The city is waiting to hear whether or not Mayor Luke Ravenstahl will sign a piece of legislation, which calls for a prevailing wage to be paid to service industry workers in developments that have received $100,000 or more of city aid.

City council unanimously passed the legislation on Dec. 21 by a vote of 9-0. For this reason, the mayor will be unable to veto the legislation, but his support or lack of support could have an impact on future relations with the council.

DOUG SHIELDS

On Dec. 28, the Community Empowerment Association held its 15th annual Kwanzaa celebration, complete with live entertainment and traditional gift- giving.

Kwanzaa is a weeklong holiday following the seven principles of African culture. CEA’s celebration followed the theme for the first day, Umoja, which means unity.

“The goal is for the mind-set to spread into the community,” said CEA founder Rashad Byrdsong. “Building self-determination and self-consciousness is the purpose of Kwanzaa and a philosophy in which we live. It’s our way of keeping the rich tradition community-based and community driven.”

KWANZAA—The New World drummers perform traditional African drumming.

(AP)—Pittsburgh City Council on Monday approved a $3.77 million settlement with a man who spent 19 years in prison before his rape conviction was overturned by DNA evidence in 2005.

Thomas Doswell, 50, and his attorneys will receive the money over three years from the city’s insurance company, Liberty Life Assurance Co. of Boston, once Mayor Luke Ravenstahl signs off on it. The council approved the settlement unanimously at the request of the city’s Law Department.