$1.9M in County Aid for Blight Removal Projects

September 07, 2021 |

By Staff Reports | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News, North Versailles Twp. News, White Oak News

Demolition crews made short work of this abandoned building in Downtown McKeesport in 2018. (Tube City Almanac file photo for illustration only)


More than $1.9 million in economic development funding has been awarded across Allegheny County to demolish blighted, abandoned and unsafe structures, a county spokeswoman said, including 10 in the city and two each in White Oak and North Versailles Twp.

The grants, averaging $62,000, were awarded both to municipal governments as well as councils of government, county officials said.

Emphasis was placed on neighborhoods where clusters of vacant properties were in close proximity.

The funds are provided under Act 152, a 2016 state law that allows each Pennsylvania county to collect a fee for “blight removal” each time a deed or mortgage is recorded at the courthouse.

 
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City Council OK’s Demolition Contract

September 03, 2021 |

By Sarah Turnbull | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

The effort to clear blighted buildings from the city’s Downtown continues.

At Wednesday’s meeting, McKeesport City Council unanimously awarded a $264,000 contract to Advanced Builders, Inc., to demolish commercial buildings at 903, 907 and 911 Fifth Ave., and 1013 and 1017 Fifth Ave.; 328 Sixth Ave.; and 422 Shaw Ave.

City officials said the demolition is part of Phase I of the McKeesport Downtown Blight Remediation Program.

Work will include asbestos removal, demolition, disposal and excavation “to provide a cleared and mowable lot.”

 
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Penn State to Re-Dedicate Science Building

August 29, 2021 |

By Staff Reports | Posted in: Announcements, McKeesport and Region News

The renovated Ostermayer Laboratory building on Penn State’s McKeesport campus houses classrooms and laboratories for chemistry and biology. (Submitted photo courtesy Penn State University)


The president of Penn State University will join Greater Allegheny officials and faculty on Sept. 9 for the re-dedication of the newly renovated Ostermayer Laboratory building on the McKeesport campus.

The ceremony Sept. 9 will be presided over by University President Eric J. Barron and Jacqueline Edmondson, chancellor and chief executive officer of Penn State Greater Allegheny, a spokeswoman said.

Home to classrooms and chemistry and biology laboratories, the 22,000-square-foot Ostermayer Building was constructed in the early 1970s and opened in 1973.

The recently completed $14 million renovation brings state-of-the-art laboratory and safety equipment to the building, as well as more energy efficient systems, improved classrooms and teaching areas, a new entrance and lobby and spaces for students and faculty to collaborate on projects.

 
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Probe Reveals Trouble at PNC-Owned Apartments

August 28, 2021 |

By Staff Reports | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

Two local apartment complexes are now getting national attention after an investigation revealed that they're racking up dozens of health and safety violations — and their owner is one of the country’s largest banks.

An investigation by WESA-FM, Pittsburgh’s NPR station, and the non-profit PublicSource website reported that since PNC Bank purchased Hi-View Gardens and Midtown Plaza Apartments in 2018, tenants have been complaining about cutbacks in maintenance that they allege have led to broken heating systems, roach and mouse infestations, water leaks and mold.

The story was picked up this week by the nationally broadcast program, “Here & Now,” which airs on more than 450 public radio stations across the United States.

 
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MASD: Masks Optional, But ‘Strongly’ Encouraged

August 19, 2021 |

By Siana Emery | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

Face masks will be optional but “strongly recommended” for students, faculty and staff in McKeesport Area schools when classes resume Aug. 23.

The school board was split 6-3 on the decision, with Dave Donato, Diane Elias, Tom Fioltei, Ivan Hampton, Jim Poston and Joe Lopretto in favor, and Jim Brown, Steve Kondrosky and Mindy Lundberg opposed.

Masks will be required on school buses and if the Allegheny County Health Department or state officials re-institute a face mask requirement, the district will shift its policy, Superintendent Dr. Mark Holtzman Jr. said.

“It’s a family’s choice (and) the student’s choice to wear a mask if they so choose,” he said.

