Category Archives: Pittsburgh

Summer Shorts: EMS IS Public Safety, and Other Inconvenient Truths

Posted on July 25, 2023 by John Linko

Every couple of years stories appear in the media concerning the challenges faced by Emergency Medical Services providers, who are largely dependent on health insurance billing for the bulk of their operating revenue. This year has seen increased media coverage … Continue reading →

Posted in Community, Economics, Government, Health, Justice, Local, Media, Pittsburgh, Politics, Public Safety, Security | Tagged Aspinwall Borough, Beaver Valley Regional Police, Bellevue Borough, Ben Avon Borough, Edgeworth Borough, Emergency Medical Services, Fire Service, McKees Rocks Borough, Quaker Valley Ambulance Authority, Ross/West View EMS Authority, Sharpsburg Borough, Southern Allegheny Valley Emergency Services, Valley Ambulance Authority, volunteer fire departments | Leave a comment

In Praise of Libraries – New Pathways vs. Old Attitudes

Posted on April 25, 2023 by John Linko

If you’ve followed this blog for any length of time, you know that my family is rather enamored of our local library. The Sewickley Public Library is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year – my wife has held a library … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Censorship, Civil Liberties, Community, Family, Government, History, Justice, Local, Media, Personal, Pittsburgh, Politics, Schools, Youth | Tagged American Library Association, Andrew Carnegie, Banned Books, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Carolyn Toth, Jessica Whipple, Judy Blume, Kathleen Madonna-Emmerling, Leetsdale Borough, Moms for Liberty, Moon Township, Moon Township Public Library, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Quaker Valley School Board, Quaker Valley School District, Sewickley Public Library | Leave a comment

The Summer of our Discontent

Posted on September 3, 2018 by John Linko

After a June that was rainier than usual, July and August brought with them the kind of sticky, unpleasant, hot weather that becomes annoying quickly, especially when the car air conditioner isn’t working. There is reasonable certainty of relief from … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil Liberties, Community, Faith, Government, Justice, Local, Media, Movies, Pittsburgh, Politics, Public Safety | Tagged Antwon Rose, Dulane Cameron, Dundee Farm, Fred Rogers, Henle Park Splash Pad, Leetsdale Borough, Leetsdale VFW, Quaker Valley COG, Sewickley Borough, Sewickley Heights Borough | 3 Comments

Summer / Autumn Decennial Digest

Posted on October 11, 2016 by John Linko

The days are moderating into the familiar, blessed coolness that brings with it the anticipation of harvest festivals, apple cider, and pumpkin spice everything. I’ve been collecting things to summarize – things that I’ve touched upon before, things that are … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Community, Faith, Government, History, Internet, Local, Media, Personal, Pittsburgh, Public Safety, Traffic | Tagged Allegheny County, Camp Horne Road, Edgeworth Borough, Elizabeth Wertz Evans, EpiPen, Heidi Morningstar, John Zingaro, Leet Township, Mylan, Thomas Tull | 3 Comments

Camp Horne Closure Highlights Commuter Crunch, Other Issues

Posted on August 25, 2016 by John Linko

Construction season is one of the more vexatious components of any summer in Pennsylvania. The above-average temperatures of recent weeks have made the daily commute into town just that much more of a chore than it already is. Since around Memorial … Continue reading →

Posted in Government, Local, Personal, Pittsburgh, Traffic, Transportation | Tagged AAA, Allegheny County, Camp Horne Road, Commuters, National Motorists Association, PennDOT, Route 65, Waze | 2 Comments

Our Hockey Year

Posted on July 6, 2016 by John Linko

I’ve gotten away from writing about things that myself and my wife enjoy together, or other aspects of our life as a couple – as parents, grandparents, and so on. The only exception to this is when our lives as individuals … Continue reading →

Posted in Local, Media, Personal, Pittsburgh, Sports | Tagged Marc-Andre Fleury, Penguins, Slap Shot, Stanley Cup | Leave a comment

March / April Digest: Arrivals, Departures, Returns

Posted on April 1, 2016 by John Linko

It’s been an interesting month (and more) without a portable electronic device. Aside from the complications of lacking a mobile phone in the age of constant connectivity, I have come to miss other things even more than the … Continue reading →

Posted in Government, Local, Media, Pittsburgh, Politics, Public Safety, Traffic | Tagged Carolyn Mayhugh, Edgeworth Borough, Ingram Borough, Martin McDaniel, Penguin Bookshop, Pittsburgh Public Media, Sewickley, Stephen King, Wendy Bell, WTAE | 2 Comments

Adventures in Trunked Radio – Gary Harmon Edition

Posted on April 12, 2011 by John Linko

First things first – this week is National Public Safety Telelcommunicators Week. These professionals are tasked with receiving often fragmented information from hysterical, delusional and often clueless people and turning it into a cohesive informational road map with which to … Continue reading →

Posted in Grand Junction, Media, Pittsburgh, Public Safety, Radio Hobby | 1 Comment

Bookstores – The Phoenix of Old Media

Posted on February 18, 2011 by John Linko

I was in Pittsburgh with Leslie from Sunday afternoon until Wednesday evening. We had several things to do regarding the wedding, which included applying for our marriage license. We did this on Valentine’s Day – I took her out to … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Business, Local, Media, Personal, Pittsburgh | 2 Comments

Sports News and Ancient History

Posted on February 11, 2011 by John Linko

Two sports stories stuck out for me yesterday, because they touched upon professional sporting events that I was present at. I don’t get to many pro sports events. Maybe this summer I’ll take in a Pirate game from the outfield … Continue reading →

Posted in Media, Personal, Pittsburgh, Sports | Leave a comment