July 31, 2019 |
By Charlotte Hopkins | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Members of the Allegheny County Council and Clairton City Council attended a public hearing Tuesday about a proposed settlement between U.S. Steel and the Allegheny County Health Department. From left, County Council Members Paul Zavarella (District 8), John Palmiere (District 6), Anita Prizio (District 3) and Bob Macey (District 9), Clairton City Councilman Tony Kurta, Clairton Mayor Rich Lattanzi and Clairton Councilwoman Denise Johnson-Clemmons. (Photo by Charlotte Hopkins/Special to Tube City Almanac)
“Enjoy your dinner with U.S. Steel.”
Those were the words of one Mon Valley resident to representatives of the Allegheny County Health Department at a public hearing on Tuesday.
He was critical of a proposed settlement between the health department and U.S. Steel over alleged violations of clean air standards by the company’s Clairton Plant.
The health department hosted the hearing at Clairton Municipal Building to hear comments from the public about the proposed settlement, announced in June. Under the terms of the agreement, U.S. Steel would pay $2.7 million in fines, with 90 percent set aside for a “community benefit trust.”
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July 28, 2019 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
A McKeesport man is in jail in Erie in connection with a shooting Monday night in that city's East End.
Saquazne D. McClendon, 24, is in Erie County Prison in lieu of $50,000 cash bond pending a preliminary hearing Aug. 9 before Magisterial District Judge Paul G. Urbaniak in Erie, court officials there said.
Erie police told the Erie Times-News in a story for Saturday's editions that McClendon is accused of firing at least nine shots in an incident near the corner of East 11th Street and East Avenue. No one was injured.
Court records indicate that McClendon also has an address in Erie.
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July 27, 2019 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
UPDATED with information from the medical examiner's office.
A McKeesport man was found dead in an garage on Versailles Avenue on Saturday afternoon.
The Allegheny County medical examiner's office identified the victim as 22-year-old Tareef Del Tae McClellan. McClellan died of a gunshot wound to the neck, the office said Sunday following an autopsy. His death has been ruled a homicide.
Allegheny County police Sgt. Venerando Costa said McKeesport paramedics were dispatched to a home in the 1500 block of Versailles at 3:37 p.m. for a woman who reported being unable to breathe.
When they arrived, Costa said in a statement, the woman told them she had found a dead body in her garage.
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July 27, 2019 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Crime and Police News
Pittsburgh Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest of the persons responsible for the death earlier this month of a North Side man on McKeesport's Beacon Street.
Delquay James, 21, was found by McKeesport police at around 8 p.m. July 13 outside a house near the corner of Beacon and Hazel streets suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Allegheny County police homicide detectives found shell casings from several different caliber handguns at the scene. Police said that prior to James' shooting, a group of men were seen in the street near a dark-colored vehicle. Witnesses told police that following the shooting, the car sped away.
Anyone with information concerning this investigation is asked to call the Allegheny County police tip line at 1-833-ALL-TIPS (1-833-255-8477). Callers may remain anonymous.
July 25, 2019 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
LifeSpan will host a summer party Friday for older adults at its Mon Valley Senior Resource Center, located in Olympia Shopping Center, Walnut Street, Versailles.
The party will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will include lunch and entertainment by John Sarkis. Admission is $10 per person.
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July 25, 2019 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
An argument at an O'Neil Boulevard bar led to a shooting that put one man in the hospital and sent a bullet through the window of the district magistrate's office.
McKeesport police recovered more than two dozen shell casings at the scene of the July 3 incident at the Roo Bar.
Courtney Washington, 25, of Duquesne is charged by McKeesport police with attempted homicide, aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, unauthorized possession of a firearm, carrying a firearm without a license and criminal mischief in connection with shooting.
Washington was arrested July 7 in Duquesne and is being held in Allegheny County Jail in lieu of $100,000 cash bond pending a preliminary hearing Aug. 5 before Magisterial District Judge Thomas Miller Jr. in White Oak.
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July 25, 2019 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
A West Mifflin man is being held in the Allegheny County Jail in connection with an accident that injured a pedestrian near McKeesport City Hall.
