🦃 What to do about Pittsburgh’s wild turkeys

Plum House Explosion Under Investigation

• The owners of a home that exploded in Rustic Ridge last weekend were having issues with their hot water tank, but the cause of the blast remains under investigation. [Associated Press]
• Hundreds of people gathered at Top Ridge Park to honor the lives lost: Plum Borough officials Michael Thomas, 57 and Heather Oravitz, 51; Kevin Sebunia, 55; Casey Clontz, 38; and Clontz's 12-year-old son, Keegan. A sixth victim, Paul Oravitz, 56, died Wednesday afternoon. [TribLIVE]
• To honor Casey and his son Keegan’s love of fishing, community members Angela and Mike Blasko created a fundraiser to help the victims. Raffle tickets are $10, and one winner will get an all-­expenses paid, full-day offshore fishing trip on Lake Erie. To purchase a ticket, contact Angela Blasko at (412) 915-8734. [TribLIVE]
• Local nonprofit Angels In DaSkies is partnering with the Renton Volunteer Fire Department to provide relief for Plum residents. They’re accepting gift cards and monetary donations. [TribLIVE]
• Find more local businesses helping the victims. [KDKA]

Fracking’s Link to Childhood Cancer

University of Pittsburgh researchers found children living near shale gas activities in southwest Pennsylvania have a higher risk of developing lymphoma and asthma. The study, funded by the state, did not find a link to other childhood cancers, including Ewing’s sarcoma — a rare cancer that dozens of children and young adults were diagnosed with in a four-county area around Pittsburgh. Family members are skeptical of why researchers couldn’t find an explanation. [The Allegheny Front]

Kennywood’s Turtle To Be Repaired

Hurry to Kennywood before Sunday if you want to ride the Turtle before it closes for maintenance. The 96-year-old ride, originally called the “Tumble Bug,” is the last operating ride of its kind in the U.S., and the park is committed to its preservation. [TribLIVE]

• Kennywood is hosting a hiring event on Monday, Aug. 28 from 5 to 8 p.m. to prepare for the Phantom Fall Fest. One perk: free Potato Patch fries after your interview!

🌼 BLOOM | Thursday | 4:30-8:30 p.m.

Take the kids to the Children’s Museum for live music, floral-themed art installations and activities, inflatables, and a vendor market. [free, East Allegheny]

🎶 Reggae on the Lawn | Friday | 5 p.m.

Enjoy food trucks and live tunes at The Frick’s beautiful outdoor space. The Farina Foundation will be holding an instrument drive. [free, Point Breeze]

🎨 Expressive Arts Paint & Sip | Friday | 7-9 p.m.

Join Atithi Studios for community, camaraderie, and creative expression. Complimentary wine and non-alcoholic beverages are included, and you may also BYOB. [$45, Sharpsburg]

🎤 The Ampersand Show | Friday | 8 p.m.

Get improv, stand-up comedy, and music all in one ticket at Arcade Comedy Theater. [$10-15, Downtown]

Can Pittsburgh Claim the Pepperoni Roll?

The Steel City has a bunch of classic eats, but one of our all-time favorites actually hails from West Virginia. We’re talking about the pepperoni roll’s industrial roots and modern reinvention with Katt Schuler, the altruistic, story-loving owner and founder of Rolling Pepperoni in Lawrenceville. (Plus, why you really don’t need to eat them with sauce.)