Allderdice basketball coach Andre McDonald says he is confident that his team will be a solid contender for its third consecutive City League championship this season.

However, he also believes that there will be a surprise team in the League this season.

“I think Carrick is going to shock some people this year,” McDonald said. “They’ll have some good athletes and will hang in there from what I’ve seen out of certain players of theirs over the summer.”

BEN MICKENS (William McBride/File Photos)

In response to the ongoing shootings claiming still more Black lives, the Pittsburgh Interfaith Impact Network has announced the formation of a Gun Violence Task Force.

During a Nov. 19 press conference at Valley View Presbyterian Church in Lawrenceville, PIIN President Rev. John Welch of Bidwell Presbyterian Church said the task force was an outgrowth of the network’s Holy Ground campaign and introduced Co-chairs Rev. Glenn Grayson of Wesley Center AMEZ and Rev. Chad Collins of Valley View.

DIVINE RIGHT—PIIN Gun Violence Task Force Co-chair Rev. Glenn Grayson, left, explains the task force’s goals as fellow Co-chair Rev. Chad Collins and PIIN President Rev. John Welch look on. (Photo by Gail Manker)

Reverend Collins said the task force is still in its formative stages, but there are already 15 members from the network’s 40 congregations working on defining strategies.

Despite an overhaul of Pittsburgh’s public transportation system, which went into effect last year and has carried on in recent months, rider complaints have continued. While the changes were directed at making service more efficient in an effort to increase ridership, many riders still complain about overcrowded buses and unreliable service.

OUT IN THE COLD—Despite recent service changes, riders say buses are still over crowded and unreliable. (Photo by J.L. Martello)

Last week riders were given something else to complain about when the Port Authority of Allegheny County Board of Directors voted in approval of a fare increase and more than 35 percent service reduction.

“The next plan of action is, unless the state adopts a transportation solution, we will cut 35 percent of our service on March 13,” said Jim Ritchie, Port Authority spokesman. “Also, as our next fiscal year starts July 1, 2011, our board likely will be preparing for an additional service cuts starting with the new fiscal year.”

The overwhelming existence of drugs within many African-American neighborhoods has taken a toll on the once close-knit communities. The influx of these illicit narcotics could not have been predicted by the people who live within the boundaries of once thriving and safe environments. Communities have witnessed a decline in the value of lives of the young, the care of the elderly and the security of trust among each other.

MAURITA BRYANT

Assistant Pittsburgh Chief of Police Maurita Bryant, a native Pittsburgher, remembers all too well the initial breakdown of the African-American family as a result of the infiltration of the highly addictive crack cocaine. When you watch the assistant chief of investigations update crucial crime information to the local audience, one is assured that she is both qualified and sagacious. Among those enviable attributes, you will also find a deep sense of commitment to her native Pittsburgh.