Last in a series!

UPMC Among Nonprofits Eager to Avoid Paying Property Taxes from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"By voluntarily agreeing to pay South Fayette the equivalent of taxes on 50 percent of the assessed value of the property, the $10 billion nonprofit is entering into a contract so unusual that only one other tax-exempt facility in its expansive multicounty network has a similarly structured arrangement -- UPMC Hamot in Erie, Erie County. Having two deals for the same amount -- 50 percent of the assessed value -- occur in the last year certainly caught the eyes of Allegheny County and Pittsburgh officials, who are constantly seeking new revenue sources."
This is the last in an excellent series.  The rest of the series can be found HERE.

Allegheny County Only Found Archives for a Third of UPMC Parcels from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"Gaps exist in record of tax-exempt requests, according to a six-monthlong review by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette."

Forging a Giant Footprint (AUDIO) from WESA's program, Essential Pittsburgh 
"Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporters talk about this week's 4 part series on UPMC's growing presence in the region's real estate market. Then Carnegie Library's five year plan..."

Dollar Signs: County, City Weighing Separate Plans to Monetize City Assets from the Pittsburgh City Paper
""Every city in this country has some sort of market-based revenue plan. ... In an effort to generate additional funds, the two entities are mulling separate plans to allow corporate use of public property. County Council was expected to take up a proposal Sept. 18 to allow billboards on 38 county-owned parcels. The legislation was pulled, but the plan is to resubmit it, says William McKain, the county's manager."

Production Jobs Rare for Young Workers from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 
"The skilled workers in the Pittsburgh region are getting older, and there are too few younger workers being trained to take their places."

Naturalizing and Unionizing in Pittsburgh (AUDIO) from WESA's program Essential Pittsburgh
"Tuesday on Essential Pittsburgh, what the vote to unionize means for adjunct professors at Duquesne University. Learn about the region’s first outdoor botanic garden and the business of life sciences in Pittsburgh with business contributor Rebecca Harris."

URA Approves Centre Avenue Developments from the New Pittsburgh Courier 
"Three weeks ago, residents of Pittsburgh’s Hill District reviewed and approved five potential development projects for the Centre Avenue corridor. They forwarded all five to the city’s Urban Redevelopment Authority for consideration and funding approval. During its Sept. 12 meeting, the board moved the first of these projects forward—a four-story, mixed-income apartment building that would also house 3,400 square feet of ground-floor retail space."

$3 Million Port Authority Transit Grant Included in RAD Board's Proposed Budget from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"The Allegheny Regional Asset District will consider County Executive Rich Fitzgerald's grant request, which would help fund public transit.

Part three in a series!

UPMC Leaves Huge Impression on Oakland from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 
"Of all of the communities where UPMC has a presence, none has felt the impact of the region's largest employer and dominant health care provider like Pittsburgh's Oakland neighborhood. Not only was Oakland the birthplace of UPMC, it was the health care system's focus for most of the last 30 years, where its headquarters and most of its employees were based and where it came to control eight hospitals and clinics."

Part of a series!

UPMC Leaves a Trail of Big Real Estate Prices from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"By 2007, Mr. Roberto's home was the only lot between Edna Street, Van Braam Street, Marion Street and the Boulevard of the Allies that Mercy did not own. And Mercy needed only to buy four more lots to own the adjacent block between Locust Street and Edna. How UPMC managed to buy up those last five lots is a telling example of the difference in purchasing tactics between UPMC and its predecessor hospitals, as is the way UPMC has dealt with the neighborhood since it bought Mercy."

Shell Petrochemical Plant Could Energize Beaver Economy from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
"A proposed petrochemical plant in Beaver County could pump nearly $5 billion into the regional economy each year, a new economic analysis shows."

Hearings Scheduled on Downtown-East End Rapid Bus Plan from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"More than 30 diverse organizations support creation of a bus rapid transit system, which has been described as comparable to a light-rail line but with much lower development costs. The Port Authority currently is studying options for such a system."

Railroad Company Files Suit to Put Brakes on Strip Redevelopment Plan from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
"The Urban Redevelopment Authority’s proposal to redevelop the five-block-long Produce Terminal Building in the Strip District into offices, retail spaces and residences violates the building’s 1981 sales agreement, according to a lawsuit filed Monday."

