If you are not registered to vote, you must register by May 4 to vote in the upcoming primary. Even if you are already registered, it’s critical to verify that your current voter registration is accurate and up to date. If you moved to a new address recently, it’s important to update your registration as soon as possible. Additionally, Pennsylvania is a closed primary state, so you must be registered with a political party to vote in that party’s primary election, so be sure to check that your party registration is up to date with your preference. All of this, as well as finding your polling location, can be done online with a few clicks at vote.pa.gov through the Department of State’s website.

For those who prefer to vote by mail, the deadline to request a mail-in or absentee ballot is May 12. All mail ballots must be received by the county election office by 8 p.m. on Election Day to be counted. The best way to ensure that your ballot is received on time is to hand-deliver it to the County Office Building (542 Forbes Ave. in downtown Pittsburgh) as soon as you can, ideally well before the ballot return deadline on May 19. Detailed instructions on filling out a mail ballot are available on the county website. If you have any questions, you may contact the Allegheny County Elections Division at 412-350-4500.

Here in Pennsylvania, my colleagues and I have been working at the state Capitol to strengthen voting rights for all Pennsylvanians. Last year, I proudly voted for, and the state House passed, the Voting Rights Protection Act, legislation that would make commonsense reforms, including allowing the counting of mail ballots before Election Day, increasing options for early voting, creating a post-election audit process, and more. That bill has been in the hands of the state Senate since May 2025. For these reforms to become law, the bill must be passed by the Senate and signed by the governor.

As Trump continues to signal his desire to nationalize elections, fighting to ensure our elections remain safe, secure, and under state control is more important now than ever before. Across the country, we are seeing continued efforts to undermine confidence in our elections and, in some cases, to make voting more difficult. I want to be clear: your right to vote is protected by law. It is illegal for anyone to intimidate or harass voters, and there are safeguards in place to ensure that every eligible voter can cast their ballot. If you ever witness or experience an issue like this at the polls, report it to a county election official and to the Department of State at 1-877-868-3772 immediately.

Our democracy is strongest when more people vote. By taking a few simple steps now to make a plan to vote, you can help ensure your voice is heard on May 19. If you have questions about registering to vote, applying for a mail ballot, or finding your polling place, my office can help you. Don’t hesitate to reach out by calling 412-3215523, emailing RepKinkead@pahouse.net, or visiting my office at 658 Lincoln Ave. in Bellevue. 

In response, I directed the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a comprehensive study of short-term rental regulations across Pennsylvania. The findings were clear: this rapidly growing industry is operating without the transparency, accountability, or consistent standards needed to keep our communities safe.

For the past two years, I’ve worked alongside State Representatives Jennifer O’Mara and Mary Jo Daley to develop a commonsense, statewide framework. Our legislation, House Bill 2023, establishes baseline protections while recognizing the differences between homestays, vacation rentals, and large-scale corporate operators.

This bill would create countywide registries of short-term rental properties, require a 24/7 “person in charge” for every listing, and implement enforceable safety standards — with stronger requirements for high-volume operators.

Short-term rentals are already reshaping our neighborhoods, driving up housing costs and making it harder for longtime Pittsburghers to put down roots. This legislation is about restoring balance: protecting public safety, preserving housing access, and ensuring this industry operates responsibly in the communities it profits from.

I’m proud to have introduced this legislation in the Pennsylvania State House in mid-March, and it now awaits consideration by the House floor. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact my office at (412) 781-2750.

Be well, Lindsay Powell 

Centered around the theme “Beyond the Visit: Tourism That Transforms Communities,” the program emphasized that Pittsburgh’s evolution into a destination city is about far more than attractions; it’s about identity, storytelling, and neighborhood vitality.

Opening remarks highlighted Pittsburgh’s transformation from a steel town into a hub for innovation, culture, and tourism. While visitors are drawn by its skyline, rivers, sports teams, and institutions, speakers stressed that the city’s true appeal lies in its authenticity, the stories, traditions, and people that define neighborhoods like the Northside.

That focus on storytelling set the stage for keynote speaker Rick Sebak of WQED, whose decades-long career documenting the region has helped shape how both residents and visitors experience Pittsburgh.

“If you’ve ever fallen in love with Pittsburgh through a television screen… then you already know the work of Rick Sebak,” the introduction noted. “His storytelling invites people in, builds civic pride, and encourages exploration beyond the obvious.”

Sebak’s work, chronicling everything from neighborhood eateries to historic landmarks, was framed as a model for the kind of authentic, human-centered storytelling that fuels transformational tourism.

The luncheon also featured a panel discussion moderated by Amber Harkleroad of Destination Greater Pittsburgh. Panelists included Jerad Bacher of Visit Pittsburgh, Jason Brown of the Kamin Science Center, Christina Cassotis of the Allegheny County Airport Authority, David Morehouse of the Steelers, and Lucas Piatt of Piatt Companies.

Discussions centered on the role tourism plays in economic development, not just as a driver of visitor spending, but as a catalyst for neighborhood revitalization. Panelists pointed to its ability to fuel small businesses, support entrepreneurs, preserve historic character, and generate investment in local corridors.

At the same time, speakers emphasized the importance of intentional growth.

“Tourism should elevate local voices, not overshadow them,” the program noted. “It should strengthen community identity, not dilute it.”

On the Northside, where cultural institutions, sports venues, and historic neighborhoods intersect, that balance is especially critical. Leaders pointed to the opportunity to convert visitor traffic into long-term neighborhood momentum ensuring that residents benefit alongside tourists.

Ultimately, the luncheon underscored a shared vision: that success should not be measured solely in visitor numbers, but in thriving main streets, preserved heritage, and communities that feel a deep sense of pride.

As Pittsburgh continues to define its next chapter, the message was clear: when guided by authenticity and collaboration, tourism can be more than an industry. It can be a force for transformation.

A highlight of the luncheon was the presentation of the Second Annual Mary Ann Graf Community Spirit Award to Kyle Fahsel of Reading Is Fundamental Pittsburgh. The award honors individuals whose work strengthens the fabric of the Northside community.

John Graf, the owner of Priory Hospitality Group, created the award in 2025 in honor of his mother Mary Ann Graf who was a pillar in the community. The recognition also comes with a monetary award for the recipient.

“Reading is Fundamental is an organization that has been near and dear to my mom, Mary Ann’s, heart,” said John Graf. “She had been a public school kindergarten teacher and had seen firsthand the value of encouraging reading at a young age, and the positive results of such encouragement in children’s intellectual growth. When she opened the Priory in the mid 1980’s, my mom immediately befriended her Northside neighbors at RIF and embraced them in a variety of fashions — from financial support to hosting low or no cost events for RIF to assisting with fundraising. Awarding the Mary Ann Graf Community Spirit Award to Kyle Fahsel of RIF brings this support full circle, more than 10 years after my mom’s passing. She would be proud to be a part of recognizing Kyle’s hard work and the great efforts of RIF.”

“I’m extremely grateful for this award and the spotlight it puts on the work of Reading is Fundamental (RIF) Pittsburgh and our supporters, a group that includes hundreds of volunteer reading mentors who commit their time, passion, and energy to cultivating a love of reading in kids,” Fahsel said.

