Tickets on Sale for MHS Hall of Fame Induction

July 31, 2018 |

By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements

Olympic gold medalist Swin Cash, Allegheny County Judge David Spurgeon and members of the "McKeesport 23" will be among the newest alumni to be inducted into the McKeesport High School Hall of Fame.

The induction ceremony and dinner will be held Sept. 22 at Stratigos Banquet Centre, Colonial Manor Road, North Huntingdon Twp.

The inductees were announced by the McKeesport-based Consortium for Public Education. Tickets are on sale now for $50, and congratulations messages to be shown during the dinner also are being accepted.

 
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Library's August Events Include Local Author, Movie

July 31, 2018 |

By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements

Local author Linda Goodlin will discuss her book "From Across the Pond" during a free event Aug. 8 at the Carnegie Library of McKeesport.

The discussion by Goodlin, of Scottdale, Westmoreland County, is just one of the events planned in August, a spokeswoman said.

"From Across the Pond" tells the fictional story of Joseph Millward, who moves from Wales with his wife, Anna, to the coal mining town of Rocktown, Pa., where immigrants from Poland, Italy, German, Ireland and other countries mingle. After a mine explosion, residents want to know --- was it an accident or murder?

Signed copies of the book will be available during the discussion, which begins at 6 p.m. in the children's room of the main library, 1507 Library Ave. To register or get more information, call (412) 672-0625.

 
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Duquesne's Lawsuit Against City Redevelopment Authority, Non-Profit Moves Forward

July 31, 2018 |

By Staff Reports | Posted in: Duquesne News

By Cami DiBattista and Jason Togyer

The city of Duquesne's lawsuit against its redevelopment authority and a non-profit development corporation is moving forward.

Duquesne officials filed suit in March against the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Duquesne and the Duquesne Business Advisory Corp., seeking the return of nearly $1.4 million from a $1.5 million revolving loan fund.

Mayor Nickole Nesby argues that the money was improperly transferred from the authority --- a governmental body created by the city --- to the business advisory corporation, which is independent.

The city has asked Allegheny County Judge Arnold Klein to grant a preliminary injunction ordering the DBAC to return the money to the redevelopment authority. A hearing is slated for 1:30 p.m. Thursday in Pittsburgh.

 
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Fox Found in North Versailles Was Rabid; Baits Being Set

July 30, 2018 |

By Staff Reports | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News, North Versailles Twp. News

A fox discovered on Fifth Avenue in North Versailles Twp. has tested positive for rabies, the Allegheny County Health Department said Monday.

The fox was found last week in the 3300 block, just past Westinghouse Avenue, according to Ryan Scarpino, health department spokesman.

Meanwhile, East McKeesport police announced Monday night that volunteers from the health department and the U.S. Department of Agriculture will be spreading baits laced with rabies vaccine in the area beginning Aug. 3 and continuing through Aug. 17.

 
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Port Vue Celebrates 'Fun to Be a Kid' Day Sunday

July 28, 2018 |

By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements

Port Vue will mark "Fun to Be a Kid Day" from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, a spokesperson said.

The event will be held at the Romine Avenue ball field and is free to all children who are borough residents. It includes games, activities, prizes, a free T-shirt and refreshments, and a bicycle will be raffled.

Due to inclement weather, the movie scheduled for Friday night --- "Despicable Me 3" --- was cancelled, and a make-up date will be announced.

 

Duquesne Council OK's Full-Time Position For Mayor

July 28, 2018 |

By Cami DiBattista | Posted in: Duquesne News

Beginning with the next municipal election, the position of Duquesne’s mayor will be a full-time salaried position.

A motion was unanimously passed during Tuesday’s city council meeting authorizing the drafting of an ordinance that will increase the salary of mayor to $65,000 under the guidelines of the Third-Class City Code.

Currently --- including for Mayor Nickole Nesby --- the position is part-time and pays $3,000 annually.

