August 18, 2025 |
By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
(Adam Reinherz photo for Tube City Almanac)
McKeesport Area School District is furthering an educational initiative in hopes of creating new possible career pathways for students — that could someday lead to jobs back on the campus on Eden Park Boulevard.
During the Aug. 14 regular school board meeting, school directors voted to approve the creation of programs geared toward aspiring educators and first responders. Each program will be offered within the district’s Technology Center.
Designed to provide MASD students in 10-12 grades “quality career and technical education programs,” the center offers young learners pathways toward "immediate occupation.”
Current programs include Collision and Repair; Building Construction; Child Care; Diversified Occupations; Engineering; Culinary Arts; Commercial Arts and Cosmetology.
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August 17, 2025 |
By Vickie Babyak | Posted in: Announcements
Trees that are native to Pennsylvania help reduce stormwater runoff, stabilize stream banks that are eroding, and filter pollutants such as chemical residue and road salt from reaching creeks and rivers.
If you feel like your property could benefit from new trees or shrubs — ones that are suitable to the Mon Valley’s growing conditions and climate — you may want to take advantage of the sixth-annual Native Tree and Shrub Fundraiser, held by Penn State Extension’s Master Watershed Stewards. The program offers 23 species to choose from.
The money raised will contribute to projects that educate communities in how to promote healthy watersheds.
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August 17, 2025 |
By Leslie Savisky | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
The last drugstore in the McKeesport area has closed. Ayres Drugs on Walnut Street in Christy Park served customers for almost 100 years. (Leslie Savisky photo for Tube City Almanac)
Chuck Traeger graduated from Duquesne University as a pharmacist in 1955 and began working at Ayres Drug Store five years later. “I started on a Wednesday, and Mr. Ayres passed away that Friday,” Traeger said.
Traeger continued to work at the drug store on Walnut Street in Christy Park and, in the late 1960s, purchased it from Ayres’ son. Since then, the pharmacist has dedicated his life and career to serving the McKeesport community.
But all good things come to an end. So when Traeger’s pharmacy license needed to be renewed in August of 2025, the lifelong McKeesport resident, now 92 years old, made the tough decision not to renew his license and officially retire — citing age and the store’s profitability.
The closure leaves McKeesport, White Oak and the surrounding area with no drug stores, except for the pharmacy counters at two local Giant Eagles. All of the local Rite Aids recently closed as part of that chain’s bankruptcy.
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August 14, 2025 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: State & Region
This story was written by Tube City Almanac Editor Jason Togyer and includes reporting by Danielle Smith of Keystone State News Connection.
A massive explosion at U.S. Steel’s Clairton Plant killed two workers and injured an unknown number of other employees. A camera operated by the non-profit Breathe Project captured the moment of the blast. The investigation into the cause of the explosion “is going to take time,” Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato said. (Keystone State News Connection photo courtesy Breathe Project)
As local and federal authorities investigate a deadly blast at U.S. Steel’s Clairton Plant, local groups have renewed their concerns about the health and safety of plant workers and the community.
Two employees died and at least 12 people were treated at local hospitals following an explosion Monday morning at the facilty, which employs about 1,400 workers.
Clairton Plant is the largest operation of its kind in North America. It superheats coal in giant ovens, called batteries, to produce coke, a fuel used in blast furnaces for steelmaking.
The Allegheny County medical examiner’s office identified one of the victims as Timothy Quinn, 39, of Westmoreland County. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The name of the other victim has not yet officially been released.
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August 13, 2025 |
By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Live coverage of International Village (weather permitting) is available at YouTube
Sally and Andy Moury of White Oak enjoy stuffed cabbage and pierogies at International Village. The three-day event at McKeesport’s Renziehausen Park continues from 3 to 9 p.m. through Thursday (Aug. 14). (Adam Reinherz photo for Tube City Almanac)
McKeesport’s 65th International Village opened Aug. 12 to the delight of local eaters. Despite the scorching sun, hundreds of event-goers happily made their way through Stephen Barry Field at Renziehausen Park in pursuit of meals paying homage to Croatia, Ghana, Hawaii, Italy, Lebanon, Poland and an array of other places.
After ordering, White Oak residents Sally Moury and Andy Moury sat at a nearby table and enjoyed stuffed cabbages and pierogies.
“They’re delicious,” Sally Moury, 71, said.