Founded to address literacy inequities, Reading Is FUNdamental (RIF) Pittsburgh focuses on helping children develop a lifelong love of reading while mitigating opportunity gaps that disproportionately affect Black youth and low-income families. In the past year alone, the organization distributed more than 84,000 books and served approximately 15,000 children.

On the Northside, its reach includes Pittsburgh King, Allegheny Traditional Academy, Pittsburgh Manchester, Manchester Academic Charter School, Training Wheels, Propel Northside, Pittsburgh Morrow, Pittsburgh Spring Hill, and Pittsburgh Conroy. Its programs span early childhood through adolescence, from Book Babies and Storymobiles to literacy mentoring initiatives and in-school reading celebrations all centered on access to culturally inclusive, high-quality books.

Fahsel, who has spent 17 years in education, shared that discovering RIF Pittsburgh after relocating to the city three years ago was transformative.

“I honestly didn’t believe it was real. An organization that provides tens of thousands of new, popular, and culturally relevant books for kids to keep,” he said, emphasizing the urgency of addressing what he described as a growing literacy crisis.

As the event concluded, attendees left with a renewed sense of purpose and connection, inspired not only by the vision of tourism as a force for economic and community transformation, but also by the individuals and organizations doing the work every day to make that vision a reality. From elevating authentic neighborhood stories to investing in the next generation through literacy, the luncheon reflected the very best of the Northside—where collaboration, compassion, and commitment continue to shape a stronger, more vibrant future.

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

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

According to Eric Setzler, the chief engineer on the project with DOMI, Slide 4 is most likely the next landslide the department will seek to address, probably within the next year or two depending on funding availability.

Setzler said DOMI prioritized landslides based on their size and impact on travel through the park. Slide 9, for example, was the first DOMI remediated back in 2022, and is located near the park’s Chapel Shelter, along the main thoroughfare through Riverview.

“We have gotten to the biggest, most critical ones,” he said.

Slide 4, meanwhile, was considered only a minor landslide at first, and the city had hoped to get by just repaving the roadway near the slide. However, Setzler said that section of road has started to crack as a result of the landslide, increasing the urgency of getting it fixed.

So far, landslides 9, 8, 6, 1, 3 and 7 have been remediated, with those last three seeing work just last year. This means only four landslides — slides 2, 4, 5 and 10 — still require remediation.

Landslides are caused by numerous factors, including elevation, status of the rock and soil, and the introduction of water.

“There are a lot of areas in Pittsburgh, and Riverview Park is one of them, where the hillsides are susceptible to landslides just due to the geology,” said Setzler.

Due to the varied conditions under which a landslide can occur, the manner in which DOMI addresses fixing a slide is also variable. Slide 9 was remediated using soil nails, Setzler said, which are steel bars surrounded by construction grout placed into holes drilled into soil and rock.

When beginning a landslide project, DOMI has an engineering firm survey the area and take geo-technical borings, discovering where the bedrock for the area is. Based on those findings, the firm recommends solutions which, according to Setzler, “make sense” in terms of maintenance and matching the aesthetics for the park.

Often these remediations take the form of some kind of wall supported by steel and concrete, though Slide 6 had no wall at all. Instead, round concrete columns called caissons were placed into the earth near the slide, with only the tops of these beams being visible from the surface.

While these fixes can be expensive — $780,000 was budgeted toward addressing Slide 8 alone — they are designed to last decades.

“They are really long term fixes that are going to hold that section stable for a long time,” Setzler said.

While it is unknown exactly when the remaining landslides will be addressed, Setzler said DOMI has to prioritize what other projects and programs are going on in the city when deciding funding. Still, he was optimistic about how much work had already been done.

“I think it’s great we’ve been able to make as much progress as we’ve been able to get to over the past five or six years, because it really is an important road,” he said, referring to Riverview Avenue. “Without that road, you don’t have access to the park at all.”

For more information about DOMI’s landslide remediation work, visit engage.pittsburghpa.gov/riverview-park-landslide-remediation

During these same years however, Brunot Island witnessed a contrasting turn of events.

While not directly correlated to Westinghouse, his development of the island lead to the infrastructure needed to properly access the island, in which in 1903 — the same year that the railroad was constructed on Washington’s landing, a group of businessmen organized under the Pittsburgh and Allegheny Driving Club and constructed a one mile oval dirt race track on Brunot Island; of which, horse and motor vehicle races were hosted for an audience on the island. The first race was hosted in 1904, and in the following year Louis Chevrolet took the AAA championship title taking place on the island, according to WESA, Pittsburgh’s NPR news station.

According to the National Park Service, this opportunity was short-lived, as Pittsburgh’s demand for energy increased and with it the powerplant as well, which increasingly expanded across the entire island by the 1930s, driving out the racetrack and its occupants.

By 1972, Duquesne light began operation of an oil-fired six-unit cycle peaking facility, which continued activity until Orion Power Midwest announced a conversion of the plant into a more efficient and environmentally friendly natural gas power plant, according to Historic Pittsburgh.

The plant has continued operation since then. While Brunot Island is known by the public as a Duquesne Light facility, today it is divided between two corporations.

This was exemplified during the 2023 fire on Brunot Island, in which multiple explosions occurred due to a power transformer failure leading to billowing smoke in the sky.

During this event, it was clarified by Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 that the power generating plant facility located on the island is under the operation and ownership of GenOn, a power producing corporation delivering electricity to customers in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, according to GenOn’s website.

Meanwhile, Duquesne Light continues to hold a presence on the island, however its role in the energy industry is different from that of GenOn.

According to Duquesne Light’s website, its role in the region’s clean energy future is transmission and distribution of electric energy.

The key difference being that while Duquesne light conducts the transmission and routing of energy to Pittsburgh homes, the facility producing energy is under the directive of GenOn.

According to WESA, despite energy workers being present in the area, today a majority of the island is occupied by wildlife and animals.

Since the fire, events have seemed seldom on the island. However, on July 15, 2025, on behalf of the Duquesne Light company, the EADS group addressed Pittsburgh Council Members by revealing a permit application for a construction project named “BI Backchannel River Crossing Project,” involving the enhancement of electrical infrastructure, replacing conductors, and the installation of a duct bank on Brunot Island.

Unlike Brunot Island’s progression into the modern industrial complex, Herrs Island began seeing demise in its industrial outlook in the 1970s, with less than one-fourth of the island consisting of active operations at this time. Meanwhile, the rest of the island began to show its wear of dilapidated infrastructure, and industrial blight, according to a case study done by the Urban Land Institute.

“I just remember the people up on Troy Hill saying, no one’s ever going to buy a house on that island, because they remembered it for what it was, old stock yards and slaughter houses. But no, it really turned into its own community, you know,” said Northside resident Ray Meyer when referring to the first developmental planning of the island.

“In the early 80s or late 70s, plans started being made to turn Washington’s Landing into what it is now, light industry and residential living” said Meyer.

It wasn’t until the end of this decade of collapse that the process of redevelopment and interest in the island began taking action. According to Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), through 1978 to 1989, in a combined effort of the state and Urban Redevelopment Authority, dozens of acres of land were purchased from the industrial companies in order to establish both a park and marina, as well as residential living. This marked the birth of Washington’s Landing, a name coined from the previously mentioned visit of Washington himself, thus bearing a new name in coexistence with Herrs Island to highlight its redevelopmental effort.

