July 12, 2019 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Announcements
Chase Clements of Pittsburgh takes a break recently along the Great Allegheny Passage bike trail in Downtown McKeesport with his latest creation, a bicycle with a special compartment for his dog, Sonny.
Built about two months ago, Clements said it's the 10th such bike that he's constructed from spare parts.
Clements and a friend, Leia Tomer, were out for a ride on the trail when rain forced them to pause near the War Memorial at the end of Market Street.
(Tube City Almanac photo)
July 12, 2019 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: News
The region is cleaning up --- again --- from the latest round of heavy rainstorms during a year that is likely to wind up as one of the wettest in recorded history.
Two lines of storms that moved through Western Pennsylvania on Thursday caused widespread road closures and flash flooding. This time, it seemed to be the Turtle Creek valley and Westmoreland County that took the biggest hit, at least in the Mon-Yough area.
North Huntingdon Twp. police reported that state Route 993 in Larimer and Irwin had reopened just before 9 a.m. Friday after being closed for most of Thursday, but that Brownstown Road near the Town House remained shut down, and that Pine Hollow Road near the Penn Twp. line would be closed "indefinitely."
The township's emergency management agency is providing cleanup kits for residents whose homes were affected by flooding. The kits are available in the lobby of the Town House and at the police station.
Read More
July 08, 2019 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
A man wanted in connection with a June 4 homicide in Wilkinsburg was arrested Monday morning by McKeesport police.
Triq P. Price, 39, is charged by Allegheny County police with homicide, robbery, carrying a firearm without a license and unlawful possession of a firearm.
Price is currently being held without bail in Allegheny County Jail pending a preliminary hearing July 19 before Allegheny County Judge Kim Berkeley Clark.
Read More
July 08, 2019 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News, North Versailles Twp. News
A Penn Hills woman faces a preliminary hearing July 18 in connection with a shooting Saturday inside the North Versailles Twp. Walmart.
Rojanai Germaine Alston, 22, is charged by Allegheny County police with aggravated assault and attempted homicide. Court officials said Alston is free on $25,000 bond pending the hearing before Magisterial District Judge Roxanne Eichler.
Alston is accused of shooting a 25-year-old woman inside the store's electronics department just after 9:30 p.m. The victim, whose name has not been released, was hospitalized in critical condition, police said.
Read More
July 05, 2019 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: News
Jimmy Beaumont, shown fourth from left on the cover of The Skyliners' first LP, was born in Pittsburgh but lived in McKeesport for nearly 50 years until his death in 2017.
A portion of Tulip Drive near the Lions Bandshell in Renziehausen Park will be renamed for the late Jimmy Beaumont.
McKeesport City Council on Tuesday by 5-0 vote approved a proposal from Mayor Michael Cherepko and Council Vice-President Jamie Brewster-Filotei to rename the section of street for Beaumont, former lead singer of The Skyliners, who died Oct. 7, 2017, at his home in McKeesport at age 76.
Jimmy Beaumont Boulevard will be dedicated on Aug. 11, when the remaining Skyliners perform at Renzie.
Beaumont was born in Pittsburgh's Knoxville section but had lived in McKeesport's Myer Park neighborhood since the 1960s.
Read More
July 05, 2019 |
By Vickie Babyak | Posted in: News
(All photos: Vickie Babyak, special to Tube City Almanac)
The McKeesport area celebrated the 243rd birthday of the United States of America with a lively concert and fireworks at Renziehausen Park.
James Warren of McKeesport and his daughter Alaina, age 2, show off their holiday spirit with the red, white and blue.
Sal Ventura, lead singer for Zoot Island Band, tosses a hula hoop off stage to the audience during their concert in Renziehausen Park.
Read More
July 04, 2019 |
By Richard Finch Jr. | Posted in: News
From left, Michelle Matuch, McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko, Matthew Craig of the Young Preservationists of Pittsburgh, and Jason Togyer participated in a panel discussion entitled "The Past, Present and Future of the Penn-McKee Hotel" on Saturday at McKeesport Regional History & Heritage Center. (Photo courtesy McKeesport Regional History & Heritage Center)
The first thing you see driving into Downtown McKeesport from the Jerome Street Bridge or traveling on the river trail is the derelict Penn-McKee Hotel.
And thousands of people ride through McKeesport on the bike trail --- but don’t stop to spend any money, according to Jason Togyer, executive director of Tube City Community Media Inc.
Reversing those two facts --- and filling cash registers --- are the goals of a possible renovation of the hotel, Togyer said.
Read More
July 04, 2019 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
A Port Vue man who fell from the roof of a home on Laredo Street died of a heart attack.
Raymond Martini, 68, suffered a blood clot in his right coronary artery, the Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office said Thursday following an autopsy.
Martini was taken by ambulance to UPMC McKeesport hospital just after 3 p.m. Wednesday following the fall, the medical examiner's office said. He died in the emergency room, the medical examiner's office said.
The death has been ruled an accident. Port Vue police investigated at the scene.
July 04, 2019 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Announcements
(Courtesy Dr. Zoot and Zoot Island)
Zoot Island party will perform at Renziehausen Park at 7 p.m. tonight, with fireworks to follow for Independence Day.
McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko said this week the fireworks will be set off at around 9:30 p.m., weather permitting.
"Obviously, we'll keep an eye on the sky," he said.
McKeesport police will be out in full force to monitor traffic and crowd safety, Cherepko said.
The concert is sponsored by the McKeesport Lions Club, the Allegheny Regional Asset District, the city of McKeesport and Mayor Michael Cherepko. Admission is free but attendees should bring a blanket or chair to sit on.
Zoot Island performs a mix of summertime favorites, including Jimmy Buffett tunes, classic rock and oldies, sing-a-long hits and beach party tunes.
July 03, 2019 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: News
Another gas station and convenience store may be coming to East Fifth Avenue near the McKeesport-Duquesne Bridge.
McKeesport City Council by 5-0 vote on Tuesday approved a request from Morris Knowles & Associates of Delmont, Westmoreland County, to merge together 12 separate lots, totalling more than 3 acres, for the development of a gas station and convenience store.
Councilmen Jim Barry Jr. and Richard Dellapenna Jr. were absent.
Council also voted to vacate a portion of Gleditsch Alley, which passes between the lots at the bottom of Hartman Street.
Dick Roberts, a spokesman for Giant Eagle, said the O'Hara Twp. based retailer is considering the construction of a GetGo cafe and market at the site.
Read More
