December 16, 2025 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
(Submitted photo courtesy City of McKeesport/Jennifer R. Vertullo)
McKeesport’s fire chief left work Monday for the last time with some sadness, but no regrets.
“It was an honor serving the city for the last 21 years,” said Jeff Tomovcsik, who retired this week. “I know the city gets a bad rap, but I loved it and I wouldn’t change anything. There were tough days, there were good days, but there was never a day when I didn’t want to come to work.”
Tomovcsik and his wife, Rebecca, will be relocating next year to eastern Michigan, where he has taken a new job as deputy chief of the Midland Fire Department. The city of 42,000 is home to the headquarters of Dow Chemical Co. and Northwood University.
Despite the move, Tomovcsik said, he has no intention of rooting for the Detroit Lions and Red Wings instead of the Steelers and Penguins.
“... maybe the (Detroit) Tigers,” he joked, in reference to the Pirates’ perpetual baseball struggles.
Read More
December 16, 2025 |
By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
McKeesport Area High School alumnus and Tigers football standout Khaleke Hudson addresses the school board. (Screenshot from McKeesport Area School District feed via YouTube.)
For the second straight week, McKeesport Area School District directors listened to community members debate the future of McKeesport’s high school football team.
But school directors are so far declining to take any public action, Board President Dave Seropian said following Thursday’s board meeting.
“People are passionate about our football team, and there are people on both sides of the issue,” he said. “They both have differences of opinion about what should happen.”
Since 2016, Matt Miller, who also teaches social studies at the high school, has coached McKeesport’s team. Weeks ago, the Tigers were defeated in the WPIAL Class 4A championship game by Aliquippa. In 2024, McKeesport also fell one win short of clinching the title. Under Miller’s leadership, according to MaxPreps, the team has gone 89-31.
Read More
December 16, 2025 |
By Leslie Savisky | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
(Submitted photos)
A new regional collaboration underway in Mon Valley and Turtle Creek could be a great opportunity for those who’ve ever dreamed of becoming their own boss but just didn’t know how to get started.
Along with Penn State Greater Allegheny, Mission: Agape and a new group called Allegheny Development Solutions are introducing a new initiative called LaunchSWPA, which will focus on providing entrepreneurial opportunities in the Mon-Yough area and building clear paths to economic self-sufficiency.
The LaunchSWPA rollout community event will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Jan. 22 at Penn State Greater Allegheny in McKeesport. Small business startups, entrepreneurs, community foundations and regional stakeholders are all welcome to attend.
“This partnership is about meeting people where they are – connecting wellness, opportunity and innovation in a way that lifts the whole community,” said Kelly Doyle, co-founder of Mission: Agape.
Read More
December 15, 2025 |
By Danielle M. Smith - Public News Service | Posted in: State & Region
A bumble bee is shown gathering pollen from a rosemallow. Bumble bees are natural pollinators and are considered a threatened insect. (File photo by Vickie Babyak for Tube City Almanac)
Pennsylvania lawmakers are considering several bills to protect insects and promote native plants, amid growing concerns over declining species. The state is home to 77 threatened insects, including the monarch butterfly and American bumble bee.
Nate Reagle, clean energy program advocate with the Sierra Club Pennsylvania, said pollinators are crucial to agriculture, and many insects provide food for wildlife, control pests and help cycle nutrients. He said the proposals would boost farm productivity and environmental health — and noted Pennsylvania currently has no way to list a native land-dwelling insect as threatened or endangered.
“There is no state agency that has authority over the native insects,” he said. “House Bill 441 would grant that authority to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and thankfully, they’ve already been doing a lot of great work when it comes to insect conservation, so it would be a great fit for them.”
Read More
December 15, 2025 |
By Tom Leturgey | Posted in: Duquesne News
Some 130 hams were given away Saturday afternoon. (Tom Leturgey photo for Tube City Almanac)
With gray skies, snow looming, a slight breeze and the temperature feeling chillier than the official 34 degrees, more than 100 people patiently stood in line Saturday for the 6th annual Katie Cares Ham Giveaway in Duquesne.