According to CMU, after acquiring ownership of the island, waste materials from rendering operations, high levels of heavy metals, contaminated soil, ground water that did not meet drinking standards, as well as a plethora of other hazardous materials were all found on the island, a lasting impact from the industrial operations that occurred for over a century. In addition to this, to create the marina that is now present today, sunken barges had to be lifted from beneath the river, and decaying organic waste such as livestock had to be extradited, solving the long term stench of the island that surrounding communities had experienced for years — in total costing both the city, government, and public investors over $44 million to complete the redevelopment.

“I forget how much money they were asking for, I believe it was between $180,000 and $200,000, and everyone was saying “there’s no way someone’s going to pay that for a house”, but again, it was literally stock yards and animal pens, and that is not what you see today,” said Meyer.

In 1983, Pittsburgh City Council pushed a redevelopment plan that would utilize the natural advantages of the island, including pedestrian trails circulating the outer island, landscaping that would better conceal inner infrastructure, and high income housing projects that offered a riverfront view, according to the Urban Land Institute.

Today, Washington’s Landing hosts such attractions as the Three Rivers Rowing Association, a privately held marina for boat owners, corporate enterprise, and recreational amenities such as tennis courts and even a restaurant named Redfin Blues. As part of the Three Rivers Heritage Trail, a walkway encircling the island takes pedestrians through the historic railroad bridge and park, with multiple viewpoints looking over the Allegheny River.

Washington’s Landing Marina owner David Gregory explained how his business was one of the first developments on the island, following the redevelopment project. Gregory said his father was early in the bidding process and was able to acquire the marina after the city government pushed for entrepreneurs to help create opportunity and build up the community using financial incentives.

“It was certainly a risk, but in the long run it certainly paid off,” he said. “It turned into a great, great, place.”

The party is open to Northside families, neighbors and NFL Draft visitors, and will include activity stations, face painting, balloons for kids, scavenger hunts, church tours and sensory-friendly activity options.

In addition, GBU North Side Neighborhood, who is organizing the party, will give out 200 shelf-stable birthday cake kits as part of the organization's 134th birthday celebration. GBU North Side Neighborhood is a volunteer-led group that organizes community projects and family events in the community.

Calvary United Methodist Church is located at 971 Beech Ave.

Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium announced on March 17 the start of a feasibility study that may lead to the construction of a standalone aquarium on the North Shore.

According to a press release from the zoo, the project is currently in “the conceptual and exploratory phase,” and is undergoing an “economic impact study” to explore if the construction is possible, possible funding sources and long-term community impact. The name for the potential aquarium is the Pennsylvania Aquarium.

“Pennsylvania is the most populous state without a stand-alone aquarium,” Pittsburgh Zoo President and CEO Dr. Jeremy Goodman is quoted as saying in the press release. “The Pennsylvania Aquarium would expand the Zoo’s physical and conservation footprint connecting the city and state to aquatic animals from around the planet as well as those that are native to the Commonwealth, celebrating our life-sustaining relationship with water and aquatic life in ways we can present only in Pittsburgh.”

According to the release, the aquarium would not duplicate existing displays at the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium.

There is no construction timeline for the project as of yet, nor has a final location been determined. Pittsburgh Zoo intends to release more updates as the project continues.

Spring Hill Civic League announces meeting schedule for 2026

The Spring Hill Civic League has announced their schedule of meetings for 2026.

All meetings are held at Spring Hill Elementary School, located at 1351 Damas St., at 6:30 p.m., unless otherwise noted.

The schedule is as follows:

• April 6
• May 4
• Aug. 3
• Sept. 14
• Oct. 5
• Nov. 2 

All meetings are held in a hybrid online and in-person format. Those wishing to join digitally can do so at meet.google.com/ghu-yibp-kr

2nd Mary Ann Graf Spirit Award presented at Chamber Luncheon

Kyle Fahsel of Reading is Fundamental Pittsburgh was the recipient of the second Mary Ann Graf Spirit Award, which is given out by the Northside | North Shore Chamber of Commerce.

The award was given out at the Chamber’s annual luncheon, which was held on March 5 at Kamin Science Center this year. Fahsel is the nonprofit’s director of mentoring at Reading is Fundamental Pittsburgh.

“I am just overwhelmed, as somebody not originally from Pittsburgh, by the support of this community for our young people,” Fahsel said while accepting the honor.

In addition to the recognition, the award came with a $1,000 check. The Mary Ann Graf Spirit Award is named in honor of Mary Ann Graf, co-founder of The Priory Hotel. Last year’s winner was Nikki Heckman, owner of Bistro To Go.

The other nominees for this year’s award were Ed and Tammy Glover of Urban Impact, Shelly Kammerdiener of S&T Bank, Dr. Imran Qadeer of Allegheny General Hospital, Kristen Tsapis of Pennsylvania Women Work, Allegheny City Brewing and The Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence.

Reading is Fundamental Pittsburgh is an independent branch of the national literacy nonprofit Reading is Fundamental Inc. According to their website, Reading is Fundamental Pittsburgh provided more than 84,000 books to more than 13,600 children last school year across Pittsburgh and Wilkinsburg.

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.

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

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

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

Harris was a longtime Northside resident, born in Brighton Heights and living most of her life in Spring Hill. She spent much of her life supporting her community, including serving on the Spring Hill Civic League and representing the Northside on the Pittsburgh Public School Board, even managing to become president of both organizations during her service with them.

Harris is perhaps most remembered for her 13 years on Pittsburgh City Council as the District 1 representative, which represented much of the Northside. She was elected to the role in 2006 and was Council President from 2010 to 2014. She held her position until 2020 after she was defeated in the Democratic Primary for the seat by Bobby Wilson, who holds the seat to this day.

For those Northsiders formerly or currently involved in community leadership, Harris is remembered for both her bombastic personality and her fierce love for the Northside.

“She was really dialed in with the people of the city when you had requests or problems, or needed help with anything,” said Ben Soltesz, current president of the Spring Hill Civic League.

Soltesz said he first encountered Harris after he moved to the Northside in 2001 and watched meetings of the Pittsburgh Public School Board. He said he often saw her getting into arguments with her fellow board members, and was skeptical of her when she ran for City Council.

However, Soltesz said he found that Darelne had a deep knowledge of the Northside and was an active participant in community organization and improvement efforts, regularly attending Spring Hill Civic League meetings even while she was on City Council.

In particular, he said Harris had a lengthy knowledge of Spring Hill’s history.

“She would always let us know ‘We used to do this, we used to do that,” he said.

Former Northside Leadership Conference Executive Director Mark Fatla described Harris as always wanting “to know what her neighborhoods thought on issues that might affect them.” He said she was always seeking public opinion on matters from the introduction of liquor licenses into a community to thoughts on the sale of properties owned by the city.

“I wish every councilperson was like that,” Fatla said.

Both Fatla and Soltesz cited Harris’ fierce opposition to a 2010 plan by then-Mayor Luke Ravenstahl to privatize Pittsburgh’s parking meters and garages as among her top accomplishments. The plan, which was rejected by Council in October 2010, would have leased the city’s parking infrastructure to a JPMorgan investment group for $452 million. Harris was among the most fierce opponents to the deal.

