🍌 Our claim to the Banana Hall of Fame

Pittsburgh Vows to Reduce Traffic-Related Deaths

City leaders gathered Monday to renew Pittsburgh’s commitment to Vision Zero, an effort to curb fatalities by introducing traffic-calming measures — like speed bumps and traffic circles. Last year, 21 people died in traffic-related accidents; seven were pedestrians. The city is prioritizing the most dangerous locations with a “High Injury Network” map. [90.5 WESA]

• 🚦 Learn more! Scott Bricker, executive director of BikePGH, tells us about the problems with official crash report data, expensive new infrastructure, and what it’ll take to slow Pittsburgh drivers down. [🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh]

‘Voting Is Power’ in the Hill District

Twenty Pittsburgh organizations came together to launch the Voting Is Power Pittsburgh Regional Coalition, a cohort that doesn’t endorse specific candidates but encourages people to vote. “Our future and the future of our democracy are at stake in the 2024 elections,” Black Political Empowerment Project Chairman and CEO Tim Stevens said. [TribLIVE]

• 🗓️ Mark your calendar for Eat, Meet & Greet Candidate Nights next month. These events will be at 6 p.m. on three consecutive Tuesdays: April 2 at the Letter Carriers on Pittsburgh’s North Side, April 9 at St. James AME Church in East Liberty, and April 16 at Beulah Baptist Church in Beltzhoover.

Early Childhood Funds for Native Community

More than 300 infants and toddlers in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia will get access to early childhood services thanks to a more than $3 million federal grant to the Council of Three Rivers American Indian Center. The five-year grant will go to the center’s Early Head Start programs. [90.5 WESA]

This Western Pennsylvania town is in the news for its sweet invention, so we’re taking the neighborhood guide on a mini road trip. Next time you go to Latrobe, hit the spots on our scavenger hunt marked with the magnifying glass 🔍

Birthplace of the Banana Split

Latrobe is one of the first inductees into the Dole Food Company’s National Banana Hall of Fame — a celebration for the company’s 125th anniversary. Unfortunately, the Hall of Fame doesn’t have a physical location, but Western Pennsylvania is proud to pay tribute to soda jerk David Strickler, inventor of the banana split in 1904.

🔍 Find: A larger-than-life statue of the dessert and its historical marker.

Stop on the Lincoln Highway

The first coast-to-coast highway traveling from New York City to San Francisco was created in 1913. Latrobe’s Lincoln Highway Experience gives visitors a look at the early days of transportation and roadside attractions.

🔍 Find: The reconstructed trolley car diner where guests can get a free cup of coffee and a slice of pie.

Mr. Rogers’ First Neighborhood

Fred Rogers was born here in March of 1928 and grew up at ​​705 Main Street. His family attended Latrobe Presbyterian Church, and Fred grew up with strong values in ethics and public service.

🔍 Find: Mr. Rogers’ memorial off of Main Street and Grave in Unity Cemetery.

Bedrock of Rolling Rock Beer

Latrobe Brewing began in 1893, and legend has it that Benedictine monks were among its first brewers. The establishment remained in business until the ban of alcohol sales in 1920, but even Prohibition couldn’t shut its doors forever. In 1939, local brewers introduced Rolling Rock beer, with the long-neck green bottles that soon became popular in Western Pennsylvania and beyond.

🔍 Find: The largest Rolling Rock memorabilia collection at the Rolling Rock After Hours Bar and Museum.

Camp for the Black & Gold

The Steelers have been hosting public practices at Saint Vincent College every summer since 1966. The camp is free, but you have to register to attend.

🔍 Find: Troy Mascot. He’s exactly what you’d expect: a Troy Polamalu impersonator.

Why Does Pittsburgh Have So Many Sisters?

President Dwight D. Eisenhower launched the sister cities program after World War II, and in the decades since, Pittsburgh has become an especially popular international partner. How do these diplomatic hook-ups happen, who greenlights the matches, and how did Pittsburgh end up with so many? Kathy Risko, former director of the Sister Cities Association of Pittsburgh, says some of it is personality, but a lot goes back to steel.