February 28, 2019 |
By Richard Finch Jr. | Posted in: North Versailles Twp. News
Weekly meetings are now underway at 6 p.m. Tuesdays for North Versailles residents interested in planning the township's 150th anniversary celebration.
At the February meeting, Commissioner Tracey Yusko reported that the two-day celebration will include a parade on Aug. 1, followed by an event at the Pitcairn-Monroeville Sportsmen's Club on Route 48, including bands, fireworks, rides and activities for children, as well as food trucks and community tables.
Yusko said she expects the event will have “the feel of a community picnic.”
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February 28, 2019 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
Jessica Adams, a Marine Corps veteran, is junior vice commander of VFW Post 8430 in East McKeesport. (Submitted photo by Michael P. Mauer, public affairs officer for VFW District 29.)
Veterans of any branch of the armed services are encouraged to learn about benefits for which they may be eligible, including housing, healthcare and home loans.
A veterans resource fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 30 at the East McKeesport Community Center, 539 Chicora Ave. The event is being sponsored by VFW "Hilltoppers" Post 8430 in East McKeesport and the Veterans Leadership Program of Western Pennsylvania, and is open to any veterans from the Pittsburgh area.
According to VFW Post 8430 Junior Vice Commander Jessica Adams, the event is designed to be a one-stop shop for those who’ve served in uniform.
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February 27, 2019 |
By Richard Finch Jr. | Posted in: North Versailles Twp. News
Water damage from sump pumps is causing concern for residents in North Versailles Twp.
During the public comment portion of the February meeting, resident Michael Frawley told township commissioners that he's never had a problem until a neighbor's sump pump was installed last summer, creating hazardous conditions.
“Five inches of water froze on the driveway causing my tenant to fall, requiring medical attention,” he said. “The water is running down my driveway, 24 hours a day --- it never stops.”
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February 27, 2019 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
Construction crews will begin work Monday to repair a road damaged last year by a landslide.
A spokesman for the Allegheny County Department of Public Works said the repairs along Elizabeth Road near the Dravosburg Housing Association are expected to cost more than $506,000.
Pugliano Construction Co. of Plum has been awarded the contract for the work, which will include construction of a retaining wall and repaving the road.
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February 27, 2019 |
By Cami DiBattista | Posted in: White Oak News
White Oak Zoning Hearing Board will meet at 7:30 p.m. March 7 to consider a request for a variance at 2908 McClintock Road.
Councilman Ed Babyak said the property owner wants to construct a five-foot fence to partially enclose their property.
Borough council will hold workshop meetings at 6:45 p.m. March 11 and 18. The March 18 workshop will be followed by the regularly scheduled council meeting at 8 p.m. Those meetings are open to the public.
The next meeting for members of the Active Shooter/Hostile Event working group will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. March 20, Councilman Ken Robb said.
February 25, 2019 |
By Cami DiBattista | Posted in: White Oak News
Two homes slated for demolition by White Oak Borough have been granted temporary reprieves as their owners make improvements.
At a public hearing before February's council meeting, owners of properties at 1828 California Ave. and 608 Osborne St. were granted additional extensions to obtain their occupancy permits.
The extensions came at the recommendation of at the recommendation of borough Code Enforcement Officer Brian Dinkfelt, who said that each of those properties have been considerably improved since being recommended for demolition in August.
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February 22, 2019 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
Parkview Community Federal Credit Union will hold its 84th annual meeting at 10 a.m. March 16 in the cafeteria at Serra Catholic High School, 200 Hershey Drive, a spokesperson said.
All members and their guests are invited to attend. RSVPs are requested.
The meeting also will include an election of candidates to the board of directors. There will be one vacant position on the board and all members are invited to attend. A letter of intent must be received in writing at the credit union office, 2100 Eden Park Blvd., McKeesport 15132, no later than March 2.
For more information, call (412) 678-9564.
February 21, 2019 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: North Versailles Twp. News
A raccoon captured near the intersection of Maryland Avenue and Westbury Road in North Versailles Twp. has tested positive for rabies, the Allegheny County Health Department said.
The animal was brought to a health department facility earlier this week.
It is the fourth rabid animal --- and third rabid raccoon --- reported in Allegheny County so far this year.
County residents are being reminded to always avoid stray and wild animals, even if they appear healthy, to avoid exposure to rabies, a spokesman said. If an animal is acting strangely and appears to be infected, he said, call your animal control officer, local police or the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
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February 21, 2019 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
The Mon Yough Fire Defence Council will be holding it's regular monthly meeting at 7 p.m. Feb 27, a spokesman said. The meeting will be held at Vigilant Hose Co. No. 1, 1800 Romine Ave., Port Vue. All members are encouraged to attend.
The fire defense council represents fire, rescue and EMS companies from Allegheny, Westmoreland, Washington and Fayette counties.
