Heatwaves, Haunted Houses, and a Cannabis Update

City Cast Pittsburgh

It’s the Friday news roundup! Even though it’s been over 90 degrees every day this week, only a fraction of the city’s water fountains are on, and we’re blown away by the reason. ScareHouse, one of Pittsburgh’s most beloved fall attractions, isn't opening this year, and producer Sophia Lo isn’t likely to try their more hands-on alternative. Plus, we’ve got the latest on an upcoming groundbreaking at the new Tree of Life space in Squirrel Hill.

We always cite our sources:

• Pittsburgh has over 200 water fountains, but only 35 of them are turned on because there’s only one plumber who works for the city.
• Pittsburgh City Council passed legislation so that the city could work with the county, Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority, and school districts to hire other plumbers and pay them overtime.
• ScareHouse isn’t opening for Halloween this year because of pandemic-related financial challenges and vacancies at Pittsburgh Mills.
• Residents of Second Avenue Commons who were displaced by a fire are temporarily relocating to Reedsdale Center on the North Side and other sites like Light of Life. It will be months before the Downtown shelter reopens.
• Two shelter residents got married at a Juneteenth celebration.
• Rep. Emily Kinkead, whose district encompasses some of Allegheny County, shared plans to introduce and co-sponsor a bill to legalize cannabis in Pennsylvania, but it doesn’t seem like it’ll get passed with this year’s budget.
• This weekend is the groundbreaking for a memorial to the eleven worshippers killed in the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting. Instead of sticking shovels in the ground, participants will smash small glass houses.

Learn more about the sponsors of this June 21st episode:

Rivers of Steel

Pittsburgh Cultural Trust

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