 
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Serra Band Show Has Romantic, Spanish Flavor

August 16, 2021 |

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

Serra Marching Band student leaders are, in front from left, drum major Abigail Bernick, tenor sax soloist Maigen McGinty, and flute soloist and heroine Paige Rock. In back are Joe Crossen, drum major, trumpet soloist, and matador; bass clarinet soloist Jordan Premozic; and color guard captain Madalyn Peairs.


Surprises and finishing touches still were being tweaked as Serra Catholic High School’s marching band students and adult personnel completed the first week of camp for “El Matador” on Aug. 13.

“This year’s show is about a matador who falls in love with a beautiful lady in the crowd,” band director Jesse Bush said. “There is of course a bullfight in the show, and hopefully a really awesome ending that I don’t want to spoil.”

Drum major Joe Crossen has a trumpet solo. In addition to his musical talents, he’s tasked with bringing the story of the matador to life.

 
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Tiger Band’s Fall Show a Ray of Sunshine

August 16, 2021 |

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

Some of the Tiger Band musicians prepare to step off during a short break from intermittent heavy rain during their annual camp. (Bonnijean Cooney Adams photo for Tube City Almanac)

If you go...

   

“SOLARbration!” parent and public preview night

Where: Weigle-Schaeffer Memorial Stadium
At McKeesport Area High School

When: 6 p.m. Aug. 26

More information: Twitter and Facebook

 
A giant sun prop stage in the middle of the field will be featured when McKeesport Area High School Marching Band kicks off its 2021 season with a return to competitions, festivals, and home and away football game performances.

“We wanted it to be exciting, festive, happy, a celebration of life,” band director Drew DeCarlo said of the “SOLARbration!” theme.

Band booster Mark St. Clair designed the sun prop, with painting by Anna Chapell.

A trailer for the show in May on the band’s YouTube site showcased how different cultures throughout history have celebrated the sun. “After last year (with COVID-related performance restrictions and other difficulties), we wanted something very different,” DeCarlo said. “There is a lot of percussion, even a rainforest-like sound.”

 
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Four Casturo Scholarship Winners Announced

August 13, 2021 |

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

The Casturo family has been awarding scholarships at International Village for three decades — and didn’t want to break the streak just because there was no event last year.

Usually, two scholarships are announced on the last night of the event, Tracy Casturo said.

This year, despite a severe thunderstorm on Thursday night that forced entertainment at Renziehausen Park to end early, four winners of Casturo Family Educational Achievement Awards were announced from the main stage.

Two scholarships were awarded for 2021 and two for 2020, Casturo said Friday. “We have been doing this for 29 years and didn’t want to skip it” for 2020, she said.

 
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Attendees Delighted at Village’s Return

August 13, 2021 |

By Vickie Babyak | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

The Rankin Junior Tamburitzans practiced for months for their day on stage. The group performed Wednesday night. (Vickie Babyak photo for Tube City Almanac)


Despite intermittent rainy weather and hot, humid days, many residents from McKeesport and surrounding areas came out to Renziehausen Park to enjoy different nationality foods along with entertainment.

Held Tuesday through Thursday, the three-day celebration of ethnic heritage was welcomed after last year’s cancellation due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Susan Skvarla of Irwin, who attended along with her husband, Skip, said their favorite foods are halushki, pierogies and stuffed cabbages. Skvarla said she hadn’t been to International Village for years because it fell on days when she was vacationing.

“A friend mentioned International Village was happening so Skip and I wanted to have the experience this year,” she said.

 
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Authority Lifts Water-Use Ban, Hints at Legal Action

August 13, 2021 |

By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

Despite three recently repaired holes in Rebecca Street and shiny new bolts on this fire hydrant near McKeesport Auto Body — site of a massive fire on July 16 — officials of the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County will not confirm or deny they have done any work in the area. (Tube City Almanac photo)


Almost a month after a massive fire destroyed a McKeesport car-repair shop, the water authority serving the city has lifted the final restrictions on drinking water in the area.

In giving five homeowners the “all clear” on Thursday to resume using their water, the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County also hinted that it will take legal action to recover what it called the “excessive” costs of dealing with the contamination of the water supply in parts of the lower 10th Ward.

But when pressed on who or what the authority wants to hold responsible, a spokesman refused to answer questions.

“I have told you all I have to say on this issue today,” Matt Junker, authority spokesman, told Tube City Almanac on Thursday afternoon.

 
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