May 08, 2020 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Announcements
Although Allegheny County continues to record new cases of COVID-19, there were only five presumed or confirmed cases reported Friday — one of the lowest numbers yet. (Source: Allegheny County Health Department)
Local officials expressed relief Friday after Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf’s announcement that 13 counties — including Allegheny, Washington and Westmoreland — will be moved from “red” to “yellow” status and can begin relaxing some social distancing requirements.
The news means that many types of businesses in the Mon-Yough area, including retail stores, real estate agencies and child-care centers, can begin reopening on May 15, if they follow state and federal health guidelines.
“Our small business community has been struggling in the last eight weeks, but this news marks a light at the end of this scary tunnel,” State Sen. Jay Costa Jr. of Forest Hills, Democratic leader of the senate, said on Twitter. “Moving to yellow is one step (on) a long road to recovery.”
But state officials are cautioning that telecommuting for office workers “must continue where feasible” and that schools will remain closed. And businesses that provide “personal care services,” such as gyms, spas, hair salons and massage therapists must remain closed for the time being.
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May 07, 2020 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
Diane Cole is a site coordinator at LifeSpan. (Submitted photo via Facebook)
Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, all LifeSpan’s buildings are closed to the public until further notice, a spokeswoman said.
However, LifeSpan services are continuing as usual, said Joyce Asmonga, agency support assistant.
LifeSpan’s Community Resource Centers for Older Adults, including facilities in Olympia Shopping Center and Homestead, are closed, she said, but center staff are currently performing check-in calls with center participants.
The centers will re-open as soon as conditions permit, Asmonga said.
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April 22, 2020 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Announcements
Although in-person activities are on hold for the forseeable future, the McKeesport Regional History & Heritage Center is scheduling a series of “Fireside Chats” about Western Pennsylvania’s past.
Museum manager Dave Moore (above) will host the chat series on Facebook beginning at 7 p.m. today (April 22) with a talk about the arrival of golf in Western Pennsylvania.
Teresa Trich, community outreach director, said the center is still monitoring the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and will follow the advice of Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf. The center is tentatively hoping to re-open May 12, she said, but “the safety of our staff and patrons comes first and we will only re-open when it is safe to do so.”
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April 08, 2020 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
The state Department of Transportation has reopened a section of Route 837 that was closed last month due to a rock slide.
Crews from Allison Park Contractors removed debris and installed barriers, said Steve Cowan, district spokesman for PennDOT.
The road was closed on March 28 between the railroad crossing at Watco’s Dravosburg terminal (Boswell Oil) and the McKeesport-Duquesne Bridge. It reopened Friday.
April 02, 2020 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements, West Newton News
(West Newton Center for Active Adults, via Facebook)
The manager of the senior citizen center in West Newton said the facility is closed to the public during the coronavirus pandemic, but is still offering assistance via email and telephone.
Paul A. Kurzdorfer III, manager of the West Newton Center for Active Adults, said there is no timetable for reopening, but that the facility will use guidance from the state health department and will send updates to WTAE-TV and other local media.
“Though the center will remain closed to the public for the foreseeable future, staffing is still available to answer phone calls and emails on Mondays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m,” Kurzdorfer said. “The center continues to offer home-delivered meals to those participants enrolled with the county (on a limited delivery schedule), as well as lunch take-out at the center on Mondays and Thursdays (to be enjoyed in the comfort of your home).”
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March 23, 2020 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Announcements
A Port Authority maintenance worker disinfects surfaces on a bus. (Photo courtesy Port Authority of Allegheny County)
Port Authority of Allegheny County will reduce bus and light-rail service on more than 70 routes due to “substantial decreases in ridership” and operational challenges brought on by the novel coronavirus pandemic, a spokesman said.
Routes being affected in the McKeesport area include 56 McKeesport via Second Avenue, 61C McKeesport via Homestead, the P7 McKeesport Flyer and the P76 Lincoln Highway Flyer.
With many offices and businesses closed to the public, and universities and colleges moving to online-only classes, Port Authority’s ridership has plummeted more than 50 percent in the past two weeks, the agency said.
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March 22, 2020 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Announcements
St. Mary Romanian Byzantine Catholic Church, 318 26th Ave., will be closed to all public activities until further notice, a spokesman said.
The closure of St. Mary’s and all Romanian Catholic churches in the United States was decreed by the Most Rev. John Michael Botean, eparch of the Romanian Catholic Eparchy of St George’s in Canton, as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
When activities are resumed, they will be announced at Tube City Almanac and on Facebook, the spokesman said. Parishioners who have concerns or questions should call the rectory at (412) 673-5552.
March 22, 2020 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Announcements, West Newton News
The West Newton Lions Club will hold a take-out only fish fry from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Good Friday, April 10.
A spokeswoman said the event will be cash-only and will be conducted at the Lions Field House, 511 Pittsburgh St.
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, customers may call ahead at (724) 972-3779 and drive around to the back of the building to pickup their orders from their car windows.
Delivery in West Newton is also available.
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March 22, 2020 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
(Submitted photo via Facebook)
Meals on Wheels deliveries continue for residents who are served by LifeSpan, but the organization’s seven community resource centers for senior citizens are closed to the public.
A spokeswoman said the closures are to comply with Gov. Tom Wolf’s order closing all non-essential businesses.
In addition to its senior resource centers, LifeSpan provides assistance to caregivers of older adults as well as care management and helps investigate allegations of possible elder abuse.
All programs except for the senior centers are operating, but with modifications in place to protect the health and safety of both consumers and staff, the spokeswoman said.
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March 19, 2020 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Announcements
The Elbow Room in the city’s 10th Ward is one of more than a dozen restaurants that have stayed open to provide take-out food only, according to a spokeswoman in McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko’s office. (Tube City Almanac photo)
Although all restaurants in the state have been ordered to close their dining rooms and lounges for at least two weeks in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, businesses are allowed to offer carry-out, delivery and drive-through services for food and beverages.
The Allegheny County Health Department on Thursday issued new guidance for restaurants who are keeping their kitchens open for take-out or delivery service.
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