December 27, 2018 |
By Richard Finch Jr. | Posted in: North Versailles Twp. News
There is no property tax increase planned for North Versailles Twp. residents in 2019.
At their Dec. 20 meeting, township commissioners approved a 2019 budget in the amount of $8,206,638, with property taxes set at 7.75 mills, including 7.25 mills for the general fund in 0.5 mills to support the volunteer fire service.
Median property value in North Versailles is $57,000, according to the Allegheny County Treasurer's Office.
The millage represents $7.75 in property tax on each $1,000 of a property's assessment. A property assessed at $50,000 would owe $441.75 in township property tax.
Read More
December 27, 2018 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Crime and Police News
A 22-year-old man is reportedly in critical condition following a shooting Thursday afternoon on Palmgreen Street.
Allegheny County police are investigating but have released few details.
County police said McKeesport police and paramedics were dispatched to the 2700 block at 1:15 p.m. for reports of a shooting.
The victim, whose name was not released, was found suffering from a gunshot wound and was flown to a Pittsburgh trauma hospital for treatment.
Read More
December 27, 2018 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Crime and Police News
An old scam is making the rounds again, and police and Duquesne Light are warning local residents to be aware.
The con artists call customers and tell them they owe money, said Alicia George, spokeswoman for Pittsburgh Police, which sent out an alert on Thursday. The scammers tell the customers that unless they pay the balance immediately, their power will be shut off.
Although similar scams have made the rounds of the Pittsburgh area before, this time, the scammers are sending fake information over Caller ID so that the calls actually appear to be coming from Duquesne Light.
“The callers are getting more savvy in their approach,” said Jessica Rock, Duquesne Light spokeswoman.
Read More
December 26, 2018 |
By Richard Finch Jr. | Posted in: North Versailles Twp. News
North Versailles Twp. commissioners have unanimously approved site plans for a new GetGo at the intersection of U.S. Route 30 and state Route 48, and executives from Giant Eagle say groundbreaking could happen as early as spring.
The convenience store, gas station and restaurant would replace the existing Kings Family Restaurant as well as the site of a former Marathon gasoline station.
Pasquale “Pat” Avolio, director of real-estate development and construction for Giant Eagle, spoke to commissioners at their Dec. 20 meeting. “We still need approval from PennDOT for a traffic impact study as well all requisite approvals from the municipality,” he said.
According to Allegheny County tax records, GetGo purchased the site in August for $6.5 million.
Read More
December 26, 2018 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Crime and Police News
A city resident is being held in the Allegheny County Jail after being arrested by sheriff's deputies for violating probation.
Breanne T. Jefferson, 29, formerly of Rankin, is being held without bond pending a hearing before Allegheny County Judge Edward Borkowski on an alleged probation violation, court documents indicate.
In a prepared statement, sheriff's deputies said Jefferson was first arrested by McKeesport police in 2014 in connection with several house burglaries in the city. She pleaded guilty to receiving stolen property and received probation.
Read More
December 26, 2018 |
By Cami DiBattista | Posted in: White Oak News
With delinquent garbage accounts now in excess of $461,000, White Oak borough officials are urging residents to pay up, and are planning further action.
At council's December meeting, White Oak Councilman Steve Phloar said that residents who have not made their annual trash collection payment of $240 must do so by the close of business on Dec. 31 to avoid a penalty.
If the borough office is closed, a drop box is available in the lobby on the Lincoln Way side of the building for resident convenience. Reminder notices were sent earlier this month, he said.
Read More
December 24, 2018 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Crime and Police News
A security camera image of the July 14, 2015, robbery of a First National Bank branch in West Mifflin. (Tube City Almanac file photo)
A former resident of Philadelphia has pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of robbing two banks near Century III Mall.
Germaine Kelly, 39, faces up to 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both, U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady said. Sentencing has been scheduled for May 16 before U.S. District Judge Cathy Bissoon.
Prosecutors said that on July 10, 2015, Kelly entered the Dollar Bank on Route 51 in Pleasant Hills and presented a teller with a note demanding money. He escaped with $1,115.