“If the great city of Duquesne wants a full-time mayor, they need to pay for a full-time mayor,” said Pastor Peter Roy of the Terrace Church of the Nazarene, who told council he supports the decision. “If they want a part-time mayor, they’ll pay for that. This city is on the move and the move is up. You can’t expect someone to give 65 to 70 hours per week and not expect to be compensated for it.”

 
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E. Pittsburgh Man Held for Assault on Toddler

July 28, 2018 |

By Submitted Report | Posted in: Crime and Police News

An East Pittsburgh man is being in held in the Allegheny County Jail after police allege he assaulted a 16-month-old child.

Jacob P. Coles, 23, is charged by Allegheny County police with aggravated assault of a child, endangering the welfare of children and reckless endangerment and is awaiting arraignment. The incident happened Friday in McKeesport, police said.

Allegheny County police Lt. Andrew Schurman said the toddler was taken to UPMC McKeesport hospital Friday night before being transferred to Children's Hospital of UPMC in Lawrenceville. Schurman said doctors believe the child was suffering injuries consistent with an assault.

Police allege that Coles struck the child. A preliminary hearing has been tentatively scheduled for Aug. 6 before Magisterial District Judge Eugene Riazzi.

 

Woman Dies Following W. Fifth Ave. Crash

July 28, 2018 |

By Submitted Report | Posted in: Crime and Police News

A woman has died following a one-vehicle crash late Thursday night on West Fifth Avenue in the city's lower 10th Ward.

The victim was identified by the Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office as Lori Mula, 48, of Pittsburgh. The medical examiner's office said Mula died Friday morning after being taken by ambulance to the hospital. The cause and manner of her death is still pending.

McKeesport police are investigating. No further information has been released.

 

City Motorist Accused of Hitting Pedestrian, 72, in Early Morning Incident

July 26, 2018 |

By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Crime and Police News

A McKeesport woman was arrested after police allege she attempted to run over someone she had been having an argument with, but hit a bystander instead.

Jakiia Williams, 32, is being held in the Allegheny County Jail pending formal arraignment, said Lt. Andrew Schurman of the Allegheny County police homicide unit. Charges against Williams include attempted homicide.

The 72-year-old man who was struck remains in critical condition with "life-threatening" injuries at a hospital, Schurman said. The victim's name was not released.

 
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Local Developers Arrested, Charged in Video Poker Investigation

July 26, 2018 |

By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Crime and Police News, White Oak News

Five people, including members of a White Oak family connected with several local real estate developments, have been accused by state Attorney General Josh Shapiro of running an illegal video gambling operation for more than 30 years.

Robert Biros, 83, of White Oak; his sons, John M. Biros, 56, of McKeesport and Andrew R. Biros, 52, of Greensburg; and his daughter, Christine A. Biros, 55, of White Oak are charged with multiple counts, including violating state gambling laws and criminal conspiracy.

Also facing charges is Alfred J. McCauley Jr., 63, of Plum.

“These defendants raked in millions of dollars in illegal profits, draining money from Pennsylvanians --- and from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” state Attorney General Josh Shapiro said Thursday afternoon in a prepared statement. “These video poker machines --- with the lure of the cash payout --- are illegal gambling devices. Working with our partners in the Pennsylvania State Police, we’ve shut it down.”

 
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Two Duquesne Council Members Resign

July 25, 2018 |

By Cami DiBattista | Posted in: Duquesne News

Two members of Duquesne city council have resigned.

Council members John Gyure and June Wilson submitted their resignations, effective with this month's meeting. Wilson said her resignation was for health and family reasons. Gyure did not respond to a request for comment about his resignation.

Council voted 3-0 to appoint Elaine Washington to one of the vacant seats. Washington is expected to be sworn into office at the next council meeting.

Duquesne Mayor Nickole Nesby said council will accept applications to fill the other vacancy.

 
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Long-Awaited Bowman Ave. Paving Project Begins

July 25, 2018 |

By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements, North Versailles Twp. News

(Submitted photo: City of McKeesport)

The long-awaited reconstruction of Bowman Avenue in the city's Highland Grove neighborhood began this week. Above, McKeesport city Administrator Tom Maglicco and Mayor Michael Cherepko visit the construction site.

