Trash Bin Fire Not Suspicious

August 06, 2021 |

By Staff Reports | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

A fire in a pile of construction debris on Thursday afternoon was likely started by a lit cigarette, McKeesport firefighters said.

Crews were dispatched to the 500 block of Fifth Avenue, Downtown, when callers reported that debris in a large metal dumpster was on fire.

The blaze was quickly extinguished. Firefighters and McKeesport police reviewed surveillance video and determined that a cigarette probably ignited construction material that had been discarded, said Gene Esken Jr., deputy fire chief.

 

Two Injured as Fire Sweeps Vacant House

August 06, 2021 |

By Staff Reports | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

Two city firefighters sustained burns battling what a McKeesport deputy fire chief called an “aggressive” and “very, very hot” blaze at a vacant home on Versailles Avenue.

McKeesport police and the Allegheny County fire marshal’s office are investigating the fire at 3004 Versailles Ave., which Gene Esken Jr., deputy fire chief, said is suspicious in nature.

“The home has been unoccupied for several years,” he said. “There is no gas service to the house and although the electric meter was attached, there was no one living in the house.”

 
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Drop in Available Workers Vexs Local Employers

August 04, 2021 |

By Siana Emery | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

About 80,000 workers have left the local labor force since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the area’s largest employers are finding it harder to fill vacancies.

According to a recent study by the Pennsylvania Economy League of Greater Pittsburgh, employment in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area in May 2021 was only 93.5 percent of what it was in May 2019. Of major American metro areas, only Cleveland, Boston and Detroit saw larger declines.

Experts blame a variety of factors, including health care workers who are burned out after 18 months of the pandemic and a lack of college students in the local job-training pipeline.

The problem in Pittsburgh is aggravated by two factors — a high percentage of older workers who were already near retirement age, and a stagnant and declining population base.

“There is evidence nationally that older workers have disproportionately dropped out of the labor force due to COVID,” said Chris Briem, a regional economist at the University Center for Social and Urban Research at the University of Pittsburgh. “The Pittsburgh region has a relatively older workforce, so if older workers were more impacted by COVID, it would make sense we are seeing concentrated impacts here.”

 
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‘Village for Kids’ Celebrates 12th Year

August 03, 2021 |

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

Participants in the 2019 “A Village for Kids” enjoy a game at Renziehausen Park. Along with the return of McKeesport International Village, the kids’ theme event is also returning on Aug. 9. (Submitted photo courtesy State Sen. Jim Brewster)

If you go...

   

“A Village for Kids”

Where: Renzie Park Band Shell

When: Monday, Aug. 9 from noon to 4 p.m., rain or shine

Tickets: Free

Also available: Free Covid-19 Vaccines for ages 12 & up, administered by Allegheny County Health Department. Pfizer and J&J vaccines will be offered. County health department will return on Aug. 30 at the same time for people to get their second dose, where applicable. Walk-ups welcome, or pre-register at https://vax4.alleghenycounty.us/patient/s/

More information: Alison Piccolino, (412) 380-2242

An outpouring of support from community groups and the partnership with International Village has made it possible for A Village For Kids to continue on Monday (Aug. 9) for the 12th year.

Both it and International Village were among McKeesport events canceled in 2020 because of COVID-19 restrictions.

“This event began as a celebration of International Village’s 50th anniversary and we’re still here,” said chair Alison Piccolino, who has been involved with the planning since the first year.

“We are partners with International Village and, after speaking with their committee and they were going with their amazing event, I got the go-ahead for Village for Kids,” she said.

 
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Village Returns to Renzie After COVID-19 Hiatus

August 03, 2021 |

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

Weather permitting, Tube City Online will broadcast live entertainment from International Village on Facebook and YouTube, and at our home page, www.tubecityonline.com. Coverage will begin each day at 5 p.m.

International Village, a three-day festival of traditional ethnic food, music and dancing, returns to McKeesport’s Renziehausen Park Aug. 10–12 after a one-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some ethnic groups have elected not to participate after being unable to practice for health and safety reasons. (Tube City Almanac file photo by Denise L. Ritter)


When it’s 3:01 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 10, longtime International Village emcee Mikey Dee knows where he’ll be — Renziehausen Park in McKeesport — and how he expects to feel.

“That’s when I’ll feel like we’re getting back to some kind of normal,” he said –- the minute after the ethnic celebration of traditional food, music and entertainment kicks off after a year’s hiatus because of COVID-19.

“I love the crowds. I love the familiar sights, sounds, and smells of the Village. I’m a big, traditional guy,” he said.

