Latest news with #11Investigates
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
11 Investigates: Judge sets 24-hour deadline in Juneteenth permit controversy
An Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge on Monday told attorneys for the City of Pittsburgh and for the man who runs one of the largest Juneteenth celebrations in the country to provide an update on the permit application by noon on Tuesday. The four-day festival at Mellon Park in East Liberty is only ten days away, and the organizer, B. Marshall, has yet to receive his permit from the city. He applied for the permit in February. Marshall hired an attorney and filed a petition last month asking a judge to force the city to act on the permit. At a hearing last week, the city failed to show. RELATED COVERAGE >>> 11 Investigates: Attorney for Juneteenth organizer blasts city permit process, files legal action A city spokesperson told 11 Investigates the city had not been formally served with the court petition and was unaware of the hearing. The city has since been served and representatives from the solicitor's office attended Monday's hearing. The big sticking point had been the potential closure of Penn Avenue. The city said they couldn't rule on Marshall's permit because closing Penn Avenue was up to the state. Marshall has said he withdrew the request to close Penn Avenue in April, but the city still said he had failed to update his permit application. In court Monday, Marshall's attorney said he filed an updated permit application over the weekend and sent it to the city. An attorney for the city said it would take up to seven days to review the permit, but the judge said he wanted an update by noon on Tuesday. And he suggested that both sides get together and work out an agreement. The judge said the issues were not too complex and could be worked out. Outside the courtroom, Marshall was upbeat and optimistic about the outcome. 'I'm glad that the judge decided that, you have to make a decision by tomorrow, by 12 o'clock. You have to give us some information instead of delaying it,' Marshall said. 'I call today progress, big time progress,' said Phil DiLucente, Marshall's attorney. In court Monday, DiLucente chided the city attorney for not appearing at last week's hearing. DiLucente said they were aware of the petition because he sent them an email copy. 'I know they weren't technically served, but you would have thought they would have an interest to be here because we sent it to them,' DiLucente said. DiLucente said it's been a frustrating experience for Marshall. 'As I said in open court every time we try to go one step forward, it's two steps back,' said DiLucente. Marshall said it's no coincidence. He's been at odds with the administration ever since Mayor Ed Gainey pulled his funding last year. After public outcry, city council reinstated it. He didn't get any funding this year. 'After 2023, every year, there's a delay, there's a process, there's a stall, but we know the festival's going to happen and we're just happy,' Marshall said. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
11 INVESTIGATES EXCLUSIVE: City a no-show at Juneteenth court hearing, Judge hears arguments anyway
B. Marshall and his attorney were all ready to go for a hearing before a judge at the City-County building in downtown Pittsburgh Thursday morning, but the city attorney never showed. The city, in a statement to 11 Investigates, claimed it didn't know about the hearing before Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Dan Regan. It was set for 9:30 a.m. after Marshall filed a petition last week asking a judge to force the city to act on his permit for his Juneteenth celebration that is two weeks away. PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> 11 Investigates: Attorney for Juneteenth organizer blasts city permit process, files legal action 'For the city of Pittsburgh to not show up today on such an important issue is extremely, highly disappointing,' said Phil DiLucente, Marshall's attorney. Even though the city never showed, DiLucente was allowed to present his case to the judge. 'The city of Pittsburgh needs to step up. Time is of the essence. We are two weeks away,' DiLucente told the judge. Marshall filed a petition last week with the courts to force the city to act on his permit application for his Juneteenth festival at Mellon Park in East Liberty later this month. Marshall applied for the permit in February. He said he's been getting the run around since then. The city told 11 Investigates last week they were waiting for PennDOT to decide on closing Penn Avenue, but Marshall said today he withdrew that request more than a month ago. His attorney also told the judge that Marshall does not want to close Penn Avenue anymore. 'They (the city) continue to tell that falsehood that we are blocking off Penn Avenue, but we are not, so that's why we know the application will be permitted and the festival will go forward,' said Marshall. While the city did not attend the hearing, an attorney representing Bakery Square in East Liberty near Mellon Park did. Jon Kamin expressed concern on behalf of the more than 500 residents who live near the park. His biggest concern was with the potential closing of Penn Avenue, but after the hearing, Kamin said he was relieved that Penn Avenue wouldn't be closing, and wanted more details about the event. Kamin said his clients were concerned that residents would not be able to get in and out of their apartments if Penn Avenue were closed. 