Neither the dish nor the event were new to Moury, as she and her husband are longtime patrons of International Village. Founded in 1960, the three-day festival features food, music and dancing in celebration of shared traditions and heritage.
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August 08, 2025 |
By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
MASD Superintendent Donald MacFann, School Board President Mark Holtzman Sr., District Solicitor Gary Matta and School Board Member Diane Elias review documents at Thursday’s agenda meeting. (Adam Reinherz photo for Tube City Almanac)
With classes beginning at McKeesport Area School District Aug. 20, efforts are underway to ensure students arrive safely.
The intent, according to Assistant Superintendent Matthew Mols, is for bus monitors to accompany each route. Krise Transportation, a Punxsutawney-based company, provides transportation for the district.
Shatina Freeman, operations manager at Krise, said district routes require 17 “big buses,” with each holding 72 passengers.
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August 08, 2025 |
By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
(Adam Reinherz photo)
Visitors to McKeesport’s 65th International Village may want to bring a few extra dollars next week.
Those parking at nearby McKeesport Area Senior High School between Aug. 12-15 will be asked for a “suggested donation” before using the lots.
In previous years, drivers simply pulled up, parked and headed to the event without interruption.
The change in practice marks an opportunity to support students, District Solicitor Gary Matta said. In lieu of giving space to the city “to use however they wanted,” booster clubs for various teams will operate the site.
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August 07, 2025 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
The Rankin Junior Tamburitzans performed during the 2021 International Village. The ethnic troupe will return to the main stage at Renziehausen Park next week. (Vickie Babyak file photo for Tube City Almanac)
If you go...
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McKeesport’s 65th Annual International Village
Where: Stephen Barry Field, Renziehausen Park
When: 3 to 9 p.m. Aug. 12, 13, 14
Admission: $2 at the gate
Website: www.internationalvillage.info
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When Nick Vranesevic was a kid growing up in West Mifflin, McKeesport’s International Village was the place to “see and be seen” with his friends for three days — which included performing with the Junior Tamburitzans of Duquesne.
Now, Vranesevic, who lives in Alison Park, has kids of his own, but he’s still looking forward to International Village, where he and his friends — who together form the band Orkestar Pobeda — will be performing under the Jakomas Blue-Top Pavilion on Tuesday night, beginning at 5 p.m.
“We were all friends first, and then we were a band second,” said Vranesevic, who plays guitar and keyboards in the band, which features both old and new songs from Serbia, Croatia and other Eastern European countries. “For us, playing these songs is about reconnecting with my family, my ancestors, and just being with my friends more.”
One of Pittsburgh’s longest-running folk festivals, McKeesport’s International Village — a three-day celebration of ethnic food, music and dance from around the world — returns for its 65th year next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in the city’s Renziehausen Park.
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August 05, 2025 |
By Tom Leturgey | Posted in: Duquesne News
Duquesne Council Member Elaine Washington visits with Vicki Adams, wife of the city’s mayor, and their son, Councilman Aaron Adams. (Tom Leturgey photo for Tube City Almanac)
Even the weather cooperated to give Duquesne ideal conditions — 75 degrees and summer — for its 32nd annual community day, including the second-annual community day parade.
Kicking off at 11 a.m. Saturday, the parade proceeded up Grant Street to Polish Hill Community Park. That’s where hundreds gathered to visit vendors, listen to music, eat great food and simply visit with neighbors.
Mayor R. Scott Adams and Councilman Derek Artim greeted residents, saying that there were more people this year than in recent outings.
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August 04, 2025 |
By Yousuf Lachhab Ibrahim | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Miracle Kelley, Jurnee Murphy and Safiyah Allen-Crane are recipients of this year’s scholarships from McKeesport HBCU Vision. The non-profit supports local students who attend historically Black colleges and universities. (Yousuf Lachhab Ibrahim photo for Tube City Almanac)
Three local students with plans to attend historically Black colleges and universities got a little boost on Saturday with help of a McKeesport-based non-profit.
During a ceremony in Wilkins Twp., McKeesport HBCU Vision presented $700 scholarships to McKeesport Area High School graduates Safiyah Allen-Crane, Miracle Kelley and Jurnee Murphy.
McKeesport HBCU founder and chief executive officer Denise Sinkler, an alumni of Clark Atlanta University, awarded a $700 scholarship to Allen-Crane, who will be a sophomore at the same school in the fall.
Kelley is a senior at Coppin State University in Baltimore and Jurnee Murphy will be a freshman at Xavier University in New Orleans.
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