Former Pittsburgh Steeler Chuck Sanders, president and CEO of Urban Settlement Services, has always strived to give back to the community, and is doing so again by contributing $100,000 to the Pittsburgh Initiative to Reduce Crime.

“I know it is easy to ask these young men and women to put down the guns and stop the crime, however we must show them, as well as offer, alternatives to their current way of living,” he said. “I stand with each PIRC participant who believes sincerely in, and is committed to, a new way of life and I commit that this jobs fund was established for you and will help you in staying on that positive and progressive path.”

CHUCK SANDERS

The contribution will go to the establishment of the Chuck Sanders Charities-PIRC Job Fund, which will assist PIRC participants in securing employment opportunities with local community organizations and businesses. Their wages will be partially subsidized by the jobs fund, thus offering employers an incentive to participate in the program.

While the city of Pittsburgh’s homicide rate continue to increase, the county’s rate seems to be decreasing. With the year more than half over, there have been 18 out of 50 homicides in the county that occurred outside Pittsburgh. Meanwhile, this time last year there were 25 out of 52.

OPHELIA COLEMAN

In 2009, the boroughs in Allegheny County where most of the homicides occurred were McKeesport and Wilkinsburg with eight each and Penn Hills with three. But this year things have changed. With the year more than half over, Penn Hills and McKeesport have the most with four each and Wilkinsburg with two. A few local police chiefs spoke about what is being done in their community to make sure homicide rates do not rise in their areas.

Old friends and families who grew up in the St. Clair Village Community gathered for the 16th annual St. Clair Village reunion July 16-18.

The reunion started in 1995 because of the close- knit neighborhood. Lou Shealey, president of the St. Clair Village Committee, will keep the reunion going along with his committee members as long as there is breath in his body. He moved to St. Clair Village in 1954 and moved out in 1967. St. Clair Village was built in October 1953. It was once a thriving neighborhood with families who were very close. It wasn’t until recent years that crime took a toll on the neighborhood and reduced it to a high crime area. With the Pittsburgh Housing Authority demolishing the housing complex, it will be nothing but a memory for the former residents.

THE ST. CLAIR VILLAGE REUNION COMMITTEE

The St. Clair Village Committee will hold a reunion every year to keep those memories alive and to share with others what a vibrant neighborhood St. Clair Village was once. This year it was held at Schenley Park’s Veteran’s Pavillion as the community came out to celebrate the memories and good times.

The future redevelopment of the Hill District’s Connelley Technical Institute into a space for Pittsburgh Green Innovators has many environmentalists excited. But what does this new center mean for taxpayers funding the building’s redevelopment and how will it benefit Hill District residents?

JAKE WHEATLEY

“The one impact I’m hoping will be immediate is that as they start to redevelop, that Hill residents will take part in helping to transform that building,” said State House Rep. Jake Wheatley, who represents the Hill District. “I’m hoping residents of the Hill will have opportunities. I’m hoping that building being in the Hill District will be another beacon to attract people to come into the neighborhood.”

The Pittsburgh Green Innovators building will serve as a hub for green projects across the city. This means the site will offer training in green career fields and serve as a center for creating and showcasing new green technologies.