September 14, 2024 |
By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Rev. Richard Truss testifies during Thursday’s McKeesport Area School District board meeting. (Screenshot from YouTube)
The loss of the superintendent, the arrest of the school police chief, and an investigation of multiple employees are taking their toll on McKeesport Area School District, one community leader said on Thursday.
“This city is on fire,” Rev. Richard Truss, pastor of Zion Baptist Church, told the school board. “The city is on fire, and you all are like Nero fiddling around while the city burns.”
At Thursday’s meeting, the board began filling administrative and other staffing holes. The district agreed to hire Albert Educational Consulting to conduct a superintendent search not to exceed $10,000.
The consulting firm is headed by Edward Albert, a former superintendent, who according to his resume has conducted “several superintendent searches throughout Pennsylvania.”
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September 14, 2024 |
By Bonnijean Cooney Adams | Posted in: Entertainment
The entire cast of “Ride The Cyclone: The Musical” all appear onstage for the entire production. In front, Sarah Sidorchuck as Constance Blackwood and Sierra Mitchell as Ocean O'Connell Rosenberg. Center row, Caedon Vogel as Mischa Bachinski and Sam Savolskis as Noel Gruber. Back row, Matthew Mlynarski as The Amazing Karnak, Joe Kosha as Ricky Potts, Randi Walker as Jane Doe, and Jade Goodes as Talia, Virgil, and various other ensemble roles. (Photos by Bonnijean Cooney Adams for Tube City Almanac)
If you go...
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“Ride The Cyclone: The Musical”
Where: McKeesport Little Theater
1614 Coursin St.
412-673-1100
www.mckeesportlittletheater.com
When: Friday, Sept. 13, Saturday, Sept. 14, Friday, Sept. 20, and Saturday, Sept. 21 at 7:30 p.m. and matinees Sunday, Sept. 15 and Sunday, Sept. 22 at 2 p.m.
Tickets: $20 for adults, $15 for students available through the MLT website or www.onthestage.tickets/show/mckeesport-little-theater
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The death of six members of a private Canadian high school chamber choir in a roller coaster accident might not seem a likely subject matter for a musical – especially one with lots of comedic and sometimes raunchy moments, and a variety of song-and-dance numbers mixed in.
Brooke Maxwell and Jacob Richmond wrote the book, music, and lyrics for “Ride The Cyclone The Musical,” which opened Friday night and continues through Sept. 22, at McKeesport Little Theater.
First performed in 2008, it is a relative newcomer to the world of musicals, but its popularity has grown.
“I’m thrilled to have the regional premiere of ‘Ride The Cyclone’ happening at McKeesport Little Theater,” producer Jennifer R. Vertullo said. “It’s a rising cult classic that has the attention of our next generation of theater-goers.”
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September 13, 2024 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
Celebrating the construction of a new studio for Tube City Online Radio on Tuesday were McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko, McKeesport City Council Member Amber Webb, State Rep. Matt Gergely, State Rep. Nick Pisciotanno, Tube City Community Media Executive Director Jason Togyer, and State Sen. Jim Brewster (Vickie Babyak photo for Tube City Almanac)
Local elected officials and leaders joined volunteers from Tube City Community Media Inc. today to celebrate the opening of a new digital media and podcasting studio inside the former Daily News Building.
The studio — which also includes an extensive music archive as well as a library of books about local journalism, radio and TV broadcasting, and media — is designed to spur interest in media careers for local high school and university students, says Jason Togyer, executive director of Tube City Community Media, which operates the Tube City Almanac website and Tube City Online Radio.
Funding for the studio equipment was provided by a grant from a Pennsylvania Department of Education job training program with assistance from state Sen. James R. Brewster and his staff. Labor to construct the new studio — in a room that was formerly a storage closet — was donated.
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September 13, 2024 |
By Kristen Keleschenyi | Posted in: North Versailles Twp. News
Chris Cornelius practices his Rocky victory pose before their performance last Saturday at Penn-Trafford. (Photo courtesy Jillian Miller)
A new generation of fans is delivering up the beloved saga of the Rocky movies with their 2024 field show.
The East Allegheny High School Marching Band will perform this exciting soundtrack in front of a local crowd at their home competition this Saturday (Sept. 14) at Churchman Stadium in North Versailles.
EA Band Director Justin Rosco says, "This has been on my bucket list for a long time. I was a big Rocky fan when I was young. This has always been in the back of my mind."
There isn’t a lot in the vault to choose from in terms of arrangements or blueprints for a show of this type. Rosco says they borrowed some ideas from a Drum Corps International show from the early 2000s called “The Contender” but everything else has been a creative effort by staff to bring the story of a small-time boxer from Philly who gets knocked down in life, but with the help of his scrappy manager, always finds a way to get back up.
