September 15, 2025 |
By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
(Adam Reinherz photo for Tube City Almanac)
As Pennsylvanians await passage of a new state budget, McKeesport Area School District directors are remaining calm. The nearly three-month delay has prompted billions of dollars potentially headed toward public education to remain in limbo.
Pennsylvania public schools already missed out on $1.75 billion in expected payments in July and August, according to Pennsylvania State Education Association. Spotlight PA puts the number at more than $2 billion.
During Thursday’s school board meeting, during a public comment period, retired state Supreme Court Justice Cynthia Baldwin noted the state budget, as well as changes to the federal Department of Education, before asking directors what efforts, if any, are underway to stem fiscal shortfalls.
School Director David Donato pointed to state legislators as bearing responsibility.
Read More
September 10, 2025 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Members of Noise Makers Motorcycle Club, in a picture from Facebook. City officials are leery of granting the organization to turn a former bar on Ringgold Street into a clubhouse and meeting space. (Photo via Facebook)
A request from a motorcycle club for planning commission approval to open at the site of a former Downtown bar has been tabled by McKeesport City Council after Mayor Michael Cherepko and others asked for reassurance that the facilty wouldn’t become a nuisance.
Noise Makers Motorcycle Club is seeking a conditional use variance to turn the former Bubba’s Bar & Grill on Ringgold Street into a private club. According to Allegheny County Health Department records, the bar was closed in 2019.
Noise Makers Vice President Tiffany Wilson of McKeesport, who attended this month’s council meeting wearing a club jacket, said she and other members have done extensive work to repair the building and correct code violations.
“The whole building has been revamped,” she said. “It is not Bubba’s. I know the headaches and drug activity that went on there.”
Read More
September 05, 2025 |
By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
(Adam Reinherz photo for Tube City Almanac)
A proposal to upgrade the board room at McKeesport Area School District was met with reservations by school directors during Thursday’s agenda meeting.
After a proposal for audio and visual improvements to the board room, totaling $70,232, with work to be completed by Horizon Information Services, was placed on the agenda, several school directors questioned the costs.
“Some type of upgrades need to occur to this board room. I’m not sure to what extent,” school director Jason Pavlecic said. What should be addressed, he said, was the ability of school directors to participate in meetings remotely.
In the event that a school director is not present, that person has to call in and another school director holds a phone to a microphone in order for the absent school director to participate.
Read More
September 04, 2025 |
By Bonnijean Cooney Adams | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Antoine Smith returns as drum major for the second year. (Photos by Bonnijean Cooney Adams for Tube City Almanac)
McKeesport Tiger Band 2025 competition schedule:
Sept. 6 at Penn-Trafford
Sept. 13 at East Allegheny
Sept. 20 at Norwin
Sept. 27 at Yough
Oct.11 at McKeesport (Home Show)
Oct. 18: TOB Region 8 Championships at Penn-Trafford
Nov. 2: TOB Atlantic Coast Championships at Hersheypark Stadium
Note: Performance times are announced prior to each competition. McKeesport is scheduled to compete at 7:50 p.m. at Penn-Trafford on Saturday, Sept. 6.
Noah Crawford said he wanted his inaugural show as McKeesport Area Tiger Band’s director to be fairly straightforward for students and audiences to understand while providing lots of energy and a chance to showcase his students’ talents.
After months of planning, the result is “Sparked,” which the group will perform in its first Tournament of Bands competition of the season on Saturday, Sept. 6 at Penn-Trafford High School.
Music is by Randall Standridge and Mo Longo, with the drill by Armon Raygani. The band director said he taught Standridge music at other schools (and McKeesport Area shows have featured his compositions in the past) and with other ensembles with great success.
Read More
August 22, 2025 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
These photos are included in a lawsuit filed by the family of a Ligonier woman who died July 24 after an accident in Renziehausen Park. The family of Gendie N. Miller, 49, alleges the city was negligent in its maintenance of trees near the Sulfur Springs area. (Allegheny County Common Pleas Court exhibit)
The family of a Westmoreland County woman who died after a branch fell on her in Renziehausen Park has sued the city, claiming it was negligent in its maintenance of the trees.
The estate of Gendie N. Miller, 49, seeks lost wages, reimbursement for medical and funeral bills, and punitive damages for emotional distress on behalf of Miller’s husband, William, and daughter, Marlee, both of Ligonier. The suit was filed Thursday in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court.