'This is just about trying to understand what the decisions are going to be, and having a seat at the table so that we can make sure we are adequately represented and everybody's safe and can have a great time,' said Kamin. Marshall believes the city is holding up the permit because of his well-publicized feud with Mayor Ed Gainey, who pulled $125,000 in funding from Marshall last year. After public outcry, the city council reinstated Marshall's funding last year. But the city also awarded a $125,000 contract to Bounce Marketing to put on an official city celebration last year. 11 Investigates learned that this year, the city is scaling back the celebration. It won't be organized by a marketing firm, buy by the city's Department of Parks and Recreation. PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> New details emerging about Pittsburgh's Juneteenth celebration The city has not released details about the event, but sources told 11 Investigates that it will include a small celebration with music and food on the North Side at Allegheny Commons East Park on June 14th from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Marshall did not get any city money this year, but he said he has plenty of sponsors in place, along with musical acts like headliner Morris Day and The Time. Marshall also has food and vendors lined up, as well as activities and games for everyone. He's expecting 65,000 people to attend the festival. After the hearing Thursday morning, Marshall and his attorney said they were both optimistic about the outcome of the case. 'You know my mother used to say, you can't fight city hall, but we fought them today and I think it's going to be a good outcome,' said DiLucente. The city claims they were not aware of the hearing because they have not been served with the petition, and they said if Marshall no longer wants Penn Avenue closed, he needs to update his permit application. The judge is expected to issue a ruling as soon as tomorrow. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
11 Investigates: Instagram post led police to stolen guns, dozens still remain on street
11 Investigates has exclusive new details about the rash of gun store burglaries in the Pittsburgh region since the beginning of the year. More than half of the approximately 80 stolen guns are still from shops in Pennsylvania are still on the streets. While a number of juveniles have been linked to the crimes, 11 Investigates has learned that so far, only one adult is facing charges. Chief Investigator Rick Earle discovered that a social media post led police to some of the stolen guns and two suspects. In the last five months, thieves have targeted four gun stores across Western Pennsylvania, and another one just across the border near Youngstown, Ohio. RELATED COVERAGE >>> State lawmakers push for harsher penalties for gun store burglars Those stores in Pennsylvania are located in Cranberry, Bethel Park, West Mifflin and Mercer County. The thieves tried but couldn't get into two of those gun shops. All of the break-ins were very similar. Thieves wearing masks shot out or smashed the front windows, then busted the cases, and took off with guns. They were in and out in minutes. 'They were in the store in a matter of minutes, under three minutes, then drove off what I'm being told was apparently a stolen car,' said Kirk Radziukinas, the general manager of the Keystone Shooting Center near Cranberry. Sources tell 11 Investigates that teens between the ages of 13 and 15 were identified in some of the burglaries, and they also said some of those teens may have been involved in more than one burglary. 11 Investigates has learned that only one adult has been charged in connection with the burglaries. According to a federal criminal complaint, Jaemir Beard, 18, is facing charges of possession of stolen firearms. Court documents obtained by 11 Investigates said Beard was found with three stolen guns, including an AK-47 rifle taken from the store near Cranberry. Police allegedly linked Beard to the crimes after Pittsburgh police spotted the Instagram message, 'Drac for sale.' It's slang for an AK-style rifle. Pittsburgh police, according to the criminal complaint, knew the juvenile linked to that Instagram account. They said he was charged in a gun store burglary in South Fayette two years ago. Investigators then set up surveillance at the teen's last known address on Morrell Street in Brighton Heights, and saw two people leave carrying what appeared to be a rifle in a plastic trash bag. They got into a ride-share car. Police moved in and pulled them over, finding Beard and a juvenile in the car with three stolen guns, including an AK-47. 'Law enforcement seems to be doing their part. They know who they are, picking them up and arresting them, but apparently they are turning around and being put right back into the street again, that's very frustrating,' Radziukinas said. The ATF told 11 Investigates that of the 80 guns stolen in the Pennsylvania burglaries, nearly half have been found. The rest are still on the street. Approximately 23 guns were stolen in the Ohio burglary. It's unclear how many of those guns have been found. 11 Investigates also learned that some of the stolen guns were recovered in Pittsburgh's West End, where city council member Theresa Kail Smith lives. 'I think it's shocking. It's disturbing and I think it's extremely concerning to the community,' Smith said. Sources tell 11 Investigates that as many as six juveniles have been linked to the burglaries. It's unclear what happened to those juveniles, as the records are confidential. The ATF said they are still working to track down the rest of those stolen guns. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Brothers fear longtime family home could slide off foundation due to city's delays