“Each year we have added additional things,” said Denise Brownfield of Katie Cares, a neighborhood childcare facility, and a member of Duquesne City Council. “This year we’ve had more produce and food trucks.”
This is a family affair for Brownfield. Each of the 20 or so vendor tables were manned by at least one family member, including T.J. Banks, who stood behind a folding table filled with dozens of cartons of eggs. About 10 boxes, some empty, some still filled to the rim with pink Styrofoam egg cartons.
Read More
December 12, 2025 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
McKeesport will mostly hold the line on spending in 2026 and draw down less from a reserve fund than in the previous two years, according to a new budget approved this month by city council.
The $25.9 million spending plan accepted unanimously by council represents a slight increase from the 2025 budget of $25.7 million. Property taxes remain the same at 11.26 mills on buildings and 20.5 mills on land. McKeesport is one of three municipalities in Allegheny County that levies separate property taxes on vacant land and buildings.
Each mill represents $1 in tax on every $1,000 of property value, so a millage of 11.26 equals property tax of $11.26 on each $1,000 of a building’s value as assessed by Allegheny County. Earned income tax and the local services tax remain the same as 2025.
Read More
December 10, 2025 |
By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
(Adam Reinherz photo for Tube City Almanac)
McKeesport Area School District is looking to improve conditions on campus by spending nearly $850,000 on high school and stadium repairs.
The school board is expected to vote on a proposal at a meeting Thursday (Dec. 11). School directors spent the Dec. 4 open agenda meeting describing the projects’ merits.
Costs, according to district materials, include a facilities assessment and turf replacement.
“We all kind of recognize that our high school needs some upgrades,” MASD President David Seropian said. “Doing the feasibility study is the first step.”
Read More
December 10, 2025 |
By Bonnijean Cooney Adams | Posted in: Entertainment
A small group of McKeesport Little Theater performers and members have joined forces for a different kind of fundraiser this holiday season.
“A Criminal Christmas Caper” is an adult dinner theater murder mystery presented for one night only on Saturday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m.
Tickets include the show and a three-course meal. Holiday-themed attire enters guests to win a door prize. Cost is $40, with a limit of 80 tickets being sold in advance. None will be sold at the door.
MLT veteran Gavin Calgaro wears two hats – as director and one of the characters – for the Christmas caper.
Read More
December 09, 2025 |
By Yousuf Lachhab Ibrahim | Posted in: State & Region
(Submitted photo)
Holiday shoppers at a local outlet mall will get a chance to buy gifts for local families in need thanks to a partnership between McKeesport-based Auberle and the national Giving Machines initiative.
On Wednesday, two “vending machines” will be placed at Tanger Outlets near Washington, Pa., where shoppers can make a donation to purchase items such as clothes, diapers, menstrual kits and other necessary items.
Items are not actually dispensed by the machines; instead, a donation of the item is made to the charity.
In 2024, Giving Machines raised $16.4 million and 490,000 items were donated.
Read More
December 09, 2025 |
By T.J. Martin | Posted in: White Oak News
New White Oak police officers Larry Bishop and Cody Stanoszek were introduced to the public at November’s monthly council meeting. (T.J. Martin photo for Tube City Almanac)
White Oak has added two new police officers who have roots in the area.
At November’s monthly council meeting, council introduced to the public Officers Cody Stanoszek and Larry Bishop.
Mayor Ina Jean Marton, who earlier had sworn in the officers, said Stanoszek has years of law enforcement experience, including a stint with the Irwin Borough Police Department.
Bishop has 28 years of experience in law enforcement. After retiring from the McKeesport Police Department in 2019, Bishop served for the last six years with the Penn State University Police, Marton said.
Read More