Read More
December 24, 2018 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
Allegheny County is again offering its annual Christmas tree recycling program this holiday season.
A spokeswoman said county residents may drop off Christmas trees beginning Wednesday and continuing through Jan. 14 at all nine regional parks from 8 a.m. until dusk.
All lights, decorations, tinsel and stands must be removed from trees prior to drop-off. Trees will be mulched and used in the county parks.
Read More
December 24, 2018 |
By Cami DiBattista | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Over 10,000 lights synchronized with Christmas music create a unique holiday display in Markvue Manor. Al and Cindy Harff have been decorating their home for 12 years and donating all funds collected to charity. (Cami DiBattista photo special to Tube City Almanac)
One North Huntingdon Twp. family aims to make the season a little brighter for those in need in a very festive way.
The Harff family, who reside at 1907 Bernice Dr. in the Markvue Manor development of North Huntingdon, deck out their home with thousands of lights and holiday décor each year in an effort to raise funds for Jamie’s Dream Team.
The McKeesport-based non-profit organization, founded by Jamie Holmes in 2005, supports those suffering from serious illness, injury, disability or trauma.
“Jamie is such a wonderful person and works so hard to make dreams come true for local children and adults,” said Cindy Harff. “We are happy to support her organization and just thrilled with the success of the light display.”
This is the 12th year the family has decorated their home for the holidays in this manner. Christmas Eve is the busiest night for visitors.
Read More
December 20, 2018 |
By Cami DiBattista | Posted in: White Oak News
The 2019 budget for White Oak Borough introduced at Monday's council meeting reflects no tax increase.
A special council meeting is slated for 7 p.m. on Dec. 27 for the purpose of adopting the budget. The meeting is open to the public.
The current property tax rate is 6.41 mills. Borough property taxes for a home assessed at $100,000 would be $641 annually.
In other business, Mayor Ina Jean Marton wished all residents a Merry Christmas and a safe, happy New Year and thanked everyone who participated in the borough’s first Toys for Tots collection.
“We collected five overflowing boxes,” Marton said. “Everyone was very generous.”
Read More
December 19, 2018 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Above: Seasonal public works employees Myselo King, left, and Austin Fagan and load recycle bins for delivery to McKeesport residents in this 2017 photo. Mayor Michael Cherepko said this month many bins are still available for city households. (Submitted photo by Jennifer Vertullo, City of McKeesport.)
McKeesport City Council has extended its contract with its garbage collection service for one more year.
But Mayor Michael Cherepko says the city is again considering purchase of its own garbage trucks and bringing the service back in-house for the first time in more than 35 years.
Council this month by 7-0 vote exercised an option with Big's Sanitation of Rostraver Twp., Westmoreland County, to collect the city's trash until Dec. 31, 2019.
Rather than a rate increase, Cherepko said, Big's has lowered its prices to the 2015 level.
The mayor's office has received some complaints about trash collection over the past year, Cherepko said, but added that Joe Eori Jr., president of Big's, has been "responsive every time the complaints have come in."
Read More
December 19, 2018 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
(All photos: Courtesy Tom Rosso, City of McKeesport)
With an assist from McKeesport City Electrician Tom Rosso and other employees, crews from McKeesport-based Fort Pitt Flagpole Co. installed one of their namesake products outside city hall last week.
The flagpole is the first to grace the grounds of McKeesport City Hall, located in the former McKeesport National Bank Building at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Sinclair Street, Downtown.
Read More
December 18, 2018 |
By Cami DiBattista | Posted in: Duquesne News
Nine-year-old Arnez Logan, a student of Duquesne Elementary School, is a member of the school's Junior Constable program, run by school security officer and Pennsylvania State Constable Lonzo Boyce Sr., at left. (Cami DiBattista photo, special to Tube City Almanac)
When fourth-grader Arnez Logan began the school year at Duquesne Elementary, he had no idea he would wrap up his first week being labeled a hero.
