September 12, 2017 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Announcements
A longtime community volunteer and current Democratic Party official has declared his candidacy for the 35th Legislative District seat currently held by state Rep. Marc Gergely.
Austin Davis, executive assistant to Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald since 2012 and vice-chair of the Allegheny County Democratic Committee, announced his campaign Tuesday. His is the first declared candidacy for what is expected to be a hotly contested race in 2018.
Davis, of McKeesport, has been a familiar face to Mon-Yough residents since high school, when he served as a member of a Youth Advisory Council created by Jim Brewster, then mayor of McKeesport and now a state senator.
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September 11, 2017 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
(Image courtesy Miller Funeral Home and Crematory, Somerset)
The coroner whose jurisdiction included victims of the crash of United Airlines Flight 93 will talk about his experiences during a lecture this Saturday.
West Newton Public Library will host a discussion entitled "9/11" at 10 a.m. Sept. 16 at the First Baptist Church of West Newton, corner of South Sixth Street and Vine Street, West Newton, a spokesperson said.
The featured speaker will be Somerset County Coroner Wally Miller, who responded when the plane, which had been hijacked by terrorists, crashed into a field outside of Shanksville on Sept. 11, 2001.
It is believed that the terrorists were planning to crash the plane into a government building in Washington, D.C., and that passengers of the plane wrested control from them before that could happen.
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September 11, 2017 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
(All photos: Submitted by Annette James, McKeesport Lions Club)
On a beautiful late summer Sunday in Renziehausen Park, local residents and the McKeesport Lions Club celebrated patriotism with a parade down Eden Park Boulevard.
The Patriotism Parade, which on came on the evening before the 16th anniversary of the devastating terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, was followed by a salute to veterans at the Lions Club Bandshell; a concert by Monroeville-based singer Judi Figel; and fireworks, said Lions Club member Annette James.
Figel's concert closed out the summer concert series organized by the Lions.
The parade began at 6 p.m. at Sycamore Drive and continued onto Eden Park Boulevard, Tulip Drive and Arboretum Drive, and included the McKeesport Area High School Tiger Marching Band, fire units from McKeesport and White Oak, and local schoolchildren.
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September 11, 2017 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Announcements
(Tube City Almanac photo)
Duquesne-based Vegely Welding Inc. is completing renovations to a building on Walnut Street in McKeesport as it expands its operations.
The nearly $1 million expansion project is being financed in part by a $300,000 Enterprise Zone loan arranged by the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Duquesne.
According to a press release from the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Duquesne, Vegely has 20 employees at its present location along Route 837 and plans to add up to 15 more in McKeesport. Company president Ken Vegely did not return phone calls seeking comment.
The expansion utilizes part of a building that was begun by the now-defunct Capco Contracting Co. in 2003 on the site of the old Tube City Brewing Co., but left unfinished after Capco's owners were indicted for fraud.
Vegley’s loan is part of a $916,750 project which is also funded through private equity as well as a bank loan, according to a spokeswoman for McKeesport Mayor Mike Cherepko.
Work on the McKeesport facility began approximately four months ago, Cherepko's office said, and is expected to be complete in six to eight months.
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September 08, 2017 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Announcements
According to the calendar, it's still summer. But with Labor Day in the rear-view mirror, and a bit of a chill in the air in the Mon-Yough area these past few nights, fall is obviously just around the corner.
And even if you're not ready to put away your short-sleeved shirts yet, it's time to start thinking about winter.
That's according to LuEthel Nesbit, program administrator in the Mon Valley office of the non-profit agency ACTION-Housing. Nesbit says now is the time for residents to start thinking about winterizing their homes.
"A lot of times, people wait until it gets cold outside, and then it's too late," says Nesbit, who also serves as a McKeesport city councilwoman. "Once the money runs out, it runs out."
Last year, she says, ACTION-Housing provided weatherization assistance to 226 households through the U.S. Department of Energy and to an additional 82 households through the state's Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP.
Heating and air-conditioning repairs and replacements were made for 716 households through the state Department of Public Assistance LIHEAP crisis program, Nesbit says.
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September 06, 2017 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
Planning is underway for McKeesport's 53rd annual Salute to Santa parade, and nominations are being sought from district students who want to be nominated as the Christmas event's queen and princess.
A spokeswoman for Mayor Michael Cherepko said the parade is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. Nov. 18 at the McKee's Point Marina, Fifth Avenue at Water Street, Downtown, and proceed up Fifth Avenue to City Hall.
