March 28, 2019 |
By Cami DiBattista | Posted in: White Oak News
The bathhouse and pool roof replacement project at Heritage Hill Pool has been completed, White Oak Borough Engineer Ken Hillman reported at the March 18 council meeting.
As expected, the project is finished in time for the pool's 2019 season.
Hillman’s report included a recommendation for council to authorize payments in the amount of $31,808.70 and $14,131.90 to Tennis Roofing, Inc. for completion of the project. Council approved the recommendation.
“This is the first roof replacement purchased,” Councilman George Dillinger said. “The original one on the building was from 1975. Things have to be repaired and (kept up).”
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March 27, 2019 |
By Richard Finch Jr. | Posted in: North Versailles Twp. News
During February, North Versailles Twp. police department received 722 calls, made 21 arrests and housed five inmates from East McKeesport and five from Turtle Creek. Firefighters answered 72 calls during February, according to Commissioner Russell Saula.
At March's meeting, township commissioners voted to approve payments in the amount of $2,611.28 to West Wilmerding VFC and $1,892.25 for Crestas VFC from the 2018 Fire Tax Money, Saula said.
March 27, 2019 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Crime and Police News
Leslie Robertson, 72, died March 15 of injuries suffered in a car accident last July. The driver has been charged with homicide in connection with his death. (Photo courtesy Robert A. Waters Funeral Home)
A McKeesport woman who was arrested last year after police said she struck a man with her car has now been charged with homicide in connection with his death.
Jakiia A. Williams, 33, was arrested Tuesday and is being held in the Allegheny County Jail without bond pending a preliminary hearing April 5 before Allegheny County Judge Kim Berkeley Clark.
The victim, Leslie Robertson, 72, died March 15 at a hospital in Shadyside of multiple traumatic injuries sustained in the accident, the Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office determined. His death has been ruled a homicide.
Robertson's funeral was March 21 at Bethlehem Baptist Church.
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March 27, 2019 |
By Richard Finch Jr. | Posted in: North Versailles Twp. News
North Versailles Twp. commissioners have approved the purchase of eight video cameras and related equipment for use in police cars.
At the March 21 meeting, the commissioners also agreed to purchase two license plate readers and two traffic cameras from Security Consulting Solutions, Inc. of Monaca, Beaver County. The equipment will be installed at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Westinghouse Avenue at a cost of $12,360.56.
North Versailles police Chief James Matrazzo said that when the new traffic cameras and license plate readers are installed, it would bring the total in the township to 12 each.
The township commissioners approved purchasing two additional cameras and license plate readers for the intersection of Routes 48 and 30 at a cost of $7,415.98, pending budget approval.
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March 27, 2019 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
Mon Yough Fire Defense Council will hold its monthly business meeting at 7 tonight (March 27) at the Lincoln Borough Volunteer Fire Company hall on Liberty Way, a spokesman said. All member companies are encouraged to attend. Light refreshments to follow.
March 21, 2019 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Letters to the Editor
(Submitted photo: Vickie Babyak)
Vickie Babyak of Dravosburg writes:
With recent events in the Mon Valley and worldwide --- I can't mention everything because it would be overwhelming ---- I fear people don't care what is happening.
Are we paying attention, educating ourselves, doing what we can for humanity?
Just because things have been going on for years doesn't mean we can't grow as a society. We need to stand up against hate, racism and bigotry, protect nature because we only have one planet, and come together with a sincere desire for change.
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March 21, 2019 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
Rostraver Sportsmen's & Conservation Association, 559 Cedar Creek Road, Belle Vernon, will hold its monthly meeting at 7:30 p.m. April 15, a spokesman said. All members are encouraged to attend. Applications are now being accepted for membership. For more information, call (724) 984-6611 or email rostraversportsmen@yahoo.com.
March 21, 2019 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
Two local coin clubs have scheduled their April meetings, a spokesman announced.
The monthly meeting of the South Hills Coin Club will be held at 8 p.m. April 9 at Bethel Presbyterian Church, 2999 Bethel Church Rd., Bethel Park. All members and the general public are invited. This month's program to be announced. A 50/50 will be offered and children's prizes will be awarded.
The monthly meeting of the Mon Valley Coin Club will be held at 2 p.m. April 21 at 303 Chamber Plaza in Charleroi. All members and the general public are invited. Program for this meeting to be announced.
Applications are now being accepted for membership in both clubs. For additional information on either organization, call (724) 984-6611.