“I think she probably saved the city from some ridiculousness down the road with some private company jacking the prices up,” Soltesz said.

Former Observatory Hill Inc. President Dorrie Smith-Richie had perhaps one of the closest relationships with Harris, having fostered a close friendship with her and even working on Harris’ election campaign for City Council.

Smith-Richie said Harris was “instrumental” in supporting many projects to improve the Northside. One such personal example is the Zenshine Community Garden in Riverview Park that Smith-Richie organizes.

“One thing about Darlene, she cared about the Northside, she truly did,” Smith-Richie said.

While the two didn’t always agree on every matter, Smith-Richie said Harris was able to separate work from life, and the pair could always go out for coffee and hang out as friends, even when they were bumping heads on policy matters.

But above all else, Smith-Richie remembers Harris for her powerful and lasting love for the Northside.

“One of her quotes was ‘There is the other side, and then there’s the Northside,’ which embodies everything about Darlene,” she said.

Harris’ funeral was held on March 11 at the Stephen M. Brady Funeral Home.

Estate of Grant Latimore to Peptrix Inc. at 1244 Buena Vista St. for $145,000.

Carolyn Shields to Ava Keck at 1507 Federal St. for $465,000.

JFXK Investment Tr to Cassaroots LLC at 1214 Sherman Ave. for $138,000.

Daniel Dennehy Rodriguez to Elizabeth Brent at 1410 Federal St. for $625,000.

Allegheny West

Light LF Ministries Inc. to Allegheny City Warehouse LLC at 913-915 Western Ave. for $741,706.

Brighton Heights

Amir Harris to Birch Investments Management LLC et al. at McClure Ave. for $43,500.

US Bank Na Tr to Ariana Cort at 3604 Brighton Road for $137,550.

Estate of Virginia Jean Buchmann to Chloe Schoepflin at 3506 Gerber Ave. for $258,000.

Duane Nauman to Zhichuan Zhao at 3321 Minnie St. for $38,500.

Estate of Helen Dubisak Rose to KLG Real Estate Inc. at 1853 Wittmer St. for $112,000.

Luxxe LF Bundles LLC to Kristina Barron at 1840 Perrott St. for $265,000.

Trevor Litwiler to Tyrone Latimer at 1317 Stokes Way for $135,000.

LSF9 Master Participation Trust to JS 6447 LLC at 3825 Atkins St. for $146,500.

Estate of Nadiyah Lee Al Amin to Steel Ventures LLC at 3513 Fleming Ave. for $91,837.

Jeffrey Fountain to Fairmont Friendship Park Partners LLC at 3725 Millerton Ave. for $195,000. Brooke Nee to Alexis Jabour at 3454 Rigel St. for $250,000.

East Deutschtown

JWT Master LLC to North Shore Investments LLC at 843-845 Tripoli St. 8016 for $190,000.

Fineview

Pittsburgh City to Daniel Wetmore at Mountford Ave., parcel 0046-P-00383-0000-00, for $6,740.

Historic Deutschtown

Blanco Al Holdings LLC to Charleroy LLC at 514 E. Ohio St. for $532,500.

Manchester

Woco Holding LLC to Woco Holdings LLC at 1445 Nixon St. for $272,000.

Pittsburgh Public Parking Authority to Samuel and Debra Patti trustee at 1424 Liverpool St. for $90,000. Jonathan Bergholz to Grack Co. LLC at 1426 Pennsylvania Ave. for $525,000.

Marshall-Shadeland

Tony Patterson to Zeal Ventures PA 2 LLC at 2814 California Ave. for $98,500.

Jayz Property Solutions LLC to EMCO 412 LLC at 1030 Grand Ave. for $45,000.

Laron Lane to Amber Watson at 1306 Gifford St. for $5,000.

Estate of Edward Obuchowsky to Joseph and Stacey Himmelstein White at 821 Grand Ave. for $75,000. Pittsburgh City to Christine Matuszewski at 3228 Mcclure Ave. for $2,200.

Regis Miklos to James Dittler trustee at 1237 Dickson St. for $23,500.

Marie Bucek to Lisa Underwood at 1309 Highwood St. for $134,900.

Marshall-Shadeland

MTL Ventures Inc. to Chachma LLC at 2918 Breker St. for $50,000.

Barbara Hawthorne to Wayne Property Group LLC at 1116 Ingham St. for $67,000. Pittsburgh City to Jennifer Kraus at Rothpletz St. for $29,850.

Northview Heights

Pittsburgh City to Sandy Keesler Kaminski at 139 Chicago St. for $21,409.

Observatory Hill

Estephany Funez Arela Zoila to Angela Brundage at 3830 Baytree St. for $165,000.

Roberta Kardell to Karen Panyi and Isabel Edwards at 218 Bascom Ave. for $142,000.

Cole Harris Carlino to Joshua Edward Bonnett and Jessica Fay Silver at 3823 Perrysville Ave. for $210,000. Benjamin Tolan to Juliana Muller at 65 Semicir St. for $30,000.

Perry Hilltop

Penn Pioneer Enterprises LLC to AB Property Development LLC at 749 Chautauqua Ct for $60,000.

Pittsburgh City to Mitchell Thompson at Norwood Ave., parcel 0046-A-00049-0000-00, for $200 (state deed transfer stamps indicate a value of $28,700).

Patrick Connors to Gregory Higbee at 847 Maginn St. for $77,000.

Brittany Cheeks to S8 Affordable Homes LLC at 2622 N Charles St. for $45,000.

Spring Garden

Welser LLC to Warehouse On Welser LLC at 1239 Welser Way for $55,400.

Pittsburgh City to East Side Property at Itin St., parcel 0024-F-00044-0000-00, for $3,755. Pittsburgh City to Jeffrey and Melanie Fletcher at Voskamp St. for $3,700.

Henry Chai to Walter and Shanna Flaschka at 1154 Voskamp St. for $380,000.

Spring Hill

Pittsburgh City to Jarvey Klein at 1313 Itin St. for $4,776.

Edward Sauer to Maurice Brown at 1706 Rhine St. for $193,750.

James Powers to Tristan Veronie and Lindsay Schmitt at 2201 Harbor St. for $144,255.

Estate of Robert Earl Blackwell to GM Prime Investments USA LLC at 1123 Buente St. for $60,000.

Summer Hill

RHK Hodlings LLC to Jack Sweeney and Ji Youn Park at 3512 Sirius St. for $255,000.

Troy Hill

Peter Ai Moei to CJA Rentals LLC at 1337 Lowrie St. for $65,000.

David Meade to Pitt Stop 2 LLC at 1524 Froman St. for $282,500.

Troy Hill Citizens Inc. to Brown Oak Companies LLC at 1619 Lowrie St. for $90,000.

Co-owned by husband and wife Michael Schmidt and Jess Frandsen, The Eastman held its soft opening on April 16, preparing for a sort of trial by fire just ahead of the NFL Draft coming to the Northside.

Schmidt, who is a resident of the Northside, said the idea to open The Eastman came about from discussions between himself and Frandsen on how to invest in their community.

“Really, we wanted to see this location open,” he said. “We loved it back when it was Fat Cat.”

