Family, Officials Re-Dedicate Marina Lighthouse

September 26, 2022 |

By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

Family of the late McKeesport Mayor Joe Bendel gathered Sunday morning with Mayor Michael Cherepko, state Sen. Jim Brewster and others to re-dedicate the Bendel Lighthouse at McKees Point Marina. (Tube City Almanac photo)


Family and friends of the late Joe Bendel gathered Sunday morning to re-dedicate a lighthouse at McKees Point Marina to the former mayor’s memory.

First erected in 2008 following a fundraising drive, the Bendel Lighthouse was heavily damaged in a storm two years ago. McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko said repairs to the lighthouse — which is a scaled-down version of a full-size coastal lighthouse — were completed by Vegely Welding in the city’s Third Ward and paid for by insurance.

Bendel, who served on city council and then as mayor from 1995 to 2000, died in 2003. Cherepko and others credited Bendel with working to slow a long period of decline in the city that began in the 1980s with the loss of U.S. Steel, G.C. Murphy Co. and other large employers.

The lighthouse symbolizes the “vision that Joe Bendel had of the marina and bike trail,” Cherepko said. “He saw all of this happening long before we ever imagined it.”

 
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Bus Co. Head Asks for Patience from MASD Parents

September 23, 2022 |

By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

Krise Transportation says it has been aggressively recruiting drivers to fill its new contract with McKeesport Area School District, using TV and Internet ads like this one. (YouTube)


Tim Krise understands that McKeesport area parents are frustrated, but the president of Krise Transportation is asking for patience.

Since entering into agreement with McKeesport Area School District this summer, Krise Transportation has sought to remedy a difficult situation.

Krise noted that families and students experienced days last year “where routes were not covered, were delayed or were canceled within an hour or two of when students were supposed to be picked up.”

Krise Transportation’s objective, he said, “is communication — whether it's good or bad — with the school district and the parents.”

 
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MAHS Junior Recognized for College Board Honor

September 22, 2022 |

By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

Chemay Smith, a junior at McKeesport Area High School, was recognized during Wednesday's school board meeting for receiving an academic honor from the College Board through its National African American Recognition program. She is shown here with her mother, Priscilla Carter-Smith. (Adam Reinherz photo for Tube City Almanac)


A McKeesport Area High School 11th-grader has received a national academic honor from the College Board.

At Wednesday’s meeting, district Superintendent Tia Wanzo congratulated Chemay Smith for receiving an award from the National African American Recognition program for her high test scores.

“These national recognition programs grant underrepresented students with academic honors that can be included on college, school and scholarship applications, and connect students with universities across the country, helping them stand out during the admissions process,” Wanzo said.

 
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MASD Drops Live Streams of Meetings

September 22, 2022 |

By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

Future sessions of the McKeesport Area School Board will not be streamed on the Internet, a decision which dismayed some residents at Wednesday’s meeting.

In addition, board President Mindy Lundberg said, the school board has decided to cut back to just one meeting per month.

“I just want that to be transparent,” Lundberg said. “If you have concerns I welcome people to come and speak at the next meeting.”

Lundberg noted the decisions, which represent the majority wishes of the board, follow her own reflections on past meetings and the fracases that have ensued between sitting members and the public.

 
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Lively Tunes, Dance Shine in MLT’s ‘Newsies’

September 15, 2022 |

By Bonnijean Cooney Adams | Posted in: Entertainment, McKeesport and Region News

From left, Anderson Miller as Les, Ayden Freed as Davey, Dylan Pal as Jack Kelly, and Camryn Hall as Katherine Plumber, rehearse a musical number from “Newsies.” (Photo by Bonnijean Cooney Adams for Tube City Almanac)

If you go...

   

Disney’s “Newsies: The Broadway Musical”

Where: McKeesport Little Theater
1614 Coursin St.
www.mckeesportlittletheater.com

When: 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays Sept. 16, Sept. 17, Sept. 23, Sept. 24, and matinees at 2 p.m. on Sundays Sept. 18 and Sept. 25
 
Tickets: $20 for adults and $12 for students, available through the website or by leaving reservation information at the theater

When Disney’s “Newsies: the Broadway Musical” opens at McKeesport Little Theater on Friday, Sept. 16, audiences will get to see the results of transforming a huge production to a community stage for an up-close-and-personal experience.