March 21, 2019 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
(Tube City Almanac file photo from 2007.)
The owner of a popular pro wrestling federation that's celebrating its 25th anniversary this year is looking to grow in McKeesport.
Pro Wrestling eXpress, or PWX, is planning to move into digital media education and training aspiring wrestlers, said owner and co-founder Jim Miller.
Along with the city, PWX is seeking an Allegheny County Community Infrastructure and Tourism Fund grant to demolish the abandoned St. Stephen's Roman Catholic Church on Beacon Street. PWX has its studio, headquarters and ring in the former Catholic school --- now dubbed "The Battleground" --- adjoining the church.
"It’s been such a blight and I’ve done nothing but chase out squatters and druggies," Miller said.
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March 21, 2019 |
By Bonnijean Cooney Adams | Posted in: Entertainment
Dylan Stramaski as Shrek and Lexie Dubos as Fiona are featured in Mon River Arts' production of "Shrek the Musical Jr." at the Grand Theatre in Elizabeth. (Submitted photos courtesy Alexis Hawk)
If you go...
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"Shrek the Musical Jr." (based on the DreamWorks movie)
Directed by Kathy Hawk
March 21-24
7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 2 and 6 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday
The Grand Theatre, 206 Plum St., Elizabeth
Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 at the door. Reserved seating.
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The family-friendly story of a guy just trying to find a little peace and quiet and protect his home – or rather swamp – complete with a cast of storybook characters comes to the Grand Theatre stage in Elizabeth through “Shrek the Musical Jr.”
Familiar to audiences of all ages through the animated DreamWorks film and Broadway musical, the story of an ogre named Shrek and the princess Fiona blossoms under the guidance of Kathy Hawk as director of the Mon River Arts youth theater production, which opens tonight and continues through Sunday (March 24).
Hawk, a music teacher in Baldwin-Whitehall School District, is a veteran director, musical director, and performer in various community theater ventures.
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March 18, 2019 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements, White Oak News
DJs Candy and Mike will spin the tunes on March 30 and April 27 when American Legion Gen. Smedley D. Butler Post 701 in White Oak holds its next oldies dances.
Doors open at 7 p.m. and music continues until 11 p.m., a spokesman said. Admission is $5 and all proceeds benefit veterans' programs.
The legion is located at 2813 Capital St. For more information, call (724) 984-6611.
March 14, 2019 |
By Bonnijean Cooney Adams | Posted in: Entertainment
John (Andrew Wolf) and Helen (Randi Ippolito) have a different approach to bringing up their baby as they adjust to their new roles as parents.
If you go...
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"Baby With The Bathwater" by Christopher Durang
(This show contains adult language and subject matter)
March 15-24
McKeesport Little Theater, 1614 Coursin St.
Showtimes are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays
Tickets: Start at $10 each for groups of 10 or more; regular adult tickets, $15
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What happens when a child raised female by well-meaning, unprepared parents who were “too polite” to check the child’s actual gender grows up and becomes a parent himself?
It’s a predicament tackled in McKeesport Little Theater’s production of Christopher Durang’s “Baby with the Bathwater,” which premiered March 31, 1983. The comedy, full of farce and satire, provides audiences with plenty to ponder.
Directed by Dan J. Kirk and produced by Phillip Boatright, the show features a small cast, many who worked together previously, and some in multiple roles. It opens March 15 and runs weekends through March 24.
The audience first meets the baby, eventually named Daisy as a toddler, when parents Andrew Wolf as John and Randi Ippolito as his wife Helen bring their newborn home from the hospital.
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March 13, 2019 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
(Photo courtesy Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art)
Artist Vanessa German is the next speaker in the "Crossing Bridges Summit" series hosted by Penn State Greater Allegheny.
German is a sculptor, painter, writer, activist, performer and poet who lives in Pittsburgh's Homewood neighborhood. In December, she received the $200,000 Don Tyson Prize from the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Arkansas. The prize, funded by the heirs to the Tyson Foods fortune, recognizes outstanding achievement by American artists.
German will speak at 7 p.m. April 5 in the Wunderley Gymnasium on the McKeesport campus. General admission and student tickets are free, a spokesman said, but an RSVP is required for both events.
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March 12, 2019 |
By Richard Finch Jr. | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
McKeesport Area School Board members will meet with people who have pressed the district to create a Black Student Union.