Marlee Miller was competing in a softball camp for prospective college athletes on July 24 and her parents were spectators when the incident occurred, according to court filings.
Read More
August 18, 2025 |
By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
(Adam Reinherz photo for Tube City Almanac)
McKeesport Area School District is furthering an educational initiative in hopes of creating new possible career pathways for students — that could someday lead to jobs back on the campus on Eden Park Boulevard.
During the Aug. 14 regular school board meeting, school directors voted to approve the creation of programs geared toward aspiring educators and first responders. Each program will be offered within the district’s Technology Center.
Designed to provide MASD students in 10-12 grades “quality career and technical education programs,” the center offers young learners pathways toward "immediate occupation.”
Current programs include Collision and Repair; Building Construction; Child Care; Diversified Occupations; Engineering; Culinary Arts; Commercial Arts and Cosmetology.
Read More
August 17, 2025 |
By Leslie Savisky | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
The last drugstore in the McKeesport area has closed. Ayres Drugs on Walnut Street in Christy Park served customers for almost 100 years. (Leslie Savisky photo for Tube City Almanac)
Chuck Traeger graduated from Duquesne University as a pharmacist in 1955 and began working at Ayres Drug Store five years later. “I started on a Wednesday, and Mr. Ayres passed away that Friday,” Traeger said.
Traeger continued to work at the drug store on Walnut Street in Christy Park and, in the late 1960s, purchased it from Ayres’ son. Since then, the pharmacist has dedicated his life and career to serving the McKeesport community.
But all good things come to an end. So when Traeger’s pharmacy license needed to be renewed in August of 2025, the lifelong McKeesport resident, now 92 years old, made the tough decision not to renew his license and officially retire — citing age and the store’s profitability.
The closure leaves McKeesport, White Oak and the surrounding area with no drug stores, except for the pharmacy counters at two local Giant Eagles. All of the local Rite Aids recently closed as part of that chain’s bankruptcy.
Read More
August 13, 2025 |
By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Live coverage of International Village (weather permitting) is available at YouTube
Sally and Andy Moury of White Oak enjoy stuffed cabbage and pierogies at International Village. The three-day event at McKeesport’s Renziehausen Park continues from 3 to 9 p.m. through Thursday (Aug. 14). (Adam Reinherz photo for Tube City Almanac)
McKeesport’s 65th International Village opened Aug. 12 to the delight of local eaters. Despite the scorching sun, hundreds of event-goers happily made their way through Stephen Barry Field at Renziehausen Park in pursuit of meals paying homage to Croatia, Ghana, Hawaii, Italy, Lebanon, Poland and an array of other places.
After ordering, White Oak residents Sally Moury and Andy Moury sat at a nearby table and enjoyed stuffed cabbages and pierogies.
“They’re delicious,” Sally Moury, 71, said.
Neither the dish nor the event were new to Moury, as she and her husband are longtime patrons of International Village. Founded in 1960, the three-day festival features food, music and dancing in celebration of shared traditions and heritage.
Read More
August 08, 2025 |
By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
MASD Superintendent Donald MacFann, School Board President Mark Holtzman Sr., District Solicitor Gary Matta and School Board Member Diane Elias review documents at Thursday’s agenda meeting. (Adam Reinherz photo for Tube City Almanac)
With classes beginning at McKeesport Area School District Aug. 20, efforts are underway to ensure students arrive safely.
The intent, according to Assistant Superintendent Matthew Mols, is for bus monitors to accompany each route. Krise Transportation, a Punxsutawney-based company, provides transportation for the district.
Shatina Freeman, operations manager at Krise, said district routes require 17 “big buses,” with each holding 72 passengers.
Read More
August 08, 2025 |
By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
(Adam Reinherz photo)
Visitors to McKeesport’s 65th International Village may want to bring a few extra dollars next week.
Those parking at nearby McKeesport Area Senior High School between Aug. 12-15 will be asked for a “suggested donation” before using the lots.
In previous years, drivers simply pulled up, parked and headed to the event without interruption.
The change in practice marks an opportunity to support students, District Solicitor Gary Matta said. In lieu of giving space to the city “to use however they wanted,” booster clubs for various teams will operate the site.
Read More