Ashyon Smith, 20, is charged by McKeesport police with aggravated assault, driving under the influence of alcohol, leaving the scene of an accident involving an injury, reckless driving, driving on the sidewalk and related offenses.
He is jailed in lieu of $15,000 cash bond pending a preliminary hearing July 29 before Magisterial District Judge Eugene F. Riazzi Jr.
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July 24, 2019 |
By Richard Finch Jr. | Posted in: North Versailles Twp. News
North Versailles Twp. Commissioner Russell Saula acknowledged township police officers for going “above and beyond” to help save the life of a shooting victim earlier this month.
The officers responded to a shooting inside the North Versailles Walmart the evening of July 5. A 25-year old female was shot several times and taken to an area hospital in critical condition.
“I don’t know if everybody understands the severity of that woman’s” injury, Saula said at Thursday’s meeting. “Two of our cops, Steve Shawley and Travis Pomaibo, probably, if they didn’t save her life, they helped save her life.”
Police Chief James Matrazzo said the victim would have “bled out” from a bullet wound to her hand that traveled through the victim’s femur and pierced her femoral artery, according to information from the trauma surgeon who operated on the victim.
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July 22, 2019 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
Allegheny Intermediate Unit will host a job fair for teachers and other educators from 9:30 a.m to 2 p.m. Friday, a spokeswoman said.
The American Association for Employment in Education Summer Job Fair will be held at the AIU's central office, 475 E. Waterfront Drive, Homestead.
Nearly 50 school districts and employers from throughout the United States will be on hand to interview and hire candidates.
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July 21, 2019 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Announcements
With less than a month to go until McKeesport's International Village, we're getting ready for our annual video broadcast of events, live from Renziehausen Park.
We would like to raise $1,250. 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.
For the first time, you can now contribute online, securely, using our GoFundMe page. All donations will be tracked and managed by GoFundMe's charitable organization team.
We have already spent $458 to purchase badly needed new equipment.
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.
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.
Any excess funds raised will go to support Tube City Almanac, the free Tube City Almanac obituaries, Internet radio WMCK.FM and the International Village website, which we maintain at no cost to city taxpayers.
Thank you so much for your support!
July 21, 2019 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News, White Oak News
Children play in the spray area at Renziehausen Park in McKeesport on Saturday. After several days of temperatures near or above 90 in the Mon-Yough area, the weather is expected to return to more seasonal conditions. (All photos: Vickie Babyak/Special to Tube City Almanac)
Mon-Yough area residents found ways to beat the heat last week as temperatures crept into the 90s, with humidity that made it feel closer to 100 degrees.
Below: At Heritage Hills Pool in White Oak, Tina and Bob Baker from North Versailles Twp. are regulars. Tina Baker says her dolphin-decorated floating device also has been making the trip every day.
Above: Bobby Petrosky of McKeesport is a lifeguard at Heritage Hills and was getting ready to take a dive on Saturday morning.
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July 20, 2019 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: History
(This article originally appeared at Tube City Almanac on June 21, 2009.)
(Click to see the full page)
From the tattered, dusty archives of Tube City Almanac, here's what the front page of the Daily News looked like 40 years ago this afternoon.
According to the News, a ceremony was held the previous night at Kennedy Memorial Park on Lysle Boulevard to mark the moon landing.
Speakers included the Rev. David Blattner of McKeesport Assembly of God Church, Mayor Albert Elko, Msgr. Michael Dravecky of Holy Trinity Church, Rev. Stephen Wood of Central Presbyterian Church, Rabbi Milton Turner of Tree of Life Synagogue and Rev. Frank Waters of Christ A.M.E. Church, who delivered the invocation.
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July 19, 2019 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Announcements
Tube City Community Media Inc., the non-profit publisher of The Tube City Almanac and operator of WMCK.FM radio, is accepting applications from people interested in serving on its board of directors for 2019-2020.
Applications will be considered at the board's next meeting, scheduled for Aug. 4, and should be received by Aug. 1.
