Pittsburg, PA

New safety measures could protect children from falling out of windows in Allegheny County

Published

8 months ago

May 2, 2024

New safety measures could protect children from falling out of windows in Allegheny County

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – New safety measures could soon protect children from falling out of windows in Allegheny County. It’s one of many proposed safety improvements to the county’s housing regulations.

“It’s a good thing. We’re bringing our housing regs up to the 21st century,” said Patrick Catena, president of Allegheny County Council.

The county council will hear the proposal next week.

Fall prevention devices for the windows of housing in Allegheny County are just one of the safety regulations now up for consideration. And it’s just a coincidence about a week or so after two small children fell from a window.

It’s something Tyler Jefferson will never unsee as the father of those two children who fell.

“It’s tough. It’s tough that we messaged them, and they didn’t do anything until they fell out the window,” Jefferson said.

Quin and Elody fell out of their third-story apartment building’s window onto the concrete window well below and miraculously survived.

New proposed housing regulations in Allegheny County could mandate window fall prevention devices.

“Trying to help the health department for the health department to be able to help them, so I think it’s a good thing all around,” Catena said.

A copy of the new proposed regulations includes guards on stairs, landings, and balconies 30 inches above the floor below, deadbolts for all entrance doors, required lighting for stairways and hallways, stricter requirements for carbon monoxide detectors, and fall prevention devices installed in all windows more than 72 inches off the ground below.

“It’ll come before county council, and county council will obviously act on it, and I expect a positive recommendation from the county council for it to pass,” Catena said.

Housing advocate David Vatz sees a lot of good in it.

“Yeah. Pro-Housing Pittsburgh is broadly in favor of improved health and safety regulations to protect tenants,” Vatz said. “I think one of the things about Allegheny County and Pittsburgh in general is that we have some of the oldest housing stock in the country, and this can often result in substandard conditions for tenants.”

Vatz believes common-sense protections are needed, and calls on policymakers “to make it easier to build new housing in the county.”

“Since we have such old housing stock and don’t build a lot of new housing, there’s nothing that puts pressure on landlords to maintain their sub-standard units and provide the best quality to their tenants.”

These housing safety regulations will be discussed next week at the county council meeting, and if approved, they could go into effect as early as October of this year.

Meghan Schiller

Meghan Schiller is an Emmy-nominated journalist who joined KDKA in October 2017. She’s thrilled to be back in her hometown and reporting at the station she grew up watching.

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Pittsburg, PA

Justin Fields sends clear message on his future with Pittsburgh Steelers: ‘I want to be here’

Published

11 hours ago

January 4, 2025

Press Room

Justin Fields sends clear message on his future with Pittsburgh Steelers: ‘I want to be here’

Justin Fields has not started since Week 6 against the Las Vegas Raiders, but it is clear that he wants to return to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Speaking with Kevin Gorman of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Fields minced no words when asked about his future with the team.

“I want to be here. I’m kind of tired of learning a new offense every year. This will be my third in four years. Of course, I’d love to be back, but that’s all up to God at the end of the day. I’ll be where God wants me to be,” Fields said to Gorman.

Fields led the Steelers to a 4-2 record during his six starts with the team. He threw for 1106 yards and five touchdowns to one interception through the air while adding 289 rushing yards and five more touchdowns on the ground.

Fields would not cost nearly as much as Russell Wilson, and if Wilson gets too expensive, it would make sense that Fields could return as the Steelers’ starter. They seem to like him, even if they pivoted to the veteran in Wilson.

Fields might not want to learn another offense, which would make sense, but he also may have to go where the opportunity best presents itself to get back on track as a full-time starter. Is Pittsburgh that spot, or will there be another team knocking at his door that can offer a better opportunity?

That is what Fields will have to weigh in his decision this offseason, but the Steelers do seem like a very possible landing spot for Fields after the season concludes.

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Pittsburg, PA

Man arrested on numerous weapons charges in Pittsburg

Published

20 hours ago

January 4, 2025

Press Room

Man arrested on numerous weapons charges in Pittsburg

PITTSBURG — A 27-year-old man suspected of illegally making and selling guns, including assault weapons, was arrested, the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office said.

The law enforcement agency said they will be testing the weapons to see if they are linked to any crime or shooting.

The suspect, identified as Diego Vasquez-Gomez, was arrested on Thursday (Jan 2.) when detectives from the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office served a search warrant at a residence in Pittsburg. This was part of an ongoing investigation into a shooting at the Contra Costa Fairground in Antioch last September.

The shooting stemmed from an argument in which two suspects opened fire, resulting in a man suffering life-threatening injuries.

Detectives said one of the two suspects had used an illegally manufactured gun during the shooting.

During the search at Vasquez-Gomez’s home, authorities found assault weapons and a short-barrel rifle. Some of the weapons seized did not have serial numbers.

“The weapons will be tested to see if they are linked to any shooting or crimes,” said the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office in a news release.

Vasquez-Gomez was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on charges including manufacturing a short barrel gun, manufacturing and selling of an assault weapon, illegal possession of an assault weapon, unlicensed transfer of a firearm and child endangerment.

Those with information on the case are urged to contact the Investigation Division at (925) 313- 2600, email them at tips@so.cccounty.us, or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

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