February 21, 2019 |
By Richard Finch Jr. | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
A McKeesport Area High School student has urged the school board to investigate programs to combat gun violence, substance abuse and what he referred to as “emotional regression” issues negatively impacting students.
Nearly two dozen students were on hand at January's school board meeting as Alex Dalton pitched his ideas to the school directors.
Dalton told the board about programs like Me2We that focus on supporting students struggling with mental health and other stressful issues. He also discussed a proposed student solution center, where students could get help “from peer mediators and learn about coping mechanisms, to better deal with emotional distress in a safe environment.”
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February 21, 2019 |
By Richard Finch Jr. | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Three McKeesport Area High School students have been awarded scholarships to Seton Hill University in Greensburg to pursue degrees in science, math or technology.
The awards to Terayah Parris, Myah Roka and Emily Filotei from the Girls of STEM program were announced at the Jan. 23 school board meeting.
Each student will receive $20,000 per academic year, district officials said. Filotei was presented with a certificate of recognition from Holtzman. Parris and Roka did not attend the meeting.
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February 14, 2019 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Commentary-Editorial
(Tube City Almanac photo)
The following is a commentary. Opinions expressed in editorials and commentaries are those of their authors, and are not those of Tube City Community Media Inc., its board of directors, volunteers, contributors or donors. Responsible replies are welcome.
I was asked to speak on Monday at the dedication of the Tube City Center for Business and Innovation. Here's a slightly edited version of what I said:
I think like most things around here, it’s going to be a while before we stop calling this “The Daily News Building,” because the paper was such an important part of our lives for 131 years.
And any institution that lasts 131 years was clearly was doing a lot of things right.
Of course, the name Tube City Center has nothing to do with Tube City Online. We took our name, and this building takes its name, “Tube City,” from McKeesport’s heritage as a place for innovations in the steel industry --- specifically, in the manufacture of steel pipes and tubes, a tradition which is being maintained today by Dura-Bond, and up at CP Industries in Christy Park.
I hope this building’s reopening and rebirth is going to kick off some new innovations in McKeesport --- in digital media, in technology, in communications, and in entrepreneurship.
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February 14, 2019 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
Diane Richard (above right), host of the online series "Let's Talk," and cinematographer Carl Truss will present this Saturday's Black History Month program at McKeesport Regional History and Heritage Center.
The program, titled "The Wall That Heals: Bringing Love to Our Valley of Tears," begins at 1 p.m. at the heritage center, 1832 Arboretum Drive in Renziehausen Park. Admission is free for members and $2 for non-members, a spokesperson said.
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February 13, 2019 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
The reopening of the former Daily News Building as the "Tube City Center for Business and Innovation" is a signal that McKeesport officials want to direct their focus to revitalizing the city's Downtown area.
"We have development coming in at all different corners of town --- in Christy Park, on East Fifth Avenue, and RIDC is going to be out with a big announcement within the next 30 days," McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko said at Monday's ribbon cutting ceremony. "Up and down the Walnut Street corridor, we have new businesses and construction."
One part of the city hasn't seen that level of activity: Downtown. "That's the part of town we're here about today," Cherepko said.
More than 300 residents and business owners packed the lobby of the former Daily News Building at the corner of Lysle Boulevard and Walnut Street for the ceremony, hosted by Cherepko and state Sen. Jim Brewster.
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February 13, 2019 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
(Tube City Almanac photo)
The People's Building --- a landmark 1906 office building in McKeesport's Downtown that has fallen into disrepair --- will be in the hands of the city's Redevelopment Authority in the near future.
At Monday's grand opening for the Tube City Center for Business and Innovation, Mayor Michael Cherepko confirmed rumors that the building, which has been up for sale for more than a year and is currently condemned, is about to be sold.
"Very soon that is going to be in the hands of the Redevelopment Authority and that will be in the hands of a developer as well," Cherepko said. "We have someone very interested."
The potential developer is rumored to be a McKeesport business owner who has successfully rehabilitated other properties in the city. Sources contacted by the Almanac declined to confirm or deny the speculation publicly.
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February 13, 2019 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
McKeesport Area Ministerium will hold Lenten Luncheon services at area churches beginning March 13.
A spokeswoman said all services are non-denominational and begin at 12 noon. Each will include a light lunch following each service.
A free will offering will be taken to help defray the cost of the meal.
For Christians, Lent is the observance of the 40 days leading to Easter. It begins on Ash Wednesday, March 6.
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February 13, 2019 |
By Charlotte Hopkins | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Above: The crowd overflowed city council chambers at Clairton's municipal building on Feb. 7 during a hearing on air quality problems following a fire at U.S. Steel's Clairton Plant. (Charlotte Hopkins photo, special to Tube City Almanac)
Workers at U.S. Steel's Clairton Plant said they want to have an open discussion about the air quality around the facility --- but they also want to preserve thousands of jobs in the Mon Valley.