As a participant in the school’s Junior Constable Program, one of his responsibilities includes being a member of the "safety patrol." Logan was stationed outside the entrance of the school, diligently observing his surroundings, when he saw a kindergarten student run out into the road in front of an oncoming car.
Without a second thought he reacted, grabbing the kindergartener and pulling him to safety as the car sped by.
“He was running and it did not look like he was going to stop,” said nine-year-old Logan. “I hurried up and pulled him back before a car came speeding by.”
“I was across the street and couldn’t get there quickly enough,” said Duquesne constable Lonzo Boyce Sr., who started the Junior Constable Program around five years ago. “It was like it happened in slow motion. As soon as he stepped onto the street, Arnez grabbed him. ‘Nice save, Arnez. Great job,’ was the first thing that came out of my mouth. It was unbelievable.”
Read More
December 14, 2018 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
Motorists may expect brief delays this week on state Route 837 between Clairton and Dravosburg while crews perform tests.
A district spokesman for the state Department of Transportation says crews from Armstrong Drilling, Inc., are conducting geotechnical drilling between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. today through Friday, weather-permitting, between Lebanon School Road and New England Road in West Mifflin.
Single-lane alternating traffic will be maintained, the spokesman said. Motorists should use caution when traveling in this area.
December 14, 2018 |
By Cami DiBattista | Posted in: Duquesne News
Duquesne residents are voicing concerns regarding the new way water bills are being issued.
At the Nov. 27 council meeting, one resident who also owns a rental property said that as the landlord, she's receiving bills, but her tenants are not.
And while she is keeping the bills up-to-date, she said, her tenants are receiving delinquency letters. Other residents said they're receiving bill that are lower than what they know they owe.
Read More
December 14, 2018 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
(Map courtesy Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County. )
The water authority serving McKeesport will invest more than $843,000 to improve the water flow to fire hydrants in the Grandview area of the city.
The improvements --- including more than a half-mile of new water mains and eight new fire hydrants --- were approved Wednesday by the board of directors of the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County.
Matthew Junker, spokesman for the water authority, said the board is responding to concerns raised by McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko, fire Chief Jeff Tomovcsik and residents after a fire June 16 on Cleveland Street leveled one home, severely damaged at least five others and sent several people to the hospital.
"I'm very pleased that they are going to finally make the necessary improvements up there, and make sure that water flow is never a problem again in the Grandview area," Cherepko said Thursday.
Read More
December 13, 2018 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Announcements
(Photo courtesy Fred Ramos, via LinkedIn)
Thirty-five students will graduate from Penn State Greater Allegheny Campus when the university celebrates its Fall 2018 commencement.
The ceremony begins at 7 p.m. Friday in the Wunderley Gymnasium on the McKeesport Campus, said Zack Rosen, a campus spokesman. Twenty-nine students are expected to process in the ceremony, he said.
Fred Ramos (above), senior vice president of corporate communications for Highmark Health, will deliver the commencement address. Ramos is a graduate of Northern Illinois University who joined Highmark in 2016.
Read More
December 13, 2018 |
By Cami DiBattista | Posted in: Duquesne News
Duquesne's new Act 47 coordinator is hopeful that the city will be able to exit financially distressed status in the next few years.
George Dougherty Jr. has been appointed by the state to work with the city, which has been considered a distressed municipality for nearly 30 years. He was introduced during the Nov. 27 Duquesne City Council meeting.
Dougherty, who has also worked as Braddock’s Act 47 representative, said he has begun to get familiar with the community and work with the mayor and city manager on developing a budget for Duquesne.
Communities under Act 47 representative must adopt more restrictive spending plans in exchange for the right to have an increased earned income tax rate and favored status on state grant applications.
Read More
December 13, 2018 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
CORRECTION, Dec. 14, 2018: Police and fire staffing remain the same in 2019 as in 2018. Two firefighter job classifications have changed and are in a different line on the 2019 budget. This story incorrectly said two positions were being eliminated. We apologize for the error. -JT
McKeesport officials will hold the line on taxes and fees again in 2019.