Located at 520 E. Ohio St., the building housed the short-lived but much-loved Fat Cat, the combination bar and music venue from July 2023 until its closure on March 20, 2024. Following that, the location hosted tacOcat, a pop-up by the New Mexican restaurant Taqueria Acosta.

Check out the May 2026 issue for the complete story.

The Y launched its $23 million renovation back in January 2025, and was originally aiming for a reopening at the start of this year. However, the reopening was pushed back by two months by construction delays.

Not all facilities were open when the YMCA welcomed the public back in. The pool, CrossFit gym, auxiliary gym and Kids Zone remained closed, with the goal of opening them sometime in April, according to YMCA staff.

But in the meantime, visitors were able to take advantage of the changes to several other YMCA amenities. Perhaps the largest difference is the moving of several pieces of exercise equipment to one half of the Y’s main gymnasium.

This has created additional space in the building’s weightlifting room, but, along with a new room above it, means the main gym cannot be used for basketball or other full court activities. According to Y staff, the auxiliary gym will be used for those purposes once it is reopened.

A ribbon cutting and block party to celebrate the renovations are planned for June this year.

Brighton Heights
Brighton Heights Citizens Federation to Breezing Point One LLC at 3328 Fleming Ave. for $109,000.

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

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

Perry Hilltop
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.

Spring Hill
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.

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

At the beginning of the year, I launched an initiative to conduct monthly walkthroughs in each District 1 neighborhood, with representatives from various city departments. So far, we’ve visited Spring Hill, Observatory Hill, and Spring Garden and identified numerous issues, including abandoned vehicles, potholes, illegal dumping, overgrowth, potential properties that could get back on the tax roll via the Land Bank, obstructions in the right-of-way, and other issues. I look forward to continuing these walkthroughs and working with the departments and the community to address issues.

The vape shop ordinance, Bill 20252250, is now at the Planning Commission with a public hearing scheduled for April 7 at 2 p.m. To provide public comment, you may send an email to planningcommission@pittsburghpa.gov (accepted until noon the business day before the hearing), submit testimony by mail to 412 Boulevard of the Allies, Suite 201, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 (must arrive two business days before the meeting), attend in person at 412 Boulevard of the Allies or join virtually. Details can be found at the Planning Commission website: pittsburghpa.gov/Business-Development/City-Planning/City-Planning-Meetings/PC-Agendas/Planning-Commission-April-7-2026.

This year’s yard debris collection has been moved up by one week to April 18. The original collection date of April 25 was changed due to conflicts with the NFL Draft and other special events throughout the City. Please note that yard waste must follow the guidelines, which are available on Environmental Services’ website: pittsburghpa.gov/Resident-Services/ Trash-Recycling/Yard-Debris and on the annual Collection Schedule and Newsletter.

I am happy to announce that on March 12, the City of Pittsburgh launched a new Mobile Vending Program following legislation that was passed and signed into law in November 2025. The new annual vending license now allows vending on both public and private property, permits vendors to access a broader range of areas including more streets and sidewalks, and no longer mandates that vendors move every four hours. Full details can be found on the Engage Page here: engage.pittsburghpa.gov/vending-program.

Furthermore, Mayor Corey O’Connor has announced that Pittsburgh Urban Initiatives has invested $500,000 in a Main & Main commercial façade program to help support vibrancy in our neighborhood business districts. The funding allows the Urban Redevelopment Authority to launch a round of applications in mid-April to fund façade renovations for up to 25 local businesses. Projects can receive reimbursement up to $20,000 with 25% matching funds from the business owner. The public will have an opportunity to comment on the guidelines on the URA’s website until April 3.

Applications for the Community Festival Program Grant are open until April 15. The 2026 Community Festival Program once again will provide 30 individual grants of up to $1,000 in reimbursements for events hosted by Pittsburgh community-based non-profit groups during the festival season, which runs from June 1 to Oct. 31. For full information about the 2026 Community Festival Program Grant or to apply, please visit pittsburghpa.gov/festivalgrant or email questions to cfpgrant@pittsburghpa.gov.

Finally, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy’s annual clean-up of Lake Elizabeth — What the Muck?! — will take place on April 30 and May 1 beginning at 8 a.m. If you’re interested in volunteering to help beautify this historic landmark, go to pittsburghparks.org/event/what-the-muck-volunteer-cleanup-event/ to register.

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!

At the meeting, which was held at the Children’s Museum, Paul Tellers of WTW Architects and Sara Thompson of Pashek Associates addressed the design of the replacement bridge in Allegheny Commons.

“The ped bridge is being demolished because it is in extremely poor condition, and falling debris could be hazardous for passing trains,” said Alida Baker of the Allegheny Commons Initiative.

Tellers, who is part of the steering committee, volunteered his design services, while Thompson is working under a small contract in place with Pashek Associates. Wilbur Smith Associates volunteered their services for the engineering and construction documents.

Tellers and Thompson presented five options of redesign for the pedestrian bridge, which included a 1960s-style, girder bridge, truss bridge, basket weave and a truss bridge with landings with space for plants and benches.

“I think a new bridge presents an opportunity to stitch the park back together and potentially be another asset to the city,” said Thompson.

As the existing pedestrian bridge’s arch does not provide clearance on its sides for trains, it will be demolished and most likely redesigned. A replication of the bridge would be too costly and difficult, as the arch that is currently at 23 feet, would have to exceed its current elevation.

Extending the arch elevation would require longer and steeper ramps to access the bridge deck. As the bridge is concrete, it would have to be cast in place which would mean stopping railroad traffic.

Funding for the new pedestrian bridge is not yet determined because the planning is at the early stages and a budget is not currently set. Once planning is underway, Tellers roughly estimated the reconstruction of the bridge may take about a year and half.

The community had differing responses to altering the bridge and its arch. Some wished to not alter the arch such as community member, Fran Barbush, who said that she liked “keeping the arch as a feature in the bridge, because it mirrors the angulations of the land in the park.”

Tellers said he, “appreciated the input because that was the purpose of the meeting.”

The committee will review feedback and ideas gained at the meeting and come together to decide which bridge meets the requirements of the community.

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.”

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

Pennsylvania is not one of them. At the outset of 2026, prices are on the rise while our state’s minimum wage languishes at the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour. Nearly 300,000 Pennsylvanians still earn between $7.25 and $12 an hour.

That’s not acceptable. I have always been a staunch advocate for a fair day’s pay for all workers, and it’s critical that this issue gains momentum now to help Pennsylvania’s working families and economy. It’s about time.

Pennsylvania’s minimum wage has been stuck at $7.25 an hour for 16 years.

That’s not a typo —16. And in those 16 years, every single one of our neighboring states has raised its minimum wage. Four of our six neighbors have a minimum wage of $15 or more.

Pennsylvania House Democrats have acted on this issue — twice in the past year, in fact.

We recently passed H.B. 2189, which would raise the minimum wage to $15 by 2029 and allow municipalities to reach the $15 mark sooner. The bill is now pending in the Senate.

Last June we passed H.B. 1549, which would give every Pennsylvanian worker a base-level pay of $12 an hour by 2028. But Senate Republicans haven’t moved that bill.

If helping hard-working Pennsylvanians isn’t enough of an argument, perhaps Senate Republicans will be swayed by the economic and budgetary benefits of raising the minimum wage.

