February 05, 2025 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
A retired McKeesport police sergeant quizzed city officials Wednesday night on why a police officer charged in connection with a $1.3 million fraud was allowed to retire with his pension.
“I am retired from the police department after 21 years,” Dan Rich of Christy Park said at this month’s council meeting. “When I worked here on this department, you carried yourself to a standard that if you came into work, if your (work) wasn’t in order you got disciplined.”
Former McKeesport police Detective Joe Osinski retired days before he was charged with diverting more than a million dollars from Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 91 to support his own business.
Another retired McKeesport police officer is reportedly being questioned by the Allegheny County district attorney’s office in connection with money allegedly missing from the police evidence room.
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January 31, 2025 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News, Politics & Elections
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was retracted and rewritten after publication. We learned after posting it that Joe Pero had also announced his candidacy on Facebook. We apologize to Pero for the omission.
Those are the only two candidates for this office of which we are presently aware.
CANDIDATES: Please do not depend on Facebook messages or posts.
Please send candidate announcements to us at tubecitytiger@gmail.com, or Tube City Almanac, 409 Walnut St., Suite 200, McKeesport, PA 15132; we will publish candidate announcements as they are received at our office. —JT
McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko speaks at a Veteran’s Day ceremony. He has announced plans to run for magisterial district judge. (City of McKeesport photo by Jennifer R. Vertullo)
Retired McKeesport police Chief Joe Pero also is seeking the office. Pero is a Marine Corps veteran and graduate of the FBI Academy. (Submitted photo via Facebook)
Two candidates widely known to city residents have announced their plans to run for magisterial district judge.
Saying that he looks forward to stepping out of the limelight — but continuing community service — McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko announced his plans on Thursday.
Earlier in the week, former McKeesport police Chief Joe Pero also announced his candidacy, via Facebook. Pero retired from the police department in 2010 after a 30-year career.
Magisterial District Judge Eugene Riazzi, who has served in that role since 2007, confirmed Friday that he is not seeking re-election. Riazzi, who previously served as a McKeesport police officer, chief of detectives, and as an Allegheny County sheriff’s deputy, is eligible for retirement under state law.
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January 28, 2025 |
By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Swin Cash speaks with Lady Tigers players and coaches following Monday's game. (Adam Reinherz photo for Tube City Almanac)
Swin Cash and McKeesport basketball have been synonymous for decades. Now it’s official. During Monday’s home game against the West Mifflin Area Titans, McKeesport Area School District dedicated its court in honor of the former player.
The halftime ceremony marked a “full circle” moment for Cash and the community, School Board President Mark Holtzman Sr. said: “She has been recognized as an Olympic champion, as a WNBA champion, and now she's being recognized as a champion in her own community, in her own home.”
Long before accruing nearly every basketball accolade imaginable, Cash was a self-described “scrawny girl” growing up in Harrison Village.
During high school, Cash’s size and talent exploded. She grew several inches and by senior year, Cash not only averaged 30.4 points and 16.9 rebounds per game but helped her team win the WPIAL title. After being named Gatorade Pennsylvania Player of the year, the 6’1 phenom went on to win two national championships at the University of Connecticut, three WNBA titles and two Olympic Gold medals for Team USA.
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January 24, 2025 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro delivers remarks during Friday’s funeral for State Rep. Matt Gergely at First Free Evangelical Church in McKeesport. (Official photo courtesy Office of the Governor of Pennsylvania)
An honor guard of Allegheny County constables bearing the U.S. and Pennsylvania flags led the final procession into church for one of the city’s favorite sons.
On Friday, more than 400 people attended the funeral of State Rep. Matt Gergely of McKeesport, who died Sunday aged 45.
In addition to Gergely’s friends and family, mourners at First Free Evangelical Church near Renziehausen Park included Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, State Sens. Jay Costa and Nick Pisciottano, McKeesport City Council, Clairton Mayor Richard Lattanzi, and many members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly.
We are “broken-hearted for a life that was cut way too short,” Shapiro said. “Matt was a man who lived his life with purpose, and kindness, and decency for others.
McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko — a lifelong friend of Gergely’s — and retired state Sen. Jim Brewster escorted his casket to the altar.
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January 22, 2025 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Jose Castro of McKeesport helps clear a sidewalk near Bethlehem Baptist Church on Tuesday afternoon. (Tube City Almanac photo)
The temperature was just about 7 degrees above zero as Jose Castro shoveled snow along Ninth Avenue near Bethlehem Baptist Church on Tuesday afternoon. Taking a quick break to talk to a passerby, Castro was philosophical about the cold: “It’s winter. You just have to deal with it.”