The city's $24.5 million budget, approved unanimously by council on Dec. 5, keeps taxes at 6.26 mills on buildings and 18.5 mills on land.
One mill represents $1 in taxes paid for every $1,000 for which a property is assessed. A house assessed at $48,000 by Allegheny County would pay approximately $300 in city property taxes.
"There are no increases in taxes and no salary increases, beyond those we are contracted for," McKeesport Mayor Mike Cherepko said last week. "There are no increases for the administration."
Read More
December 11, 2018 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Announcements
I was pleasantly surprised today to read an editorial in Print, a newspaper serving the East End of Pittsburgh, praising Tube City Almanac for its efforts to cover the Mon-Yough area.
We're grateful for their kind words --- but we're especially grateful for your support over the past three years. Thank you.
According to them, we're "crushing it." I'm not so sure about that. In my opinion, there is a lot of room for improvement in 2019, and many things that need to be done that we're simply not able to get to.
But all of us are doing the very best we can, with very limited resources. And we hope to do even more in 2019.
A quarter-million page views in 2018
Last year, we served 240,745 pages to more than 64,000 readers. That's a 32 percent increase over 2017.
Another 133,983 people used Tube City Almanac's obituaries page. That's an increase of 9 percent over the previous year.
We appreciate your support
If you do use this service, and you can afford to make a donation, we would be grateful for a contribution.
We are an IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) charity, and your donations may be tax deductible as allowed by law.
Donations may be made by check or money order to Tube City Community Media Inc., P.O. Box 94, McKeesport 15134; or via PayPal at: http://www.tubecityonline.com/contact/
Read More
December 11, 2018 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements, White Oak News
The Mon Yough Chorale will proudly present its annual Christmas concert, "A Chorale Christmas," at 3 p.m. Dec. 16 at Sampson's Mills Presbyterian Church, 1665 Lincoln Way, White Oak.
Tickets are $8 and available at the door, a spokeswoman said. A cookie reception will follow.
The chorale (formerly the Mon Yough Community Singers) also will perform at 7 p.m. Thursday (Dec. 13) at Monroeville Mall on the Lower Level, near Dick's Sporting Goods.
For more information about the chorale, any of its upcoming concerts, or to learn how to join, visit the chorale's website.
December 09, 2018 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Announcements
Jeri and Mark McGrail of North Huntingdon Twp. were among visitors to the McKeesport Model Railroad Club's annual holiday train show and open house. The show continues weekends through Dec. 30. (Photo by Vickie Babyak, special to Tube City Almanac)
McKeesport Model Railroad Club began its annual open house and holiday train show this weekend, and Vickie Babyak caught up with some of the visitors.
Located at 2209 Walnut St. in Christy Park, the club's 2,200-square-foot model railroad depicts fictionalized scenes of Western Pennsylvania. The permanent layout is built in HO scale, about 1/87th of actual size or roughly half the size of larger Lionel-style trains.
The club, founded in 1950, also had an exhibit this year at the NRG Santa Spectacular in downtown Pittsburgh. More than 2,500 visitors viewed a portable layout depicting McKeesport's former Port Authority transportation center, including a model of the "PATrain."
Read More
December 09, 2018 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
The National Alliance on Mental Illness' Crisis Intervention Team program is a valuable resource for anyone who needs to de-escalate a situation, a speaker told NAMI's McKeesport chapter at its November monthly meeting.
David Pack, a sergeant in the Penn State University police at Greater Allegheny Campus, told NAMI members that the 40-hour training program had helped him "in every aspect of his career."
According to Anna Lisa Haughwout, president of the McKeesport NAMI chapter, Pack said NAMI's CIT training is a resource not just for de-escalating situations involving people with mental health issues, but in all crisis situations.
Read More
December 09, 2018 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: White Oak News
White Oak Borough Council will hold workshop sessions at 6:45 p.m. Monday (Dec. 10) and Dec. 17, with a voting council meeting to follow at 8 p.m. Dec. 17. All meetings are open to the public.
