you’re only considering it because your listing didn’t get traction, there may be a better solution.

Bottom Line

If you’re torn between selling and renting, make sure to carefully weigh the pros and cons first. For some homeowners, the hassle (and the expense) of renting may not be worth it.

The event, titled Community Gathering, was held at Penn Brewery, and featured both silent and live auctions, raffles and the chance for neighbors to vote on what features they want to see for the planned park, which will be built at the vacant lot located at the corner of Tripoli and Chestnut streets and is owned by CASGED. The park will also incorporate the neighboring Food City, a community garden managed by CASGED.

“It’s an important park for us because we’re a really dense neighborhood with a lot of old houses and not a lot of yards,” said Erik Kath, CASGED’s president.

The community group is planning several amenities for the space — which is going by the name of Tripoli Park — such as a stage, a roof ed pavilion, the planting of additional trees, and the reuse of the old trolley tracks that used to run along Chestnut Street as a sculpture, kiosk or furniture. Attendees at the party were able to vote on some additional features, such as the shape and material for the park’s planned picnic tables. They were also able to vote for one of three additional park amenities, the choices consisting of grills, bike racks or a community bulletin board.

Check out the June 2026 issue of The Northside Chronicle for the complete story.

A group of baseball historians and fans gathered at The Lion, a bar located along Allegheny Avenue, to pay observance to the sesquicentennial of the game between the Allegheny Base Ball (sic) Club and local amateur club Xantha, which took place on April 15, 1876. The game was played at Union Park, which was located near the southeast corner of Allegheny and Pennsylvania avenues, hence the choice of The Lion as the celebration location.

According to Mark Fatla, author of the book Pittsburgh’s Historic Ballparks, Allegheny beat Xantha 7-3 and there were between 1,500 to 2,000 spectators at the game.

Some of the players there would go on to compete with the Pittsburgh Pirates when they eventually formed as a team.

In addition to the celebration, the gathering served as the founding for a new organization, the Sports History Education and Markers Project, or SHEMP.

Fatla, who is a member of this new group, explained that the goal of SHEMP is to promote the establishment of historical markers for major moments in sports history across Pittsburgh.

“Nobody has been focused on this,” he said. “There have been some individual projects” but nothing large scale.

The group’s abbreviation is a reference to Shemp Howard of “The Three Stooges.” Fatla explained that in one of the Stooges’ films, Shemp was a baseball manager, inspiring the name for the organization.

For anyone interested in joining SHEMP, Fatla said to contact him either via email (markfatla@gmail.com) or by phone (412-520-4888).

Allegheny West
Estate of Ingrid Margarett Berglund to Christopher Baiker at 922 Beech Ave. for $929,000.

Brighton Heights
Eric Miller to Corey Bisbal and Emma Thomas at 3640 Massachusetts Ave. for $241,525.

Observatory Hill
Marc Laspada to Alfonso Monoyek Mbomio at 38 Watson Blvd. for $300,000.

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

The event will take place on May 19 from 2-6 p.m. at Stage AE, offering a central and accessible location for attendees from across the region.

Designed to strengthen the local workforce pipeline, the NorthsideWorks! Job Fair will feature a wide range of employment opportunities, from entry-level roles to experienced positions, across multiple industries. But beyond simply connecting candidates with jobs, the event is intentionally structured to remove common barriers that often stand between job seekers and employment.

Organizers have prioritized accessibility and support services to ensure all attendees can participate fully. Multilingual assistance will be available on-site, helping to bridge language gaps for non-English speakers. Professional attire will also be offered through partnerships with Dress for Success and Gentleman’s Interactive Network, giving both women and men access to career-appropriate clothing at no cost.

In addition, job seekers will have access to laptops to apply for positions on the spot, along with assistance to polish resumes and craft compelling cover letters. Recognizing transportation as another key barrier, free parking will be provided through Alco Parking, and bus passes will be available to help attendees return home after the event.

In my role as Executive Director of the Chamber, the NorthsideWorks! Job Fair is more than a hiring event; it’s about equity and access. We’re committed to creating an environment where every individual has the tools and support they need to succeed.