Dee said he’s been involved with International Village since 1990. In addition to his emcee duties, which he’s splitting with stage manager Patrick Fisher so he can perform with his own group Wednesday, Aug. 12 in the Jakomas Blue Top Pavilion, he’s the entertainment coordinator.

 
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Water Flushing, Testing Continues in 10th Ward

July 28, 2021 |

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

A “do not use” order has been lifted in 10th Ward, but some homes and businesses — in the area shown in red — remain under a “do not drink” order. (Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County map)


An order preventing residents of the 10th Ward from using their tap water for anything except flushing toilets has now been lifted, a water authority spokesman said.

However, about 20 homes and businesses along Romine Avenue, Rebecca Street and West Fifth Avenue have been told they should not drink or cook with the water, said Matthew Junker, spokesman for the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County.

A “do not use” order for residents of lower 10th Ward was issued July 17 after emergency personnel reported that firefighting chemicals may have been sucked into an open fire hydrant as crews battled a multiple-alarm blaze at McKeesport Auto Body on Rebecca Street.

 
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Teen Dead in Soles Street Shooting

July 24, 2021 |

By Submitted Report | Posted in: Crime and Police News, McKeesport and Region News

An 18-year-old died early Saturday morning following a shooting at a home on Soles Street.

Dontae McKenith was pronounced dead at the scene, the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office said. Allegheny County homicide detectives said Phillip Payne, 16, surrendered to McKeesport police at 8 a.m. and will be charged in connection with the death.

County police Lt. Venerando Costa said detectives believe that McKenith and Payne were passing a handgun back and forth when Payne pointed it at McKenith and pulled the trigger, striking him at least once. Payne fled the scene before police and paramedics arrived, Costa said.

The investigation is ongoing and police did not say whether there was a motive for the shooting or it was accidental. Payne in awaiting arraignment on charges of criminal homicide and firearms offenses, Costa said.

Payne turned himself at the McKeesport police station without incident, police said.

 

Water Advisory Lifted for Most 10th Ward Homes

July 23, 2021 |

By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

Residents in the affected area (see red area on map) have been advised to continue not to use the tap water for any purpose other than flushing toilets. Residents in the purple area have been told they can resume water use as normal. (Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County map)


A “do not drink” water advisory remains in effect for some residents of the city’s 10th Ward after traces of firefighting foam were found in water samples there. About 30 homes and businesses are affected.

However, the advisory has been lifted for most of the neighborhood, said Matt Junker, spokesman for the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County.

Meanwhile, an environmental group that has collaborated with McKeesport residents to test soil for lead contamination on Friday questioned why fire departments continue to use foams containing so-called PFAS — chemicals linked to low birth weight, nervous system and thyroid disorders and some types of cancers.

On Friday afternoon, Junker said further water line flushing and testing will be needed for a small section of 10th Ward near the scene of a large fire July 16.

 
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COVID Cases Up, Health Department Warns

July 21, 2021 |

By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

Areas of darker colors show a higher number of positive COVID-19 tests over the past 90 days. Over the past three months, McKeesport has had the fifth-highest number of COVID-19 cases in Allegheny County. (Data courtesy Allegheny County Health Department)


As COVID-19 cases begin to rise again in Allegheny County, the health department has warned residents that although we may be done with the pandemic, the pandemic is not done with us.

Seventy new cases of COVID-19 were reported Monday and 55 on Tuesday, said Dr. Debra Bogen, director of the Allegheny County Health Department.

Health department data also indicates that over the past 90 days, McKeesport has had the fifth-highest number of COVID-19 cases in Allegheny County. West Mifflin is No. 7.

“Although these numbers remain significantly lower than during the spring surge, it is a notable increase from the 10 to 15 daily cases in June and early July, and a stark reminder that this virus is not done with us,” Bogen said Wednesday.

 
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City Pressing Water Authority on Testing

July 19, 2021 |

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

City officials said they are pressing the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County to quickly resolve the issues that have kept Lower 10th Ward residents from using their drinking water.

“I have been in constant contact with MAWC since Friday, and I will continue to see this process through,” McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko said Monday. “We are doing everything within our power to expedite MAWC’s water-testing process to determine if any contamination took place during the Friday evening fire at McKeesport Auto Body.”

MAWC warned on Saturday morning that chemicals from firefighting foam “may have” entered the drinking water system in the area between the CSX Railroad tracks and the Monongahela River. Some homes on Romine Avenue, Rebecca Street, Arlington Street and West Sixth Avenue also are affected.

 
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