Nominees should be at least 18 years old, be able to pass a background check, and live within a nine-mile radius of McKeesport. Most importantly, they should have a sincere interest in local, non-profit media and in promoting the McKeesport area via the Internet, radio and other means.
Previous experience in college or professional radio; at a college or professional newspaper; or on another non-profit board is not necessary, but is helpful.
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July 19, 2019 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
Repairs begin next week to two important thoroughfares in Elizabeth Twp. --- Lovedale Road and Rock Run Road --- and crews are urging motorists to be cautious and prepare for delays.
A spokesman for the state Department of Transportation said workers will begin replacing a bridge on Lovedale Road at 7 a.m. Monday, which will force the road to be closed between Mill Hill Road and Scott Street.
The bridge is being replaced under a $1.45 million contract with Mele & Mele & Sons, Inc., of Swissvale, which also will be repaving the approaches to the bridge. The work is expected to conclude in November, the PennDOT spokesman said.
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July 18, 2019 |
By Chris Baumann | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Debra Green of Duquesne is a coordinating committee member with Pittsburghers for Public Transit. She rides public transportation every day. (Photo courtesy Pittsburghers for Public Transit)
A transit advocacy group has developed a unique new computerized tool that allows residents and bus riders to give their direct input into the planning of a campaign to extend the East Busway to the Mon Valley and the Eastern Suburbs.
“This would be an enormous, transformative improvement and change for our community,” said Laura Wiens, executive director of Pittsburghers for Public Transit, a non-profit organization.
The tool is now available online, and allows bus riders of the Mon Valley and the Eastern Suburbs to identify areas they believe are not given adequate service. It also allows riders to rank destinations in order of importance in their daily transit.
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July 16, 2019 |
By Christy Walters | Posted in: White Oak News
White Oak Borough will hold its annual Community Day starting at 11 a.m. Aug. 3 at the Heritage Hill Park and Pool complex.
Councilman Lou Bender announced details of the event at the July Borough council meeting.
Activities will include a Moon Walk, train rides, pool races, crafts, raffles, swimming, music provided by Nite Life DJz, live entertainment and games for all ages.
Live entertainment will begin at 4 p.m. with The GBoyz, a local duo who sings covers of favorites from the past by artists like Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.
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July 16, 2019 |
By Christy Walters | Posted in: White Oak News
White Oak Borough will hold a community hazardous and electronic waste recycling program Saturday (July 20) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the municipal building.
Councilman Steve Pholar announced the event at the July borough council meeting.
Residents can bring household chemicals -- including paint, cleaning products, batteries, pool chemicals, oil, and more -- and electronics -- such as TVs, computers, and cell phones -- to this pay-as-you-go program to dispose of these items in a responsible way.
To participate, residents must schedule an appointment through Environmental Coordination Services & Recycling by calling 1-866-815-0016, or by using the online scheduling portal.
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July 14, 2019 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
A 21-year-old man died Saturday night following a shooting on Beacon Street.
Delquay Lamont James of Pittsburgh's North Side was pronounced dead at the scene at 8 p.m., said the Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office.
In a prepared statement, Allegheny County police Lt. Kenneth Ruckel said McKeesport police and paramedics were dispatched to the 2000 block of Beacon Street at 7:53 p.m. when callers to 9-1-1 reported a man had been shot.
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July 12, 2019 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
(Both photos: Special to Tube City Almanac)
A long-awaited traffic light at the intersection of Long Run Road and Walnut Street in the city's 12th Ward is nearly complete.
A.J. Tedesco, McKeesport community development director, said the project was overseen by Trans Associates Engineering of Enola, Pa. Some additional work will be completed by the state Department of Transportation before the signals are activated, he said.
The $451,000 project was funded in part by a $316,000 grant from the multimodal transportation fund of the state Department of Community & Economic Development.
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July 12, 2019 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Announcements
Chase Clements of Pittsburgh takes a break recently along the Great Allegheny Passage bike trail in Downtown McKeesport with his latest creation, a bicycle with a special compartment for his dog, Sonny.
Built about two months ago, Clements said it's the 10th such bike that he's constructed from spare parts.
