June 09, 2018 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
(Photos special to Tube City Almanac)
One of McKeesport's neglected landmarks is on track for a $23,000 makeover.
Council has approved the use of part of the city's $1.075 million allocation of federal Community Development Block Grant, or CDBG, funds to repair and restore the railroad crossing watchtower at the corner of Walnut and Sixth streets, Downtown.
The tower is the only one remaining of possibly 20 or more that once guarded the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad's tracks when they cut directly through the Downtown business district.
A.J. Tedesco, McKeesport community development director, said the tower was deemed worthy of historic preservation.
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June 06, 2018 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Three new commercial spaces --- including a new restaurant in the city's East End --- have been given the go-ahead by McKeesport City Council.
At Wednesday's meeting, council by 6-0 vote approved recommendations from the city planning commission to approve the new restaurant on East Fifth Avenue and a site plan for a new office building on Walnut Street in the Third Ward, as well as a request to consolidate several lots at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Market Street, Downtown.
The identity of the new fast food restaurant's operator is a mystery.
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June 06, 2018 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
The family of a McKeesport veteran whose name and U.S. Army service number are being used as decorations on a series of purses and handbags are considering legal action against the companies importing them.
Jennifer Sopko, granddaughter of Thomas Piotrowski Sr., 90, said her family has consulted an attorney specializing in intellectual property law and will decide what action to take.
Separately, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Army in Arlington, Va., said government lawyers are investigating whether the use of the Army's trademarked name and seal, along with a veteran's service number, violated federal law.
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May 31, 2018 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Above: A handbag with Tom Piotrowski Sr.'s name and Army discharge papers is being sold around the world by two companies. His family says the companies never got permission to use the image or his name.
The family of a McKeesport-area veteran was shocked to learn that two companies have reproduced his Army discharge papers --- and his name --- on purses and handbags made in India and sold around the world.
Thomas Piotrowski Sr., 90, currently resides in an assisted living facility in North Huntingdon Twp. His family hasn't yet told him what happened, but they want answers from Myra Bags, an Indian firm, and Chloe & Lex, based in Gig Harbor, Wash., which are selling the handbags decorated with Piotrowski's name and discharge papers.
The image was apparently taken, without permission, from an article written by Piotrowski's granddaughter, Jennifer Sopko.
"When did this start?" asked Piotroswki's son, Tom Jr. "How long have they been doing this? Did they manufacture 10,000 of these? 500? I don't know. And is he the only veteran they've done this to?"
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May 30, 2018 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Crews from Lutterman Excavating are tearing down a vacant building at the intersection of Sinclair and Ringgold streets in McKeesport after officials said that runoff and debris were falling onto the roof of city hall.
A.J. Tedesco, the city's community development director, said Wednesday the three-story office building is being torn down under an emergency demolition order.
A one-story portion of city hall abuts the building, which once housed doctors' offices.
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May 24, 2018 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
(Photo special to Tube City Almanac)
McKeesport public works crews are continuing to prepare a new parking lot for the former Daily News Building at the corner of Walnut Street and Lysle Boulevard.
Shown working at the site on Thursday are city public works drivers Rich Booth and Billy Baker, equipment operator Mark Husak and laborer Frank Rausch. Not shown is city foreman Jeff DiPerna.
The building was purchased by the city from the McKeesport Daily News' parent company, Trib Total Media, in November 2017. The newspaper published its last edition on Dec. 31, 2015.
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May 17, 2018 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News, Sports
Work is underway to renovate two community ball fields in the city to update the facilities and make them more accessible to people with disabilities.
The projects at Fawcett and Duncan fields, totaling $210,000, are designed to enhance recreation opportunities for younger residents and make the neighborhoods more attractive places to live, McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko said.
The fields are used on a daily basis during the baseball and softball season, he said, including by several leagues.
“Youth sports (are) a way to keep our children active and involved in a structured program that will teach them cooperation, team building and other responsibilities that will benefit them for the rest of their lives,” Cherepko said. “My administration always will support initiatives and developments that provide positive life-learning experiences for our children.”
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May 13, 2018 |
By Tyler Pack | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
In sailing, it's not as simple as just setting out a boat on a straight course.
Instead, Kathleen Miclot told an audience at Edgewood Country Club, navigating a sailboat is all about turning and steering to follow the wind and the current. And succeeding depends on the whole crew.
“It takes work and it takes help from other people," said Miclot, who spoke at the 32nd annual All Star Banquet Dinner and Award Ceremony for McKeesport-based Auberle. "With the correct help, you can get where you are trying to get.”
The ceremony, held May 7, recognized donors, foster parents and corporate sponsors.
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May 03, 2018 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
McKeesport is on track to demolish 300 vacant houses in 2018 in "every ward of the city," Mayor Michael Cherepko said Wednesday.
The effort, part of the mayor's previously announced "McKeesport Rising" initiative, is aimed at stablizing neighborhoods and transforming the entrances to the city.
Council by 6-0 vote awarded a $711,500 contract to Jadell Minniefield Construction Services, Inc., a demolition contractor based in Pittsburgh's Hazelwood neighborhood, to tear down 97 vacant houses.
The city will be holding condemnation and demolition proceedings on another 200 houses in the coming months, Cherepko said, and hopes to award another bid in July.
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May 03, 2018 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
A much-needed reconstruction of Bowman Avenue in the city's Highland Grove neighborhood is expected to begin in a few weeks.
At Wednesday's meeting, McKeesport City Council by 6-0 vote awarded a $181,260 contract to Morgan Excavating of Belle Vernon to dig out the existing bricks, install a new roadbase, and resurface the road from the North Versailles Twp. line to near Cliff Street. Councilman Jim Barry Jr. was absent.
The repairs will require a complete shutdown of the road to through traffic, said Steve Kondrosky, city public works director, and a detour will be posted.
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