November 15, 2017 |
By Cami DiBattista | Posted in: Duquesne News
Duquesne City Manager Frank Piccolino announced his resignation at last week’s city council meeting.
“Thirteen and a half years ago, the city of Duquesne took a chance on a young man to guide operations for the next few years and I thoroughly embraced the opportunity,” Piccolino said. “After many years of growth and accomplishments, my time as city manager has come to an end.”
Piccolino thanked his family, staff, past and present council members, city employees, Mayor Philip Krivacek and others for their care and support over the years.
“The employees of the city of Duquesne are top of the line and I appreciate their efforts,” said Piccolino, who has taken a new job as municipal manager in Robinson Twp.
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November 14, 2017 |
By Cami DiBattista | Posted in: Announcements, Duquesne News, White Oak News
The countdown to Christmas has begun and Mon Valley communities --- including McKeesport, White Oak and Duquesne --- are getting ready.
Events begin Saturday (Nov. 18) with McKeesport's 53rd annual Salute to Santa Parade and White Oak's Season of Lights Celebration.
- Editor's Note: Weather permitting, our Internet radio station, WMCK.FM, will broadcast the Salute to Santa Parade beginning at 11 a.m.
Thousands of spectators are expected to line Fifth Avenue to collect candy while watching local bands, emergency vehicles, businesses, nonprofit organizations and student groups parade up the street from McKees Point Marina to City Hall.
Lineup for parade units begins at 10 a.m. at the Palisades, Fifth Avenue at Water Street, with the parade kicking off promptly at 11 a.m.
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November 12, 2017 |
By Cami DiBattista | Posted in: Duquesne News
Duquesne officials will seek a new collector for delinquent taxes as Mayor Phil Krivacek said the city and the existing agency were finding it difficult to work together.
At last week's meeting, city council voted 4-0 to terminate an agreement with Keystone Collections Group. Krivacek recommended that council find a new agency to perform the service.
In other business: Duquesne resident Steve Vasy was hired into the public works department on a 4-0 vote. Councilman John Gyure said there are presently two vacant positions after one public works employee retired and another is out on workers compensation with an injury.
Two vacant properties were secured and four street signs in the city were replaced by the Street Department, Gyure reported.
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November 10, 2017 |
By Cami DiBattista | Posted in: Duquesne News
There will be no property or wage tax increases in 2018 for Duquesne residents.
At Wednesday's city council meeting, City Manager Frank Piccolino said the Act 47 oversight board will review the city's proposed budget and make any final recommendations.
Council is scheduled to adopt the budget Dec. 13.
City Solicitor Patricia McGrail asked council for a motion to advertise the 2018 earned income tax rate of 1.15 percent for residents and 1.3 percent for non-residents. Council approved the motion 4-0.
The city will borrow $450,000 on a tax-anticipation note from First Commonwealth Bank. City Manager Frank Piccolino said First Commonwealth's bid was the only one received. Council approved the bid by 4-0 vote.
The rate on the tax anticipation note has increased slightly from last year, to 2.15 percent, Piccolino said.
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October 23, 2017 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Announcements, Duquesne News, White Oak News
(Compiled by Cami DiBattista and Jason Togyer)
Local communities, including McKeesport, Duquesne and White Oak, have posted their Halloween activity schedules.
McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko invites children 12 and younger to take part in the city’s annual Halloween Parade and Party in Renziehausen Park on Saturday (Oct. 28). Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. at the Tennis Courts and the parade travels to the Jacob Woll Pavilion for an indoor party featuring seasonal crafts, storytime and hot dog lunch. This event is co-sponsored by the Carnegie Library of McKeesport.
Trick or treat hours in the city are 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31.
White Oak also will have trick or treat from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31.
In addition, White Oak's "Truck-or-Treat" will take place on Saturday (Oct. 28) at the White Oak American Legion,, 2813 Capitol St. The event will include a parade and after party, where attendees are invited to explore a variety of service vehicles such as fire trucks, tow trucks, garbage trucks and ambulances.