Rally at Pittsburgh City Council Chambers Seeks Better Access to City Jobs for Ex-Offenders from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"About 30 people rallied in front of Pittsburgh City Council chambers today in support of legislation that would give ex-offenders a better shot at landing city jobs."

Part two of a series!

UPMC East's Land Deals Provoke Questions from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 

Second of a four-part series: This week, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette provides an in-depth look at UPMC's real estate portfolio.

"The health system is forging a giant footprint."

Part one of a series!

Forging a Giant Footprint: UPMC's Sometimes Controversial Appetite for Real Estate from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
First of a four-part series: This week, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette will provide an in-depth look at UPMC's real estate portfolio.
"Starting in 1982 in a single building that it didn't own, UPMC over 30 years has acquired and expanded most of the major hospitals in the region, built or purchased a network of 13 senior communities and hundreds of cancer treatment centers, rehabilitation and outpatient clinics and doctors' offices. The result is that UPMC is now Allegheny County's single largest private property owner in terms of the value of that property -- bigger than PNC, bigger than Giant Eagle, bigger than U.S. Steel -- with 656 acres worth $1.6 billion based on the 2002 assessment, 86 percent of it exempt from taxes, according to a six-month review by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. No other charitable organization comes close, with the University of Pittsburgh a distant second with $1 billion in property."

Pittsburgh: New Center of American Energy from Site Selection Magazine 
"How the Pittsburgh region is emerging as a U.S. leader in technological innovation in a wide variety of energy sectors."

Decades of Federal Dollars Helped Fuel Gas Boom from the Associated Press 
"‘‘The free market has worked its magic,’’ the Barnett Shale Energy Education Council, an industry group, claimed over the summer. ... those who helped pioneer the technique known as hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, recall a different path. Over three decades, from the shale fields of Texas and Wyoming to the Marcellus in the Northeast, the federal government contributed more than $100 million in research to develop fracking, and billions more in tax breaks."

Employer Survey Previews Future Hiring Needs; Organizations Take Steps to Meet Labor Supply Challenge from ImaginePittsburgh
"The Pittsburgh region is poised to see the number of energy-related careers grow significantly by the end of this decade. There will be jobs for engineers and maintenance technicians, welders and salespeople, jobs requiring post-high school training as well as professional degrees. At the same time, according to a workforce analysis conducted on behalf of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development and the Energy Alliance of Greater Pittsburgh (EAGP), the opportunity poses significant challenges for workforce development as employers increasingly compete for talent, especially across 14 high-demand, hard-to-fill occupations."

Another Nod to Pittsburgh from Buffalo Business First [of Buffalo, NY] 
"One of the richest, most powerful people in Buffalo stood before a crowd of hundreds Thursday and said the region could be more like Pittsburgh, with its burgeoning health care sector that has made it one of America's most successful regional economies during the recession..."

Neglected Lawrenceville Park Finally Has a Few Friends from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"Group works toward making 'underused' Arsenal site more inviting."

Range's Pinkerton: Frac Disclosure Didn't Come Soon Enough from the Pittsburgh Business Times
"Range Resources was the first company to drill a Marcellus well in 2004 and the first to disclose fracking fluids six years later. Today, its executive chairman, John Pinkerton, said that should have been done sooner."

Gas Drilling Bids Sought for Pittsburgh International, Allegheny County Airports from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"The Allegheny County Airport Authority is trying a second time to strike it rich by opening up thousands of acres of land at Pittsburgh International and Allegheny County airports to natural gas drillers. It is requesting bids from companies interested in a lease to drill on the 9,263 acres available, most of it at Pittsburgh International."

American Indian Village Appears at Meadowcroft from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"The methods American Indians used to tan hides, make fish nets and embroider are just some of this weekend's reenactments at the Meadowcroft Village of Rural Life. The American Indian Heritage Weekend is one of Meadowcroft's largest events of the year and draws thousands to the Avella section of Jefferson.""

Highmark Lays Out ‘Medical Mall’ Plan from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 
"Highmark Inc. would build Western Pennsylvania’s first “medical mall” on vacant land along busy Perry Highway in Pine and an ambulatory surgery center in Monroeville, if municipal leaders approve site plans."

