2016 Pittsburgh News Year In Review
PITTSBURGH (KDKA/AP) – It's hard to believe, but 2016 is nearly over.
Before we turn the calendar to 2017, let's take a look back at some of the biggest stories in Pittsburgh over the past year.
JANUARY:
Photo Credit: KDKA
Hulton Bridge Implosion
Just before 10 a.m. on Jan. 26, the 107-year-old Hulton Bridge was imploded and four sections fell into the Allegheny River. It took 150 pounds of dynamite and 51 charges to take the bridge down. The implosion cleared the way for the completion and opening of the new bridge.
FULL STORY: Implosion Marks End Of 107-Year-Old Hulton Bridge (Jan. 26, 2016)
In other news this month:
FEBRUARY:
Photo Credit: KDKA
Zika Virus
On Feb. 9, state Health Department officials confirmed the first cases of the Zika virus in Pennsylvania. Two woman tested positive for the virus, which caused so much concern throughout 2016. Later in the year, it even forced the MLB to move a series between the Pirates and Marlins from Puerto Rico to Miami.
FULL STORY: Pa. Health Dept.: 2 Woman Test Positive For Zika Virus (Feb. 9, 2016)
In other news this month:
MARCH:
Photo Credit: KDKA
Wilkinsburg Ambush
In the late-night hours of March 9, an "ambush" shooting during a backyard barbecue in Wilkinsburg left six people dead, including an unborn baby, three others were wounded, and the incident launched an intensive manhunt for suspects. According to police, ballistic evidence at the scene indicated that possibly, "two different weapons were discharged from two different people."
FULL STORY: Police: 5 Dead, 3 Wounded In Wilkinsburg Shooting Spree (March 9, 2016)
In other news this month:
APRIL:
Photo Credit: KDKA
Trump Visit Protests
It was a contentious election year, and Pittsburgh felt the impact. Things got heated on April 13 when Republican presidential candidate and eventual winner, Donald Trump, made a campaign visit to Pittsburgh. During his speech at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, police had a hard time separating Trump's supporters and protesters.
FULL STORY: Trump Makes 2 Campaign Stops In Pittsburgh, Protesters Demonstrate Across City (April 13, 2016)
In other news this month:
MAY:
Photo Credit: KDKA
Plum High School Scandal
A grand jury recommended no criminal charges against officials in the Plum School District over a scandal involving teachers having sex with students. The report by the Allegheny County D.A.'s Office found "systematic failures to protect students," but concluded no school official broke laws.
FULL STORY: Grand Jury: No Charges In Plum School Sex Scandal, Reforms Urged (May 19, 2016)
In other news this month:
JUNE:
Photo Credit: KDKA
Questions Over Superintendent's Résumé
Concerns arose that the incoming Pittsburgh Public Schools superintendent inflated his achievements before being hired. At a press conference, Dr. Anthony Hamlet told reporters of his previous job in Florida: "The academic environment, the behavioral environment, the engagement with teachers, the positive culture, all of that has transformed under my leadership." After further investigation, the school board voted to keep Hamlet and he was sworn-in over the summer.
FULL STORY: Résumé Questions Raised About Incoming PPS Superintendent (June 6, 2016)
In other news this month:
JULY:
Photo Credit: KDKA
FBI Office Gate Crasher
State and federal charges were filed against an Ohio man after he rammed his dump truck into the security gates of the FBI building on the South Side. But investigators said there appeared to be no connection to terrorism: "There's no nexus to terrorism at all from what we know now. There's no reason to believe that was the case."
FULL STORY: FBI: "No Connection To Terrorism" After Dump Truck Crashes Through Security Gates (July 26, 2016)
In other news this month:
- Crews Blast Loose Rock From West Carson St. Hillside (July 6)
- Gov. Wolf Allows Budget To Become Law, But Waits For Revenue Bill To Pay For It (July 11)
- On The Hunt: Local Millennials Join Craze, Chase Pokémon With Addictive New App (July 11)
- Child Shot In Knoxville, Rushed To Hospital In Critical Condition (July 17)
AUGUST:
Photo Credit: KDKA
Oakland Roof Leaper Fail
A Pitt student fell three-stories and became wedged between two buildings when he tried leap from one to the other. Crews had to open up a gaping hole inside the Qdoba restaurant in order to free him. So, why did he do it? Officials say he was out to impress a girl, but he ended up failing miserably.