Studies regularly show that a higher minimum wage stimulates consumer spending, improves worker morale and productivity, and helps businesses’ bottom line.

Gov. Josh Shapiro, in his budget address in February, also highlighted the benefits to the state budget: Raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour will actually save the state money.

That’s right. The state would save an estimated $300 million on entitlement programs such as Medicaid because of the number of Pennsylvanians who wouldn’t need those programs anymore. Nearly 61,000 people currently rely on Medicaid and make less than $15 per hour.

Shapiro called on legislators to send a minimum wage bill to his desk.

I serve on the House Appropriations Committee, and I will be raising all these valid arguments for a higher minimum wage as we work on next year’s budget: It’s good for workers, it’s good for the economy, and it’s good for our state budget.

And it’s about time.

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

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

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.

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

Perry Hilltop
Antjaun Washington to National Besketball Federation Ltd. at 2316 Osgood St. for $89,550.

Spring Hill
Katelyn Fowler trustee to Schneiders Properties LLC at 2470 Sunset Ave. for $85,000.

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

The Li’l Bridgey 5K will hold its inaugural run on May 30 starting, and ending, at the Davis Avenue Bridge. The race will take runners and walkers on a scenic, though not unchallenging, route through Riverview Park.

The race is the co-creation of Benjamin Cole and Patrick Sanders, who organize the Li’l Swervy Run Club. However, this is the first formal 5K race Cole and Sanders have organized.

“The one thing Patrick and I are really focusing on with the race is the community,” Cole told The Chronicle in an interview.

A total of 150 spots are open for the run. According to Sanders, roughly half of those spots are filled as of March 11, an amount the pair feel positively about more than two months ahead of the race.

“It seems like people are getting into it,” Sanders said of the community response.

The Li’l Swervy Run Club got its start in 2025 when Sanders came to the realization he needed to exercise more.

“I got tired of hearing my knees going up and down the stairs all the time,” he said. “And I figured I needed to adjust that.”

At first planning on just running on his own, Sanders, as a joke, made a logo for a fake run club based around his efforts. The Li’l Swervy name comes from a community nickname for a roundabout on Termon Avenue.

Cole happened to see the logo and asked Sanders if the run club was real and asked to join, turning the joke into a real group.

Cole said he formerly did CrossFit in order to exercise, but wanted to work on building his endurance. A coach recommended running, and he ended up preferring it as a form of exercise.

“I don’t do CrossFit anymore,” he said affably.

The group meets every Sunday and Thursday in Legion Park (located in Brighton Heights) for regular runs. Sanders said, at first, he was just picking a direction for the runs to go at random. However, since the reconstruction of the Davis Avenue Bridge, it has become a favorite for the club, as the park offers a run route clear of most obstacles.

“There’s pedestrians,” Sanders said of the former routes taken. “It’s kind of hard to get into a rhythm because you’ve got to stop for cars, you’ve got to stop for people.”

With the park, he said, the runners don’t have to worry about that kind of thing.

The Davis Avenue Bridge was originally a vehicular crossing. However, it was torn down in 2009 by the city due to maintenance concerns, requiring Brighton Heights residents to take a long detour to get into Riverview Park.

Construction of the pedestrian version of the bridge began on April 11, 2024, and was completed in June 2025.

Such is Sanders’ and Coles’ appreciation for the bridge that the pair decided to make it both the starting and finishing line for the race.

The race is not restricted to just runners. Those wanting to walk the course are also welcome to attend.

In lieu of medals, painted rocks will be given out to participants. These rocks are provided by Brighton Heights Rocks!, a community group that paints and hides rocks throughout the neighborhood as a kind of scavenger hunt.

Sanders and Cole are also working on getting food trucks and vendors present for the race, but they are still working out the details on getting that accomplished.

Interested participants can sign up for the Li’l Bridgey 5K at https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Pittsburgh/TheBrightonHeightsLiLBridgey5K In addition to registering, Sanders and Cole are also accepting donations to the Brighton Heights Free Fridge and Pantry through the sign-up website.

No sign ups are accepted the day of the race.

An aerial photo taken by a drone of the Davis Avenue Pedestrian Bridge while it was still under construction. The bridge replaced a vehicular crossing that was torn down in 2009.

Photo by Matthew Koscienski

Homeowners looking to sell usually want three things: plenty of interested buyers, strong offers, and a short timeline. Spring is the season that most often delivers all three.

So, if a move has been on your mind this year, this is the window where momentum tends to work in your favor. Here’s what makes this season so powerful for sellers.

1.More Buyers Will Be Looking

Typically speaking, in the housing market, there’s no more popular time to move than the Spring. Historically, data coming out of ShowingTime proves that’s when buyer activity peaks each year. Take a look for yourself (see graph below):

And this year, there’s more than just the seasonal trend working in your favor. Mortgage rates are also sitting near 3-year lows – and that combination matters.

More buyers + improving affordability = more eyes on your house.

That doesn’t mean the market will return to the frenzy of the pandemic – far from it. But it does mean more buyers will be ready to re-enter the market.

And that’s good for you. As Redfin says:

“Homebuying demand is improving . . . and mortgage-purchase applications are sitting near their highest level in three years. . .”

You should make sure your house is listed so you can take advantage of the uptick in demand. Because more activity means one thing: more opportunity to get a deal done.

2. You May Get More Offers

With more buyer demand, it makes sense that you may get more offers on your house. And history shows that’s usually true.

If we look at the data for the last three years from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), and take the averages for each month, it’s clear sellers in the Spring get more offers (see graph above): Now, don’t expect the excessive bidding wars that were so famous in 2020 and 2021. But it does mean, seasonality could help you out this Spring. As Realtor.com explains: “Spring typically brings out more buyers who are ready to make a move before summer. Listings see more views, showings, and offers during this season.” And that could be really good for your bottom line.

3. Homes Usually Sell Faster

There’s one more predictable pattern that happens pretty much every Spring based on research from Realtor.com. Homes sell faster (see graph below):

On average, homes sell 20 days faster in the Spring compared to the Winter. That’s almost 3 weeks shaved off your timeline. And that’s a difference you can feel.

Since homes have been taking longer to sell lately, listing your house during what’s usually the most active time of the year means you’re setting yourself up to move as quickly as possible. And isn’t that what sellers really want?

The faster your home sells, the earlier you can move on to what’s next for you. If you’re eager to go on to your next chapter, need to downsize, or you’ve run out of space, Spring may be your best time to sell.

Bottom Line

Spring doesn’t guarantee a sale. Strategy still matters. But this season gives you something valuable: momentum. More buyers. More activity. More opportunity. The real question is: if you’re going to sell this year, why not do it when the odds are in your favor? Let’s talk about what selling this season could mean for your house and your timeline. n

Tour season for the observatory begins in April and runs through October. This year, tours are taking place on Wednesdays and Fridays in April, and Thursdays and Fridays during the rest of the season. While the tours themselves are free, there is limited space on each tour, and reservations are required, either by calling (412) 321-2400 or by looking up the observatory’s tours on the website Eventbrite.

Although the season is just getting started, those interested in attending these tours are encouraged to sign up soon.

“They fill up sometimes weeks in advance,” said Kerry Handron, outreach coordinator at the observatory.