December 09, 2018 |
By Richard Finch Jr. | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
The day after two McKeesport Area High School students were charged with bringing a weapon onto a school bus, District Superintendent Mark P. Holtzman Jr. promised school directors and the community that the administration is doing everything in its power to ensure the safety of students and staff.
“Considering some recent (events), I just want to reassure everybody in the audience, on the record, that we are committed to our students,” Holtzman said at Wednesday's school board meeting. “Before we educate children, we have to continue to focus on safety and security at all times.”
On Tuesday, McKeesport police arrested a 16-year-old student who they said had brandished a handgun on a school bus. Police believe the student was supplied with the weapon by a 15-year-old who was not in class that day, but entered the campus after dismissal and boarded the bus. The younger student also was charged.
Read More
December 09, 2018 |
By Cami DiBattista | Posted in: White Oak News
A closed-circuit camera will be used to inspect a sewer main along Kansas Avenue in White Oak.
Borough council authorized the expenditure at its Nov. 19 meeting. The sewer is between Ohio and California avenues, where residents have complained about backups following heavy rains.
Borough Manager John Palyo said technicians will use the camera to confirm the location of the existing sewer line and determine its condition.
In other business:
Borough Engineer Ken Hillman asked council to authorize a payment of $43,650 to Swede Construction for completion of the salt shed project.
Additionally, he asked the borough to award a bid in the amount of $37,750 to Satira Construction for Phase 1 of the accessibility upgrades to Heritage Hill Pool.
Read More
December 07, 2018 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Crime and Police News
Family and friends of a Dravosburg woman missing for more than a month are seeking any information about her disappearance and current whereabouts.
At a press conference Friday in Munhall, the family of Heather Short said she was last seen on Nov. 6 at a residence on Third Avenue in West Mifflin, where she was visiting with friends.
Short, 46, is approximately 6 feet tall with a medium build, short blond hair, and glasses. She has a physical impairment of her right leg which causes her to walk with a limp, sometimes uses crutches.
Read More
December 07, 2018 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Announcements
Symphanique and her mom (not shown) Shalawrae Shogan of McKeesport visit with Santa Claus during the opening on Thursday night of McKeesport's 33rd annual Festival of Trees. (All photos: Vickie Babyak, special to Tube City Almanac)
With blustery weather designed to put dreams of a snowy Christmas into everyone's bones, McKeesport's 33rd annual Festival of Trees opened Thursday at Jacob Woll Pavilion.
The annual celebration of the holidays --- and of the creativity of more than 90 local groups and churches who have created hand-decorated ornaments for their Christmas trees --- is open from 12 noon to 9 p.m., now through Monday.
Admission is $2 for adults. Children age 12 and under are admitted free with one canned good for a needy family.
Read More
December 06, 2018 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Announcements
Above, Peyton Estochin, 6, of Christy Park helps McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko press the button to light the city's Christmas tree in Kennedy Park, Downtown, on Wednesday night.
Estochin, a student at Praise Christian Academy in North Versailles Twp., opened a sweet tea stand in her neighborhood in August and raised $700 to support the McKeesport police K-9 unit, which includes four canines and their handler/officers.
Estochin has hopes of being a police officer and K-9 handler some day.
(Photos special to Tube City Almanac)
December 06, 2018 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Crime and Police News
A McKeesport man is charged with bribery of a public official after city police said he tried to pay off a police officer following a traffic stop.
Montell R. Wallace, 27, is also charged by McKeesport police with driving with a suspended license and driving at unsafe speeds. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Dec. 17 before Magisterial District Judge Eugene Riazzi.
Wallace also was among more than 30 people rounded up by city police Wednesday during a drug sweep. He faces separate charges in that incident.
McKeesport police said Officer Floyd Gault was on patrol at 7 a.m. Nov. 14 on Eden Park Boulevard when he began following a car through the school zone.
Read More
December 06, 2018 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Crime and Police News
More than 30 people were arrested Wednesday during a sweep of suspected narcotics dealers in McKeesport, and police have arrest warrants for another 30.
