Week-in-review: Snow, Steelers stay undefeated among week's top headlines

Snow on Dec. 1 isn’t a strange thing in Pittsburgh, but a Steelers game kicking off on a Wednesday afternoon is.

A snowfall that topped meteorologists’ expectations and the Steelers keeping their undefeated season going with a win over the Ravens in a game rescheduled three times were among the top news stories of the week.

Snow tops forecast

The Pittsburgh area got its first significant snowfall of the season, appropriately enough on Dec. 1, the start of meteorological winter.

While forecasters anticipated 3-to-4 inches in the Pittsburgh area, nearly 7 inches was measured at the National Weather Service in Moon, where the official reading is taken.

Totals measured between 6 and 8 inches across Allegheny and Beaver counties, while 8-to-10 piled up in the ridges to the east. The most was measured north of the city, with 15 inches in northern Mercer County.

Hospitals set record for covid patients

The latest surge of covid-19 cases prompted a 500% increase in hospitalizations compared to the spring stage of the pandemic, the area’s health officials said.

While some hospitals are close to running out of intensive care beds, officials at Allegheny Health Network and UPMC say they are prepared to treat the patients who need it.

On Thursday, the state reported its highest number of new single-day covid cases since the pandemic started in March, with 11,406 cases. That took the total number of cases to 386,837; another 187 deaths were reported, taking the state total to 10,944.

Narcan saves baby from heroin overdose

Paramedics used Narcan to save the life of a 9-month-old girl who ingested heroin at a home in East Deer Tuesday, according to police.

Police have charged Sara Tate, 32, with aggravated assault, child endangerment, tampering with evidence and drug possession. Police say Tate, who allegedly told them she had last used heroin on Monday, was supposed to be caring for the baby, and was sleeping when the baby ate the heroin.

In addition to the baby, police said five children under 12 were at the home and taken into protective custody.

Steelers remain undefeated after thrice delayed game

It may have been sloppy, but the Pittsburgh Steelers kept their undefeated season going with a win over the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field on Wednesday.

That’s right, Wednesday. Because of cases of covid-19 among Ravens players, the game, originally set for Thanksgiving Day, was rescheduled three times — first to Sunday afternoon and then Tuesday night before, finally, kicking off Wednesday afternoon.

The Steelers, at 11-0 and the only undefeated team in the NFL, are scheduled to play the Washington Football Team (4-7) at 5 p.m. on Monday.

Foodie haven ‘botL’ opens in New Kensington

Three friends and business partners have transformed a long-time neighborhood bar in New Kensington into a haven for foodies called “botL.”

Dante Cicconi, Corey Pistininzi and Sean Watson describe botL, at 1716 Freeport Road, as a restaurant with a bar. The menu includes selections of wines, beers, small plates and sandwiches, with plans for dinner features and salads.

They closed on buying the building in March, the same day the state’s covid shutdown began. It had been the Hilltop Tavern for nearly 50 years, followed by Wyo’s Pub and, most recently, J&B’s Bar.