September 10, 2021 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
The state Commission on Crime & Delinquency has added more than a half-million dollars to programs designed to curb gun violence and substance abuse in the Mon Valley.
Grants announced this week to the city of McKeesport and three local agencies will build on already successful programs, said state and local officials.
Officials said the city is currently in year three of the McKeesport Gun Violence Reduction Program, a five-year plan that includes community outreach, early intervention programs for youth and teen-agers, and additional resources for police and other law-enforcement agencies.
“The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency has been extremely supportive of the efforts taking place in McKeesport to curb the addiction to crime and violence,” McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko said.
“This additional funding announced (Wednesday) continues the city of McKeesport’s program through June 2022,” he said. “Our hope is that these initiatives that PCCD is funding will continue for years to come.”
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September 09, 2021 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Don Michel, grandson of McKeesport Boys Club founder Samuel LaRosa, and McKeesport city Administrator Tom Maglicco look over a scrapbook of photos and letters — including several from FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover — related to the organization’s founding. (Tube City Almanac photo)
About 60 McKeesport-area kids are already signed up as members of the new LaRosa Youth Club, and by the time the doors officially open at 2:30 p.m. Monday, organizers expect they will have 80 to 100 members.
It’s a promising start for the former LaRosa Boys & Girls Club on Ravine Street, which was closed in November by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania.
“I’m not going to lie — it’s an expensive venture,” said Jim Barry Jr., city councilman and former Boys & Girls Club executive, who is now on the board of the new LaRosa Youth Development Foundation. “But I think every kid’s worth it, and what kinds of affordable after-school programs you have shouldn’t be dictated based on which community you live, or the ZIP code you were born into.”
Barry joined a large, happy group of parents, local officials and LaRosa family members for a ribbon-cutting on Wednesday afternoon. The event, attended by more than 100 people, included a DJ, refreshments and games.
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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...
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“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
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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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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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