State Rep. Jeff Habay said Monday he wants to change the name of the Highland Park Bridge to the Fred Rogers Memorial Bridge, in honor of children's television pioneer Fred Rogers.
The Squirrel Hill resident, and creator of "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood," died of stomach cancer on Feb. 27 at age 74.
Habay, a Shaler Republican, said he could introduce legislation renaming the bridge as early as next week. The bridge crosses the Allegheny River between Highland Park and O'Hara.
"Fred Rogers touched the lives of generations of children both in our community and around the world. This is a fitting tribute to a man who did so much for so many," Habay said in a prepared statement.
Health of sextuplets continues to improve
The condition of the Perry sextuplets continues to improve, nearly one week after they were born to a Ross couple.
Doctors at Magee-Womens Hospital in Oakland said Monday the three smallest babies -- Madison, Zoe and Simon -- have been upgraded to serious condition. Their siblings, Joshua, Olivia and Ian, are still in critical condition but are improving.
Doctors said all the babies are breathing better.
The sextuplets were born prematurely last Wednesday to Joe and Erin Perry. They are believed to be the region's first set of sextuplets.
Liberty Ave. narrows tonight, Wednesday
Traffic on Liberty Avenue, Downtown, will be restricted to a single lane in each direction tonight and Wednesday night to allow Duquesne Light Co. to use a large crane to lift an electrical transformer.
The traffic restrictions will be in effect between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. between Sixth Avenue and Sixth Street. Because traffic is light overnight, only minor delays are expected.
Testimony scheduled on Pitt housing plans
The City Planning Commission will hear public testimony today on the University of Pittsburgh's plans to build five student housing structures in Oakland. The hearing is scheduled for 2:45 p.m. in the Civic Building, 200 Ross St., Downtown.
Plans call for the construction of buildings ranging in height from three to nine stories, with room for up to 1,000 beds. The new buildings would be located along Allequippa Street and University Drive.
Today, Pitt can accommodate 6,015 undergraduate students within University Housing. As demand for on-campus housing grows, the university has targeted the Hilltop and Hillside sections of its Oakland campus for expansion.
SUV mom hit with more drug charges
An Elizabeth Township woman already facing child-endangerment and drug-related charges faces a preliminary hearing in West Mifflin this week on additional drug charges.
Lisa Hughes, 33, was arrested Sunday in West Mifflin. She was arraigned in Night Court on three counts of drug possession and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia, according to District Justice Richard D. Olasz Jr.'s office. Hughes is scheduled to appear before Olasz at 9 a.m. Thursday.
On Feb. 28, Hughes surrendered to Allegheny County police on charges she sold heroin to an undercover officer during a sting in Duquesne that yielded 36 other arrests.
Hughes already is awaiting trial on drug and child-endangerment charges for a July 7 incident in which her sport utility vehicle was stolen outside a Harmar supermarket while her 1-year-old son was inside. Police found heroin in the SUV when it was recovered later that day on the North Side with her son safe inside.
Hotlines help people fight rumors, anxiety
Sparked by fears and anxieties about the war in Iraq and the potential for terrorism at home, the state and Allegheny County are manning hotlines to help people cope and to control rumors.
Allegheny County has two 24-hour hotlines. One is a toll-free line to help children deal with their emotions: (800) 578-5100. The county also has a Public Inquiry Hotline to help adults deal with their feelings and to answer questions about the war and homeland security. That number is: (412) 423-0202.
The state's hotline deals with Pennsylvania's homeland security only. It is intended to "help correct any half-truths or rumors," said David Sanko, director of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. "During these times of heightened awareness, it's very easy for false information to spread like wildfire."
That number is: (800) 932-0784. Calls will be answered between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays.
Wuerl marks 15th year as bishop here
Bishop Donald W. Wuerl will mark his 15th year as head of the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh by celebrating Mass at 8 a.m. today at St. Paul Cathedral in Oakland.
The Mass also celebrates the Feast of the Annunciation, the day the Catholic Church marks as the day the angel Gabriel told Mary that she would be the mother of Jesus Christ.
Wuerl was installed as the 11th bishop of Pittsburgh on Feb., 12, 1988. He is considered the spiritual leader of 215 parishes in six counties.
Ohio trio charged in outlet thefts
Three Ohio residents have been charged with stealing more than $2,000 worth of merchandise at the Prime Outlet Stores in Springfield, Mercer County, state police said Monday.
The three were identified as Kelly Walker, 33; Carla Johnson, 35, and Derrick Triplett, 33, all of Cleveland.
Walker and Johnson were caught fleeing along the roadway following the thefts Saturday evening, state police said. Triplett was caught at the mall, troopers said.
All were arraigned and jailed in lieu of $15,000 bond to await preliminary hearings.
Tionesta fire destroys restaurant, two shops
Investigators were trying Monday to determine the cause of a weekend fire that destroyed three buildings, including a restaurant, in the business district of the Forest County community of Tionesta.
About 80 firefighters from several departments were called when the fire erupted shortly before 5 p.m. Sunday. The fire was declared under control by 9:30 p.m.
Two firefighters were knocked down by water from an aerial hose and were treated for minor injuries at a hospital and released, said Roxanna Johnson, treasurer of the Tionesta Volunteer Fire Department. No other injuries were reported.
The three buildings housed the Knotty Pine restaurant and the old and new Town Center Shops, which sold crafts and antiques. Johnson said the fire started in the old Town Center shop and spread to the restaurant and new shop. All of the buildings were wood-framed and about 100 years old.
Idea percolates for preserving eatery
The owners of a Bedford County building shaped like a coffee pot want to donate it to an organization that will relocate and preserve it.
Various members of the Lashley family have owned the building for nearly 15 years and they are concerned that it could be a liability. The building, on Route 30 just west of Bedford, is one of about five restaurants remaining in the country that were built in the shape of coffee or tea pots. It was built as a tourist attraction.
Although it has fallen victim to disrepair and age, people still visit. Over the years, it's been a restaurant, an ice cream parlor and a bar.
The structure is being reviewed by the state's Bureau of Historic Preservation for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places.