A home in the 2900 block of Arlington Avenue in the city's Arlington neighborhood has been owned by three generations of Semans. Brothers Francis and Michael, aged 72 and 66, currently live there. They are terrified the condemned property next to theirs could jeopardize that. 'Day and night, oh yeah. It's on my mind an awful lot,' Francis Seman told 11 Investigates. Images on Google Street View, captured in 2024, show the Semans' home on the left, a condemned home on the right, and that home's garage in the middle. 'The garage acted as a retaining wall holding the hillside up,' said Pittsburgh City Councilperson Bob Charland. That was until late March when the garage came crashing down. Francis Seman said he had repeatedly called the city's 311 line, the mayor's office and Charland's office. Charland said his records indicate Seman had been calling for over a year. 'I told them it's gonna go! I'm telling ya. I called them several times. It's gonna go. It's gonna go. It's gonna go,' he said. After the collapse, the city of Pittsburgh completed the demolition of the remaining structure and conducted 'interim site stabilization measures.' The cost to taxpayers was $59,000, and the work is not finished. Within weeks, compounded by heavy rains, the Semans saw that the hillside was moving. A fence at the top of the hill, part of the neighbor's property, has since fallen over. Bricks, dirt, rocks and concrete have broken off the hill. 'Very, very, very scared,' Francis Seman said. 'It's my home. And like I say -- I got a brother. I'm ready to cry.' As for his brother, stress is the last thing he needs. He just got home from the hospital this week. He spent about a month there after suffering a stroke and experiencing several major setbacks, including kidney failure. 'I was in the hospital writing you a letter. Something has to be done. We've been doing this for a long time. It was just getting brushed off, getting brushed off, so you have to do something,' Michael Seman said. 11 Investigates dug into the inspection records for the vacant home. It was condemned in 2019, and inspection notes show an inspector flagged the garage was 'severely dilapidated and is in danger of collapsing soon' in a 2019 report. The report further noted 'there is imminent danger of failure or collapse' that 'endangers life.' When asked about the report, a city spokesperson said Wednesday that the garage was separately condemned in 2023, four years after that report. 'We failed Mr. Seman here… He's obviously going to sit on pins and needles every time it rains,' Charland said. 'That is a temporary solution. That's not something that's going to be the long-term fix.' Charland does not live far from the Semans. 'I drive by Mr. Seman's house at least once a day, and it worries me every time I see it there,' he said. 11 Investigates asked Charland if the hillside would be permanently stabilized before it causes more serious issues for the Semans. 'It better,' Charland responded. The mayor's office said an engineer is currently coming up with a plan for the hillside. It noted that the plans are expected by the end of July. Once those plans are in place, it will take additional time for the city to bid out the project and hire a company to do the work. Time is what the Semans fear they don't have. The city's department of permits, licenses and inspections grades condemned homes on a 1 to 4 scale, 1 being the best and 4 being the worst. An inspection score of 4 means the structure can be added to the city's demolition list. 11 Investigates found the home scored a 2 in 2020. Three years later, the score improved to a 1, meaning there was 'no immediate, observable danger.' The home was empty during the entire span and for many years prior. 11 Investigates confirmed the owners have both passed away. The city released the following statement: 'Due to the complex topography of the site—where the roadway sits approximately 20 feet below the side yard—PLI retained a Pennsylvania-licensed engineer to develop a final grading and stabilization plan. This planning process was already underway prior to the garage collapse in April and remains ongoing. The engineer is expected to complete their evaluations, plans, and specifications by the end of July 2025. PLI will then use those documents to solicit bids for the remaining demolition and permanent stabilization work.' Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
11 Investigates: New independent poll shows O'Connor leads Gainey in Democratic mayoral primary
With six weeks until the May Democratic mayoral primary election, what appears to be the first independent poll on the Democratic mayoral primary is out — and it shows a big advantage for the challenger in the race. 11 Investigates Rick Earle obtained the new poll and spoke with both campaigns. AARP conducted the poll last month. They surveyed 805 voters, 50 and older, who live in Pittsburgh. According to the survey, challenger Corey O'Connor leads incumbent Mayor Ed Gainey, 58% to 24% in the Democratic primary for mayor. Voters were also asked about the most important issues in the campaign. Neighborhood safety, accessible infrastructure, services for aging adults and affordable housing top the list. Earle received statements from both campaigns about this latest poll that was conducted over the phone and online between March 12 and March 19. 'While we haven't had the opportunity to review the AARP poll in full, our focus remains the same — working every single day to earn the trust and support of Pittsburghers in every neighborhood. Voters deserve leadership that shows up, listens, and delivers results. That's exactly what I'm committed to doing in this campaign and as the next Mayor of Pittsburgh,' Corey O'Connor said in an emailed statement to 11 Investigates. 'Mayor Gainey has spent the past month protecting seniors against the Trump administration's attempt to shut down Pittsburgh's social security offices and against out-of-town developers pricing them out of their homes. While the Mayor continues working to earn the votes of Pittsburgh seniors, this month-old survey only reflects a small subset of voters who will turn out on election day. Our campaign remains laser focused on mobilizing our multi-racial, multi-generational coalition to stop MAGA donors, real estate tycoons, and CEOs from buying Pittsburgh's Mayor's office like Elon Musk bought the White House for Trump,' said a Gainey campaign spokesperson in an email to 11 Investigates. This poll is significant because older voters typically turn out at a higher rate. In the mayoral primary four years ago, 57% of voters were over the age of 50. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