The sweep was the result of a seven-month investigation and also recovered two handguns and an assault rifle, McKeesport police Chief Bryan J. Washowich said. The investigation is continuing and additional charges are pending, he said.
City police made the arrests along with the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office, county police, county probation officers, state parole officers and local constables, a spokesperson said.
As of Wednesday night, 36 people had been taken into custody by police and 34 suspects remained at large, city officials said.
Read More
December 05, 2018 |
By Bonnijean Cooney Adams | Posted in: Entertainment
Cast members of "The Happy Elf" rehearse a scene. (Photo courtesy of McKeesport Little Theater Juniors)
If You Go:
Harry Connick Jr.’s “The Happy Elf”
Where: McKeesport Little Theater, 1614 Coursin St., McKeesport, 15132
When: Dec. 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.
Tickets: $12 for adults, $7 for children 12 years and younger. Reservations at (412) 673-1100.
Santa will be taking a break from all his duties at the North Pole to spend some more time in the old Tube City as he meets and greets patrons of all ages – and even has lunch with some of them – when McKeesport Little Theater Juniors present “The Happy Elf.”
A musical creation by Grammy Award-winning composer and lyricist Harry Connick Jr., “The Happy Elf” features Eubie, who has set his sights on becoming part of Santa’s sleigh team.
His extremely bubbly personality actually rubs some the wrong way, and he finds himself assigned to checking the naughty-or-nice lists instead.
Read More
December 04, 2018 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
Port Vue will hold its Christmas parade and light-up night on Friday, a borough spokesperson announced.
The event was originally scheduled for Dec. 1 but was rescheduled due to rainy weather.
The parade will line up at 5:45 p.m. at the parking lot of American Legion Post 447, corner of Romine Avenue and Gumbert Street. Santa Claus will arrive via Vigilant Hose Co. fire truck at 6 p.m. and the parade will proceed down to Port Vue Municipal Fields, next to the municipal building.
Lighting of the borough holiday tree and Christmas caroling will then be held at the pavilion at the park.
December 04, 2018 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
A 16-year-old male student at McKeesport Area High School is being held at Shuman Juvenile Detention Center after police said he brought a gun onto a school bus.
In a prepared statement, police said the student got onto the bus after dismissal on Monday and brandished the firearm. A video circulated on social media showed the student with the weapon, police said.
A school district spokesperson said MASD officials learned of the incident Tuesday morning and called police.
Read More
December 04, 2018 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
After an absence of three years, vintage neon holiday decorations have returned to the windows of the former McKeesport Daily News building.
The lights --- a staple of the holiday season in McKeesport for decades --- returned just in time for the planned lighting on Wednesday night of the city's official Christmas tree.
The ceremony in Kennedy Park will follow Wednesday's regular council meeting, which begins at 7 p.m. Local gospel group "Chalice" is scheduled to perform.
Read More
December 03, 2018 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
The suspect in the killing of an East End garage owner is being held without bail in the Allegheny County Jail pending a preliminary hearing on a charge of criminal homicide.
Eben Brown, 46, of McKeesport was denied bail following an arraignment early Saturday before Magisterial District Judge Regis C. Welsh. A hearing is slated for 11 a.m. Dec. 14 before Allegheny County Judge Jeffrey Manning.
Allegheny County police said Brown is accused of shooting John T. Benedek Jr., 41, of Elizabeth Twp. on Friday afternoon at J&M Automotive Services, the East Fifth Avenue garage he had co-owned and operated since 2017.
Read More
December 01, 2018 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Crime and Police News
An Elizabeth man was killed Friday afternoon in his East End auto repair shop in what police described as a dispute with a customer.
John T. Benedek Jr., 41, died in the emergency room at UPMC McKeesport hospital, the Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office said.
Benedek was the co-owner and operator of J&M Automotive Services on East Fifth Avenue near Hartman Street. The garage opened in 2017, according to tax records and posts on Facebook.
Read More
