September 15, 2021 |
By Sarah Turnbull | Posted in: White Oak News
Renovations on White Oak’s municipal and maintenance buildings are nearly complete, the borough’s engineer told council on Monday.
“Work on the borough building is 85 percent done, and the maintenance building is 80 percent done,” Borough Engineer Ken Hillman said at this week’s workshop meeting. “We’re just waiting on the approval of the rubber roof for the borough building, and we still need to do some gutter and flat roof work on the borough building.”
Hillman also announced that electrical work at Heritage Hill Pool has been in progress since after Labor Day.
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September 07, 2021 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News, North Versailles Twp. News, White Oak News
Demolition crews made short work of this abandoned building in Downtown McKeesport in 2018. (Tube City Almanac file photo for illustration only)
More than $1.9 million in economic development funding has been awarded across Allegheny County to demolish blighted, abandoned and unsafe structures, a county spokeswoman said, including 10 in the city and two each in White Oak and North Versailles Twp.
The grants, averaging $62,000, were awarded both to municipal governments as well as councils of government, county officials said.
Emphasis was placed on neighborhoods where clusters of vacant properties were in close proximity.
The funds are provided under Act 152, a 2016 state law that allows each Pennsylvania county to collect a fee for “blight removal” each time a deed or mortgage is recorded at the courthouse.
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August 30, 2021 |
By Sarah Turnbull | Posted in: White Oak News
Members of White Oak Rotary Club and staff and volunteers of White Oak Animal Safe Haven dedicated the facility’s new cat patio — catio — on Thursday. (Sarah Turnbull photo for Tube City Almanac)
The White Oak Animal Safe Haven dedicated its new catio Thursday evening.
Members of the White Oak Rotary Club, as well as shelter staff and volunteers, gathered at the shelter to thank the rotary club for its efforts in building the catio.
According to shelter founder Ina Jean Marton, “It’s an honor to be here again. The cats have more room and they love it. I want to thank the rotary and the shelter for all their hard work.”
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August 19, 2021 |
By Sarah Turnbull | Posted in: White Oak News
A member of the planning commission told White Oak Council to improve its methods of communication after they were left unable to answer questions about a personnel change.
At Monday’s meeting, planning commission member Glenn Beach expressed disappointment in how the situation was handled.
“I’m disappointed in how the council handles communicating with the planning committee. No one knew anything about the removal of the code officer. The planning members looked foolish because no one could answer the public’s questions. It’s absolutely inexcusable that we had to hear about it from a third party,” Beach said.
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August 12, 2021 |
By Sarah Turnbull | Posted in: White Oak News
Members of Rainbow Volunteer Fire Co. relax after a parade in Pitcairn in 2018. (Rainbow Volunteer Fire Co. via Facebook)
After 19 years as a firefighter, Brandon Schmidt knows how volunteering can strengthen the bonds between neighbors.
“My dad has been here for over 40 years. The satisfaction you gain can’t be put into words or a dollar value,” said Schmidt, chief of White Oak’s Rainbow Volunteer Fire Co.
One of two volunteer fire departments in the borough, Rainbow recently wrapped up its recruitment week.
Schmidt leads a team of 42 active volunteers from ages 19 to 89, along with eight to 10 associates. The volunteers handle everything from fighting fires to raising funds.
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August 11, 2021 |
By Sarah Turnbull | Posted in: White Oak News
Train rides, live music and a dip into the Heritage Hill Pool were all part of the fun at this year’s White Oak Community Day.
Held Saturday at Heritage Hill Park, featured vendors included Paint Parties & More, the White Oak Rotary Club, the Rainbow Volunteer Fire Co. and the FIRST Robotics team from McKeesport Area High School.
For Debbie Washowich, co-owner of Paint Parties & More, participating in community day was a natural fit.
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July 28, 2021 |
By Sarah Turnbull | Posted in: White Oak News
White Oak Borough’s ongoing paving project has posed challenges for residents. Deborah Kidd of Ohio Avenue reported marks on her driveway.
“I’ve tried pressure washing, and I cannot get them off,” Kidd said. “It’s only four years old.”
Borough Manager John Palyo agreed that the paving company should take responsibility for removing the marks. Residents should contact the paving company to have damages repaired.
In related news, council voted unanimously to reimburse residents whose vehicles were towed due to roadwork. Residents whose cars were towed should contact council for reimbursement.
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July 13, 2021 |
By Sarah Turnbull | Posted in: White Oak News
Summer paving projects are continuing in White Oak borough, but not without some questions being raised.
At Monday’s workshop meeting, Councilman Ken Robb expressed concerns about how the ongoing road work is affecting residents.
“I’ve gotten a lot of complaints about the road work on Maple (Drive),” Robb said. “There’s been a lot of damage to people’s cars.”
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July 12, 2021 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Duquesne News, Liberty Borough News, McKeesport and Region News, North Versailles Twp. News, White Oak News
More than $270,000 in grants have been awarded to Mon-Yough area fire and EMS companies through a state program.
For agencies that could not conduct regular fundraisers during the COVID-19 pandemic, the money can be used to help make up for lost revenue, say local state representatives.
The annual Fire Company and Emergency Medical Service Grant Program, which is overseen by the Office of the State Fire Commissioner, provides funding for volunteer and career fire companies, emergency medical services and rescue squads.
Eligible organizations can use the funds for facilities and equipment, debt reduction, training and education and recruitment and retention.
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July 02, 2021 |
By Sarah Turnbull | Posted in: White Oak News
With the summer holidays just around the corner, White Oak Animal Safe Haven Director Laura Massie knew she had to go the extra mile to help local animals.
Thursday marked the shelter’s first microchip clinic, with nine animals being microchipped.
“We decided to do this because a lot of shelters are full this time of year. Especially with (July 4) coming up – fireworks tend to spook the animals and they run away. So I came up with the idea that people could bring their pets in to be microchipped at a discounted price,” Massie said.
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