Trick-or-Treat Hours Posted in Local Communities

October 31, 2016 |

By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements

With Halloween upon us, local communities posted trick-or-treating hours tonight.

Hours for trick-or-treat are 6 to 8 p.m. in McKeesport, Elizabeth Twp., Glassport, Liberty, North Huntingdon Twp., Port Vue, White Oak and Wilkins Twp., spokespersons for those communities said.

In addition, police officers and firefighters will be patrolling streets in Wilkins to slow down traffic and protect trick-or-treaters and their parents.

Trick-or-treat hours in Dravosburg and West Mifflin are 6 to 7:30 p.m., spokespersons said.

A parade and costume contest for kids 13 and younger will be held in Dravosburg beginning at 5 p.m. at the borough building on Maple Avenue.

Liberty Borough will have a Halloween parade beginning at 5:30 p.m. tonight at the corner of Scene Ridge and River Ridge roads. Participants should line up beginning at 5:15 p.m., a spokesperson said.

 
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Route 837 Closed Next Week for RR Crossing Work

October 28, 2016 |

By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements

Route 837 in Dravosburg will be closed next week so that a contractor hired by Norfolk Southern Railroad can repair a railroad grade crossing.

The closure begins at 9:30 a.m. Monday (Oct. 31) and continues, weather-permitting, through 5 p.m. Nov. 4, said a district spokesman for the state Department of Transportation.

PennDOT is not doing the work, the spokesman said, but is announcing the closure to make sure the public is aware. The crossing is near the Kinder Morgan (former Boswell Oil Co.) facility.

 
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McKeesport Presbyterian Church Holds Festival This Saturday

October 28, 2016 |

By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements

McKeesport Presbyterian Church will be hosting a Fall Fest in the church parking lot from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday (Oct. 29). There will be great food including chicken BBQ, games, prizes, face-painting, music, and more. The event is free but donations will be accepted.

The church is located at the corner of Versailles and Union Avenues and 1510 Versailles Ave. in McKeesport. For more information, call (412) 678-2000.

 

Area Schools to Mark Veterans' Day With Tributes

October 23, 2016 |

By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements

Two local high schools have announced plans to honor area veterans in November.

McKeesport Area High School will host a reception, concert and multimedia presentation at 9:30 a.m. Nov. 7 in the auditorium, 1960 Eden Park Blvd. The McKeesport Area High School orchestra, band and choir will perform and the public --- in addition to all area veterans and military personnel --- is invited to attend.

Light refreshments will be served following the event.

From 12 noon to 2 p.m. Nov. 8, West Mifflin Area High School, 91 Commonwealth Ave., will host a free lunch for veterans, sponsored by teachers and administrators. Lunch includes pasta, chicken, salad, dessert and a beverage. Reservations are requested no later than Nov. 4.

For more information, call Senior Master Sgt. Oreste (Otis) DiCerbo or Maj. Scott Harbula at (412) 896-0789, or email dicerboo@wmasd.org.

 

Local Churches Post Italianfest, Election and Thanksgiving Events

October 23, 2016 |

By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements

St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, 336 East 10th Ave., Homestead, will hold an Italianfest from 5 to 8 p.m. Nov. 5. The event includes a pasta dinner with vegetables, tiramisu or cannoli, and a beverage, and live music will be provided during the event by Kevin Solecki. Items will be for sale and a raffle also will be held.

Doors open at 4:30 and a $25 donation is requested. To make a reservation or get more information, call (412) 461-5920 or (412) 835-2887.

West Side United Methodist Church, 307 Atlantic Ave., 10th Ward, will hold an election day bake sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 8, a spokesperson said. In addition, the kitchen will be open. The church is wheelchair accessible.

St. Mark Roman Catholic Church will hold a Thanksgiving community luncheon beginning at 1 p.m. Nov. 17, a spokesperson said. All are welcome.

A prayer service will be held at 1 p.m. and a lunch of hot turkey, stuffing, gravy, vegetables, salad and dessert will be served at 1:30. The cost is $15 and reservations are requested by Nov. 3. The event is at the Port Vue worship site, 1125 Romine Ave. For more information, call (412) 678-6275.

 

New Penn State Mom Discovers Family History at Nearby Center

October 19, 2016 |

By Submitted Report | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

(Conflict of Interest Warning: See note at the end of this story.)

While newly minted college freshman Jonathan Doonan attended orientation at Penn State Greater Allegheny, his mom, Michelle Doonan, went off on a tour of the nearby McKeesport Regional History & Heritage Center.

He was discovering classes, academic programs, clubs and sports teams available at the local Penn State campus. She was discovering a piece of her family history.

By chance, Michelle Doonan met a woman --- Pat Begandy, a volunteer tour guide at the center --- whose husband had served with her own grandfather during World War II.

“I couldn’t believe it! It was a wonderful coincidence that I would happen to meet this woman at the center, and she knew of my grandfather,” Doonan said.

 
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Yukon CFU Indoor Picnic on Oct. 23

October 16, 2016 |

By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements

Food, fellowship, good music and dancing are on tap at the Yukon Croatian Club on Oct. 23 as CFU Lodge 432, 109 Union St., Yukon welcomes Stari Prijatelji to its indoor picnic.