During the course of the roughly two-hour tour, attendees will learn about the history of the observatory and, if it’s a clear night, get a chance to stargaze with its telescopes. In addition to the regular tours, the observatory hosts various events during tour season, such as Open House Days (the next of which is to take place on April 19) and Haunted Space Mansion on the Sunday before Halloween.

Handron, who has been at the observatory for three years, said showing off and using the telescopes are her favorite part of conducting the tour. She said people are often surprised to see how large the telescopes are or just how realistic celestial bodies appear once seen through one of these powerful viewing devices. That latter point holds true for her regardless of what space object the person is looking at.

“I can get as excited about the Moon as about the Veil Nebula as about the Delta Scuti star,” she said.

The observatory is currently home to three telescopes: a 13-inch one dating back to 1861, a 30-inch one completed in 1912 and the much more modern Keeler telescope. The first two telescopes are included in the tour, while the Keeler telescope is usually not, as it is used by University of Pittsburgh students for academic purposes. Handron said students are able to remotely access the telescope from their dorm rooms and have it gather data from across the sky.

A history

The Allegheny Observatory has its origins in autumn of 1858 with the passing of Donati’s Comet, then termed the “most beautiful comet on record,” according to the documentary “Undaunted: The Forgotten Giants of the Allegheny Observatory,” which details the history of the observatory.

Three wealthy Allegheny City citizens, Josiah King, Harvey Childs and Lewis Bradley, were captivated by the comet and formed the Allegheny Telescope Association, with the goal of purchasing a large-scale telescope and the construction of an observatory. They gathered together many of the city’s wealthy class to contribute towards this project.

A grand opening for the observatory was planned in 1862, but was disrupted by the start of the Civil War. Many of the association’s members lost interest as the war and its effects on their businesses diverted their attention. From 1863 to 1865, the observatory fell into disuse and disrepair until local industrialist William Thaw Sr. proposed donating it to the Western University of Pennsylvania, the forerunner to the University of Pittsburgh.

The observatory’s first director was the famed astrophysicist Samuel Pierpont Langley, who, among other things, is known for the invention of the bolometer — a device able to detect and measure infrared light — and for determining the brightness of the sun.

“We now measure the brightness of the sun in Langleys,” Handron said, referring to the unit of measurement named after the man.

The observatory’s second director, James Keeler, is also well-known for determining that the rings of Saturn are made up of multiple smaller masses, rather than giant solid rings. Keeler made this discovery at the observatory and did it by examining the spectrum of light emitted by the planet’s rings, determining that they were moving at different speeds from one another.

Two other famous figures from the observatory’s history are husband and wife John and Phoebe Brashear. The Brashears came to the observatory’s attention when John approached Langley to get his opinion on a telescope the pair had been building in their spare time, which impressed the observatory director.

John would go on to construct many pieces of viewing equipment for the observatory, and even served as the building’s director from 1898 to 1900.

John and Phoebe are also known for their love story, Handron said. Such is their bond that the pair’s ashes are mixed together in the same urn in a crypt located in the observatory’s lower levels. Also within the crypt are the remains of James Keeler, as well as his son and wife.

For more information about Allegheny Observatory tours, visit observatory.pitt.edu/events/public-tours. To register for a tour, visit eventbrite.com/e/public-tours-tickets-1982476190653?aff=ebdsoporgprofile.

Allegheny West
Light LF Ministries Inc. to Allegheny City Warehouse LLC at 913-915 Western Ave. for $741,706.

Brighton Heights
LSF9 Master Participation Trust to JS 6447 LLC at 3825 Atkins St. for $146,500.
Estate of Nadiyah Lee Al Amin to Steel Ventures LLC at 3513 Fleming Ave. for $91,837.
Jeffrey Fountain to Fairmont Friendship Park Partners LLC at 3725 Millerton Ave. for $195,000.
Brooke Nee to Alexis Jabour at 3454 Rigel St. for $250,000.

Manchester
Pittsburgh Public Parking Authority to Samuel and Debra Patti trustee at 1424 Liverpool St. for $90,000.
Jonathan Bergholz to Grack Co. LLC at 1426 Pennsylvania Ave. for $525,000.

Marshall-Shadeland
MTL Ventures Inc. to Chachma LLC at 2918 Breker St. for $50,000.
Barbara Hawthorne to Wayne Property Group LLC at 1116 Ingham St. for $67,000.
Pittsburgh City to Jennifer Kraus at Rothpletz St. for $29,850.

Spring Garden
Pittsburgh City to Jeffrey and Melanie Fletcher at Voskamp St. for $3,700.
Henry Chai to Walter and Shanna Flaschka at 1154 Voskamp St. for $380,000.

Troy Hill
Troy Hill Citizens Inc. to Brown Oak Companies LLC at 1619 Lowrie St. for $90,000.

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

Harris was a longtime Northside resident, having been born in Brighton Heights and living most of her life in Spring Hill. She spent much of her life supporting her community, including serving on the Spring Hill Civic League and representing the Northside on the Pittsburgh Public School Board, even managing to become president of both organizations during her service with them.

Harris is perhaps most remembered for her 13 years on Pittsburgh City Council as the District 1 representative, which represented much of the Northside. She was elected to the role in 2006 and was Council President from 2010 to 2014. She held her position until 2020 after she was defeated in the Democratic Primary for the seat by Bobby Wilson, who holds the seat to this day.

For those Northsiders formerly or currently involved in community leadership, Harris is remembered for both her bombastic personality and her fierce love for the Northside.

“She was really dialed in with the people of the city when you had requests or problems, or needed help with anything,” said Ben Soltesz, current president of the Spring Hill Civic League.

Pick up the April edition of The Northside Chronicle for the full story.

Strengthening Protection from Abuse Orders

A Protection from Abuse (PFA) order should serve as a powerful shield for survivors of domestic violence. Yet too often, abusers ignore these court orders and face consequences that amount to a slap on the wrist, leaving survivors vulnerable and forcing them to live in fear. House Bill 1908, legislation I’ve introduced with state Rep. Nate Davidson, D-Cumberland/Dauphin, would increase penalties if an individual violates a PFA repeatedly. Right now, if someone ignores this court order one or 50 times, the possible punishment is exactly the same and ultimately depends on the judge hearing the case. It also would require PFA violations be reported to a central police database so that law enforcement is aware if a person repeatedly ignores these orders. House Bill 1909, also introduced with Rep. Davidson which has passed the House and is awaiting consideration in the Senate, would strengthen enforcement of PFAs by increasing penalties for crimes committed against the protected person while the order is in effect, including harassment and stalking. The bill does not create new crimes or infringe on the rights of law-abiding gun owners. Instead, it ensures that when someone violates a court order and commits a crime against the person they are prohibited from harming, the consequences reflect the seriousness of that violation.

As a consistent advocate for criminal justice reform, I do not typically support expanding criminal penalties because enforcing what is already on the books is often more than sufficient to hold offenders accountable. However, survivors deserve confidence that the legal system will take their safety seriously and hold repeat offenders accountable. This legislation is a clear, commonsense step toward making PFAs the protection they were intended to provide.