A spokeswoman said no through traffic is allowed on Bowman Avenue while the work is being done. The posted detour takes motorists inbound to McKeesport from North Versailles Twp. from East Pittsburgh McKeesport Boulevard down Westinghouse Avenue to Fifth Avenue.

Drivers heading toward North Versailles from McKeesport should use Fifth Avenue to Route 30 or Westinghouse Avenue, the spokeswoman said.

Residents of the neighborhood may use Elm Street to access Cronemeyer, Highland and Bowman avenues.

 
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Work Continues to Rehab Renzie Park Pavilions

July 25, 2018 |

By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements, McKeesport and Region News

Work continues on the rehabilitation of five pavilions at Renziehausen Park in McKeesport.

The general contractor for four of the pavilions is Plavchak Construction Co. of Jefferson Hills. The work includes new roofs, signage, benches and other updates to pavilions 1, 2, 3 and 7 at a cost of $184,750.

Funding is being provided through a special allocation from the Allegheny Regional Asset District, which is supported by Allegheny County's 1 percent sales tax.

A fifth pavilion is scheduled to be renovated with the help of the McKeesport Lions Club.

 
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Idlewild Picnic Slated for NV Twp. Residents

July 25, 2018 |

By Richard Finch Jr. | Posted in: Announcements, North Versailles Twp. News

The North Versailles Twp. Idlewild Picnic will be held on Aug. 17, a spokesperson said. Tickets are $30 per person, with children ages 2 and under free.

A bus will be available to transport residents to the picnic. The bus departs the Walmart park and ride lot at 10 a.m. Tickets must be purchased no later than Aug. 10 at the township's Parks and Recreation office, 1401 Greensburg Pike, or residents can call (412) 823-6602 ext. 104 for information.

 

Letter to the Editor: Demolitions Must Be Done With Lead Safety in Mind

July 24, 2018 |

By Submitted Report | Posted in: Letters to the Editor

Abandoned house awaiting demolition in Maryland. (Amy McGovern photo via Flickr. Licensed under Creative Commons --- Attribution 2.0 Generic.)


Reader Ray Firth writes:

Regarding your July 13 story, "172 Houses Head to Demolition; At Least 50 More to Be Added."

The demolition of blighted properties in McKeesport --- part of the "McKeesport Rising" project --- is important for McKeesport and the families who live near them. The homes being demolished are in terrible shape and old.

These homes also probably have lead paint on the windows, doors and walls.

The 200-plus demolitions will cause a lot of dust when the crews push the houses to the ground, and load the debris into dump trucks. That dust will have lead in it from the old lead paint.

In similar projects in other cities, that dust spread to nearby neighborhoods. They found that more children in those nearby neighborhoods had lead in their blood than before the demolitions.

 
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Letter to the Editor: 'You're Either In or Out, Sir'

July 22, 2018 |

By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Commentary-Editorial, Letters to the Editor

(Above: A.M. Rosenthal began his career at The New York Times in 1943 and retired from the paper as a columnist in 1999. He discussed his career in a 1993 interview with C-SPAN.)


Reader Tim Martin writes:

Regarding our July 10 story about city council's decision to hire the Young Preservationists Association of Pittsburgh to evaluate the reuse of the Penn-McKee Hotel ---

I really don't understand why Mr. Togyer is covering the Penn-McKee story, and the editor's notes on top and at the end of July 10's story don't take the curse off the circumstance. You're either in or out, sir.

Tim is absolutely right. Reporters should not be involved with the stories they're covering. Period.

The late A.M. Rosenthal (above), city editor, managing editor and executive editor of The New York Times, supposedly had a colorful rule for his reporters:

"If you want to cover the circus, you can't (make love to) the elephants."