Clements and a friend, Leia Tomer, were out for a ride on the trail when rain forced them to pause near the War Memorial at the end of Market Street.
(Tube City Almanac photo)
July 12, 2019 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
The region is cleaning up --- again --- from the latest round of heavy rainstorms during a year that is likely to wind up as one of the wettest in recorded history.
Two lines of storms that moved through Western Pennsylvania on Thursday caused widespread road closures and flash flooding. This time, it seemed to be the Turtle Creek valley and Westmoreland County that took the biggest hit, at least in the Mon-Yough area.
North Huntingdon Twp. police reported that state Route 993 in Larimer and Irwin had reopened just before 9 a.m. Friday after being closed for most of Thursday, but that Brownstown Road near the Town House remained shut down, and that Pine Hollow Road near the Penn Twp. line would be closed "indefinitely."
The township's emergency management agency is providing cleanup kits for residents whose homes were affected by flooding. The kits are available in the lobby of the Town House and at the police station.
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July 08, 2019 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
A man wanted in connection with a June 4 homicide in Wilkinsburg was arrested Monday morning by McKeesport police.
Triq P. Price, 39, is charged by Allegheny County police with homicide, robbery, carrying a firearm without a license and unlawful possession of a firearm.
Price is currently being held without bail in Allegheny County Jail pending a preliminary hearing July 19 before Allegheny County Judge Kim Berkeley Clark.
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July 08, 2019 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News, North Versailles Twp. News
A Penn Hills woman faces a preliminary hearing July 18 in connection with a shooting Saturday inside the North Versailles Twp. Walmart.
Rojanai Germaine Alston, 22, is charged by Allegheny County police with aggravated assault and attempted homicide. Court officials said Alston is free on $25,000 bond pending the hearing before Magisterial District Judge Roxanne Eichler.
Alston is accused of shooting a 25-year-old woman inside the store's electronics department just after 9:30 p.m. The victim, whose name has not been released, was hospitalized in critical condition, police said.
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July 05, 2019 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Jimmy Beaumont, shown fourth from left on the cover of The Skyliners' first LP, was born in Pittsburgh but lived in McKeesport for nearly 50 years until his death in 2017.
A portion of Tulip Drive near the Lions Bandshell in Renziehausen Park will be renamed for the late Jimmy Beaumont.
McKeesport City Council on Tuesday by 5-0 vote approved a proposal from Mayor Michael Cherepko and Council Vice-President Jamie Brewster-Filotei to rename the section of street for Beaumont, former lead singer of The Skyliners, who died Oct. 7, 2017, at his home in McKeesport at age 76.
Jimmy Beaumont Boulevard will be dedicated on Aug. 11, when the remaining Skyliners perform at Renzie.
Beaumont was born in Pittsburgh's Knoxville section but had lived in McKeesport's Myer Park neighborhood since the 1960s.
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July 05, 2019 |
By Vickie Babyak | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
(All photos: Vickie Babyak, special to Tube City Almanac)
The McKeesport area celebrated the 243rd birthday of the United States of America with a lively concert and fireworks at Renziehausen Park.
James Warren of McKeesport and his daughter Alaina, age 2, show off their holiday spirit with the red, white and blue.
Sal Ventura, lead singer for Zoot Island Band, tosses a hula hoop off stage to the audience during their concert in Renziehausen Park.
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July 04, 2019 |
By Richard Finch Jr. | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
From left, Michelle Matuch, McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko, Matthew Craig of the Young Preservationists of Pittsburgh, and Jason Togyer participated in a panel discussion entitled "The Past, Present and Future of the Penn-McKee Hotel" on Saturday at McKeesport Regional History & Heritage Center. (Photo courtesy McKeesport Regional History & Heritage Center)
The first thing you see driving into Downtown McKeesport from the Jerome Street Bridge or traveling on the river trail is the derelict Penn-McKee Hotel.
And thousands of people ride through McKeesport on the bike trail --- but don’t stop to spend any money, according to Jason Togyer, executive director of Tube City Community Media Inc.
