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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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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