"Simply put, if U.S. Steel ends up idling batteries, our members will lose their jobs," said Don Furko, president of United Steelworkers Local Union 1557. "This will begin a chain of events that will have a devastating impact on them, their families and our communities across the Mon Valley."
Following a standing-room-only meeting last week at the Clairton Municipal Building, state lawmakers are hoping to bring the company, employees, residents and environmental advocates to the table to work together. State Sen. Jim Brewster said U.S. Steel has agreed to open quarterly meetings to lawmakers, health groups and concerned residents.
“The purpose of the meeting wasn't to find blame but to find a process to keep U.S. Steel open and producing coke, and also pay attention to our air quality," Brewster said. "I want closer discussions, and invite them to the meetings, not to argue or debate but create partnerships in communication.”
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February 07, 2019 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Announcements
McKeesport will begin picking up its own trash again in 2020.
City council on Wednesday unanimously approved a $1.24 million, five-year, lease-purchase agreement with A&H Equipment of Hempfield Twp., Westmoreland County, for six vehicles --- three large trucks, two smaller trucks, and one truck equipped to handle large roll-off dumpsters.
Although called a "lease," McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko said the city will own the vehicles outright at the end of 2024. All of the vehicles will be built new, to the city's specifications, he said.
McKeesport once used its own employees to collect refuse, but has been contracting with private haulers since 1982. Cherepko and other city officials have been talking about bringing the service back in-house since 2017.
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February 07, 2019 |
By Charlotte Hopkins | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Allegheny County Controller Chelsa Wagner listens Monday to testimony during a meeting at Carnegie Library of McKeesport. (Charlotte Hopkins photo special to Tube City Almanac)
Customers are concerned about what will happen when a consent decree between UPMC Health System and Highmark, the area's largest Blue Cross Blue Shield provider, ends on July 1.
At the first of a series of community meetings organized by Allegheny County Controller Chelsa Wagner, held Monday night at Carnegie Library of McKeesport, Highmark subscribers said they were angry about some of UPMC's practices.
Wagner is holding another meeting at 6:30 tonight (Feb. 7) in room B-434 of CCAC South Campus, 1750 Clairton Road, West Mifflin.
Some of the people who spoke Monday asked that their names be withheld. One woman said she has a brain tumor and has been treated by a UPMC doctor even though her insurance is with Highmark. That arrangement will end June 30, when UPMC is no longer required to accept certain Highmark patients.
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February 05, 2019 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements, North Versailles Twp. News
State Sen. Jim Brewster greets residents of McKeesport's Steelview Manor during a holiday party in December 2018. (Photo courtesy state Sen. Jim Brewster)
Brewster announced partnerships with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and the Westmoreland County Food Bank as he also announced office hours for additional communities in the 45th Senatorial District.
The district stretches from Baldwin and Brentwood in Pittsburgh's South Hills to New Kensington in Westmoreland County.
“We’ve joined with area food banks to expand information availability and develop greater access to food for those in need,” Brewster said. “Information about the food banks and locations of their services in our district are on our website and staff at my permanent and satellite offices will help facilitate contact.”
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February 05, 2019 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
A McKeesport resident faces formal arraignment in Allegheny County Court on March 4 in connection with a suspected home invasion during which she was shot in the leg by the homeowner.
Police said both people have a previous relationship and that the incident stemmed from an earlier argument.
Tanya M. Johnson, 34, was ordered held for court on charges of burglary, criminal trespass, simple assault (domestic violence) and making terroristic threats following a preliminary arraignment before Magisterial District Judge Eugene Riazzi. She is currently free on bond.
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February 05, 2019 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
Five juveniles were arrested after McKeesport police believe they broke into a Jenny Lind Street man's home at least twice, vandalizing his bedroom and stealing items.
The teen-agers --- two 17-year-old males, a 16-year-old male, and two females, ages 13 and 16 --- were charged by police with burglary, criminal trespass and criminal mischief and their parents were notified.
At least three of the youths were residents of a group home on Olive Street, police said.
McKeesport police said the first incident occurred overnight on Jan. 13. Police said a 55-year-old resident of the 700 block of Jenny Lind returned home from work early Jan. 14 and found the front door of his home had been damaged.
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February 05, 2019 |
By Cami DiBattista | Posted in: Duquesne News
A $30,000 grant from the National Fitness Campaign will be used to create and implement an outdoor fitness court in Duquesne.
The facility, which is expected to be constructed by the end of the 2019 calendar year, will be free to use for community residents and visitors, Mayor Nickole Nesby announced.
At January's regular meeting, council approved a motion to hold a workshop and planning session on the second Tuesday of each month, with a voting meeting on a fourth Tuesday of each month. Both meetings will continue to be open to the public.
In other business:
Council has repealed a previous ordinance that would have increased the mayor's salary to $65,000 per year following the next mayoral election.
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