Up on Romine Avenue, where crews from Betters Company are demolishing the long-vacant Becker House at 511, truck driver Ron Hoffer of Fayette County was waiting for another load of debris. The temperature when he left home Tuesday morning was 6 below zero, he said.
How does he cope with working outside in sub-zero conditions? “Hot coffee,” Hoffer said. “And lots of layers.”
Tuesday’s temperatures were not near the all-time record low of 18 below zero, set in 1985, but they were roughly 20 degrees less than normal for this time of year, according to the National Weather Service in Moon Twp., leading schools to move to online classes and most court and county offices to close.
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January 20, 2025 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
State Rep. Matt Gergely speaks to visitors during a 2023 grand opening celebration of his district office in the former McKeesport Daily News Building. (Courtesy photo)
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro on Monday ordered the flags over state-owned buildings lowered to half-staff in honor of state Rep. Matt Gergely, who died Sunday at an area hospital following an undisclosed illness.
Gergely, 45, of McKeesport’s Haler Heights section fell ill unexpectedly in late December. He had represented the 35th Legislative District since 2023.
“Lori and I are heartbroken for Rep. Matt Gergely’s wife Holly, their two young sons, his colleagues on both sides of the aisle and the community he loved and proudly served in his hometown of McKeesport,” Shapiro said in a prepared release. “Matt’s was a life cut way too short. Now, in this moment of mourning, let us come together to honor his legacy, carry on the work that mattered most to him, and look out for his family ...
“May the memory of Matt Gergely forever be a blessing,” Shapiro said.
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January 19, 2025 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
This is a developing story and will be updated.
(Courtesy photo)
State Rep. Matthew R. Gergely died Sunday at a Monroeville hospital, several weeks after suffering what had been described as a medical emergency. He was 45.
A former McKeesport city administrator and chief revenue officer, Gergely only two months ago was celebrating his election to his first full term as state legislator for the 35th District.
In addition to extended family, Gergely leaves a wife, Holly, and two children, Mason and Jarrett.
His death was announced by his former state house colleague, now state senator, Nick Pisciottano.
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January 17, 2025 |
By Yousuf Lachhab Ibrahim | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Donald MacFann addresses the audience Thursday after being hired as McKeesport Area School District’s new superintendent. Board President Mark Holtzman looks on. (McKeesport Area School District via YouTube)
The McKeesport Area School District hired Donald MacFann as its new superintendent on Thursday by unanimous decision. He was approved for a five-year contract at the salary yet to be determined.
MacFann replaces acting superintendent William Pettigrew, who was himself the replacement of Superintendent Tia Wanzo. Wanzo resigned amid significant controversy in August.
“He’s a Mon Valley guy,” said district solicitor Gary Matta on the new hire. “That’s what we need. We need one of our own to help lead the charge here.”
MacFann, an alumnus of California University of Pennsylvania, is expected to start within the next 60 days, but he hopes to start in 20 days.
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January 10, 2025 |
By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
McKeesport Area School District has potentially found a new superintendent. School directors will announce the candidate during next Thursday's regular meeting.
Though the announcement was slated to be made during the Jan. 9 open agenda meeting, a requisite letter to school directors regarding the upcoming vote was delayed, according to solicitor Gary Matta.
“The school code says you have to give notice to the board,” Matta said. “The registered letter didn’t go out on time because of the school being closed on Monday, so we just wanted to make sure we followed the regulations.”
Next week’s agenda will include an item to hire the new superintendent. Should that individual be hired, they will replace acting superintendent William Pettigrew, who replaced former superintendent Tia Wanzo. Pettigrew, who was absent from the Jan. 9 meeting, has assisted Albert Educational Consulting with conducting the superintendent search.
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January 07, 2025 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Keenon Mikell, chief operating officer, and Keith Giles, chief executive officer, relax in the new community room at First Step Recovery Homes’ Olive Street facility. (Tube City Almanac photo)
A new housing facility in a former Downtown elementary school will provide safe, temporary homes to up to 40 men who are in the process of re-entering the workforce after drug or alcohol treatment.
Last month, First Step Recovery Homes held an open house inside its new facility at 416 Olive St. The building, constructed in the 1950s as St. Mary German Catholic School, was most recently used by FamilyLinks.
Keith Giles, chief executive officer of First Step, said the facility — which had been set up for the needs of children and young adults — needed extensive remodeling before it could begin accepting its first residents. Nine people were staying at Olive Street in December.
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