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September 13, 2024 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
Walkers set off from Kane McKeesport during a Joan Burns Fun Walk 4 Kane several years ago. (Photo courtesy Janet Kulis)
Family members and friends of residents at McKeesport’s Kane Regional Center will hold their 13th annual walk on Saturday to benefit programs at the assisted-living facility.
Registration for the 13th Annual Joan Burns Kane Foundation Fun Walk 4 Kane begins at 8 a.m. Sept. 14 at Kane McKeesport, 100 Ninth Ave., a spokesperson said. The walk begins at 9:30 a.m. with a picnic immediately following the event.
The registration fee is $25 and the first 100 people receive a free T-shirt. Prizes will be distributed and the picnic will include grilled picnic food, snacks, dessert, music and karaoke. For more information, visit the website.
Participants are encouraged to ask friends, family, neighbors or co-workers to sponsor walkers so that Kane residents may benefit, the spokesperson added.
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September 13, 2024 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Announcements
(Photo courtesy Mon-Yough Trail Council)
The Mon-Yough Trail Council plans a day of music, games, food trucks and prizes along the Great Allegheny Passage when the 30th annual “Yough ‘n Roll” festival gets underway on Saturday.
“We have a bicycle ride in the morning, and then a party on the trail from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.,” said Ken Medved, event coordinator for the MYTC, which serves as a steward of 15 miles of the bicycle trail that connects Pittsburgh with Cumberland, Md.
The trail council has been one of the original, all-volunteer, nonprofit “rails-to-trails” organizations in Western Pennsylvania since 1991, he said.
The focus point for tomorrow’s events is the Boston access point to the trail in Elizabeth Twp., under the Boston Bridge off of Route 48. Although participants don’t have to ride their bicycle — or bring it to the event — many participants do, Medved said.
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September 12, 2024 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
McKeesport Sportsmen’s Association will host its annual holiday harvest vendor and craft show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 6 on the club’s grounds, 3300 Jacks Run Road (Route 48) in White Oak.
A spokeswoman said the event will include a “wide variety” of independent vendors, crafters and consultants, as well as the Hermes Food Truck featuring gyros and pitas, rice platters, French fries, chicken tenders, hot dogs, corn dogs and other refreshments; as well as the 412 Ice Cream truck.
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September 12, 2024 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News, North Versailles Twp. News
An 18-year-old from Wall Borough died Wednesday evening after a two-car collision on Route 30 in North Versailles Twp.
Emergency personnel said the wreck happened at around 5:30 p.m. near the Dunkin location and Dairy Queen at the corner of Lincoln Highway and Isaac Street.
Xander Wehrhan, also known as Xander Maxwell, was pronounced dead at the scene. Friends said he was a recent graduate of East Allegheny High School.
Allegheny County police said in a prepared release that a car driven by Maxwell was traveling east on Route 30 when it crossed the center line and collided head-on with a box truck.
The driver of the second vehicle, whose name was not release by police, remained on scene, police said. Allegheny County detectives are initiating the investigation.
Route 30 was closed for about two hours on Wednesday evening as emergency crews worked in the area.
Maxwell’s friends have created a GoFundMe to help pay for funeral expenses.
Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to call the county police tip line at 1-833-ALL-TIPS. Callers can remain anonymous.
September 10, 2024 |
By Danielle M. Smith - Public News Service | Posted in: Politics & Elections
Sept. 8-13 is Disability Voting Rights Week. The event is a nonpartisan movement hosted by the American Association of People with Disabilities and REV UP. (Photo courtesy American Association of People with Disabilities)
Disability Voting Rights Week is an annual call to action that occurs during the second week of September. It focuses on advocacy, celebrating community and building empowerment.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of July 2024 more than 2.9 million adults in Pennsylvania are living with a disability.
Mallory Hudson, disability justice program director with the Keystone Progress Education Fund, said Pennsylvanians are encouraged to take time to host voter registration and education events, organize candidate forums on disability issues, and engage with elected officials.
“We at Keystone Progress Education Fund are using this week to kick off our first of many voter-registration drives, at skilled nursing facilities and personal care homes across Allegheny County,” Hudson said. “More than 125,000 people live in all the skilled nursing facilities and personal care homes across Pennsylvania.”
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September 09, 2024 |
By Bonnijean Cooney Adams | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Musicians and color guard are all decked out for competition season with a “Robin Hood” theme. (Photo courtesy of Serra Catholic Marching Band)
There’s a lot of excitement and enthusiasm in the air from Serra Catholic Marching Band members about the theme of their 2024 show – “Robin Hood.”