Employers and training providers are encouraged to participate by reserving a table at the event. This provides a valuable opportunity to meet face-to-face with a diverse and motivated talent pool, promote open positions, and build brand visibility within the Northside community. Businesses of all sizes are welcome to apply, and sponsorship opportunities are still available for Chamber members looking to further elevate their presence.

In addition to the job fair, the Chamber continues to support workforce development year-round through its online Job Board, available at its website, northsidechamber.mcjobboard. net/jobs. The platform serves as a centralized hub for local hiring, allowing businesses to post open positions and connect with job seekers actively looking for opportunities in the Northside and North Shore areas and beyond. Job postings are at no cost for Chamber members and available to nonmembers for a minimal fee, making it an accessible and cost-effective recruitment tool.

By encouraging employers to hire locally and residents to work locally, the Chamber is fostering a cycle of investment that benefits the entire community, proving that when businesses and neighbors support one another, everyone thrives. For additional information on either the Job Fair or the Job Board, please reach out to Robert Bertha at the chamber at: robert@northsidechamberofcommerce.com.

As the Northside continues to grow and evolve, initiatives like the NorthsideWorks! Job Fair and the Chamber’s Job Board play a critical role in promoting local hiring, supporting small businesses, and strengthening the regional economy.

The Chronicle’s article “MACS students headed to national academic competition” from the April 2025 issue was named a finalist in the Excellence in Written Journalism award in the Education category for Division 3.

The article was written by The Chronicle’s managing editor, Sean P. Ray, and was about a group of four Manchester Academic Charter School students competing in the Academic Games National Tournament in Washington, D.C.

There are three other articles competing for the award. One is from the Pittsburgh Business Times, while the other two are from the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle.

The Golden Quills recognize excellence in journalism across multiple areas of the industry, including writing, photography, video and more, for media organizations in Western Pennsylvania and nearby counties in Ohio and West Virginia.

Last year, The Chronicle was nominated for a Golden Quill in Excellence in Written Journalism - Business/Technology/ Consumer category for a February 2024 article titled “Catching up with Tom Friday’s new owners.”

The awards will be given out at the annual Golden Quills Dinner on May 18 at Rivers Casino. The award ceremony is only open to participating organizations and their guests.

One-year subscriptions (Usually $60) are discounted to $40, or 33% off, for the first year, while two-year subscriptions (Usually $110) are discounted to $70, or 36% off, for the first two years.

Subscriptions are the best way for readers to support The Northside Chronicle, and come with multiple perks. Subscribers receive a printed copy of The Chronicle delivered to their door every month, ensuring they never miss an issue, and access to our archive of past digital issues on our website.

What’s more, subscriptions are a show of support for your community newspaper. The Northside Chronicle provides itself on being able to provide most of its services for free to our neighborhood, ensuring the Northside receives the attention it is due.

“We want to address this directly and transparently before any speculation begins: Penn Brewery is not closing,” wrote Stefan Nitsch, the brewery’s owner, in a statement released to social media on April 2. “Like many businesses, we are utilizing Chapter 11 as a strategic tool to restructure and secure a stronger future.”

According to court documents obtained by The Chronicle, Pennsylvania Brewing Company estimates it has between $1 million and $10 million in liabilities, with First Commonwealth Bank listed as its highest debtor at $5.1 million. Meanwhile, the company estimates having up to $50,000 in assets.

The case was filed in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Brewing Company did not return requests to comment for this story before publication.

In the statement, Nitsch said that Penn Brewery has faced “real challenges in a changing economy,” and “made the decision to keep our team intact” even when it “came at a cost.”

“This decision allows us to reset, reorganize, and move forward in a way that protects what matters most: our employees, our customers, and the legacy of Penn Brewery,” Nitsch wrote in regards to the filing. “Our gates to the biergarten here on Vinial remain open, and operations continue as normal.”

Following the filing, Penn Brewery permanently closed its location at Pittsburgh International Airport, according to an April 7 article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.