Woman’s Family Sues City After Renzie Death

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.

MASD Adds Technical Training in Education, Safety

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.

Last Local Drug Store Closes After 99 Years

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.

Sun, Fun, Food Return at International Village

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.

MASD, Bus Co. Aim for More Route Monitors

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.

Students to Collect Parking Donations During I.V.

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.

International Village Returns for 65th Season

August 07, 2025 |

By Staff Reports | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

The Rankin Junior Tamburitzans performed during the 2021 International Village. The ethnic troupe will return to the main stage at Renziehausen Park next week. (Vickie Babyak file photo for Tube City Almanac)

When Nick Vranesevic was a kid growing up in West Mifflin, McKeesport’s International Village was the place to “see and be seen” with his friends for three days — which included performing with the Junior Tamburitzans of Duquesne.

Now, Vranesevic, who lives in Alison Park, has kids of his own, but he’s still looking forward to International Village, where he and his friends — who together form the band Orkestar Pobeda — will be performing under the Jakomas Blue-Top Pavilion on Tuesday night, beginning at 5 p.m.

“We were all friends first, and then we were a band second,” said Vranesevic, who plays guitar and keyboards in the band, which features both old and new songs from Serbia, Croatia and other Eastern European countries. “For us, playing these songs is about reconnecting with my family, my ancestors, and just being with my friends more.”

One of Pittsburgh’s longest-running folk festivals, McKeesport’s International Village — a three-day celebration of ethnic food, music and dance from around the world — returns for its 65th year next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in the city’s Renziehausen Park.

Local HBCU Students Receive Scholarships

August 04, 2025 |

By Yousuf Lachhab Ibrahim | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

Miracle Kelley, Jurnee Murphy and Safiyah Allen-Crane are recipients of this year’s scholarships from McKeesport HBCU Vision. The non-profit supports local students who attend historically Black colleges and universities. (Yousuf Lachhab Ibrahim photo for Tube City Almanac)

Three local students with plans to attend historically Black colleges and universities got a little boost on Saturday with help of a McKeesport-based non-profit.

During a ceremony in Wilkins Twp., McKeesport HBCU Vision presented $700 scholarships to McKeesport Area High School graduates Safiyah Allen-Crane, Miracle Kelley and Jurnee Murphy.

McKeesport HBCU founder and chief executive officer Denise Sinkler, an alumni of Clark Atlanta University, awarded a $700 scholarship to Allen-Crane, who will be a sophomore at the same school in the fall.

Kelley is a senior at Coppin State University in Baltimore and Jurnee Murphy will be a freshman at Xavier University in New Orleans.

Grand Reopening Set for Heritage Center

July 31, 2025 |

By Stacy Alderman | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

New displays at the museum in Renziehausen Park place historic McKeesport items in their original settings, such as this area representing a typical 1930s home. (Submitted photo courtesy McKeesport Regional History & Heritage Center)

Tim Kunes has only been the executive director of the McKeesport Regional History & Heritage Center since March, but his first few months have been a whirlwind of activity.

A McKeesport native, Kunes retired from teaching in 2023 but soon grew restless. The urge to go back to work led him to the History & Heritage Center where his goal is to get the organization back in the forefront of the community’s mind.

Since taking his new role, Kunes has worked alongside board members and volunteers to prepare the museum in Renziehausen Park for its grand re-opening — including a new 3,500-square-foot exhibit space putting many of its treasures on public display for the first time.

“This reopening is a big step forward for us,” Kunes said. “So we want to put together presentations of all kinds.”

Demo Contract OK’d on 20 Blighted Structures

July 08, 2025 |

By Tom Leturgey | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

McKeesport City Council has approved a contract to demolish another 20 blighted structures.

At this month’s meeting, council awarded a $319,500 bid for demolition/construction to Betters Company Inc. City officials said the list original had 35 buildings, but had to be trimmed down.

The contract includes demolition of houses on Abraham and Atcheson streets, one on Atlantic Avenue, four on Bailie Avenue, and properties on Butler, Craig, Erie, Freeland, Garbett, Huey and Jenny Lind streets; as well as units on Madison Avenue and two on Manor Avenue.

Also included are two on Maple Street, one on Shaw and two on Spring Street, and others on Stewart and Versailles Avenue, as well as Washington and three on Willow Street.