A Christmas party is held following the event at the Palisades.
"The Salute to Santa parade and children's party have established a longstanding tradition in McKeesport," Cherepko said in a statement. "Each year, thousands of spectators from across the Mon Valley line Fifth Avenue in downtown McKeesport to watch a procession of holiday floats, marching bands, dance troupes, fire trucks and more."
Participation in the parade is open to community groups, student organizations, churches, businesses and local officials, the spokeswoman said.
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September 06, 2017 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
Seven bands, plus the Rankin Junior Tamburitzans, will take the stage on Sept. 16 at a concert to benefit seven local charities.
The first-ever "Mon Valley Sizzles" music and food festival is being held at the Carrie Furnaces national historic site in Rankin and Swissvale. Gates open at 3 p.m. and live music continues until 10 p.m., a spokeswoman said.
Groups scheduled to appear include Brownie Mary, The Gathering Field, Billy Price Band, House of Soul, Brass Roots, Velcro Shoes and Pillow Project.
The event is being organized by the Mon-Yough Area Chamber of Commerce as a benefit for the Carnegie Library of Homestead, McKeesport Hospital Foundation, Mifflin Township Historical Society, Rainbow Kitchen Community Services, Mon Yough Community Services and the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area, which administers the Carrie Furnaces site and the Bost Building in Homestead.
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September 05, 2017 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
An "indoor picnic" and a paint-and-sip night are on the schedule at the Yukon Croatian Club during the month of September.
Barbecued lamb and tamburitza music of Stari Prijatelji will highlight the Sept. 17 indoor picnic at the Yukon Croatian Club, a spokeswoman said.
The lamb, prepared by Mike and Carol Mezick, must be pre-ordered by Sept. 10. Call (724) 872-7459 to order. Lamb may be picked up on Sept. 17 starting at 12:30 p.m. when the club doors open.
Stari Prijatelji will play songs and kolos for dancing from 2 to 6 p.m. There is a $7 cover charge.
The Paint & Sip Night will take place at 6 p.m. Sept. 19 under the direction of Denise Maughan. Participants will finish a canvas pre-stamped with a 12 inch by 12 inch image.
A $35 fee covers the canvas and all supplies needed to complete the painting. The event is open to the public and limited to 12 to 15 people, the spokeswoman said.
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September 01, 2017 |
By Mike Mauer | Posted in: Announcements
Above: Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 914 Intrepid West Mifflin Chaplain Gene Staudt, left, and Commander Jake Bradich display a Flag of Honor in preparation for a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony to be held at Mitchell Paige Memorial Park 6:30 p.m. Sept. 11.
The event will feature guest speaker Jimmy Young, a firefighter with the McKeesport Fire Department who was on site at the 9/11 aftermath, as well as other local first responders. (Mike Mauer photo)
West Mifflin Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 914 Intrepid, first responders and civic leaders will be on hand for a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at Mitchell Paige Memorial Park Sept. 11.
Slated to begin at 6:30 p.m., the event will feature remarks by local officials, music, and a wreath laying in tribute to the more than 3,000 Americans who were killed 16 years ago during the al Qaeda terrorist attacks. Members of the public are encouraged to attend.
Featured guest speaker at the ceremony will be Jimmy Young, a firefighter with the McKeesport Fire Department who was on site at the 9/11 aftermath.
Other participants and attendees scheduled to attend include West Mifflin Mayor Chris Kelly, members of West Mifflin Borough Council and the West Mifflin Recreation Committee, firefighters from the Homeville #1 VFC Station 293, the Duquesne Annex VFC Station 294, the West Mifflin #3 VFC Station 295, the Skyview VFC Station 296, representatives from the West Mifflin Police Department, and personnel from the Baldwin EMS Station 510.
“We all remember where we were when the September 11, 2001 tragedy took place," said event organizer and VFW Post 914 member David G. Jackel, a retired senior chief petty officer, who was decorated with the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Service Medal during his active military service. "We should never forget the sacrifices made and heroism shown by first responders, military personnel and courageous citizens.”
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August 30, 2017 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
West Newton Public Library will hold its fall book sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 8 and 9 at the historic John Plumer House on South Water Street in the borough.
A spokesman said there are four rooms "packed with books" and that visitors can fill a bag with books for $5.
For more information, contact the library at (724) 633-0798.