FULL STORY: Man Rescued After Being Stuck Between 2 Oakland Buildings For Hours (Aug. 23, 2016)
In other news this month:
- Man Arrested, Accused Of Trying To Flush Baby Down A Toilet (Aug. 2)
- Pittsburgh Police Officer Charged In Funeral Home Brawl (Aug. 2)
- Local Music Legend B.E. Taylor Dies (Aug. 8)
- Sources: 3-Year-Old Ejected From Roller Coaster At Idlewild Park (Aug. 11)
- Pa. Attorney General Kathleen Kane Found Guilty In Perjury Case (Aug. 15)
- Police: Mom Hiding Information On Her Twins Who Have Been Missing For 10 Years (Aug. 16)
- Police: Missing Penn State Professor Murdered, Pushed Off 80-Foot Ledge (Aug. 19)
- U.S. Congressman From Pa. Calls For Investigation Of EpiPen Price Hikes (Aug. 24)
- Mother Found Guilty Of 3rd-Degree Murder In 3-Year-Old's Death (Aug. 26)
- Connellsville Mayor Declares State Of Emergency Due To Flooding (Aug. 29)
- Police: Wife Found Dead, Husband Who Kidnapped Her Wounded (Aug. 31)
SEPTEMBER:
Photo Credit: Thurner Photography
Liberty Bridge Fire
The Liberty Bridge was closed down for much of the month of September after a spark from a workman's blow torch caught a tarp on fire, sending smoke billowing into the air over the city and causing significant damage to the structure. PennDOT said the damage was very serious and could have caused a "catastrophic failure."
FULL STORY: PennDOT: Liberty Bridge Damage Could Cause 'Catastrophic Failure' (Sept. 2, 2016)
In other news this month:
OCTOBER:
Photo Credit: KDKA
Aliquippa Double Homicide
The young man who went missing after the fatal shooting of a 16-year-old boy in Aliquippa was found dead days later in the backyard of a home not far from the shooting scene. Police described the incident as a "drug deal gone awry." The suspect eventually turned himself in.
FULL STORY: Police Find Body Of Young Man Missing Since Fatal Shooting During Alleged Drug Deal (Oct. 4, 2016)
In other news this month:
NOVEMBER:
Photo Credit: KDKA
Fallen Canonsburg Officer
While responding to a domestic dispute call in the early morning hours of Nov. 10, Canonsburg Police Officer Scott Bashioum was fatally wounded in an ambush attack. Another officer was wounded and the suspect's estranged, pregnant wife was also killed. During Officer Bashioum's emotional funeral service, his wife remembered him, saying: "I will be eternally grateful for each day spent with him, each laugh and for each smile."
FULL STORY: Fallen Canonsburg Officer Laid To Rest Following Emotional Service (Nov. 16, 2016)
In other news this month:
- Police: Mother Sent Video Of Lifeless Child To Father, Admitted To Smothering Him (Nov. 2)
- Pittsburgh Police Chief McLay Announces Resignation (Nov. 4)
- Trump Rides His Movement To Vindication And The White House (Nov. 9)
- Multiple People Stabbed At Homestead Mental Health Facility (Nov. 11)
- Emergency Crews Rescue Man From O'Hara Twp. Water Tower (Nov. 14)
- Man Convicted Of Starting Fire That Killed Firefighters Released From Jail (Nov. 18)
- Child, 2 Adults Killed In Crash Following Police Chase (Nov. 24)
- Mother, 8-Year-Old Son Shot & Killed In New Stanton (Nov. 30)
DECEMBER:
Photo Source: Above The Law
Pittsburgh Man Dies In California Warehouse Fire
Nick Walrath grew up in Point Breeze and attended Taylor Allderdice High School. After a devastating fire at a warehouse in Oakland, California, he was one of the many presumed dead. He texted his girlfriend from inside the burning structure, saying there was a fire and that he loved her.
FULL STORY: Pittsburgh Native Presumed Dead In Oakland Warehouse Fire (Dec. 6, 2016)
In other news this month:
- Freezing Rain Hits Pittsburgh (Dec. 17)
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