1,200 Jobs Cut as Coal Mines Idled from the Pittsburgh Business Times  
"Alpha Natural Resources said Tuesday it will cut 1,200 jobs and idle coal mines in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Virginia. The reductions will immediately affect about 400 who work at eight mines that are being idled ..."

City Might Limit Drilling from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
"Legislation that could lead to repealing a ban on Marcellus shale gas drilling in Pittsburgh would prohibit drilling on land of less than 40 acres and require companies to test water sources and soil first. City Councilman Patrick Dowd of Highland Park could not estimate how long it would take..."

Shaky Ground: Farmer Fears for Future as Gas Drilling Begins Near Scores of Abandoned Well Sites from the Pittsburgh City Paper
"The industry and its proponents say that hydrofracturing, as the process is formally called, is safe — and that it brings jobs. But environmentalists say there are risks. And Henry, who runs a farm less than a mile from this soon-to-be-operational rig, has a special reason for worrying about such impacts. She and her neighbors live in an area that already bears the scars of resource extraction: abandoned well sites from oil and gas drilling that date back a century and more."

PROFILE!!

On the Record with Wanda Guthrie of the Thomas Merton Center's Committee on Environmental Justice (Lauren Daley) from the Pittsburgh City Paper 
"Guthrie, a long-time member and activist with the Thomas Merton Center, recently became the chair of the center's newest committee, on Environmental Justice, working toward a more sustainable society. The committee will determine much of its focus at a Sept. 23 meeting, but Guthrie spoke to City Paper now about the new committee and its charge."

Duquesne Adjuncts Vote for Union from the Pittsburgh Business Times 
"The United Steelworkers said the adjunct instructors at the McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts voted 50-9 to unionize. The balloting had been supervised by the National Labor Relations Board but fought by Duquesne, which said it was exempt from the regulations. The Post-Gazette reported Duquesne University would be challenging the election."

Buying Local Creates Economic Prosperity from the (Connelsville) Daily Courier [of Fayette County]
"Martha Noble, senior policy associate for the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, said buying local food creates economic prosperity in a region. Noble was the keynote speaker at the 2012 Buy Local Summit sponsored by Fay-Penn Economic Development Council and held Saturday at the Fayette County Fairgrounds."

Grant Program to Benefit Hill District Businesses from the Pittsburgh Business Times
"Urban Innovation21 is kicking off a grant program to assist entrepreneurs in the Hill District. The public-private partnership will award up to $50,000 to help people who live in the Hill District and/or operate a business there."

CDPA Guides Students to Find Ideal Jobs, Internships from the Pitt News [of the University of Pittsburgh]
"For many of its entrants, college is the bridge between school and a career, but figuring out exactly what’s on the other side of that bridge or how to get there can be a challenge. That’s where Pitt’s Career Development and Placement Assistance office comes into the picture. The CDPA, located on the second floor of the William Pitt Union, provides students with guidance and resources in the search for jobs and internships."

Cracker Plant Backers Plan Meeting on Jobs, Economic Effects from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
"Boosters for a new petrochemical plant in Beaver County said they will host a public meeting Tuesday to discuss their new analysis of job creation and economic impact from the proposed project. Leaders with the Allegheny Conference on Community Development will speak from 7 to 8 p.m. at Central Valley High School’s auditorium. They also will talk about what local communities can do to maximize benefits of what could be a multi-billion-dollar project."

Butler Transit Authority's CNG Grant Shuffle from the Energy Inc blog at the Pittsburgh Business Times
"John Paul, executive director of the Butler Transit Authority, has been doing the grant shuffle to secure funding for a compressed natural gas fueling station and CNG buses. Last year, the agency received a $1 million grant from the state’s Department of Environmental Protection."

Pittsburgh’s Economic History Forged in the Steel Mill from the Pitt News [of the University of Pittsburgh]
"For many years, people associated the city of Pittsburgh with the steel industry and entrepreneurs such as Andrew Carnegie and Henry Clay Frick. But recently, the economy in Pittsburgh has become more modernized, and experts say it has allowed the economy to thrive in the 21st century. Anne Madarasz, museum division director at the Heinz History Center in the Strip District, said that during the 1930s and 1940s, regional leaders accounted for the eventual decline of the steel industry by working with local business owners to address structural economy issues."

