May 03, 2018 |
By Josh Rizzo | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News, Sports, White Oak News
(Photo: Penn State Greater Allegheny, via Twitter)
Brandon Short sees the world much more clearly now that he lives in London.
Having a broader world view has strengthened the 40-year-old McKeesport native’s belief in the concept of the American Dream.
That’s why it was important for Short to espouse the importance of higher education in front of a crowd of 110 people during a talk at the Crossing Bridges Summit Wednesday night at Penn State Greater Allegheny’s Wunderley Gymnasium.
Despite some of the country’s flaws, Short believes everyone has a chance for upward mobility. Short, who had a seven-year career in the NFL with the New York Giants and Carolina Panthers from 2000-06, is running for a spot on Penn State University’s Board of Trustees.
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May 01, 2018 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
(Photo special to Tube City Almanac)
Several lots that have been vacant since a disastrous Downtown fire more than 40 years ago could be the site of a new retail development.
The five lots at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Market Street, owned by the Redevelopment Authority of the City of McKeesport, have been purchased by area businessman Jon Stark, said A.J. Tedesco, the city's community development director.
Terms have not yet been made public, but Stark will ask the city's planning commission on May 16 to approve a proposal to consolidate the five lots into one.
Stark is a partner or owner of several nearby businesses, including Compulsive Paintball; a custom countertop company, Lexmar USA; and Legion Arms, all located on Market Street, less than a block away.
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May 01, 2018 |
By Charlotte Hopkins | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Above: John Fischetti and Diane Brown are two volunteers at the Blessing Board. (Photo courtesy The Blessing Board)
A demonstrated need drew an Oakmont-based charity into the McKeesport area.
Now, after several moves within the city, The Blessing Board is open two Saturdays per month at 820 Market St., in a former auto parts store shared with First Step Recovery Homes.
The Blessing Board was established to help people who are struggling to furnish their homes. People who want to use it need only two things --- an appointment and access to a truck, said Amy Hehn, who sits on the board of directors and is a member of the Day of Blessings Team.
“We know they are here because they have a need, they do not have to prove that,” she said. “Here people can furnish their home with love and that's Gods love.”
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April 23, 2018 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Above: State Rep. Austin Davis, left, makes a point as state Rep. Paul Costa and U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle listen during Friday's legislative breakfast, sponsored by the Mon Yough Area Chamber of Commerce. (Photo special to Tube City Almanac)
Although the Mon Valley is finally turning an economic corner, lack of good transportation to and from the region's "job centers" remains a obstacle.
That was the message delivered by elected officials and business leaders Friday during the annual legislative breakfast of the Mon Yough Area Chamber of Commerce.
Several panelists mentioned the need for the long-delayed extension of the Mon-Fayette Expressway through West Mifflin and Duquesne, to provide major highway access to brownfields in the McKeesport area.
But transportation progress can't begin and end with the expressway, state Rep. Austin Davis said. "If you've seen some of the growth that has taken place in the city of Pittsburgh, in places like East Liberty, it's because of access to public transportation," Davis said. "It's been transit-oriented development."
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April 21, 2018 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News, White Oak News
(All photos: Vickie Babyak, special to Tube City Almanac)
Teachers and staff at McKeesport Area School District are learning how to provide emergency help until first responders arrive at four "Stop the Bleed" sessions.
The third session was presented for employees at McKeesport Area High School on Thursday. Techniques were taught by representatives of UPMC Pre-Hospital Care and Trauma Care, as well as McKeesport Ambulance Rescue Service and White Oak EMS.
"It's part of our ongoing efforts to ensure the safety of our students," said Tom Bauman, associate principal at the high school.
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April 21, 2018 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Above: Matt McCracken of White Oak and James Williams Jr. of Duquesne help load discarded tires onto a truck for recycling Saturday in Renziehausen Park.
Volunteers, students and city employees collected hard-to-recycle items --- including TVs, computer monitors, tires and cell phones --- during an Earth Day event Saturday in Renziehausen Park.
"Respect Our City, Respect Our Earth" was open to all residents of McKeesport Area School District and was supported in part by the Angora Gardens Junior Gardeners, the McKeesport Lions Club and the school district.
"This was a great opportunity for residents to safely dispose of materials that would otherwise end up in alleys or over hillsides," McKeesport Mayor Mike Cherepko said. "We want to give people as many opportunities as we can to keep their neighborhoods looking good and their homes uncluttered."
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April 19, 2018 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Editor's Note: The author has a conflict of interest. See conflict of interest note, below.
(Photo courtesy Regional Industrial Development Corp.)
Two groups have announced an effort to preserve the McKeesport Connecting Railroad roundhouse at the former U.S. Steel National Works site.
In a press release, the recently formed Steel City Chapter of the Railway & Locomotive Historical Society, Inc., and the McKeesport Preservation Society said they will hold a fundraiser at Teutonia Mannechor on Pittsburgh's North Side at 5 p.m. June 16 to kick off their effort.
Tickets are $50 for members of the railway society and $75 for non-members.
The groups envision reusing the building, which once serviced steam and diesel locomotives for the railroad, as the "Western Pennsylvania Railroad and Transportation Museum."
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April 17, 2018 |
By Tyler Pack | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
(Photo courtesy Healthy Village Learning Institute)
History tells us much. But the past is just one part of the story. The present and future are equally important. Organizations that understand this and build upon it are able to most successfully serve their communities.
The Healthy Village Learning Institute in McKeesport is an example of an organization that takes a holistic approach to lifting up its members and the entire community.
Located in the former St. Pius V. Catholic School on Versailles Avenue, the building overlooks much of the community. It also shares the lower level with a fitness organization called Akwaaba Fitness. Akwaaba is the Ghanaian word for “welcome.”
The Healthy Village Learning Institute has just celebrated a milestone fifth anniversary. But the concept and the work to create it began long ago. The founder, Keith Murphy, has made it a nearly two-decade labor of love.
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April 13, 2018 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
A state agency has awarded $300,000 to construct two new homes in the city's Library and Cultural District, and make improvements to 10 existing owner-occupied homes.
The award was one of 137, totalling $26.6 million statewide, announced Thursday by the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund.
"PHARE" money comes from a variety of sources, including real estate transfer taxes and marcellus shale gas drilling fees, and supports housing and community development initiatives in low and moderate income communities.
In addition to the Carnegie Library of McKeesport, the Seventh Ward neighborhood is also home to several churches, Twin Rivers Elementary School, the McKeesport Little Theater and other assets.
“Providing affordable homes is essential in helping our families and communities thrive,” state Rep. Austin Davis said. “Not only will this grant truly help those in need, but it will also sustain the pride of our artistic corridor.”
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April 13, 2018 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
An employee of the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County is meeting today with property owners who were affected by a water main leak near Renziehausen Park.
Matt Junker, authority spokesman, said most of the damage seemed to be to external landscaping.
"We will have a contractor out there to clean up the yards and make landscape repairs as the weather permits," Junker said Friday.
MAWC crews were replacing a valve on a 16-inch water main on Palm Street Thursday morning when a nearby 12-inch line began to leak, the authority said.
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