January 17, 2019 |
By Cami DiBattista | Posted in: Duquesne News
Duquesne residents voice their frustrations during January's city council meeting. (Cami DiBattista photo, special to Tube City Almanac)
Read More: Duquesne Mayor Nickole Nesby had additional thoughts following this meeting
The first Duquesne City Council meeting of the year was emotionally charged, as a roomful of residents vented their frustrations with Mayor Nickole Nesby and other officials.
Several representatives of the Duquesne Youth Football Association questioned city officials about allegations that the organization is being dissolved.
They alleged that the Duquesne Police Department had “spread rumors of drug money being funneled through the organization.”
One spokesperson for the youth football association said the organization is unhappy with Police Chief Tom Dunlevy and the department, and said he feels the city’s black population is being unfairly targeted.
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December 18, 2018 |
By Cami DiBattista | Posted in: Duquesne News
Nine-year-old Arnez Logan, a student of Duquesne Elementary School, is a member of the school's Junior Constable program, run by school security officer and Pennsylvania State Constable Lonzo Boyce Sr., at left. (Cami DiBattista photo, special to Tube City Almanac)
When fourth-grader Arnez Logan began the school year at Duquesne Elementary, he had no idea he would wrap up his first week being labeled a hero.
As a participant in the school’s Junior Constable Program, one of his responsibilities includes being a member of the "safety patrol." Logan was stationed outside the entrance of the school, diligently observing his surroundings, when he saw a kindergarten student run out into the road in front of an oncoming car.
Without a second thought he reacted, grabbing the kindergartener and pulling him to safety as the car sped by.
“He was running and it did not look like he was going to stop,” said nine-year-old Logan. “I hurried up and pulled him back before a car came speeding by.”
“I was across the street and couldn’t get there quickly enough,” said Duquesne constable Lonzo Boyce Sr., who started the Junior Constable Program around five years ago. “It was like it happened in slow motion. As soon as he stepped onto the street, Arnez grabbed him. ‘Nice save, Arnez. Great job,’ was the first thing that came out of my mouth. It was unbelievable.”
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December 14, 2018 |
By Cami DiBattista | Posted in: Duquesne News
Duquesne residents are voicing concerns regarding the new way water bills are being issued.
At the Nov. 27 council meeting, one resident who also owns a rental property said that as the landlord, she's receiving bills, but her tenants are not.
And while she is keeping the bills up-to-date, she said, her tenants are receiving delinquency letters. Other residents said they're receiving bill that are lower than what they know they owe.
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December 13, 2018 |
By Cami DiBattista | Posted in: Duquesne News
Duquesne's new Act 47 coordinator is hopeful that the city will be able to exit financially distressed status in the next few years.
George Dougherty Jr. has been appointed by the state to work with the city, which has been considered a distressed municipality for nearly 30 years. He was introduced during the Nov. 27 Duquesne City Council meeting.
Dougherty, who has also worked as Braddock’s Act 47 representative, said he has begun to get familiar with the community and work with the mayor and city manager on developing a budget for Duquesne.
Communities under Act 47 representative must adopt more restrictive spending plans in exchange for the right to have an increased earned income tax rate and favored status on state grant applications.
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November 22, 2018 |
By Cami DiBattista | Posted in: Duquesne News
Duquesne police reported 597 calls to service for the month of October, resulting in 71 arrests.
Police Chief Tom Dunlevy gave the department's report at the most recent city council meeting.
Calls for service included 13 abandoned vehicles, nine animal complaints, seven fights, 30 domestics, five for shots fired, one robbery and two protection from abuse order violations. Dunlevy also reported 213 traffic stops, resulting in 92 traffic citations.
The Duquesne Fire Department had 22 calls to service for October.
In other business, Mayor Nickole Nesby reported the city had an unpaid balance from last year for salt for the streets in the amount of $74,285.38.
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November 21, 2018 |
By Cami DiBattista | Posted in: Duquesne News
Duquesne City Controller Jade Burleigh has resigned, citing health reasons.
At the Oct. 23 meeting, city council took steps to have Duquesne's current auditor and accountant, CIM Financial and Ken Herrmann, act in the controller's role temporarily.
Mayor Nickole Nesby said the decision to do so was based on the fact that no one with the proper qualifications was available within the 30-day period after Burleigh's resignation.
City Solicitor Myron Sainovich said Duquesne officials are still seeking a qualified person with an accounting degree and financial background to fill the controller position.
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November 16, 2018 |
By Cami DiBattista | Posted in: Announcements, Duquesne News, White Oak News
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, Duquesne, McKeesport and White Oak are all getting ready for the Christmas season.
Duquesne
Duquesne’s annual "Tis the Season" celebration is slated for 6:30 p.m. Nov. 25.
Festivities will begin in Duquesne City Park and conclude with a community celebration in city hall. Local youth will perform in the city’s annual pageant, which includes a live nativity scene.
After the pageant, children may visit with Santa, and everyone can share refreshments and community camaraderie.
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October 30, 2018 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Announcements, Duquesne News
The Mon River Fleet will offer free influenza vaccinations from 12 to 3 p.m. Nov. 13, at Duquesne City Hall, 12 S. Second St., city officials said.
Residents ages 18 and over are invited to attend and get a flu shot on a first-come, first-serve basis. The opportunity is made possible by the McKeesport Hospital Foundation and UPMC.
October 21, 2018 |
By Cami DiBattista | Posted in: Duquesne News
Duquesne city council members and city Manager Che Sayles recently attended the 46th annual Joint Conference of Townships, Boroughs and Authorities.
At council's Oct. 9 meeting, Councilwoman Fawn McDaniel reported that the event included sessions with themes such as "using 21st century technology to manage age old problems of local government," "ABC’s of communication" and "the changing role of the municipal solicitor."
The event was organized by the Allegheny County and Western Pennsylvania Association of Township Commissioners.
In other business, council accepted the resignation of City Controller Jade Burleigh.
Mayor Nickole Nesby said recent health issues have prevented Burleigh from being able to fulfill the position.
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October 21, 2018 |
By Cami DiBattista | Posted in: Crime and Police News, Duquesne News
Calls to Duquesne police for assistance are up --- but so are arrests.
Duquesne police Chief Tom Dunlevy reported the increases during the Oct. 9 city council meeting.
Through the third quarter of 2018, Dunlevy said, calls for service are up 40 percent compared with the previous period in 2017, while arrests are up 21 percent. Traffic stops are up 56 percent and traffic citations are up 59 percent, but traffic accidents are down 26 percent, he said.
“I’m very proud of the accomplishments of the department so far this year,” said Dunlevy, who became the Duquesne police chief in January.
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