“When the band show was first announced to be ‘Robin Hood,’ I was beyond ecstatic,” said Emilia Capasso, a senior and one of three drum majors.
“I've always loved the story and all the different adaptations of it, so I was excited to see where our show would take it,” she said.
Junior Drum Major Lyndsay Chirdon not only was excited about the theme, but for her role as Maid Marian.
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September 09, 2024 |
By T.J. Martin | Posted in: North Versailles Twp. News
Residents filled the North Versailles Township meeting room before the township commissioners’ latest meeting to voice their opposition to a proposed sale of the township’s sanitary authority to a for-profit company. (T.J. Martin photo for Tube City Almanac)
After two votes before two standing-room-only gatherings of residents, a proposal which would have seen the operations of the North Versailles Twp. Sanitary Authority taken over by a for-profit company has been officially rejected.
In December, the sanitary authority board voted 5-0 to move forward with an asset purchase agreement with Aqua Pennsylvania Wastewater Inc. Aqua is owned by Essential Utilities Inc. of Bryn Mawr, Montgomery County, the parent company of People’s Gas. It operates in nine states and has more than 3,100 employees.
Under the agreement, Aqua would pay between $25 million and $30 million for the township sewer system, including the pipes and three pumping stations. To take effect, any agreement would need the approval of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission and it was hoped an agreement could be closed by the end of 2024.
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September 06, 2024 |
By Bonnijean Cooney Adams | Posted in: Entertainment, McKeesport and Region News
CORRECTION, NOT PERFECTION: Two students, Deshea Davis and Marek Krol, were incorrectly identified. We apologize for the error.
McKeesport Area High School’s Tiger Band opens tournament competition for the season on Saturday at Penn-Trafford. This year’s show, titled “Recess,” includes use of a swing set as part of the show. (All photos: Bonnijean Adams for Tube City Almanac)
McKeesport Area High School Marching Band’s 2024 show is designed to bring smiles to faces of all ages during “Recess.”
“It was a fun and upbeat concept,” Band Director Drew DeCarlo said, “and most likely was the best time for students when they were in elementary school. We wanted a show this year that everyone would understand.”
He and his staff started their yearly brainstorming sessions in January, DeCarlo said.
“We talked about our strengths and weaknesses for this season, and had many ideas. We didn’t have a nailed-down concept until about March. We all settled on ‘Recess,’” he said.
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September 06, 2024 |
By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
(Adam Reinherz photo)
A McKeesport resident asked Thursday why the school board gave its police chief a raise in salary while rumors were swirling about a possible criminal investigation at her previous job.
Brenda D. Sawyer, 61, of North Versailles Twp., was arrested Thursday by detectives from the Westmoreland County district attorney’s office following an months-long investigation into mishandling of funds during her time as regional director of narcotics investigations for the state Attorney General’s Office.
Sawyer retired from that job after being appointed police chief for McKeesport Area School District in October 2023.
During Thursday’s school board meeting, resident Julian Thomas asked board members and district officials if they knew that Westmoreland County detectives had searched Sawyer’s home in May.
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September 06, 2024 |
By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
McKeesport Area School District’s treatment of outgoing Superintendent Tia Wanzo was raised again during Thursday’s open agenda meeting. Parents and residents expressed dismay — and at points contempt — with the board and Solicitor Gary Matta’s handling of personnel.
A separation agreement between Wanzo and MASD signed on Aug. 22 states the parties will not “disparage” the other.
Nonetheless, during Thursday’s meeting McKeesport resident Bridget Truss accused director Diane Elias of making “disparaging comments” toward Wanzo on social media on Aug. 23, merely one day after the separation agreement was signed.
“You deleted the comment but I have screenshots,” Truss said. “You said and I quote, ‘I refuse to support our children being put in danger.’ But that was when somebody stated their support of Dr. Wanzo, so you are alluding that Dr. Wanzo's presence in the position of superintendent is jeopardizing our children's lives.”
“That is your opinion,” Matta said. “That is your conjecture.”
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September 05, 2024 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
BREAKING: This is a developing story and is subject to change.
(Tube City Almanac file photo)
McKeesport Area School District’s police chief has been charged with theft, forgery and other offenses related to the misuse of money from her former job at the state Attorney General’s office.
Westmoreland County investigators also allege that Brenda D. Sawyer, 61, of North Versailles Twp. misappropriated money from the community violence fund of the McKeesport unit of the NAACP, which she served as president.
The money was used to cover gambling debts at the Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh and the Hollywood Casino at The Meadows in Washington County, a criminal complaint alleges.
