October 25, 2022 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Crime and Police News, Duquesne News
Allegheny County police are investigating the death of a teen-ager who was found slumped over the wheel of a car on Tuesday morning in Duquesne.
Durobb Johnson, 18, was pronounced dead at the scene in the 900 block of High Street of apparent gunshot wounds, said a spokesperson for the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s office.
In a prepared statement, county homicide detectives said a caller to 9-1-1 just before 6 a.m. reported the incident. Police are investigating but have released no other details. Anyone with information concerning the incident is being asked to call the county police tip line at 1-833-ALL-TIPS. Callers can remain anonymous.
October 06, 2022 |
By Tom Leturgey | Posted in: Duquesne News
Duquesne Fire Chief Frank Cobb told city council Tuesday night that the department has received a nearly $50,000 federal grant for a new compressor that will help keep firefighters' air tanks full.
Cobb explained that when a firefighter is on a call and the air tank on their back is depleted of oxygen, the department gets them filled at the nearby Duquesne Annex station in West Mifflin. With this grant, the department will be more efficient. Out of three bids, the department will spend $48,157.42 to purchase the compressor.
“We’ve been trying to get this for 30 years,” Cobb told council. “Multiple times we have been denied.” He said that the investment is important to stave off bigger expenditures down the road.
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October 06, 2022 |
By Tom Leturgey | Posted in: Duquesne News
Duquesne City Council has ratified the return of police officer William Spangler to the full-time active roster.
At this week’s meeting, by a 4-0 vote (with Councilman Tim Caldwell absent), council also approved a motion to interview, test if applicable, and hire part-time police officers.
Recently, Spangler had resigned to take a new position, but he has returned, Duquesne officials said.
Mayor Scott Adams noted that the next round of testing for potential officers is Friday. Act 47 Coordinator George Dougherty also told council that there are police grants available for potential police officers to attend the police academy through Robert Morris University.
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September 22, 2022 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Crime and Police News, Duquesne News
A Duquesne man died early Wednesday morning after a shooting in the 700 block of Grant Street.
Demetrius T. Pirl, 52, was pronounced dead at the scene, the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office said.
In a prepared statement, county police said 9-1-1 was notified of the shooting just after 12 midnight.
First responders found the victim, identified as Pirl, suffering from gunshot wounds, police said.
County homicide detectives are investigating but have released few other details. Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to call the county police tip line at 1-833-ALL-TIPS. Callers can remain anonymous.
September 05, 2022 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Crime and Police News, Duquesne News
A 14-year-old from Duquesne died Friday evening following a shooting near the intersection of Caroline Street and Priscilla Avenue.
La’Japonis Roberts was pronounced dead at the scene, the Allegheny County medical examiner’s office said.
Allegheny County police said Roberts was a passenger in a car in the 700 block of Priscilla Avenue when someone opened fire just after 5 p.m. The driver fled the scene, police said.
Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to call the county police tip line at 1-833-ALL-TIPS. Callers can remain anonymous.
August 26, 2022 |
By Elizabeth Laughlin | Posted in: Duquesne News
Duquesne City School District has opened a new esports arena for its students. It is the first in the Pittsburgh area specifically designed for middle school students.
The arena, which includes Xboxes and vibrant-colored chairs, is in the K-8 building and was previously a school board meeting room.
It officially opened on Thursday at 1 p.m. with a grand opening and ribbon cutting.
The esports arena was funded by Robert Morris University, the Penn State Readiness Institute and the Heinz Endowments, as well as federal COVID-19 relief funding.
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August 18, 2022 |
By Tom Leturgey | Posted in: Duquesne News
Before Duquesne City Manager Kelly Robertson left the municipality for a different job, she noted that helping to improve finances was one of her biggest accomplishments. According to city leaders, making finances more efficient is progressing.
While delivering the finance report at this week’s city council meeting, City Councilman Derek Artim noted that new budget forms are coming and spending policies will change.
He said that all receipts will be accounted for at the end of each month, and receipts, such as gasoline purchases for city automobiles, will have to include the vehicle used. “This will assure the validity of charges,” Artim said.
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August 18, 2022 |
By Tom Leturgey | Posted in: Duquesne News
Some Duquesne officials seemed surprised that the city’s clerical and public works departments had quickly accepted a four-year contract extension without so much as a fight.
The news was reported this week at the city council meeting by Acting City Manager George Newsome.
Councilwoman Elaine Washington asked “who approved” the proposal, and a somewhat surprised Mayor Scott Adams commented that with his “30 years in city government, I have never seen it approved the first time. Kudos to those involved.”
City Solicitor Myron Sainovich noted that while clerical and public works employees of Teamsters Local 205 accepted the proposal, it still must be ratified by a vote of council, which can reject the pact if it doesn’t work for Duquesne.
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August 16, 2022 |
By Amy George | Posted in: Duquesne News
After 20 turbulent years, Duquesne City School District leaders say they’re positioning the district for success.
“DCSD is a comeback story in the making,” district Superintendent Sue Mariani said. “Like a phoenix, (we are) rising from the ashes.”
After improvements carried out over three years, in fall 2021, seventh-graders, who were being bused to neighboring districts, returned to school in Duquesne — the first time that’s happened in Pennsylvania. Eighth graders will return on Aug. 29 for the fall 2022 semester.
To date, 50 students and counting have enrolled in eighth grade, adding to the 430 and counting enrolled in kindergarten through seventh grades. All students will have the option of attending class in person or through the Duquesne Virtual Academy.
The expansion of services was approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education in early 2022.
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August 05, 2022 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements, Duquesne News, McKeesport and Region News
Bridge inspection work could cause delays on several area roadways.
A district spokesman for the state Department of Transportation said Friday that crews will be inspecting several local bridges, beginning Aug. 8. The work will continue through most of the month, weather-permitting, on the following roadways:
McKeesport-Duquesne Bridge — A traffic shift will occur on the bridge
Northbound Route 837 ramp at the McKeesport-Duquesne Bridge — Shoulder restrictions will occur on northbound Route 837 under the bridge
Union Railroad bridge on Route 837 in Clairton between Mulberry Avenue and Mendelssohn Street — Single-lane alternating traffic will occur
Railroad viaduct inspection on the Tri-Boro Expressway in Turtle Creek between Electric Avenue and Ramp B — Single-lane restrictions in the southbound right lane
Crews from HDR and the Sofis Rigging Company will conduct the work, the PennDOT spokesman said. Motorists should be prepared for changing traffic patterns. Please use caution when driving through the area.
