LISTEN: What does "fair housing" mean? How does it affect tenants? How does it affect landlords? What sorts of discrimination are forbidden under fair housing laws? How can someone protect themselves? Jim Haughey and Angelia Christina of McKeesport Housing Corp. explain. (Duration: 29:51 minutes)
In celebration of Fair Housing Month, the City of McKeesport hosted its second annual Fair Housing Workshop on April 26 at the Palisades. This year’s event welcomed representatives of the Fair Housing Law Center to define the Fair Housing Act, describe who it protects, and share guidelines on how landlords can successfully abide by the law.
The McKeesport Community Development Department and the Fair Housing Law Center distributed informational pamphlets and quick-reference guides on individuals’ rights to fair housing, additional resources for those with disabilities, and tips to recognize discrimination.
“In the City of McKeesport, where more than 50 percent of our housing stock is made up of rental properties, it’s is important that our tenants understand their rights and that our landlords understand their responsibilities,” said A.J. Tedesco, McKeesport’s community development director.
“We want to be sure that everyone in McKeesport is linked to the appropriate resources associated with fair housing concerns," he said.
Partial lane restrictions are likely for the remainder of the week on the ramp that takes motorists from the Duquesne-McKeesport Bridge to southbound Route 837, said a district official for the state Department of Transportation.
In addition, the shoulder of the ramp also will be closed for motorists who exit the bridge and head to Dravosburg and Clairton, the PennDOT spokesman said.
Weather permitting, restrictions will be in place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today (May 3) through Friday. All ramps and the bridge will remain open. Crews from Pittsburgh Rigging Company and AECOM are doing work on the bridge's concrete piers, PennDOT said.
McKeesport Art Group's 59th annual Spring Art Show will be held from May 19 to 21 at Jacob Woll Pavilion, Renziehausen Park.
Group president Jan Catalogna said artists of all types and skill levels --- including pen and ink artists, painters, watercolorists, sculptors and photographers --- are encouraged to participate. The show also has a special category for student artists.
To enter, visit the McKeesport Art Group website and download the entry form, or call (412) 469-2710, Catalogna said.
In addition, this year's show will include an instructional painting class at 1 p.m. May 20. No previous art classes or training are necessary, she said, and participants of all skill levels are invited.
After little more than a year, Andrew Egan has resigned as chancellor and chief academic officer at Penn State Greater Allegheny Campus in McKeesport.
Penn State on Thursday announced Egan's resignation and the appointment of Jacqueline Edmondson, Penn State associate vice president and associate dean for undergraduate education, as the new chancellor and chief academic officer for the 600 student undergraduate campus.
Edmondson has been appointed for a three-year term and will lead a national search for her own permanent replacement, the university said in a statement.
“Jackie brings tremendous knowledge of the university to this position, along with her experience as an accomplished leader in program and curriculum development, and general education," said Madlyn Hanes, Penn State vice president for commonwealth campuses and executive chancellor.
"She will provide excellent guidance and directions, with deep understanding of enrollment trends, the teaching-learning enterprise, and faculty development across the University,” Hanes said. “Jackie also appreciates the importance of our campuses to their respective communities, and the good that comes from collaborative ventures.”
(Photos courtesy Elizabeth Forward School District)
A teacher from Elizabeth Forward Middle School is one of 52 educators from around the United States who's been honored for his efforts to incorporate digital technology in the classroom.
Stephen Hartnett, who teaches eighth-grade American history and also serves as assistant coach of the boys' soccer team, was named a PBS Digital Innovator by the nation's public broadcasting TV network.
The honor was announced by WQED-TV (13), Pittsburgh's public television station.
George Hazimanolis, senior director of corporate communications at WQED, said that over the coming year, Hartnett will partner with WQED personnel to help other teachers use digital audio, video and text and technology in their classrooms.
Hartnett will have access to exclusive training with PBS, as well as resources from PBS LearningMedia; and will be invited to the upcoming 2017 PBS Digital Summit in San Antonio, Texas, which is being held alongside the International Society for Technology in Education conference.
Duquesne and East McKeesport are among four municipalities newly designated at "Live Well Allegheny Communities."
The designation by the Allegheny County Health Department signifies that the municipalities are committed to helping residents get better access to exercise and healthy food options and limit unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking cigarettes.
In Duquesne, officials announced that they are partnering with the Steel Valley Trail Council to promote the city's connection to the Great Allegheny Passage hiking and biking trail, and to encourage residents to use the trail. In addition, the city is seeking funding to provide better pedestrian and bicycle access to the trail from the neighborhoods on the other side of Route 837.
In addition, Duquesne is partnering with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank to provide and encourage residents to purchase fresh food from farmers' markets, and is encouraging buildings and playgrounds to go smoke-free.
(Above: Photo of S.S. McKeesport while under construction courtesy of Steamship Historical Society of America. To purchase this photo, visit the Steamship Historical Society of America website.)
After 74 years, there is probably no one left alive of the 67 crewmen who were aboard the S.S. McKeesport when it sank in the North Atlantic on April 29, 1943.
The merchant marine vessel was part of a convoy of supply ships that was returning to the United States from Europe when it was torpedoed by a German U-boat.
But McKeesporters haven't forgotten their namesake ship. At 12 noon this Saturday, veterans and volunteers will gather at McKees Point Marina along the Youghiogheny River to remember the S.S. McKeesport.
"We're trying to keep its memory alive, not just for the merchant marines who served, but for all of our veterans," said Mary Ann Goldie, one of the organizers of the annual remembrance ceremony, which has been held each April 29 for nearly 20 years.
(Above: Jason DeFelice, U.S. Air Force senior master sergeant (retired), and McKeesport Mayor Mike Cherepko. Tube City Almanac photo.)
Four people were honored this month by McKeesport Mayor Mike Cherepko and the McKeesport Message Committee for upholding the values of respect, dignity, hope and love.
A subgroup of the mayor's Select Committee on Crime and Violence, the committee accepts nominations from the public and makes the selections four times per year.
Citations were presented at the April 5 city council meeting to U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. (retired) Jason DeFelice; Sharon Soles; Coach Gerald Grayson; and McKeesport Area High School senior Hannah Klingensmith.
Annunciation of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Church will hold a Greek Food Festival from 12 noon to 8 p.m. May 13, featuring lamb shanks, gyros, pastitsio, spanakopita, chicken, grape leaves, rice pilaf, Greek pastries, loukoumades (honey balls) and more.
The church is located at 1128 Summit St., White Oak. For more information about the church, call (412) 673-1224 or visit the website.
An eighth-grader from West Mifflin Area Middle School took first place in a county-wide contest to create a poster to celebrate Earth Day tomorrow.
Meanwhile, many communities --- including McKeesport, East McKeesport, Glassport, Jefferson Hills and Port Vue --- are preparing to mark the 47th annual Earth Day on Saturday with community-wide clean up events, while West Homestead will have a flower-planting event.
Lauren Jacobs' colorful poster, shown above, won the poster contest, sponsored by the Allegheny County Health Department. This year's theme was "brighter paths in preserving energy."
Jacobs' poster features suggestions such as using energy-efficient light bulbs, installing solar panels, and trying alternative and renewable energy sources.