Congregations in Pittsburgh's Upper Hill Work with City to Tackle Blight from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"Addressing blight is an endless job for public works crews and building inspectors, but some neighborhoods have to assert themselves to get the job done. The neighborhood that old-timers still refer to as Sugar Top, also known as Schenley Heights, asserted itself during a recent call to action that sprang from the Pittsburgh Interfaith Impact Network campaign called Holy Ground."

Places that Lack Sidewalks a Focus for Pittsburgh Planners from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
"This summer, the city’s planning department began identifying every place without a sidewalk along more than 1,000 miles of streets. In a separate study, the department began rating the condition of sidewalks in an analysis that figures to take years. Results of the former study — being done internally by planners and interns — are to be included in a $1.3 million comprehensive plan called MovePGH that will try to address the city’s transportation needs for the next 25 years, said city bicycle and pedestrian coordinator Stephen Patchan."

Duolingo Receives $15 Million Round of Funding from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"Oakland-based startup teaches languages on the Web."

ArcelorMittal to Reopen Monessen Coke Plant from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"Company will sink $50 million into upgrades to modernize the plant, which closed in May 2009."

PIRC Set to Replace One Vision One Life from the New Pittsburgh Courier 
"Jay Gilmer recently told the New Pittsburgh Courier that replacing the street intervention that had previously been done by the, now closed, One Vision One Life was critical to the Pittsburgh Initiative to Reduce Crime. ... Since its inception, Gilmer said PIRC has received about 100 calls from youths involved in gang activities who’ve sought a way out. Of those, about 1/3 have followed through."

Pennsylvania Teachers Don't Want to Strike, Despite Expired Contracts from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"School started in the region this fall without the threat of teachers strikes, despite expired contracts in a number of districts."

EDITORIAL!!

Reverse Course: A Districtwide Effort Must Address Student Scores from the Editorial Board of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The Pittsburgh school district was stunned by the disappointing results of its students on the latest state standardized tests."
It turns out that the numbers released earlier this week were incorrect.  Here's the latest on this subject.

Pittsburgh Foundation Bequeathed $20 Million from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"The estates of identical twin sisters Jean and Nancy Davis -- lifelong Pittsburghers who died within four months of each other at the age of 97 -- and a former H.J. Heinz Co. executive and his wife have made two of the largest individual gifts ever received by The Pittsburgh Foundation."

EDITORIAL!!

Better Air: Let's Bring the County Code into the 21st Century from the Editorial Board of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"The Allegheny County Board of Health should approve the revised air pollution guidelines at its Sept. 19 meeting."

Chief Harper 1-on-1 with Homewood Residents from the New Pittsburgh Courier
"Pittsburgh Police Chief Nate Harper made himself available to questions from Homewood residents at the YMCA Monday night in an effort to improve the lines of communication between police and community members. The town hall meeting was sponsored by several organizations including the Black Political Empowerment Project, Alliance for Police Accountability, Black & White Reunion, and Western PA Black Political Assembly."

Renovation for Hill District 'Green Innovation' Project Moves Ahead from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"The last piece of funding is in place for the former Connelley trade school to become the Energy Innovation Center."

Volunteer Fair Offers Opportunities for Altruism from the Pitt News [of the University of Pittsburgh]
"On Tuesday, students gathered outside of the William Pitt Union for the 18th annual Volunteer Fair, where more than 70 volunteer organizations — such as Pittsburgh Action Against Rape, Operation Better Block and Pitt Student Government Board’s Community Outreach Committee — gathered to recruit students for their various altruistic causes."

Several Projects in Pittsburgh's Hill District Advancing; Townhomes, Market Planned from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"Five developments on Centre Avenue in the Hill District could advance in the next 12 to 18 months, city Councilman R. Daniel Lavelle said Tuesday of work that would complement the reinvention of the Civic Arena site in the Lower Hill. The city Urban Redevelopment Authority is expected to move one of the projects forward Thursday."

List of Best Colleges Keeps CMU at No. 23 from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 
"In the Best National Universities category, Carnegie Mellon University ranked 23rd, up from last year when it shared that spot with the University of Southern California. In the same category, the University of Pittsburgh finished in a five-way tie for 58th with Fordham University, Southern Methodist University, Syracuse University and the University of Maryland-College Park. Pitt finished in a four-way tie for 58th last year."