Sawyer was arraigned Thursday evening at a district magistrate’s office on charges of theft by unlawful taking, obstruction of justice, tampering with evidence, forgery and dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities.
She was being held Thursday night in Westmoreland County Prison in lieu of $100,000 bond pending a preliminary hearing Sept. 13 before Magisterial District Judge Henry Lee Moore in North Huntingdon Twp.
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September 05, 2024 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
BREAKING: This is a developing story and is subject to change.
A former McKeesport police detective diverted more than $1 million in dues and other funding from his Fraternal Order of Police lodge to support his Christy Park bar and restaurant, the state attorney general alleges.
Joseph A. Osinski, 55, of Haler Heights was charged Thursday by state investigators with using money from Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 91 to pay personal expenses as well as business expenses for his Christy Park business, Puzzlers Restaurant & Lounge on Walnut Street.
Puzzlers closed abruptly in July.
Osinski was placed on leave from the police department Friday when the city learned of the allegations, McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko said. He subsequently retired, Cherepko said, and is no longer employed by the police department.
McKeesport police Chief Mark Steele said there is “no concern whatsoever” about any missing funds from the police department.
Osinski is currently free on $50,000 bond pending a preliminary hearing Oct. 9 before Magisterial District Judge Patrick D. Campbell in Munhall. Court documents did not list an attorney for Osinski.
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September 03, 2024 |
By Vickie Babyak | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Two of the Callos’ family’s emus relax inside an enclosure at the family’s home. (Vickie Babyak photo)
It was a typical Saturday morning — until city residents spotted a giant Australian bird casually strolling down Soles Street.
By Saturday afternoon, videos, pictures and jokes were posted all over social media about an emu on the loose in McKeesport. Even the Pittsburgh Meme group got in on the social media action, and created humorous memes regarding the unusual event.
All joking aside, David and Carly Callos of McKeesport own the emu, and live in the city with their four children. After they realized their 6-foot-2, 120 pound bird had roamed away, they immediately jumped into action to retrieve him.
Callos was concerned that someone could accidentally harm the emu while trying to capture him. He said an emu is susceptible to neck injury if a person is not familiar with how to correctly handle them.
After Callos saved his emu from the street, the big fellow rode in the passenger’s seat of the truck until they got home safely, he said. “We love our emus,” Callos said.
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September 03, 2024 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
With the rally cry “take it to the polls,” a retired Pennsylvania state supreme court justice and her husband will help lead a voter-registration drive on Saturday in McKeesport.
“A Rally in the Valley” is a non-partisan informational event, said retired Justice Cynthia Baldwin, who is hosting the event along with her husband, Art.
The event will be held from 12 noon to 3 p.m. Saturday (Sept. 7) at Noah’s Ark Community Center, 200 Sixth Ave.
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September 03, 2024 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
The teen-aged suspect charged in connection with a homicide on Monday morning was released from jail less than a month ago after charges were withdrawn in a separate attempted homicide case.
Daemond Artemus, 17, of McKeesport is charged by Allegheny County police with homicide, carrying a firearm without a license and possession of a firearm by a minor in connection with the fatal shooting of Dylan C. Saula, 22, of North Versailles Twp. on a Downtown street.
He is being held without bail in the Allegheny County Jail pending a preliminary hearing Sept. 13.
County police allege that Artemus and a friend saw Saula driving through McKeesport on Monday morning and flagged him down to purchase narcotics. Once Saula stopped, police allege, Artemus and Saula got into the back seat of the car and the friend drove the two around.
That’s when police allege that Artemus produced a handgun and shot Saula once in the head. Police allege that Artemus told his friend to stop the car at the intersection of Lysle Boulevard and Sinclair Street, where Artemus is accused of shoving Saula’s body out of the car, then telling his friend “just drive.”
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September 02, 2024 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
(This is a developing story and is subject to change.)
Allegheny County police are investigating a shooting Monday morning that left a North Versailles Twp. man dead on Lysle Boulevard.
Police said first responders were called to the area near Sinclair Street just before 11 a.m. when callers reported that a man was down in the street. Police found the victim suffering from a gun shot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene, detectives said.
The Allegheny County medical examiner’s office has identified the victim as 22-year-old Dylan C. Saula of North Versailles.
On Monday night, Allegheny County police charged 17-year-old Daemond Artemus of McKeesport with homicide and firearm violations. Artemus was detained by McKeesport police shortly after the incident and was being held in the Allegheny County Jail awaiting arraignment, county police said.
Crews remained in the area for more than two hours processing the crime scene. The victim’s name has not yet been released.
Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to call Allegheny County police at 1-833-ALL-TIPS. Callers can remain anonymous.
