March 30, 2020 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Duquesne News, McKeesport and Region News, White Oak News
CORRECTION: McKeesport city officials said the public is being asked not to attend Wednesday’s council meeting for social distancing reasons. We apologize for the error.
This story was edited after publication.
Port Vue (above), North Huntingdon Twp. and White Oak are among local municipalities that have closed playgrounds as well as basketball and tennis courts to discourage groups from congregating. (Tube City Almanac photo)
Although playgrounds are closed and police have been needed for traffic control outside of crowded banks and supermarkets, life during the coronavirus pandemic is continuing in Mon-Yough communities.
But shutdowns, closures and restrictions are expected to remain a fact of life continue well into the spring, and possibly the summer.
Some communities are canceling municipal meetings, while others are moving them online and inviting the public to participate.
On Monday, Allegheny County officials announced that the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 is doubling every three days. There are now 290 cases and 38 people currently hospitalized, county officials said.
There were 158 confirmed cases on Friday.
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March 19, 2020 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Announcements, Crime and Police News, Duquesne News, McKeesport and Region News, North Versailles Twp. News, White Oak News
Local police departments are modifying their procedures in response to concerns over the spread of novel coronavirus.
Officers will respond immediately to emergency calls to 9-1-1, police said, but tours and routine visits are cancelled indefinitely.
Police in Duquesne, McKeesport, North Versailles Twp. and White Oak are asking residents not to come to their stations in person for routine requests.
Information requests, general complaints and reports about suspicious behaviors should be telephoned to non-emergency numbers, and will be handled by phone. If an officer needs additional information in person, they will make arrangements to meet the other party, police said.
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March 03, 2020 |
By Christy Walters | Posted in: White Oak News
White Oak Council has awarded a contract for improvements to Lincoln Way to Costa Contracting of Cheswick.
At February’s meeting, council approved Costa’s $48,325 bid, contingent upon approval from the Allegheny County Department of Economic Development. Funding is being provided by a county Community Infrastructure and Tourism Fund grant.
In other business, council approved a resolution authorizing the borough to file for a $150,000 grant from the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County’s Gaming Economic Development Fund program.
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February 25, 2020 |
By Christy Walters | Posted in: Announcements, White Oak News
White Oak police officers and officers from surrounding departments will be participating in Tips for Cops night at Twin Oaks Restaurant, Rainbow Village Shopping Center, on March 9, a spokesperson said.
Officers will be waiting tables from 5:30 to 9 p.m. and serving a limited menu. One-hundred percent of tips and 10 percent of every check will go toward Sampson’s Mills Church food pantry. There will also be a Chinese auction, 50/50 raffles and a bake sale.
The second annual Cops and Kids basketball program will meet Wednesdays in March from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the gym at Francis McClure Elementary School, 500 Longvue Drive. Pre-registration is not required and the program is open to all kids in fourth through 12th grade.
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February 18, 2020 |
By Christy Walters | Posted in: White Oak News
Members of various animal rescue groups from throughout the region told White Oak officials on Monday that the borough needs to revisit its ordinances governing the care and feeding of feral cats.
The discussion at Monday’s council meeting was triggered after Pittsburgh’s WPXI-TV (11) reported that a Horizon Drive resident was cited because the stray cats she has been feeding have allegedly been defecating on a neighbor’s lawn.
“We would like to have an open discussion (with council) about revising the ordinance so that it is animal-friendly, so that we don’t have a situation where someone gets a citation in the mail,” said Donna Priselac of East McKeesport, a volunteer with the Homeless Cat Management Team in Tarentum. “It’s a fear tactic.”
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February 18, 2020 |
By Christy Walters | Posted in: White Oak News
White Oak council awarded a contract to pave several streets that officials said are in poor condition — and getting worse — but there was disagreement on the best way to pay for the work.
At Monday’s meeting, council approved a $760,460 bid from Tresco Paving Corp. of Pittsburgh to pave Cool Springs Road, Messinger Lane, Cypress Drive, White Oak Drive and Rankin Road.
Councilman George Pambacas voiced concerns about using plans to use money from the borough’s surplus to fund the project.
“I’m thinking with my heart and I do want these streets paved,” Pambacas said. “But I think it would be in our best interest to seriously look at the bond offers that have been made or additional bonds that make economic sense.”
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January 30, 2020 |
By Cami DiBattista | Posted in: White Oak News
Dave Manns, pictured with daughter Nikole and son Brandon, became the owner of Manns Drug Store in 1980. (Cami DiBattista photo for Tube City Almanac)
After 94 years of business in White Oak, Manns Drug Store closed its doors last week, much to the dismay of the Manns family and their loyal, long-time customers.
“I would truly like to thank everyone for their patronage,” said owner Dave Manns. “We truly feel like all our customers and employees are part of our family --- they are so important to us. We are blessed to have been a part of the White Oak community for so many years.”
Manns Home Medical Products will remain open and Manns said he looks forward to focusing on the home health care and mobility products portion of the business.
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January 21, 2020 |
By Christy Walters | Posted in: White Oak News
New members of White Oak Borough Council participated in their first monthly business meeting Monday night.
Council members Julie Opferman and George Pambacas, who were elected in November and sworn in at the council reorganization meeting on Jan. 6, joined the table, and Councilman Chuck Davis headed his first regular meeting as council president.
Another new face at the table was attorney Patricia L. McGrail. Council voted to name McGrail and her law firm as the borough's solicitor for 2020.
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January 06, 2020 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News, White Oak News
White Oak police and the Allegheny County Health Department are warning residents to avoid and report any animals that appear to be unusually aggressive or lethargic.
The warnings were issued after the health department reported that a sick raccoon captured on Route 48 near White Oak Park tested positive for rabies.
Residents are reminded to watch for unusual behavior in animals, make sure their pets are up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations, and notify their local animal control service, the police or the Pennsylvania Game Commission immediately if any animal appears to be acting strange or becomes threatening, said Ryan Scarpino, a spokesman for the health department.
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December 20, 2019 |
By Emily Pidgeon | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News, White Oak News
Herb Spang and an employee prepare to bale a customer’s tree at the family’s lot on Hartman Street in McKeesport. The Spangs have been selling Christmas trees at the location for nearly 60 years. (Emily Pidgeon photo special to Tube City Almanac)
Selling Christmas trees during the holidays may seem like a fun and easy way to make a buck, but after talking to some local tree lot owners, you may think differently.
“We have to fight snakes, spiders, the sun, the weather — everything, you know,” said Don Spang, 88, of White Oak, owner of Spang’s Trees on Hartman Street in McKeesport.
Spang and his brother Herb, 79, along with other family members and employees, are celebrating 59 years of selling Christmas trees in the very same location.
Spang said he’s sold as many as 5,000 trees in one season. These days, the lot sells closer to 500 trees.
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