 
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W.O. Council Seeks $2.3M for Lincoln Way Improvements

July 22, 2018 |

By Cami DiBattista | Posted in: White Oak News

White Oak Borough will seek $2.3 million from the state Department of Community and Economic Development for improvements to Lincoln Way.

At July's meeting, council authorized borough officials to apply for the grant from the Commonwealth Financing Authority's Multimodal Transportation Fund.

Officials said the borough is pursuing the money to improve the streetscape along Lincoln Way. The improvements would include new lighting and crosswalks as well as solar-powered trash compactors, Borough Engineer Shane Michael said.

 
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NV Twp. Commissioners Promise Action on Storm Sewers

July 22, 2018 |

By Richard Finch Jr. | Posted in: North Versailles Twp. News

Recent heavy rainstorms are causing concern for residents in the Larimer Street section of North Versailles Twp.

During the public comment portion of Thursday's meeting, resident Mary Henning told township commissioners that water "is shooting out of the sewer system" and that she wasn't satisfied with the results of an earlier discussion she had with the township engineer.

“That’s why I showed up today," she said.

Henning's brother, Donald Rush, said he's helping his sister clear land nearby for possible development. “I’ve been studying this for a year, standing out in the rain just to gather information,” Rush said. “Only when it rains extremely hard and for a long period of time does the basin across the street not handle the water.”

 
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Car Cruise, Recycling Event Planned Saturday in W.O.

July 18, 2018 |

By Cami DiBattista | Posted in: Announcements, White Oak News

An electronic and household hazardous waste recycling collection drop off program will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday (July 21) at the White Oak Municipal Building, 2280 Lincoln Way.

Residents must register online or by calling 1-866-815-0016. It is a pay as you go program; information is available on the White Oak website and at the borough office.

Bridge City Church is hosting a car cruise from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday at their 3001 Jacks Run Road location. The event is a benefit for the White Oak Police Department.

 
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White Oak Council Announces Approval of PennDOT Funding

July 18, 2018 |

By Cami DiBattista | Posted in: White Oak News

Funding has been approved by the state Department of Transportation’s Green Light-Go program to White Oak in the amount of $601,808, council announced this week.

The program, which is designed to reimburse local municipalities for signal upgrades and intersection safety improvements, should allow for an upgrade to all six traffic lights in the borough, officials said.

In other business, Mayor Ina Jean Marton announced that the White Oak Police Department received a compliance monitoring visit from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency on July 3. The visit was to review how juveniles are being handled within the department.

 
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Begin the Beg-a-Loo: Sponsors Needed for I.V. Broadcast

July 16, 2018 |

By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Announcements

With a month to go until International Village, we're getting ready for our annual video broadcast of events, live from Renziehausen Park.

(Or, as one of our fans charmingly called it last year, "the geeks from the A.V. squad with the equipment they stole from the high school." Jealousy is such an ugly emotion, don't you think?)

Donations:

We would like to raise $750. Donations may be tax-deductible as allowed by law. All donors will be acknowledged on our website, in a sign on our booth at International Village, and during the broadcasts.

You can make a donation by mailing a check or money order to Tube City Community Media Inc., P.O. Box 94, McKeesport, PA 15134-0094, or just click this button:

Any extra not spent on the International Village broadcast will go directly toward keeping our websites --- Tube City Online, McKeesportObituaries.com and WMCK.FM --- operational.

Advertising:

If your business or organization would like to advertise during our International Village webcast, we need your information no later than Aug. 7! (Advertising does not qualify as a charitable contribution.)

Contact me at tubecitytiger@gmail.com or call me (412) 614-9659.

For $135, we will make a minimum of one 30-second announcement every hour during the broadcast for your group, business or organization, plus we will run an ad on Tube City Online for at least 30 days. We'll also promote your group, business or organization on Twitter and Facebook.

For $250, we will make a minimum of one 60-second announcement every hour to promote your group, business or organization, plus we will run an ad on Tube City Online for at least 60 days. We'll also promote your group, business or organization on Twitter and Facebook.