The Broadway version evolved from the 1992 film of the same name featuring a young Christian Bale as newsboy leader Jack Kelly. It is based on real events and people involved in the famous 1899 newsboys strike in New York.

The newsies peddled papers produced by media moguls Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst. The strike occurred when the publishers tried to change the way the young workers were compensated.

The show features lots of catchy tunes, likeable characters, and lively dance numbers. It’s been portrayed on the big movie screen, Broadway stages and national tours.

 
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Fire Station, LaRosa Club Improvements OK’d

September 11, 2022 |

By Tom Leturgey | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

McKeesport City Council approved a resolution to enter into a grant agreement for improvements to Fire Station No. 2 in Renziehausen Park.

At this month’s meeting, council by 6-0 vote approved an application for the Keystone Communities Program Grant through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. The application for the $25,000 grant is being facilitated through state Senator Jim Brewster’s office, city officials said. Councilman James Barry Jr. was absent.

Community Development Director A.J. Tedesco and City Administrator Thomas Maglicco are working on the grant proposal. Garvin Consulting is donating some engineering services toward the project.

 
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Tense Exchange at Council Between Mayor, Rival

September 11, 2022 |

By Tom Leturgey | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko and resident Corry Sanders exchanged tense words Wednesday night at the city council meeting when a discussion over speeding turned tense.

The debate could be a preview of things to come, since Sanders — who was elected to city council in 2015 but was unable to take his seat — has discussed the possibility of running against Cherepko in a future election.

During the public comment portion of the meeting, Sanders asked the mayor about road patching and resurfacing on Jenny Lind Street. Cherepko said the public works crews do the best they can with strategization and available resources.

 
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MAHS Tiger Band ‘Glitters’ in 2022 Show

August 31, 2022 |

By Bonnijean Cooney Adams | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

McKeesport Area High School Tiger Marching Band 2022 leaders and seniors are, clockwise from right, Luciano Lanz, Zachary Manfredo, Nicole Upperman, Makayla Elash, Shyaire Flohr, Connor McGrew, Cooper Kuchma, Tina Wos, Brianna Schmidt and Savanna Auckerman. (Bonnijean Cooney Adams photo for Tube City Almanac)


From the theme of this year’s McKeesport Area Tiger Band Show, the audience may expect to see a lot of glitz and sparkle.

But “All That Glitters,” according to those who collaborated on its production, refers to way more than  outward appearances.

“I have always liked the ‘positive,’ uplifting concept/style shows,” band director Drew DeCarlo said during summer camp when describing what can be found in the finished product.

“This season's show portrays that we all shine in our own unique ways,” he added. “Throughout the season we will be talking about how each student in the ensemble has that unique talent that needs to be uncovered.”

 
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Serra Band’s Fall Show Sets Sail

August 30, 2022 |

By Bonnijean Cooney Adams | Posted in: Entertainment, McKeesport and Region News

Director Jesse Bush (with back to camera) provides input as band members get familiar with the music and drill for “X Marks the Spot” during the first week of camp. (Photo by Bonnijean Cooney Adams for Tube City Almanac)


Serra Catholic Marching Band will transport its audiences on a search across the Seven Seas in pursuit of buried treasure through the pirate-themed “X Marks the Spot.”

Director Jesse Bush said while exploring options for the band’s competition season, he was drawn to music written and arranged by Randall D. Standridge, whose work has been featured in previous years.

He said he and the students liked the music, so created a theme through “Setting Sail,” “The Mysteries of the Sea” and “Battle for the Gold.”

With a preview show under their belt, the band is looking forward to the Sept. 10 start of their Tournament of Bands competition season as the performance evolves, is tweaked, and finishing touches added.

 
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Man Charged in Connection With Fire

August 26, 2022 |

By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Crime and Police News, McKeesport and Region News

A city man has been charged in connection with a Thursday morning fire that destroyed a vacant home on Ridge Street.

Darryl E. Chapman, 37, no address available, is charged by McKeesport police with arson, recklessly endangering other persons, causing a catastrophe and criminal mischief, according to documents filed in Allegheny County Night Court.

Chapman was awaiting a preliminary hearing on Friday evening, court officials said.

The fire is being investigated by the Allegheny County fire marshal’s office.

 
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