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.
Read More
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.”
Read More
January 29, 2019 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
(Cha già José photo via Flickr, licensed under Creative Commons BY-SA 2.0.)
With temperatures predicted to drop below 0 in the Mon-Yough area this week, the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County has issued tips for keeping water pipes from freezing:
Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses, so freeze conditions don't burst the faucet or pipe to which the hose is connected
Insulate pipes or faucets in unheated areas (garages, attics, crawl spaces) before freezing temperatures arrive
Consider installing "heat tape" or "heat cable" on all exposed water lines. Heat tape can be found at hardware and home improvement stores.
Read More
January 29, 2019 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Announcements
(The Ohio River froze at Point State Park, Pittsburgh, in January 2014. Photo by Matt Niemi via Flickr, licensed under Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 2.0.)
(This story will be updated with new information as it becomes available)
Local school districts are canceling classes and McKeesport is opening a warming shelter as a so-called "polar vortex" swoops into the Mon-Yough area this week.
McKeesport Area, Clairton, East Allegheny and South Allegheny school districts have canceled all classes and school-related activities for students on Wednesday and Thursday, according to spokespersons, while Norwin School District will be closed Wednesday.
Penn State Greater Allegheny also will be closed Wednesday.
The National Weather Service in Moon Twp. has issued a wind-chill advisory from 5 a.m. Wednesday through 5 p.m. Thursday. Forecasters said that with air temperatures dropping to near 0 degrees on Wednesday afternoon, and winds reaching 30 mph, the temperatures will feel like 20 below 0.
Read More
January 28, 2019 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Announcements
Allegheny County Controller Chelsa Wagner will hold a public meeting at Carnegie Library of McKeesport to find out how residents are being affected by the upcoming split between UPMC Health System and Highmark.
The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 4 at the library, 1507 Library Ave.
Advance registration is suggested by calling (412) 672-0625.
A spokesman for Wagner said people who cannot attend are invited to submit their stories via the county controller's website.
UPMC has been feuding with Highmark for years. UPMC operates its own health insurance plan in competition with Highmark's Blue Cross and Blue Shield programs, while Highmark is the parent company of the Allegheny Health Network, which includes doctors and hospitals that compete with UPMC's.
Read More
January 25, 2019 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
Free income tax preparation help will be available for area senior citizens in February and March.
The sessions will be held on Fridays at the McKeesport office of state Rep. Austin Davis, located at 627 Lysle Blvd.
The AARP Tax Aide Program will offer the free assistance from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Fridays from Feb. 22 through March 29. Appointments must be made in advance and can be scheduled by calling (412) 664-0035.
Davis said his staff also will be available to help senior citizens with Property Tax or Rent Rebate applications and enroll in any of the state’s programs for which they’re eligible.
Read More
January 24, 2019 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Announcements
A "boil-water" advisory for Port Vue and McKeesport's 10th Ward has been lifted.
The Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County announced Thursday morning that the advisory, imposed following a water line break on Tuesday, has been cancelled following two water-quality tests.
The advisory was a precaution and no problems were found, said the authority, adding, "we apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience."
January 22, 2019 |
By Richard Finch Jr. | Posted in: Announcements, North Versailles Twp. News
The North Versailles Twp. 150th Anniversary Planning Committee meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday at the municipal building, 1401 Greensburg Ave. Anyone interested in serving on the committee is welcome to attend.
Other Upcoming Events
North Versailles Twp. Family Night, including snow tubing, will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. Feb. 28 at Boyce Park. To attend, RSVP by Feb. 25 to the township's Parks and Recreation Department at (412) 823-6602, extension 104.
The Art and Apple Juice Painting Classes for children ages 5-12 will be held Feb. 1, Feb. 8, March 1 and March 29 at the North Versailles Twp. community center, 1401 Greensburg Ave. RSVP to the Parks and Recreation department.
January 22, 2019 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Announcements
Updated with additional details, 8 p.m.
(Map courtesy Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County.)
Officials have issued a "boil water" advisory for Port Vue and McKeesport's 10th Ward following a water main break on Joy Street near Romine Avenue, up the hill from the 15th Avenue Bridge.
A 6-inch water main broke at approximately 9:30 a.m. Monday, causing a loss of water pressure throughout the system, said Matthew Junker, a spokesman for the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County.
About 2,100 customers were affected, he said. Crews were still making repairs on Monday night.
The loss of water pressure could have allowed contamination to enter water lines through back-flow, Junker said, and until further notice, MAWC customers in Port Vue and the city's 10th Ward should boil their tap water before using it to drink, cook or make ice.
Read More
January 22, 2019 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Announcements
(Photo courtesy 412 Food Rescue)
A local non-profit agency that has delivered 5 million pounds of unwanted food to needy families is asking for more volunteers from the Mon-Yough area.
“We are in need of volunteers in and around McKeesport and West Mifflin so food that is made available as a donation can be delivered to organizations that distribute it,” said Leah Lizarondo, chief executive officer of 412 Food Rescue. “It’s a chance to make a local impact on both food waste and hunger.”
Most food banks only accept non-perishable items --- such as canned and boxed foods --- because of the difficulty of storing and handling fresh food.
But 412 Food Rescue uses a smartphone app and the Internet to quickly match surplus perishable and fresh foods from supermarkets and restaurants with food banks. Technology writers have described it as the "Uber of food recovery."
Read More