Pittsburgh Public Schools' PSSA Scores Drop from the Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette
"In a year of disappointing results on state tests, most schools in the city saw their scores decline in reading, math or both."

EDITORIAL!!

Reverse Course: A Districtwide Effort Must Address Student Scores from the Editorial Board of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"The Pittsburgh school district was stunned by the disappointing results of its students on the latest state standardized tests."

The Air That We Breathe from the WESA program, Essential Pittsburgh 
"We’ll look at new guidelines for air quality in Allegheny County, check in with Pittsburgh City Council, learn how to avoid the dreaded freshman fifteen at college and take a bike tour of the city with Point Park University."

Studies on Health Impacts of Drilling Seek Funds from the Associated Press via the Observer-Reporter [of Washington & Greene counties]
"A much-publicized plan by two Pennsylvania health companies to study possible impacts from gas drilling is only in the preliminary stages as the groups continue to look for major funding. Meanwhile, a group that has been examining similar questions is starting to focus on air quality, as precise numbers of people who’ve had health complaints linked to drilling remain elusive."

Pennsylvania Says its Drilling Law Trumps Pittsburgh's from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"The Public Utility Commission said the city's ban on natural gas production conflicts with state law."

Pitt’s Academic Firepower Draws Students, Prestigious Research Dollars from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
"Having endured a year punctuated by bomb threats, the horror of a gunman in a nearby hospital and fierce budget battles, University of Pittsburgh Chancellor Mark Nordenberg has something to celebrate. Ninety-three percent of last year’s freshmen have returned, and a panel of experts from some of the nation’s top universities on Sunday proclaimed Pitt “a world-class research university” on its 225th anniversary."

Nonprofit, Pittsburgh City Council at Odds Over Blighted Housing from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"Highland Park Community Development Corp. and City Councilman Patrick Dowd clash over redevelopment of private homes."

South Fayette: PUC Shouldn't be Reviewing Drilling Ordinance from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"South Fayette officials say the on-going state review of their local drilling ordinance shows "malicious intent" and should be suspended until Pennsylvania's top court has ruled on the pending Marcellus Shale appeal."

Ravenstahl, Other SWPA Politicians Talk Zoning for Marcellus from the Energy Inc blog at the Pittsburgh Business Times
"As the state Supreme Court considers arguments in favor of statewide zoning for Marcellus Shale exploration, Pittsburgh’s Mayor Luke Ravenstahl encouraged people to contact City Council and ask its members to overturn a citywide ban on fracking that sends the wrong message to industry, he said Monday."

EDITORIAL!!

Insulate the Assets: RAD Must Protect its Core if it Helps Transit from the Editorial Board of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"Allegheny County's RAD board must ensure that cultural, recreational and educational groups are held harmless if funds are given to transit."

Aliquippa Head Start Move Thwarted by Community Action from the New Pittsburgh Courier
"The plan to displace 150 children, ages 3, 4 and 5, and furlough 14 employees from Aliquippa Head Start, located at 1200 Main St. in the Plan 12 neighborhood of the city has been turned back by concerned citizens, headed by protest organizers, George Powell and Sandra Gill with help from Mayor Dwan Walker; the Head Start building owner, Tony Alam; and Attorney John Havie."

Pittsburgh Councilman Pushes for Lawrenceville BID from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"City council will consider a business improvement district for Lawrenceville."

EDITORIAL!!

Bid for Vitality: Lawrenceville Should Take the Next Step Forward from the Editorial Board of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"Lawrenceville's growth and popularity would be increased by the help from a business improvement district."

Pittsburgh Foundation Gives Pitt Two $1 Million Gifts from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
"Pitt gets $2M for cancer research The Pittsburgh Foundation gave the University of Pittsburgh two $1 million awards Thursday to fund endowed chairs focusing on cancer research and personalized medicine, the university said in a release."

