Laurels & lances: Christmas, permit and reports
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Laurel: To a second chance. Christmas didn’t come just once for Isaiah Olson this year. The Norvelt 6-year-old and his family lost their home on Jan. 5 to a house fire that claimed the life of his great-aunt, Alisa J. Richwine, 62.
That’s a lot to disappear in a traumatic blink. Most of it couldn’t be replaced. But the Christmas presents that burned up? That was different.
In the immediate aftermath, firefighters solicited donations through the department’s Facebook page, adding that Isaiah likely had lost all of his Christmas presents. What came next overwhelmed firefighters and the family. Clothing, housewares, gift cards and cash poured in, Norvelt Volunteer Fire Department volunteer Mary Hontz said.
They were delivered in a parade at the home where Isaiah and his mom are staying with family in Kecksburg. Santa made a return visit for the occasion.
Firefighters are there when needed for the flames and the crashes, but it’s heartwarming to see them come back to try and heal those that have been hurt in other ways, too.
Lance: To keeping doors closed. The Cycle Diner has been a fixture in Tarentum for years. Attached to the Gatto Cycle Shop, it’s a fun partner to the Harley-Davidson showroom. Look at a bike, pick up some gear, swing over and get some fries dripping with gravy alongside a crispy grilled cheese.
But the diner closed in 2019. New operators have tried to reopen it twice during the pandemic. However, the Allegheny County Health Department has rejected the most recent plan on the grounds that patrons would have to pass through a food preparation area to access restrooms.
The Wood Street and East Sixth Avenue eatery has not been reconfigured. That hasn’t changed in more than 70 years.
The health department should be able to work with the owners or operators to come up with a solution that works for everyone for a landmark structure.
Lance: To not really being better. Allegheny County Jail Warden Orlando Harper submitted a report to the Jail Oversight Board on Jan. 5 that listed 294 people held in segregation for up to 31 days in December. That came after county residents voted by about 70% majority to end solitary confinement except in limited circumstances.
After that information was released last week and garnered criticism, Harper responded Tuesday by clarifying the report, claiming many of those in segregation were isolated because of covid-19. That makes sense and should have been made clear in the original report instead of noting all the segregation reasons as being simply “safety.”
However, it doesn’t change the problem. While 87 people kept separate is better than 294, it’s still a lot more than “limited” and 87 more than none.