Pittsburgh All Local

The City of Pittsburgh is preparing for a busy St. Patrick's Day weekend starting with change on the South Side. News Radio KDKA's Timira Rush has the story:

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[During  today's  police briefing at the city- county building,  Pittsburgh Public Safety along with other city leaders discussed the opening of a a new substation on the South Side along S. 18th Street. Commander Jeffery  Abraham says the sub-station is to have role call and complete paperwork.

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The parade is set to start at 10 a.m. tomorrow at the Greyhound bus station at the intersection of Liberty Avenue and 11th Street. Timira Rush, News Radio KDKA]

President Joe Biden will oppose the planned sale of U.S. Steel to Nippon Steel. In a statement being released today, Mr. Biden says the nation needs "strong American steel companies powered by American steel workers.” Nippon Steel announced in December it plans to buy U.S. Steel for $14.9 billion. That raised concerns within the federal government about the transaction's impact on union workers, supply chains and national security.

A couple of Pittsburgh area business owners found and released a deer this morning many people have been looking for. As NewsRadio KDKA's Timira Rush reports, they never gave up:

A deer wandering the North Hills with a plastic container on its head was first seen on a game surveillance camera on February 22nd. The doe wandering the area for weeks was captured by Matt and Lisa Mertz, Owners of Matt Mertz Plumbing. On the Big K Morning Show, Matt said they spent hours tracking the deer:

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Matt says the deer got up and walked away and seemed to be able to find some water and food. Timira Rush, NewsRadio KDKA.

There are reports on social media of an explosion and fire in Crescent Township. The exact location of the blast and fire is not clear yet. Allegheny County Emergency Services sent several units to the 500 block of Avenue C a few minutes before 9 a.m. At about the same time, units were also sent to the 1400 block of Riverview Drive, which is not far away. A picture taken at nearby Quaker Valley High School shows black smoke rising from the area. NewsRadio KDKA's Timira Rush is nearby and joins us for a live report:

The Steelers reached an agreement last night with Russell Wilson. $1.2 million, the veteran minimum. What does this mean for the team's first round draft pick in 2022? 93-7 The Fan's Dorin Dickerson gave us an answer on the Big K Morning Show:

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With reaction from Steelers fans, here's NewsRadio KDKA's Timira Rush, live in the newsroom:

Steelers’ Russell Wilson signing sparks flurry of fan reactions. News Radio KDKA's Timira Rush has more live in the newsroom 

Russell Wilson’s first tweet as a Steeler immediately won over fans in Pittsburgh. Every Steelers fan knows the word  "Renegade" by Styx has become a de facto anthem for Pittsburgh's  defense so when Russell Wilson signed with the Steelers on Sunday, he knew exactly which chord to thrum.  local Steelers fan, Jason from Crafton tells KDKA Radio,  Wilson is a fan favorite. 

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Wilson is a nine-time Pro Bowler and a Super Bowl winner with the Seahawks.

Jim Roddey, Allegheny County's first chief executive died Thursday. NewsRadio KDKA's Timira Rush has the story:

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[Jim  Roddey, came to Pittsburgh mid-career and became one of its greatest advocates and leaders,  he was honored for his service to the Republican committee at its annual Spirit of Lincoln fundraising dinner in February of 2016. Mr. Roddey was a civic and political leader who believed in doing the right thing  he was a friend and mentor to many. Dan Onorato followed Roddey as county executive and tells the Big K Morning Show he was always a gentleman:

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 Mr Roddey was a pioneering businessman and a Marine Corps veteran, he was 91.  Timira Rush, News Radio. KDKA.]

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Pittsburgh's new controller is painting a bleak picture of city finances. Rachel Heisler says the city could be heading for a fiscal crisis, with Downtown property owners winning much lower assessments. Another hit to the city's finances is the result of the facilities usage fee being ruled unconstitutional. Over the past 20 years Pittsburgh collected millions from visiting athletes and performers. It is likely some of that revenue will be refunded. 

A Butler County woman was injured in a bear attack last night. It happened around 8:30 p.m. outside a home on Bellefield Drive in Butler Township. The woman told police while her dog was in the yard she heard an altercation, stepped outside and was attacked by the bear. She broke free, went back inside and called for help. Butler Police Sergeant Thomas Vensel told KDKA-TV the bear attack is a first:

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The woman was taken to a hospital and her injuries were not life-threatening. Game Commission officers found a female bear and three cubs in a tree near the home. The female bear was euthanized after she became aggressive. The cubs were tranquilized and taken away.

A 19-year-old man was gunned down last night in McKees Rocks. Allegheny County Police say it happened before 5:15 p.m. in the area of 3rd and Boquet streets. Ronald Fuller had multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at a hospital. Detectives say evidence at the scene shows the gunman fired a shot, Fuller returned fire and was then hit by several bullets. Anyone with information about this killing is asked to call 1-833-ALL-TIPS.Callers can remain anonymous.

Assessment appeals are adding to the hundreds of millions of dollars in tax cuts for Downtown buildings. NewsRadio KDKA's Timira Rush has more:

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[Five buildings in the Golden Triangle won reductions last week of $120 million for this tax yeas. The reason: buildings are assessed based on the revenue they produce and Downtown properties are generating far less since the pandemic. The Post-Gazette reports the properties include PNC Firstside Center and Two PNC Plaza. Assessments on 10 buildings have been slashed by just over $364 million and could cost the city, school district and county nearly $8.4 million in tax refunds for this year. Schools Solicitor Ira Weiss says the district will appeal many of the reductions in court. Timira Rush, NewsRadio KDKA.]