REPORTER •
Since 1939, Serving The South Pittsburgh Neighborhoods of • Allentown • Arlington • Beltzhoover • Bon Air • Carrick • Knoxville • Mount Oliver • Mount Washington • South Side Vol. 79 No. 17
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Tuesday, December 11, 2018
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Free From Participating Merchants
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Reporter South Side
There will be a South Watch meeting at the Brashear Center, 2005 Sarah Street, on Wednesday, Dec. 12 at noon. There are no presentations on the agenda, but there will be reports. See Page 5
Allentown
Mittens & Mingles presented by UPMC Mercy, the South Side Chamber of Commerce’s annual celebration benefitting the South Side Welcome center and The Brashear Association drew a full house for signature drinks and food from South Side’s finest restaurants. Attending the event were: (from left) Michelle Senko, Hugh Brannan, Jean Brannan and Marie Senko. Additional photos in South Pittsburgh Scene on Page 2. Photo by Zos Zavius
See Page 4
Beechview
The Beechview Community Center is seeking artists, 50 or more years old, to submit one or two pieces of original artwork for its Artful Aging Exhibition at the center in January.
Still time to enter home decorating contests Just do it in Boro decorating Allentown contest on now
See Page 5
Arlington Heights
Allentown residents will have an opportunity to win a $100 gift certificate to alla Famiglia for decorating their home. The Allentown CDC will award the gift certificate to the resident with the best exterior decorations in the neighborhood. The contest is open to Allentown residents, no registration necessary. Board member of the Allentown CDC will begin 1. The final day for judging is judging homes on December December 21.
A graduation ceremony was held recently to recognize members of the Arlington Heights Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), a part of the Minority Emergency Preparedness Task Force (MEPTF). See Page 8
South Side
The next Open Mic Coffee House at the South Side Presbyterian Church is Friday, Dec. 14, 7:30 – 9 p.m., and welcomes singers, dancers, comedians, and more to the stage.
Free Christmas pancake breakfast at Hilltop United Methodist Church
See Page 8
Commentorial.............. Page 2 Housing Court.............. Page 6 RealStats..................... Page 6
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A free pancake and sausage breakfast, catered by Breakfast at Shelly’s, will take place at Hill Top United Methodist Church, 631 E Warrington Avenue, on Saturday, Dec. 22 from 9-11 a.m.
Greetings of the Season There may be a chill inthe air, but our hearts are warmed
by thoughts of our many good friends & neighbors at this special time of year. Thanks, folks!
Each Week Our Readers Are Your Patrons, Clients & Patients— Each December They Make Our Holiday Edition One of The Most Read Issues of The Year!
The breakfast includes Christmas activities and crafts, plus a special appearance by Santa. Call 412-2543497 with questions or for more information.
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Inside This Week’s South • Pittsburgh
The Allentown Senior Citizens Center will celebrate the Holidays on Wednesday Dec. 19.
ROOFING
“Big Z”-GEORGE ZUBASIC
Mt. Oliver residents can enter their home in the borough’s annual Holiday Lighting Contest. Nominate your own home or a neighbor’s by calling 412-431-8107 x106 or emailing rick.hopkinson@mtoliver.com. Jusging will occur the week of December 17.
Santa party Allentown’s Second Annual Santa Party will take place on Saturday, Dec. 15 from 2-5 p.m. at 831 E. Warrington Avenue. The family friendly holiday party includes snacks, games, crafts, music and holiday fun with Santa. The event is sponsored by the Allentown CDC and the Hilltop Alliance.
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Crime stats are down for the last month in Carrick and Overbrook By Austin Vaught, Contributing Writer The Carrick and Overbrook communities are enjoying a quiet start to the holiday season as police have observed lower crime rates dating back to October. The drop in crime was announced at last week’s meeting of the Carrick / Overbrook Block Watch as Zone 3 officer Christine Luffey distributed a monthly crime report that was about half its usual length. Between November 5 and December 3, police recorded 43 criminal incidents in Carrick, 20 of which were thefts. Only nine incidents were reported in Overbrook. Officer Luffey provided details on four of the most notable cases that occurred within the last 30 days. “I only have four or five cases to tell you about, and that’s a good thing,” officer Luffey said. “Everything is much, much lower this month.” According to the report, a juvenile was charged with criminal trespassing on November 17 at 5:30 p.m. after police were dispatched to the 2000 block of Hazeldell street following a 911 report of juveniles entering a vacant home. When police arrived, two juvenile suspects fled the scene while one remained in the building. Police drove the juvenile home and issued a citation. Police are investigating another report of criminal trespassing that occurred on November 13 at 2:48 a.m. after a woman called 911 to report an African-American male between the ages of 20 and 25 entered her home. According to police, the suspect fled after the woman threw a board game in his direction. Police noted the woman’s front door did not fully close and the yard was overgrown, which may have led the suspect to believe the home was abandoned. A carjacking occurred on November 28 at 2:00 a.m. in the 1900 block of Brownsville Road. Police said two suspects asked the 22-year-old victim for a ride before they pointed two guns at the back of his head and demanded he exit the vehicle. Undercover detectives spotted the victim’s car a few hours later, which led to a short police pursuit before the driver crashed the vehicle. Both suspects, who police say are known to the victim, fled the scene; however, the victim has been uncooperative and the case is still under investigation. A zTrip driver was robbed on December 2 at 2:28 a.m. after transporting a male suspect from South Side to the 1000 block of Brownsville Road. The suspect robbed the zTrip driver at gunpoint and took off with his wallet and phone. After police responded, the victim was able to use a tablet computer to trace the location of his cell phone to an address on Wynoka Street. Police arrested the suspect at the location and recovered the stolen property. At the conclusion of the crime report, a resident asked what factors are causing crime to drop and if police believe the decrease is temporary. Officer Luffey responded that police have not yet identified a reason behind the decrease. “I honestly don’t know,” officer Luffey said. “But I can tell Continued on Page 2
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