Friday and Saturday night, restaurants will be packed full of people celebrating love, but it also means if you’re one of those people who wait until the last minute to make plans…you’re likely out of luck. 

Taking a look online at some of the more popular spots for Valentine’s Day, a lot of them are either booked full or the prime time spots are gone. 

If your significant other thinks you’re all booked and ready for a romantic dinner, but you find yourself panicking internally, take a deep breath, and don’t worry, there are still plenty of options. 

Of course, there’s always the age-old option of cooking at home, but for most, a night out feels more special. 

“Don’t stress, you’ve got plenty of options, and the most important thing is that you’re with the person you’re with, and you make it a special day,” said Hal B. Klein, a food writer and dining critic in Pittsburgh. 

Pittsburgh’s food scene is no doubt booming, which means those reservations were probably gone a month ago, but according to Klein, just because it’s booked doesn’t mean those places won’t have bar seating or walk-ins available. 

Nothing is guaranteed on Valentine’s Day, but your best friend will be flexibility. 

“What might happen is you’ll go in at 5:00, and they’ll say, ‘Awesome, we can get you into a bar seat at 6:15,’” Klein said. 

Always, always have a backup plan. 

Just because it’s Valentine’s Day, it doesn’t mean it has to be a white tablecloth and a fixed menu. Pittsburgh is known for its diverse food scene, and thinking outside of the box could be your best bet. 

“This city is full of immigrant-owned restaurants,” Klein said. “Go there, you’re going to find an experience that is warm and welcoming. Maybe something you’ve never had before, and that’s going to create a whole new set of memories.” 

That’s really what it’s all about, making memories with the person you love. That could mean going back to your first date spot or even hitting your favorite fast-food drive-thru. 

“Go there, love the places that you love, stop by your favorite neighborhood spot,” Klein said. 

If all else fails, Klein recommended an at-home, indoor picnic. 

“It’s cold right now, remind yourself of the warm season, get cozy, light some candles instead of sunlight,” he said. “We’re here in the Strip, there are all these shops to go to, Penn Mac, many more, get some meat, get some cheese.” 

There’s also always the option of grabbing takeout, which can save you a few bucks and avoid the Valentine’s Day rush. 

So, if you’re feeling the pressure, don’t worry too much about it; there are still plenty of ways to make it special. 

Finally, you can always just go out to dinner on another day. 

The president of the Woodland Hills school board has been charged with multiple felonies in connection with alleged credit card misuse from when she was the manager of Rankin Borough.

According to court records and police paperwork, Terri Lawson has been charged with theft by deception, forgery, tampering with records, and access device fraud and is accused of using a Rankin Borough credit card for personal purchases. 

A criminal complaint filed by the Eastern Mon Valley Regional Police Department details the allegations against Lawson, who is also is the president of the Woodland Hills School District board of directors. 

Police said that an investigation was opened earlier this year after the borough’s interim manager reported that Lawson, who used to serve as borough manager, had used a borough credit card for personal expenses last year.

According to investigators, Lawson allegedly used a borough credit card that she was the designated cardholder for on more than 130 different occasions over a six-month period between August 2025 and December 2025.

Police said that the credit card was used for purchases at a number of different retailers including, but not limited to Lowe’s, Amazon, Giant Eagle, Walmart, Sunoco, Sam’s Club, ALDI, TJ Maxx, Big Lots, Olive Garden, Target, and Applebee’s.

Investigators determined that Lawson allegedly charged over $10,000 to the borough’s credit card, with more than $9,800 of those purchases being for personal use.

According to police, Lawson made personal payments totaling over $5,500 towards the account between August 2025 and November 2025.

Police said that the borough is still owed nearly $5,000 in restitution.

According to court records, Lawson has yet to be arraigned on the charges filed by police and a court date has yet to be set. 

KDKA has reached out to both Lawson and the Woodland Hills School District for comment. 

Woodland Hills School District at the center of controversy

While no allegations have been made about wrongdoing within the school district, Lawson is the president of the board where Woodland Hills continues to operate under a cloud of controversy.

Superintendent Joe Malunchnik was placed on administrative leave last year and one board member said that the district leader was a whistleblower being railroaded for questioning past financial practices.

Last month, State Rep. Abigail Salisbury called for a criminal investigation into the district’s actions after hearing from constituents, many of whose concerns came from Maluchnik being placed on leave. 

School leaders strongly denied that that the district is misusing funds.

While the majority of the board says it’s prohibited by law from discussing the probe, minority member Darnika Reed says the others want to get rid of Maluchnik for raising questions about district finances.  

No charges have been filed in relation to misconduct within the school district leadership.