Lowering costs for prescription drugs

Prescription drug prices are straining household budgets, and too many families encounter unexpected costs when they arrive at the pharmacy counter. Even when patients receive financial assistance to help cover their medications, predatory insurance practices exploiting a loophole can prevent that assistance from counting toward their deductibles or out-of-pocket limits.

I have introduced the Prescription Drug Copay Fairness Act to close this loophole by banning “copay accumulator” policies. These policies allow insurers to accept copay assistance funds without crediting them toward a patient’s cost-sharing obligations. As a result of this deductible double dipping, families can suddenly face the full cost of their medication once assistance runs out — often just a few months into the year. I am excited that Gov. Josh Shapiro has included this legislation as a priority in his 2026-27 state budget.

This legislation will not solve the immense challenges in our current health care system, but it is one step we can take toward making medicine more affordable. We must ensure that copay assistance actually reduces what patients owe, rather than allowing insurance companies to get paid twice.

Regulating kratom

Kratom is a psychoactive substance that acts on the same neuroreceptors as opioids and is currently unregulated in Pennsylvania. It has no age level restriction for sale and is widely available in convenience stores and smoke shops, often intentionally packaged or promoted in ways that appeal to children. In addition to carrying the same risk for overdose as opioids if taken in sufficient quantity, independent testing has shown that some of these unregulated kratom products contain undisclosed or toxic additives, and synthetic variants known as 7-OH pose even more serious health and overdose risks.

I have introduced House Bill 2058 with Rep. Jim Prokopiak, D-Bucks, to establish a regulatory framework for kratom to protect consumers. The bill would prohibit sales to individuals under 21, ban synthetic kratom products, require testing and clear labeling, and prohibit marketing that targets children.

Let me be clear, kratom has been used for thousands of years to treat pain, anxiety, and other ailments and has significant benefits when used responsibly in its natural form. But Pennsylvanians deserve clear, accurate information about any products they purchase. They deserve confidence that what they purchase is safe and free from toxic additives. And parents deserve reassurance that potentially addictive substances are not being marketed to their children and accessible sitting next to the candy and gum. These sensible guardrails would reduce harm and promote transparency in the marketplace.

Ending court fines and fees for juveniles

Did you know that an inability to pay fines is a leading reason that keeps young people entangled in the justice system? Not reoffending, not violating terms of supervision. Juvenile offenders, inherently, have the best chance of successfully rehabilitating but not if we keep them in the system indefinitely because they are too poor to get out.

House Bill 1385, a bill I introduced as part of a larger package of juvenile justice reforms, would eliminate most fines and fees for juveniles, while still prioritizing restitution for victims. This reform acknowledges both that it is the families and not the children, themselves, who are paying fines and fees, and that keeping a child in the justice system simply because their family cannot afford to pay does not promote accountability — it deepens inequality and limits future opportunities.

Pennsylvania’s juvenile justice system should be grounded in justice, not financial punishment. By focusing on rehabilitation, we can help young people move forward and foster safer communities. No child is born bad and no child’s future should hinge on their ability to pay a court bill.

Building progress together

Turning these bills into law takes sustained effort, partnership, and community engagement. I am proud to work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle, as well as advocates and residents, to move these priorities forward.

If you have thoughts on these bills or ideas for how state government can better serve our neighborhoods, I encourage you to call my office at (412) 321-5523, email RepKinkead@pahouse.net, or visit us at 658 Lincoln Ave. in Bellevue.

Fineview
Pittsburgh City to Daniel Wetmore at Mountford Ave., parcel 0046-P-00383-0000-00, for $6,740.

Manchester
Woco Holding LLC to Woco Holdings LLC at 1445 Nixon St. for $272,000.

Marshall-Shadeland
Regis Miklos to James Dittler trustee at 1237 Dickson St. for $23,500.
Marie Bucek to Lisa Underwood at 1309 Highwood St. for $134,900.

Perry Hilltop
Brittany Cheeks to S8 Affordable Homes LLC at 2622 N Charles St. for $45,000.

Spring Garden
Pittsburgh City to East Side Property at Itin St., parcel 0024-F-00044-0000-00, for $3,755.

Spring Hill
Estate of Robert Earl Blackwell to GM Prime Investments USA LLC at 1123 Buente St. for $60,000.

Troy Hill
David Meade to Pitt Stop 2 LLC at 1524 Froman St. for $282,500.

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

First and foremost, I’m excited about the potential to expand affordable housing across the Commonwealth. The governor’s proposal makes a serious commitment to preserving, protecting, and producing dignified housing in our communities. It includes commonsense reforms like establishing a statewide cap on rental application fees, banning fees before a tenant can even view a property, sealing eviction records for people who were never actually evicted, and capping annual rent increases. Together, these changes protect working families and help more people remain housed — because housing stability is economic stability.

Governor Shapiro also prioritized sustainable funding for public transit — an issue that directly affects our Northside communities. While temporary, stopgap measures are currently keeping systems like Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) afloat, Pennsylvanians deserve stable, reliable funding that protects and expands public transportation for workers, seniors, students, and people with disabilities. That’s why I was encouraged to hear the governor propose increasing the share of Sales and Use Tax revenue dedicated to the Pennsylvania Transportation Trust Fund to 6.15%, beginning July 1, 2027. Investing in transit strengthens our economy, reduces congestion, and keeps people connected to opportunity. Nearly one million Pennsylvanians rely on public transit to get to work, school, the grocery store, and doctor’s appointments — and our budget should reflect that reality.

Finally, with monthly premiums rising, too many families are being forced into impossible choices between putting food on the table, keeping the lights on, or accessing life-saving health care. In 2026, the mere existence of that choice is unacceptable. Governor Shapiro’s budget treats health care as the necessity it is by proposing a $193 million investment of federal funds to launch the state’s first Rural Health Transformation Plan — strengthening the health care workforce and improving access for our neighbors in Central Pennsylvania and beyond.

When we invest in our neighborhoods, Pennsylvania thrives. Harrisburg was buzzing with energy throughout February, and it’s clear my colleagues and I are ready to turn these proposals into real progress for the people we serve.

As always, my office is here to help with Property Tax/Rent Rebates, LIHEAP applications, and other state services. Please call us at (412) 781-2750 or email reppowell@pahouse.net with any questions. 

Be well, 

Lindsay Powell

Tour season for the observatory begins in April and runs through October. This year, tours are taking place on Wednesdays and Fridays. While the tours themselves are free, there is limited space on each tour, and reservations are required, either by calling (412) 321-2400 or by looking up the observatory’s tours on the website Eventbrite.

Although the season is just getting started, those interested in attending these tours are encouraged to sign up soon.

“They fill up sometimes weeks in advance,” said Kerry Handron, outreach coordinator at the observatory.

Check out the April edition of The Northside Chronicle for the full story.

Angels’ Place Inc., the Northside-based nonprofit that provides support to single parents, was named one of the finalists for the $10,000 GBU Foundation Community Grant Award.

The designation was announced on Feb. 9, with a public voting period taking place from Feb. 13 through Feb. 28. Other nominated organizations include the Western Pennsylvania American Diabetes Association, the Mercer County Food Bank, Kettering Children’s Choir and more.

The grant, which is in its third year, was established by The GBU Foundation and GBU Financial Life. The former is a nonprofit that aims to help donors achieve philanthropic goals, and the latter is a Pittsburgh-based fraternal benefit society.