Pittsburgh Impact Company – Environmental Service Laboratories: Proven Track Record for Growth from Imagine Pittsburgh
"Environmental Service Laboratories has been recognized as an Impact Company, a unique subset of firms that are helping create 60-80 percent of new jobs in the Pittsburgh region. The Impact Company initiative is a project of the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance, a 10-county coalition that markets the benefits of doing business in southwestern Pennsylvania, and assists companies looking to relocate or expand here."

Port Authority Officials Make Their Case for RAD Funds from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"The chairman of the Allegheny Regional Asset District board favors giving the Port Authority of Allegheny County $3 million next year."

South Side Library Reopens After a Year of Renovations from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"The historic Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh-South Side officially reopens Saturday with state-of-the art green technology."

Planning Commission OK Zone Change for New Bakery Square Project from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
"The Pittsburgh Planning Commission on Tuesday approved a key zoning change needed to expand Bakery Square in Larimer across Penn Avenue where Shadyside developer Walnut Capital plans to build high-end office space, apartments and luxury townhouses. Pittsburgh City Council also must authorize the commission’s decision. If it approves, demolition of the closed Reizenstein Middle School, which occupies the 12-acre site, could begin in January."

EDITORIAL!!

Promises, Promises: Roads and Liquor Belong on the Legislative Agenda from the Editorial Board of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"Funding transportation and ending the state liquor monopoly deserve the attention of the state House and Senate this fall."

Bland Seeks $3M From RAD Tax to Bolster Port Authority from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
"Port Authority of Allegheny County CEO Steve Bland plans to make his case Thursday for up to $3 million in funding from the Allegheny Regional Asset District’s board of directors. “This funding will be crucial in leveraging an additional $30 million in funding from the commonwealth of Pennsylvania..."

Burgess Gives Larimer Development Presentation to Packed House from the New Pittsburgh Courier
"Complete with PowerPoint presentations from the Urban Redevelopment Authority, The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh and developer Keith B. Keys, Pittsburgh Councilman Rev. Ricky Burgess asked for community input and support for a plan to begin rebuilding Larimer."

Gibson Foundation Prepares Students for Sports Careers from the New Pittsburgh Courier
"High school students in the Pittsburgh Public School District could find themselves more engaged in their studies this year thanks to a new career and technical education program. The new curriculum, created through a partnership between the Josh Gibson Foundation and Duquesne University, will introduce high school students to different career opportunities in sports, beyond the professional athlete track."

Lawrenceville to Celebrate Dog Park from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 
"With help from radio personality Delilah, dog owners and advocates have succeeded in getting a park after struggling for five years."

Blurring the Lines: Pa. Redistricting Wreaks Havoc on City's Black Neighborhoods (Charlie Deitch) from the Pittsburgh City Paper
"If your vote doesn't matter, why are they trying to steal it?"

Garfield Youth Jobs Program Gets Federal Grant from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"The Garfield Jubilee Association will receive almost $1.1 million in federal funding for its YouthBuild training this year."

Western Pennsylvania Volunteers Get Chance to Show They Care from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
"United Way of Allegheny County will sponsor three days of volunteering activities for Days of Caring, an annual event in which teams of volunteers fan out across the region."

Some Standbys Suffering, But Rail Industry Has Rebounded from the Beaver Times
"It wasn't hard to spot them around the Pittsburgh region in 2009 -- dozens, perhaps hundreds, of rail freight cars parked, empty and not going anywhere anytime soon."

Groups Work to Contain Dunkard Spill from the Observer-Reporter [of Washington & Greene counties]
"Companies involved in the construction of a natural gas pipeline near Blacksville, W.Va., have been working to clean up a spill of more than 600 gallons of drilling fluid in Dunkard Creek."

Backyard Battlefields: The Bloody Business of Fracking in Arkansas from Oxford American Magazine
"A look at how residents in Arkansas are dealing with the health implications of drilling for natural gas in their communities: ... "Tracy had headaches for the entire month of August 2010. Skin lesions and blisters broke out on her back. Her lymph nodes swelled to golf-ball size, she says. Her doctor gave her antibiotics and topical creams, but nothing worked. Keith developed nosebleeds; he’d never had them before. His nose would start running and there would be blood."

Pittsburgh Housing Authority Executive Director Meachem Quits for North Carolina Job from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
A. Fulton Meachem Jr. was in the middle of a five-year contract that paid him $170,000 a year. He accepted a similar job in Charlotte."