The band will play from 2 to 6 p.m. The club opens at 12:30 p.m., so come early to visit with friends and to enjoy a lunch of ethnic foods. Those who pre-ordered lamb from Mike Mezick may pick it up beginning at 12:30 p.m.
The club is just off exit 53 on I-70. For more information, call (724) 722-4100.

 

'Toy Bash' Will Benefit Dravosburg Firefighters

October 16, 2016 |

By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements

A "toy bash" will be held Nov. 12 at the McKeesport Palisades, 100 Fifth Ave., to benefit Dravosburg Volunteer Fire Department No. 1, a spokeswoman said.

Doors open at 2 p.m. and the drawings begin at 3.

Events will include a 50/50 drawing, a Chinese auction and a "pick of the table." Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the fire hall, 598 Ravine St, Dravosburg, or call (412) 466-2405.

 

Christy Park UMC Slates October Events

October 16, 2016 |

By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements

Christy Park United Methodist Church has slated events for the last week of October, including a pancake breakfast, a cooking class for kids, and a "trunk-or-treat" event on Halloween.

"Kid's Kitchen" will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 26 at the church, corner of 29th and Beale streets, McKeesport, a spokeswoman said. If your child likes to bake, come to the church for an evening of fun.

A pancake breakfast and bake sale will be held from 8 a.m. to 12 noon Oct. 29.

"Trunk or Treat" will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31 and children of "all ages" are welcome to participate. There will be hot chocolate, candy, hot dogs and "maybe even a trick or two." There is no charge for the event but children should be accompanied by a grown-up.

For more information about the church, call (412) 678-3110, or visit them on Facebook.

 

City Seeks Funds for New Intersection at Long Run, Walnut

October 14, 2016 |

By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

McKeesport officials are asking for state funding to reconstruct the heavily traveled intersection of state routes 48 and 148.

Meanwhile, the nearby neighborhood is about to have another new tenant: A new O'Reilly Auto Parts store is likely to be built at the former site of Chick's Grill.

City council in September approved a request to the Commonwealth Financing Authority's Multimodal Transportation Fund for a grant of $334,000 to improve the traffic flow and add signals to the intersection where Walnut Street meets Long Run Road.

"Anyone who travels those roads knows it's tough to get out of there," McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko said. "This is a chance to redesign the entire intersection."

New signals and turning lanes also would speed the opening of a partially completed shopping center that's been under construction along the west side of Walnut Street for nearly a decade.

 
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Mayor Honors Recipients for Upholding 'McKeesport Message'

October 14, 2016 |

By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements

McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko presents a citation to youth leader Helene Phelps of the McKeesport Black Berets for upholding the value of "Respect." (Tube City Almanac photo)

Four people were honored this month by McKeesport Mayor Mike Cherepko for upholding the city's message of "Respect, Dignity, Hope and Love."

Citations were presented at the Oct. 5 city council meeting to Helene Phelps, Janet Kulis and Jason Togyer. The fourth recipient, Arlen Harper, was unable to be present at the meeting. Biographies of the winners, written by Jennifer Vertullo, assistant to the mayor, follow.

 
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Braddock Man Indicted for Bank Robberies

October 13, 2016 |

By Submitted Report | Posted in: Crime and Police News

A 34-year-old Braddock man was indicted by a federal grand jury this week in connection with two bank robberies.

Wallace Banks was arrested Aug. 19 by Pittsburgh police and is being held in the Allegheny County Jail in lieu of $100,000 cash bond pending formal arraignment.

U.S. Attorney David Hickton said prosecutors allege that Banks robbed a WesBanco Bank branch on Pittsburgh's North Side on Aug. 15, and that he then robbed a Huntington Bank branch on Smithfield Street in downtown Pittsburgh the following day.

 
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HS Students Invited to Local Penn State Campus This Saturday

October 13, 2016 |

By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements

High school juniors and seniors who are curious about attending college are invited to visit Penn State Greater Allegheny in McKeesport from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. this Saturday (Oct. 15).

The Penn State Day Fall Open House offers information to high school students considering admission to Penn State.

In addition, students who apply during the open house for admission to the Greater Allegheny Campus for either summer or fall 2017 semester will have their application fee waived, a spokeswoman said.

Students’ families are welcome to attend as well. Visitors will take a tour of the campus and learn about student life, hear from recent alumni about their Penn State experience.

“I made some of the most incredible friendships here and have had such a positive experience both in the classroom and in the residence hall," said Dion Harris, a 2008 alumnus who will be one of the featured speakers on Saturday.

 
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Mon Yough Chamber Plans Move to Versailles

October 12, 2016 |

By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Announcements

(Above: The Mon Yough Area Chamber of Commerce held its annual "Tour de Mon" bicycle event along the Great Allegheny Passage on Sept. 24. Stephanie Scanlon photo for Mon Yough Area Chamber of Commerce, via Facebook)

. . .

The Mon Yough Area Chamber of Commerce is moving to new, larger office space in Versailles Borough.

