WHAT’ S NEWS IN ROSS TOWNSHIP
VENKAT ANNOUNCES OVER $ 60,000 IN STATE FUNDING FOR NHCO
State Rep. Arvin Venkat announced that through the Neighborhood Assistance Program, North Hills Community Outreach( NHCO) has received $ 63,000 in funding from the state.
The funding will allow NHCO to implement a Family-Centered Coaching model, which will help to streamline the organization’ s services and empower clients. Funding will be used for program staff, food pantry supplies, basic necessities and rent / utility assistance to prevent homelessness.
“ The work that North Hills Community Outreach has done in our community has an incredible impact, from keeping our neighbors fed to helping our seniors stay healthy and safe,” Venkat said.“ I am thankful for the dedication they have to serving our community and proud to continue supporting their efforts.”
This is one of 90 awards from the Neighborhood Assistance Program supporting the Southwest region of Pennsylvania, which includes Allegheny and 13 other counties.
’ TIL DIRT DO US PART
The Professional Bull Riders( PBR) return to PPG Paints Arena Feb. 13 – 14 with the PBR Lovestruck Buck-Off, which follows a sold-out Steel City debut in 2025.
The Valentine’ s Day weekend event will feature the world’ s top bull riders and animal athletes, along with a uniquely Pittsburgh celebration of love.
A highlight of the event will take place on Saturday, Feb. 14, when Pittsburgh Steelers legend and two-time Super Bowl champion Brett Keisel will officiate the weddings of eight couples( a nod to the sport’ s iconic 8-second ride) on the dirt inside the arena.
Couples were invited to apply through a video submission, with selected pairs receiving a complimentary ceremony,
VIP access, Ariat boots for each bride, a wedding photo with Keisel, and other special experiences.
Keisel— who has deep ties to both Pittsburgh and ranch life— called the event a one-of-a-kind way to help couples start their next chapter.
Tickets for both nights are on sale through Ticketmaster and pbr. com. PBR is preparing to transform PPG Paints Arena into a bull riding arena complete with hundreds of tons of specially blended dirt, more than 50 bucking bulls, and a full-scale production of high-energy competition and celebration.
412 FOOD RESCUE RECEIVES GRANT
412 Food Rescue received a $ 15,000 grant from the Bayer Fund to support its Good Food Project and its Grocery Bagging Program, which work to reduce food waste while addressing food insecurity across the Pittsburgh region.
The grant marked the fourth year the Bayer Fund has supported the Good Food Project, which transforms surplus high-quality food into nutritious frozen meals distributed to nonprofit partners for community members in need. The organization produces about 1,300 meals each month through this zerowaste kitchen initiative.
The funding also supported the Grocery Bagging Program, in which volunteers pack and deliver bags of fresh produce and pantry staples to local housing authority sites, distributing roughly 1,500 pounds of groceries each week— with expanded capacity during the holiday season.
Leaders from both organizations recognized the partnership’ s role in creating sustainable, equitable food systems by turning food that might otherwise go to waste into vital nourishment for families facing hunger.
KEYNOTES MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP COMPETITION
Keynotes is accepting applications for its 2026 music scholarship competition, set for May 9 at the Fine Arts Theater of Mt. Lebanon High School in the South Hills. More than $ 16,000 in cash awards will be available for outstanding young musicians.
Eligible applicants include instrumentalists under age 26( as of June 1, 2025) and vocalists under age 30. Students must be full-time music majors at a college, university, or music school— or graduating high school seniors who
Continued on page 8 >
6 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE ❘ icmags. com