Reversing those two facts --- and filling cash registers --- are the goals of a possible renovation of the hotel, Togyer said.
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July 04, 2019 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
A Port Vue man who fell from the roof of a home on Laredo Street died of a heart attack.
Raymond Martini, 68, suffered a blood clot in his right coronary artery, the Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office said Thursday following an autopsy.
Martini was taken by ambulance to UPMC McKeesport hospital just after 3 p.m. Wednesday following the fall, the medical examiner's office said. He died in the emergency room, the medical examiner's office said.
The death has been ruled an accident. Port Vue police investigated at the scene.
July 04, 2019 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Announcements
(Courtesy Dr. Zoot and Zoot Island)
Zoot Island party will perform at Renziehausen Park at 7 p.m. tonight, with fireworks to follow for Independence Day.
McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko said this week the fireworks will be set off at around 9:30 p.m., weather permitting.
"Obviously, we'll keep an eye on the sky," he said.
McKeesport police will be out in full force to monitor traffic and crowd safety, Cherepko said.
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.
Zoot Island performs a mix of summertime favorites, including Jimmy Buffett tunes, classic rock and oldies, sing-a-long hits and beach party tunes.
July 03, 2019 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Another gas station and convenience store may be coming to East Fifth Avenue near the McKeesport-Duquesne Bridge.
McKeesport City Council by 5-0 vote on Tuesday approved a request from Morris Knowles & Associates of Delmont, Westmoreland County, to merge together 12 separate lots, totalling more than 3 acres, for the development of a gas station and convenience store.
Councilmen Jim Barry Jr. and Richard Dellapenna Jr. were absent.
Council also voted to vacate a portion of Gleditsch Alley, which passes between the lots at the bottom of Hartman Street.
Dick Roberts, a spokesman for Giant Eagle, said the O'Hara Twp. based retailer is considering the construction of a GetGo cafe and market at the site.
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July 03, 2019 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
A naked man used a garden gnome to smash the window of a Downtown liquor store and had to be subdued with a Taser, McKeesport police said.
The suspect in the June 21 incident refused to give his name and was charged as a "John Doe" with burglary, indecent exposure, criminal mischief, theft by unlawful taking and public drunkenness.
He is being held in the Allegheny County Jail in lieu of $5,000 bond pending a preliiminary hearing July 15 before Magisterial District Judge Eugene Riazzi.
McKeesport police on Wednesday said the suspect has since been identified as Antonio Burton, 33, of Pittsburgh's East End.
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July 01, 2019 |
By Richard Finch Jr. | Posted in: Duquesne News
Former Duquesne police chief Richard S. Adams has been named to a vacant seat on city council, over the objections of Mayor Nickole Nesby.
At its June meeting, council voted 3-1 to name Adams to fill the seat vacated by the May 28 resignation of Fawn McDaniel. Nesby voted no.
Nesby had earlier made a motion to appoint William Danko to council. The motion failed 2-2, with Nesby and Councilman Tim Caldwell voting "yes" and Councilwoman Terra Henderson-Murphy and Councilwoman Elaine Washington voting “no.”
Danko “will bring new ideas to the city of Duquesne," Nesby said. "He can also bring experience as well as diversity to council."
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July 01, 2019 |
By Richard Finch Jr. | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Mark P. Holtzman Jr., McKeesport Area School District superintendent, presents Dennis Halaszynski Sr. with his cap, tassel and 1949 high school diploma from McKeesport Area School District. (Photo by Vickie Babyak, special to Tube City Almanac)
Diane Couch couldn't stop smiling as she held her father's hand Wednesday night.
She and five of her siblings brought 88-year-old Dennis Halaszynski to the McKeesport Area School District meeting on the premise that one of his daughters-in-law was receiving an award.
It was a special case of "better late than never" for the life-long McKeesport resident when he received his high school diploma from district Superintendent Mark Holtzman Jr. at Wednesday's meeting, during a surprise ceremony planned six weeks ago with the help of school board President Joe Lopretto.
Couch said her father always regretted not earning his high school diploma.
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