November 03, 2021 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Announcements, McKeesport and Region News, Politics & Elections, White Oak News
Republicans swept four vacant seats on White Oak borough council in Tuesday's election.
According to complete but unofficial results from the Allegheny County elections office, Loree Scharritter led the field with 1,188 votes, followed by incumbent Julie A. Opferman and newcomers Joelle M. Harbert and Jason Russell.
Former White Oak councilman David J. Pasternak came in fifth place; followed by Kenneth Robb and George Dillinger, who lost their bids for re-election; and Kenneth A. Obusek.
Pasternak, Robb, Dillinger and Obusek are Democrats.
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October 31, 2021 |
By Sarah Turnbull | Posted in: Politics & Elections, White Oak News
White Oak residents on Tuesday will select members of council and decide whether to retain their mayor.
The Democratic ticket includes Lisa Pitchford for tax collector; with David J. Pasternak, George Dillinger, Ken Robb and Kenneth Obusek as members of council. The Republican ticket includes Julie Opferman, Jason Russell, Joelle Harbert and Loree Scharritter running for members of council.
There are four seats available on council. Dillinger, Opferman and Robb are incumbents.
Incumbent Mayor Ina Jean Marton faces a last-minute challenger, write-in candidate Kelly Doyle. (See related story.)
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October 31, 2021 |
By Jason A. Mignanelli | Posted in: Politics & Elections, White Oak News
A last-minute write-in candidate is challenging incumbent White Oak Mayor Ina Jean Marton in Tuesday’s election.
Kelly Doyle, who manages the McKeesport Agape Center on Lincoln Way, says she’s running for mayor because she feels strongly about serving the people of White Oak.
“I already spend up to six days per week serving the community through the Agape Center, so the mayor position would come naturally to me,” Doyle says.
Marton, who has served as White Oak mayor since 2004, won both the Democratic and Republican nominations in May’s primaries. She has not faced opposition since her first election.
“I have no problem with anyone running against me,” Marton says. “I just ask for a good, honest and fair campaign.”
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October 22, 2021 |
By Sarah Turnbull | Posted in: Announcements, White Oak News
The White Oak Parks and Recreation Committee announced that the Halloween Parade and Truck-and-Treat event will be held 12 noon until 3 p.m. Oct. 30 at Sampson’s Mills Presbyterian Church. The parade line up will begin at 11:30 a.m.
“The borough will also host a Halloween decorating contest. Interested residents should email their name, contact information and pictures to Michelle (Gessner) at the borough,” said Councilwoman Julie Opferman.
Trick-or-treat hours in White Oak are designated for 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31.
October 22, 2021 |
By Sarah Turnbull | Posted in: White Oak News
White Oak borough will apply for a $250,000 grant to be used for economic development projects, the council announced at Monday’s meeting.
Council voted unanimously to pass this resolution, with council members George Dillinger and Joe Nagy being absent.
Offered by the Gaining Economic Development Tourism Fund — a branch of the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County — this grant provides financial assistance for economic projects to communities in Allegheny County.
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October 18, 2021 |
By Sarah Turnbull | Posted in: White Oak News
Members of the Young Rotarians of District 7305 help unload donations at McKeesport Agape Center. The charity, located on Lincoln Way in White Oak, opened a cafe in September. (Young Rotarians of District 7305 via Facebook)
When Kelly Doyle opened McKeesport Agape Center in 2019, she knew she wanted to love and serve her community like God.
In September, Kelly and her husband Mike expanded their mission by opening a restaurant, Cheese and MAC Café.
“The more people knew about us, the more requests we got. Our needs and cost kept going up, so we needed a way to raise funds. Plus, it’s a good play on words,” Doyle said.
Located on Lincoln Way next to PNC Bank, Cheese and MAC Café serves breakfast sandwiches, pastries, bagels, fudge, cheesecake and more. All the proceeds go to the McKeesport Agape Center.
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October 12, 2021 |
By Sarah Turnbull | Posted in: White Oak News
White Oak borough will consider adding three additional vacant homes to the list of structures already targeted for demoltion.
Under Pennsylvania’s Act 152, every county in the state can collect a fee for blight removal whenever a deed or mortgage is recorded at the courthouse. Borough manager John Palyo suggested using the revenue from that fee to tear down abandoned structures.
“If we’re budgeting funds for demolitions, why not do more? We could proceed with more properties even without grant money,” Palyo said.
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October 08, 2021 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements, White Oak News
Mary, Mother of God Parish will host a Fantastic Fall Bingo Oct. 24 in the St. Angela Gym, 1640 Fawcett Avenue, White Oak, a spokeswoman said.
Doors open at 12 noon and the Early Bird game begins at 1 p.m. In addition to bingo, the event will feature a 50/50 raffle and basket auction. Food will be available for purchase.
Tickets are $30 and include 16 regular bingo games, four specials and a $1,000 jackpot. Individuals purchasing tickets prior to Oct. 24 will be entered into a special drawing.
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October 08, 2021 |
By Sarah Turnbull | Posted in: White Oak News
Dawn Lewandowski of North Huntingdon Twp. holds Artemis, one of the cats who were available for adoption at the White Oak Animal Safe Haven during the Sept. 25 Fido Food Truck Fest. (Sarah Turnbull photo for Tube City Almanac)
The White Oak Animal Safe Haven held its first Fido Food Truck Fest on Sept. 25.
Five food trucks — Lil Sista Sweets, Bull River Taco, Good to Go, Sweet Buzz Bean and Bistro and Truckin Triangles — gathered at the White Oak Volunteer Fire Dept.
According to shelter director Laura Massie, the festival was born out of a desire to switch things up, along with supporting the shelter.
“This is the first year we’ve done it…it’s brand new,” Massie said. “We usually do the Fido ball, but we had to switch things up because of COVID.”
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September 23, 2021 |
By Sarah Turnbull | Posted in: White Oak News
The borough building will be ready in time for Election Day, White Oak council announced Monday.
Borough engineer Kenneth Hillman told council that renovations are nearly complete.
“Flat roof work on the borough building will start tomorrow, Sep. 21. The insulation should arrive by mid-November. Signs are being constructed, the sidewalks and lighting are in…it’s just around the corner,” Hillman said.
In related news, plans for the borough’s 2022 street paving program are underway, and various properties are being surveyed, he said.
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