Executive Director Maury Burgwin said last week the chamber has outgrown its space on the second floor of McKeesport's former municipal building at the corner of Lysle Boulevard and Walnut Street.

The chamber is relocating to the Versailles Professional Plaza on Walnut Street, across from Olympia Shopping Center. The move should be complete Oct. 28, Burgwin said.

"It has a better layout and room to grow," he said. "Right now we don't even have a conference room --- but we will in the new location."

 
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Police Log: Oct. 12, 2016

October 12, 2016 |

By Submitted Report | Posted in: Crime and Police News

  • Arrest records published here were provided by the McKeesport Police Department.
  • Not all arrest records are published.
  • A report of an arrest does not mean the person identified has been convicted of a crime.
  • All people arrested are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
 
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Council Agrees to Finance Pension Fund Repayment

October 11, 2016 |

By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

McKeesport will borrow $4.9 million to fix what the state auditor general called "a costly mistake" and to fully fund its pension plans.

The new debt will be incurred despite the fact that the city received $5 million from Pennsylvania-American Water Company as a pre-payment toward the sale of its sewerage authority.

Penn-American's pre-payment has been put into the bank, Mayor Mike Cherepko said, and he would like it to stay there. "We have to continue to operate as if we're broke, because we are," he said.

In June, state Auditor General Eugene DePasquale said that McKeesport took more than $729,000 in state funding that was earmarked toward aiding the city's pension plans, and spent it instead on general operating expenses.

 
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Attorney Charged in Connection with Mon Valley Gambling Ring

October 06, 2016 |

By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

A Pittsburgh attorney who state investigators say was part of a self-proclaimed "Super PAC" run by accused video poker czar Ronald "Porky" Melocchi now faces criminal charges of his own.

Louis F. Caputo, 39, of Peters Twp., Washington County, was arraigned today before Magisterial District Judge Tom Swan in West Deer Twp. on charges of illegal use of gambling devices, criminal solicitation of gambling devices and criminal conspiracy.

He remains free on his own recognizance pending a formal arraignment Nov. 28 in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court.

State Attorney General Bruce R. Beemer said that according to a grand jury investigation, Caputo, a liquor license attorney, and state Rep. Marc Gergely of White Oak were part of what Melocchi called his "Super PAC," meaning political action committee.

Gergely, 46, was charged Feb. 25 with being associated of a corrupt organization, conspiracy to operate illegal gambling devices, criminal attempt to operate illegal gambling devices, dealing in the proceeds of illegal activities, and accepting illegal cash contributions to an election campaign.

Gergely is running for re-election. He is being challenged in the Nov. 8 general election by McKeesport city Councilwoman Fawn Walker-Montgomery, who won the Republican nomination as a write-in.

 
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Dravosburg Church Plans Autumn Auction Oct. 29

October 05, 2016 |

By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements

First Christian Church, 100 Duquesne Ave., Dravosburg will hold an auction Oct. 29, a spokeswoman said.

The event, to benefit the church, will be conducted by Donald Strickler of Strickler Auction Services.

Items to be auctioned will include quilts, small appliances, Lenox Christmas giftware, Royal Dolton China, Avon Cape Cod ruby glassware, Fostoria crystal and ceramics.

Food, beverages and baked goods also will be available.

A preview begins at 11 a.m. and the auction begins promptly at 12 noon.

 

UPDATE: Suspect Sought in Maple Street Shooting

October 04, 2016 |

By Submitted Report | Posted in: Crime and Police News

(Updated: Oct. 5 with suspect's name and arrest warrant.)

A 22-year-old Pittsburgh man currently on probation after pleading guilty to drug charges is wanted in connection with a fatal shooting on McKeesport's Maple Street.

Derrick Means (above) is considered armed and dangerous, McKeesport police said Wednesday, and Allegheny County police have obtained a warrant for his arrest.

Means is wanted in connection with the death of Ronald Means, 29, of Pittsburgh's West End. McKeesport police responding to a 9-1-1 call reporting shots fired just after 9 p.m. Monday found Carter lying on the sidewalk in the 1300 block of Maple St. He was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

Means is described as a black male, approximately 6 feet tall, with his hair in dreadlocks. McKeesport police said he was last seen driving a dark colored Dodge Magnum with Pennsylvania license plate number KDE-1979. The vehicle also has an "Uber" sticker in the front windshield, police said.

 
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Four Children Safe After Parents Found Dead in Home

October 04, 2016 |

By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News

Two people were found dead inside an Evans Avenue house after their 7-year-old daughter told school officials she was unable to wake her parents.

The girl and her three siblings --- ages 9 months, 3, and 5 --- are now in the custody of Allegheny County Children, Youth and Family Services, Allegheny County police Lt. Andrew Schurman said.

McKeesport police and MARS paramedics responded to the home at 917 Evans at 5 p.m. Monday after the girl told a school employee that she had been unable to wake her parents that day.

Police entered the home and found Christopher Dilly, 26, and Jessica Lally, 25, inside. They were pronounced dead at the scene.

There was no evidence of foul play, Schurman said, but there evidence of drug use in the home.

 
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