 
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Four Honored in July for Upholding 'McKeesport Message'

July 15, 2018 |

By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements

Mary of Nazareth Catholic School student Aleena Halaszynski was honored by McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko for upholding the value of "Love." Aleena, who just finished first grade, raised $1,300 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.


McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko and city council on Tuesday honored four people for upholding the "McKeesport Message" of "Respect, Dignity, Hope and Love."

Proclamations were presented to three of the four awardees during council's July meeting. Each of the awardees was nominated by the public and selected the McKeesport Message Committee, a subgroup of the Mayor's Select Committee on Crime and Violence.

Honored for this quarter were Walt Yager for upholding the value of "Respect," Tricia Hoover for upholding the value of "Dignity," Hasaan Allen for upholding the value of "Hope," and Aleena Halaszynski for upholding the value of "Love."

 
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School Taxes Increasing for McKeesport Area Property Owners

July 13, 2018 |

By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

Related Story: School taxes may be paid at discount through Sept. 14


Many property owners in the McKeesport Area School District will be unhappy when their tax bills begin arriving next week.

School property taxes for the 2018-19 school year are increasing 2.11 mills this year, to 19.48 mills. The increase represents an addition $2.11 in taxes on each $1,000 of value of a property.

The increase, and the district's $67 million budget, were approved by an 8-1 vote at the district's June 27 meeting, with school director David Donato dissenting.

According to the real estate tracking website Zillow, the median home value in McKeesport is $55,300, while the median home value in White Oak is about twice as high, at $104,500. The taxes on a home valued at $55,300 will increase $116.68, while the taxes on a home valued at $104,500 will increase $220.50.

 
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172 Houses Head to Demolition; At Least 50 More to Be Added

July 13, 2018 |

By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

McKeesport City Council this week added another 172 vacant buildings to its demolition list. The houses will be torn down using a mix of local and federal funds. Click the map to explore the locations.


From approximately "coast to coast" --- including both Atlantic Avenue and Pacific Avenue --- 172 additional vacant houses and commercial buildings have been approved for demolition by McKeesport City Council.

At least 50 more are expected to be scheduled for demolition in the next round, McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko promised city council this week. Virtually every neighborhood in the city will be touched this year, he said.

"Nothing's perfect, but overall, I think we did a good job when you talk about preserving the neighborhoods on the outskirts of the city, as well as those on the main thoroughfares," Cherepko said.

 
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School District Reminds Residents of 2 Percent Discount on Tax Bills

July 12, 2018 |

By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements

Related Story: School taxes increasing for McKeesport Area property owners


School tax bills for McKeesport area residents may be paid at discount until Sept. 14, a spokeswoman said.

Tax bills are being mailed out today for property owners in the McKeesport Area School District, which includes the city, Dravosburg, South Versailles Twp. (Coulter), Versailles and White Oak, said Kristen Davis, spokeswoman.

A 2 percent discount applies to all taxes paid in full by Sept. 14. Anyone who has not received a tax bill or has paid their mortgage off this year should contact their local tax collector, Davis said.

School property taxes are increasing 2.11 mills this year, to 19.48 mills. The increase represents an addition $2.11 in taxes on each $1,000 of value of a property.

 
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County Police Make Arrest in N. Versailles Twp. Homicide

July 12, 2018 |

By Submitted Report | Posted in: Crime and Police News

A South Hills man has been charged in connection with the death of a man whose body was found July 8 in North Versailles Twp.

Darrel E. Hardy Jr., 29, was charged Thursday by Allegheny County police with criminal homicide, carrying a firearm without a license and tampering with evidence.

Hardy was already in jail after police accused him of setting a car fire the same day that investigators believe the victim, Zack Moore, 28, was shot.

Through the course of the investigation, county police said, they determined that the vehicle Hardy is accused of burning was the same vehicle in which detectives allege that Hardy shot Moore.

 
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Grandview Residents Demand Action From Water Authority

July 12, 2018 |

By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

The water authority serving McKeesport says it has no record of any complaints about fire hydrants in the Grandview section of the city.

McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko and angry city residents disagree.

And they want the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County to run a new water line to a neighborhood that has been plagued by fires, including a blaze on June 16 that leveled one family's home, heavily damaged a neighbor's home, and caused severe damage to at least four nearby houses.

Residents and city firefighters say lack of sufficient water at nearby hydrants hampered efforts to battle that fire, and other blazes.

"I have not been able to sleep," Norma Kwiecinski, who lives near the site of the June fire, told city council on Tuesday. "I'm really scared in our neighborhood and I want to know what's going to be done about this."

 
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City Council OK's Assessment of Penn-McKee Hotel

July 10, 2018 |

By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

Conflict-of-Interest Note: The writer of this article has a conflict of interest. See editor's note.

(Photo by Nyttend via Wikimedia Commons)


McKeesport will partner with a Pittsburgh-based preservation society to determine whether the city's landmark Penn-McKee Hotel can be saved and reused for other purposes.

At Wednesday's meeting, council by 7-0 vote approved an agreement with the Young Preservationists Association to conduct an environmental assessment of the long-vacant hotel as well as an architectural and feasibility study.

Matthew Craig, executive director of the YPA, said the study will consider historic reuse of the entire block of Fifth Avenue between Strawberry and Mulberry alleys, which includes a former Moose lodge and several pre-Civil War houses.

YPA intends to work closely with city officials and volunteers throughout the process, Craig told council.

 
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Wilmerding YMCA to Close in August

July 10, 2018 |

By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

The Wilmerding YMCA was expanded in 2006 at a cost of $750,000. The renovations, designed by Penner & Associates architects, added a two-story wellness center and family locker room and reconfigured the existing lobby and administrative area. (Photo copyright Penner & Associates.)


The YMCA in Wilmerding will close Aug. 31, a spokeswoman for the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh has announced.

The closure of the facility on Ice Plant Hill Road is related to the Greater Pittsburgh Y's reorganization in federal bankruptcy court. The bankruptcy proceedings began May 8.

More than 1,100 Y members will be affected, along with six full-time employees and 70 part-time employees.

The Wilmerding Y was the last remaining facility in the Mon-Yough area, absorbing memberships of people who had belonged to the McKeesport YMCA. Closing the facility will save the Greater Pittsburgh Y about $163,000 per year.

 
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Man Found Dead Along N. Versailles Twp. Road; Suspects Sought

July 09, 2018 |

By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News

A man who was found dead Sunday morning alongside a highway in the Dixon Hollow area of North Versailles Twp. was likely shot inside a car, police said.

The victim was identified by the Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office as Zack Moore, 28, no address given. He was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

Allegheny County police Lt. Andrew Schurman said township police and paramedics were dispatched to East Pittsburgh-McKeesport Boulevard just after 5:30 a.m. Sunday after a 9-1-1 caller reported that a man was lying on the road near Dixon Avenue.

 
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Message of Hope Carries Prayer Walk Through City's Downtown

July 09, 2018 |

By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

* Correction appended. Rev. Truss' name was misspelled. We apologize for the error.

Rev. Earlene Coleman of Bethlehem Baptist Church charges up participants prior to a prayer walk Friday in Downtown McKeesport. (Vickie Babyak photo special to Tube City Almanac.)


Participants in a prayer walk through Downtown McKeesport on Friday carried with them a message of hope.

"We will not see our city destroyed," said the Rev. Earlene Coleman, pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, before about 80 walkers set off from the McKees Point Marina. "We will not see McKeesport die, but it will live again."

The event was organized by the McKeesport Unit of the NAACP. Brenda Sawyer, unit president, said the walk --- up Fifth Avenue to UPMC McKeesport hospital, then back down Lysle Boulevard to the marina --- was "beautiful."

Participants included members of McKeesport city council and McKeesport Area school board, McKeesport Area School Superintendent Mark Holtzman Jr., state Rep. Austin Davis and state Sen. Jim Brewster.