The decision came after former city councilwoman Fawn Walker-Montgomery and others urged the district during the school board's Feb. 27 meeting to create the group as a safe space for students to talk about racial issues, including a lack of African-American representation on the faculty.
“This is something I feel like I've been advocating for since I was in ninth grade at McKeesport High School,” Walker-Montgomery said, adding that “every time we want something for the black community it has to be a struggle.”
“We don’t want that this time, so that's why we came to you all with this,” she said. “Let's work together.”
School Superintendent Mark P. Holtzman Jr. defended the district's record and asked for examples of how minority students are being mistreated.
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March 12, 2019 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Letters to the Editor
(Tube City Almanac photo)
Reader Patty Wolfe writes regarding the March 7 story, "Residents Worried About Future Landslides on Haler Heights Street":
This is an outrage! The mayor said he finds a resident's comments "offensive" and also stated work began in November! I find his callous attitude offensive!
Why didn't work begin on June 12 --- the day after half of the road slid away?
This road houses two retired McKeesport firemen, the family of a deceased fireman, a retired McKeesport City Deputy Treasurer and a retired school bus driver (along with many others) who have lived there and paid taxes for 50-plus years!
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March 07, 2019 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
(Almanac photo)
Repairs to McIntosh Drive in McKeesport's Haler Heights neighborhood are expected to begin within 30 days, city officials said.
At Wednesday's meeting, council by 7-0 vote awarded a $316,125 contract to Geobuild LLC of Punxsutawney, Jefferson County, to stablize and rebuild about 122 feet of the street, part of which is down to one lane following a landslide in the 900 block last year.
But residents are worried that other parts of the dead-end street, located just above old Route 48, are also beginning to collapse. On Wednesday, one homeowner criticized city council and Mayor Michael Cherepko, saying they didn't act fast enough.
Harriet Siegmund said the McKeesport post office has temporarily stopped mail delivery to her and her neighbors, and, she said, she was told that city fire trucks can no longer navigate the partially closed street.
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March 06, 2019 |
By Richard Finch Jr. | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
McKeesport Area School District will partner with the University of Pittsburgh on a research project about how to prevent violence among pre-teens, teens and young adults.
At their Feb. 28 meeting, school directors approved the district's participation in "Expect Respect Middle School: Preventing Severe and Lethal Violence Among Youth with Prior Violence Exposure."
The violence prevention program is part of a study being conducted at the University of Pittsburgh, said Mark Holtzman Jr., district superintendent.
“The university is doing great work in studying violence in Allegheny County, looking at violence as a disease, violence prevention, dating violence and criminal activity,” Holtzman said.
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March 06, 2019 |
By Richard Finch Jr. | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
McKeesport Area school directors and staff took time during the February school board meeting to remember the late Debra Bertoty.
Bertoty, 46, of White Oak was employed in the district for 23 years as a learning support teacher at George Washington, Cornell and Centennial Elementary Schools and, most recently, at Francis McClure Intermediate School, where she was a life-skills teacher for third, fourth and fifth graders. She died Feb. 16 following a brief illness.
“Students and staff are struggling with the unfortunate and untimely passing of Ms. Bertoty,” said Mark Holtzman Jr., district superintendent. “She was a very important member of the McKeesport school district family.”
In other business, the board accepted a bid of $142,920 from Skyward Inc. for student management software. The package will replace the district's existing GoEdustar and ProSoft record-keeping system.
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March 06, 2019 |
By Cami DiBattista | Posted in: White Oak News
(Photo courtesy Jeff Stitt/Mon Valley Independent)
Alazae, a 17-year-old pit mix who is currently residing at the White Oak Animal Safe Haven, Inc. was in attendance last week when the shelter was awarded a generous donation of over $28,000 from #1 Cochran Toyota in North Huntingdon.
“We are so thankful for the generous donation,” said White Oak Mayor Ina Jean Marton, who founded the no-kill shelter in September 2003. “This money will allow us to continue with our efforts in finding loving homes for many stray, surrendered or abandoned animals.”
More than 13,000 cats and dogs have been saved through adoptions and foster programs at the shelter since its inception.
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March 01, 2019 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements, White Oak News
DJs Candy and Mike will spin the tunes on March 9 and 30 when American Legion Gen. Smedley D. Butler Post 701 in White Oak holds its next oldies dances.
Doors open at 7 p.m. and music continues until 11 p.m., a spokesman said. Admission is $5 and all proceeds benefit veterans' programs.
The legion is located at 2813 Capital St. For more information, call (724) 984-6611.