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October 16, 2017 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Duquesne News, McKeesport and Region News
Above: Port Authority senior analyst Amy Silbermann and Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald greet an audience Monday night at the Palisades ballroom in McKeesport. (Tube City Almanac photo)
Port Authority officials and Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald came to McKeesport on Monday night to explain a "bus rapid transit" system that they said would relieve overcrowding and late buses between downtown Pittsburgh and Oakland.
But what residents heard was that McKeesport, Duquesne and Homestead could soon be getting 45 percent less service from the heavily traveled 61C route --- and they don't like it.
At times, the atmosphere in the Palisades ballroom was tense, with arguments breaking out at one table between residents and Port Authority board members, and Fitzgerald exchanging sharp remarks with transit advocates in the audience.
"I chose to live in McKeesport because I saw that the bus service would be beneficial to me," said Dan Beyerlein, who said the 61C is his lifeline to doctors in Squirrel Hill and Oakland, and provides a connection to his church in Wilkinsburg.
Eliminating 45 percent of the 61C's daily runs to McKeesport, Beyerlein said, would make him unable to get his connecting buses. "Then I'm late to my doctor's appointments and there's nothing I can do about it," he said.
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October 13, 2017 |
By Cami DiBattista | Posted in: Duquesne News
Duquesne has added a new police officer.
During Wednesday's city council meeting, Mayor Phillip Krivacek reported that Thomas Cranmer was hired Sept. 15 at the recommendation of police Chief Richard Adams.
“Our great department now has 12 officers, which is the highest we have had in some time,” Krivacek said.
In other business:
- Councilwoman June Wilson announced that water rates will be increasing 1.8 percent next year. The rate increase was imposed by the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County, which supplies Duquesne's water.
- Councilman Timothy Caldwell announced that the city has acquired a house at 32 S. Sixth St. in lieu of back taxes following a 10-year court case.
He recommended council survey the property and obtain quotes for demolishing it.
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October 11, 2017 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Duquesne News, Crime and Police News
UPDATED Thursday with victim's name.
A teen-ager was pronounced dead at a local hospital following a shooting Wednesday evening in Duquesne.
Lezra Rice, 15, of North Braddock died at 6:26 p.m., the Allegheny County medical examiner's office said. His death has been ruled a homicide.
Allegheny County police have released few details. Emergency workers said 9-1-1 received a report at 5:06 p.m. that someone had been shot in the alley behind the 400 block of Williams Street. When they arrived, police found Rice suffering from what were described only as "multiple gunshot wounds."
Rice was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital, a spokeswoman said.
Allegheny County police homicide detectives are investigating.
No further details have been released.
September 15, 2017 |
By Cami DiBattista | Posted in: Duquesne News, McKeesport and Region News
Duquesne officials are looking to improve road conditions in the city --- and encourage shopping in its business district.
With the state Department of Transportation planning to repave portions of Route 837, city council on Wednesday voted to approve a maintenance reimbursement agreement to help maintain their portion of the project.
“As part of the agreement, we’re responsible for the curbs and handicapped accessibility ramps,” said Frank Piccolino, city manager.
The work, which will focus on the stretch of road from the Thompson Run Bridge in Duquesne to the Rankin Bridge in Whitaker, will cost the city around $18,000 and will result in repairs to the existing curbs and the installation of new ramps.
Construction on the project is expected to begin sometime next year.
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August 21, 2017 |
By Advertising | Posted in: Announcements, Duquesne News, White Oak News
We are still looking for writers to cover White Oak and the City of Duquesne. Writers are paid for assignments on a per-assignment basis.
The positions currently to be filled are:
- Duquesne City correspondent
- White Oak borough correspondent
Writers will be expected to, at minimum, attend the monthly council meetings in either Duquesne or White Oak and write a story for Tube City Almanac within 24 hours. Other topics may, from time to time, be assigned.
High school and college students seeking work experience are encouraged to apply! Tube City Community Media is willing to work with students who need credit toward class assignments.
Previous experience as a writer on a high school or college newspaper, or non-fiction blog, is helpful.
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