 
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Prayer Walk Against Violence Planned Downtown on Friday

July 05, 2018 |

By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements

CORRECTION: This article had Brenda Sawyer's last name wrong. I apologize for the error. -JT

Members of the McKeesport unit of the NAACP will hold a prayer walk through Downtown on Friday evening to highlight the need for peace and an end to violence.

Brenda Sawyer, unit president, said all faiths and races are welcome to participate in the walk, which will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the McKees Point Marina and continue up Fifth Avenue to McKeesport & Versailles Cemetery, then return.

"I'm emphasizing this is a prayer walk and not a protest of any kind," Sawyer said. It's the first prayer walk organized by the McKeesport NAACP in recent memory, she said.

 
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After 20 Years, Teen-Ager's Unsolved Death Still Haunts, Hurts

July 04, 2018 |

By Lynne Glover | Posted in: Crime and Police News, McKeesport and Region News

Engraved on Kimmie Krimm’s marker: “When you look up into the evening sky and see the brightest star shining down on earth, pause for a moment and remember that star’s name is Kimberlie Rose Krimm.” (Lynne Glover photo, special to Tube City Almanac)


Having recently been released from the hospital, Jeanie Krimm said it was simply too much for her to plan a 20-year anniversary remembrance for her daughter, Kimberlie Rose Krimm.

Fourteen-year-old Kimberlie Krimm's body was found 20 years ago this week, on July 6, 1998, on a hillside at McKeesport & Versailles Cemetery by a utility worker.    

“People talk about pain,” said Jeanie Krimm, two decades after her daughter’s death. “They don’t know pain until they lose a child. I’ll never be the same. Never.”

Part of the suffering is not really knowing what happened to Kimberlie, and how and why she died. The cause and manner of Kimmie’s death were ruled “undetermined” by the Allegheny County Coroner's Office—and it was never officially declared a homicide.

 
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Zoot Island Will Rock Renzie Before July 4 Fireworks Display

July 04, 2018 |

By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements

(Courtesy Dr. Zoot and Zoot Island)


A band that describes itself as "a perfect mix of Caribbean, Latin, reggae and American Top 40" will rock Renziehausen Park before what organizers hope will be a perfect mix of fireworks for Independence Day.

Zoot Island --- made up of members of the Dr. Zoot swing band --- will take the stage at the Lions Bandshell at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

The concert is sponsored by the McKeesport Lions Club, the Allegheny Regional Asset District, the city of McKeesport and Mayor Michael Cherepko. Admission is free but attendees should bring a blanket or chair to sit on.

 
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St. Angela Slates Annual Parish Festival July 12, 13, 14

July 03, 2018 |

By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements, White Oak News

(Photo courtesy St. Angela Merici Church via Facebook)


St. Angela Merici Church, 1640 Fawcett Ave., White Oak, will hold its Family Festival from 6 to 10 p.m. July 12, 13 and 14, a spokeswoman said.

Nightly attractions will include "a huge flea market," basket raffle, Kids’ Kingdom, card games, midway games, bake sale and bingo.

The main food booth will include stuffed cabbage, haluski, pierogies, grilled foods and an Italian booth with homemade pizza and hot sausage. Kids’ favorites and walking tacos also will be available.

 
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Work Begins on Renzie Pavilion Renovations; Contract OK'd for Amphitheater

July 03, 2018 |

By Staff Reports | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

Work began this week on renovations to the first of five pavilions at Renziehausen Park.

And, in a separate development, McKeesport officials have given a contractor orders to proceed with construction of a new amphitheater at Gergely Park on the Youghiogheny River waterfront.

General contractor on the $184,750 project to repair four pavilions at Renzie is Plavchak Construction Co. of Jefferson Hills. The work will include new roofs, signage, benches and other updates to four pavilions.

McKeesport officials had hoped the renovations would be completed in the spring. But A.J. Tedesco, city community development director, told The Almanac the city decided to plan the work around pavilion rentals to minimize inconvenience to park visitors.

 
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