America’s best weekly
Wilkinsburg celebrates Juneteenth 2026! SEE PAGE A4
Pittsburgh Courier NEW
www.newpittsburghcourier.com Vol. 117 No. 25 Two Sections
JUNE 24-30, 2026
thenewpittsburghcourier Published Weekly $1.00
New 43-unit senior midrise being built in Northview Heights Replaces high rise that was built in 1962
by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer
As city officials announced the construction of a new midrise in Northview Heights, the one person who stood out in the bevy of speakers was the matriarch of Northview. The person who’s seen it all, good, bad or indifferent, in Northview. Winnie Evans probably will be the first person to enter the new 43-unit senior midrise that’s scheduled to be completed by the fall of 2027. She’s looking forward to enjoying the new building. “It’s a long time coming,” she told the New Pittsburgh Courier on June 8, the date of the announcement. “I appreciate it, and I love it.” Evans moved to Northview Heights on the North Side in 1969 with her children. She’s been a Northview resident ever since, almost 60 years. “It’s a good community; some good, bad like all the communities,” she told the Courier. “But I love it. I raised my kids here, grandkids, I have great grandkids...” There was no way the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh and city
officials could announce this new building construction without Evans. She was there with another longtime Northview resident, Rochell Preston. Both Preston and Evans are members of the Northview Heights Senior Tenant Council. Evans told the Courier she’s been volunteering in Northview since 1969. Everyone knows her, she’s been on countless boards, and her advocacy for the neighborhood is well-docuemented. For years, the community has been fighting for a new building to replace the current high rise that has nearly 90 units. The high rise was built in 1962. Evans talked to the Courier about the building’s elevators being broken from time to time, balconies having to be fixed, etc. “It’s just deteriorating,” Evans said. “This is a great investment in the Northview Heights community,” said Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor, who was present at the announcement on the Northview grounds. “This has been home to many residents and families for decades and this SEE SENIORS A4
WINNIE EVANS SPEAKS AT THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF A NEW MIDRISE COMING TO NORTHVIEW HEIGHTS. SHE’S LIVED IN NORTHVIEW SINCE 1969. (PHOTO BY ROB TAYLOR JR.)
'Very supportive of students' Dr. Anthony Hall, counselor, board member, passes
HOMEWOOD CELEBRATES JUNETEENTH
by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer
The New Pittsburgh Courier has learned that Dr. Anthony Hall, who served as faculty manager and counselor at Pittsburgh Westinghouse Academy and was a board member for the North Hills School District, died on June 18, 2026. The exact cause of death has not been publicly confirmed as of June 23. Dr. Hall's age was not confirmed as of Courier press deadline. Dr. Hall was a fixture on the sidelines of Westinghouse football contests, celebrating the team's City League championships—or better yet, its three-peat—from 2023-25. "Dr. Hall fought a courageous battle and leaves
DR. ANTHONY HALL
Pittsburgh Courier NEW
To subscribe, call 412-481-8302 ext. 136
behind a legacy of dedication, compassion, and service that touched countless lives," WestSEE HALL A3
DEBORAH SMEDLEY AND CHERI YARBOUGH, AT THE HOMEWOOD HEALTHY ACTIVE LIVING CENTER’S JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION, JUNE 17, ON FRANKSTOWN AVENUE. SEE MORE OF THE FUN ON PAGE A6. (PHOTO BY ROB TAYLOR JR.)