July 03, 2025 |
By Leslie Savisky | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
A two-alarm fire caused heavy damage June 15 to Cal’s Cantina on Eden Park Boulevard. (Leslie Savisky photo for Tube City Almanac)
Two weeks after a devastating fire at a popular city restaurant, there is no word yet on whether it will reopen.
Cal’s Cantina on Eden Park Boulevard was damaged by a two-alarm fire in the early morning hours of June 15.
According to McKeesport fire Chief Jeff Tomovcsik, the blaze was called in at 3:21 a.m. and extinguished 44 minutes later, at 4:05 a.m. Fortunately, the building was not occupied at the time and no injuries were reported.
The fire is under investigation by the Allegheny County fire marshal’s office, said Kasey Reigner, public information officer for Allegheny County Department of Emergency Services.
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July 01, 2025 |
By Danielle M. Smith - Public News Service | Posted in: State & Region
The Trump Administration’s budget — which the president and Republicans have called the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” — hit a roadblock after the Senate parliamentarian has ruled that a key Medicaid provider tax change violates chamber rules.
The House version would slash federal Medicaid spending by at least $700 billion to help fund tax cuts and other Trump-era priorities.
Molly McCullough, a telemetry float registered nurse in southwestern Pennsylvania, warned the cuts could put seniors at risk and threaten rural hospitals. She said many older adults in this part of the state depend on Medicaid, adding that she hopes the Senate’s action helps protect their care.
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July 01, 2025 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
National Alliance on Mental Illness McKeesport Support Group will meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday (July 2) at Penn State Greater Allegheny in Frable Building, Room 122, a spokeswoman said.
The meeting is open to families and friends of loved ones living with mental illness. This opportunity offers understanding and support unique to those who are affected by mental health conditions of loved ones, the spokeswoman added.
For more information about the McKeesport meeting, call (412) 527-6600. For the NAMI Helpline, call (412) 366-3788 between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.
July 01, 2025 |
By Vickie Babyak | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Semper Fidelis Club members and officers pose with the scholarship recipients and retired state Supreme Court Justice Cynthia Baldwin. (Vickie Babyak photo for Tube City Almanac)
Three outstanding local students received scholarships from McKeesport’s Semper Fidelis club.
At its annual “Salute to the Graduates” program, held at the Healthy Village Learning Institute on Freemont Street, Saniya Rivers, Santana Kennedy and Treyvon Bowling were recognized by Semper Fi. Established in 1919, it is one of Pennsylvania’s long-standing clubs and has a commitment to community service and scholarship awards.
Along with awarding scholarships, the club also makes donations to various organizations in the Mon Valley, contributed to the African American room at the University of Pittsburgh, and helped raise money for the Carnegie Library of McKeesport, chairperson Fawn Walker Montgomery said.
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June 26, 2025 |
By Tom Leturgey | Posted in: Duquesne News
Crews were still working Thursday on the scene of an early morning fire in Duquesne. (Tom Leturgey photo for Tube City Almanac)
One person is dead and four homes were left damaged following a fast-moving fire in Duquesne early Thursday.
Crews remained on scene well into the afternoon following the blaze, which was reported at 1:20 a.m. at a two-story wood-frame home at 136 N. Third St. Emergency personnel said the blaze then spread to 138 N. Third St.
According to reports, when first responders arrived, one house was fully engulfed, and one resident was outside of the burning home, shouting for his wife who was still inside. She was unaccounted for on Thursday morning and presumed dead.
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June 26, 2025 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
A former McKeesport police detective has pleaded guilty to diverting more than $1 million in dues and other funding from a Fraternal Order of Police lodge to support his now-closed bar and restaurant.
Following a negotiated plea agreement with the Allegheny County District Attorney’s office, Joseph A. Osinski, 56, of Haler Heights entered pleas of guilty on Tuesday on charges of theft by unlawful taking, theft by deception, receiving stolen property and dealing in the proceeds of unlawful activities.
Charges of access device fraud, misapplication of entrusted property and an additional account of theft by unlawful taking were withdrawn. Sentencing before Allegheny County Common Pleas Court Judge Jill Rangos is scheduled for Sept. 18.
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June 26, 2025 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News, White Oak News
A Port Vue man was killed Wednesday in a motorcycle accident in White Oak, emergency personnel said.
Jake Wilson, 23, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash in the 1200 block of Long Run Road (Route 48) just after 1 a.m. Wednesday, the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office said.
Allegheny County police said 9-1-1 dispatchers received a call at 1:18 a.m. that a man was lying in the road just south of Lincoln Way. First responders found the victim, later identified as Wilson, dead at the scene.
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June 25, 2025 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: State & Region
Members of United Steelworkers District 10 met June 10 with State Sen. Nick Pisciotanno. (Submitted photo courtesy State Sen. Nick Pisciottano)
Leaders of the United Steelworkers union are putting their support behind a proposed bill from a local legislator to shore up the future of steelmaking in Pennsylvania.
The Fueling Opportunities for the Revitalization, Growth, and Efficiency of Steel Act — “FORGES” — was announced last month by State Sen. Nick Pisciottano, West Mifflin Democrat, who is seeking co-sponsors.
Although it has not yet been introduced officially, it has attracted support from three state legislators — including State Rep. John Inglis of West Mifflin.
The bill would create incentives to support the steel industry in Pennsylvania, including sales tax exemptions for the use of Pennsylvania-made steel as well as tax credits for upgrades to Pennsylvania steelmaking facilities.
“I think it’s very important,” said Bernie Hall, director of USW District 10, based in North Versailles Twp. “The best part of the bill is that it brings the steel industry into the state budget conversation.”
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June 24, 2025 |
By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
McKeesport Area School Board has approved a 2025-26 budget that holds the line on taxes.
At the June meeting, directors gave their OK to an $86.6 million spending plan that fixes property taxes at 20.96 mills. The vote came after nearly an hour of remarks concerning the end of a three-year financial partnership between the district and the Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation.
Conversation preceding the vote was brief. School Director Josh Lefcowitz praised the efforts of district business manager Joseph Villella and fellow School Director David Seropian in preparing and reviewing the document.
The annual task of passing and approving a budget is a “significant component of the board's responsibilities,” Lefcowitz said before remarking, “I think there should probably be a little bit more discussion around the budget.”
June 24, 2025 |
By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
District Solicitor Gary Matta Jr., center, addresses questions from residents as School Board President Mark Holtzman Sr. and School Director Diane Elias look on. (Adam Reinherz photo for Tube City Almanac)
Parents and community leaders this month continued to press McKeesport Area School District officials on the end of a partnership with Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation.
At the June school board meeting, several residents asked pointed questions of board members as well as District Solicitor Gary Matta Jr., sometimes shouting them from the audience.
The conversation — lasting more than an hour — dominated the meeting.
Some residents asked whether Matta — whose firm Dodaro, Dalfonso, Matta & Cambest has worked with the McKeesport Area School District, on and off, for three decades — properly advised previous school directors in their dealings with the Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation.
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