November 19, 2020 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Announcements
(Google Maps image)
City officials, parents and volunteers are blasting a decision by the Boys & Girls Club of Western Pennsylvania to close the LaRosa Boys & Girls Club on Ravine Street.
The Pittsburgh-based organization notified McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko of the closing in a letter to city hall on Wednesday, and with a posting on its website.
In an interview with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Lisa Abel-Palmieri, president and chief executive officer of BGCWPA, called the closure a “merger” of the Duquesne and McKeesport programs, and blamed it on declining attendance in McKeesport and the high cost of overhead, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic.
But Cherepko and two former directors of the LaRosa club said Abel-Palmieri’s statements are not accurate.
“That story in the Post-Gazette made me sick,” said City Administrator Tom Maglicco, who served as executive director of the club for 13 years and sits on its advisory board. “In my opinion, she’s wrong. There is no doubt in my mind there’s enough kids in this community to fill that club.”
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November 18, 2020 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Politics & Elections
EDITED to clarify that the current totals do not reflect the disputed absentee ballots.
The future of Pennsylvania’s 45th Senatorial District is now in the hands of the state Supreme Court.
Republican Nicole Ziccarelli of Lower Burrell on Wednesday afternoon filed an emergency petition asking the state’s highest court to use its powers of “extraordinary relief” to rule that 2,349 of Allegheny County’s absentee ballots are invalid and cannot be counted.
State Sen. Jim Brewster, McKeesport Democrat, currently holds a 28-vote lead over his challenger, Ziccarelli. Brewster is seeking re-election to his third four-year term.
The Allegheny County Board of Elections voted 2-1 to accept the ballots, which were signed by voters but not dated. The ballots have not yet been counted.
On Wednesday morning, Allegheny County Judge Joseph M. James upheld the board’s decision.
“In light of the fact that there is no fraud, a technical omission on an envelope should not render a ballot invalid,” he wrote in his decision. “These ballots must be counted.”
Ziccarelli’s attorneys also are appealing James’s decision in Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court.
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November 16, 2020 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko helps unload $2,000 in food donated to the local Salvation Army by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. (Tube City Almanac photo)
Local Mormons have donated more than $2,000 in non-perishable food to McKeesport’s Salvation Army.
The gift, from the Pleasant Hills Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, comes as the Salvation Army is worried that this year’s “Red Kettle” campaign may come up thousands of dollars short.
Church members delivered the food gift on Thursday. Jeff Miracle of Mt. Lebanon, president and first counselor of the church’s Pittsburgh West Stake, said the congregation is working to build its relationship with the surrounding community.
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November 15, 2020 |
By Jason A. Mignanelli | Posted in: Announcements, Duquesne News
Christ Soul Saving Station Church, 1013 Kennedy Ave., Duquesne, will provide free Thanksgiving dinners to families in need on Nov. 21.
Bishop David Queen, senior pastor, said volunteers from the church will deliver the meals safely. To schedule a delivery, call (412) 689-3955.
Residents in need of a hot meal also may visit the church between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Nov. 21, Queen said.
November 15, 2020 |
By Jason A. Mignanelli | Posted in: Duquesne News
The closure of Duquesne’s only supermarket highlights the larger problems, caused by poverty, that plague residents of the Mon Valley, social justice advocates said on Saturday.
During a meeting outside the recently closed Save-a-Lot store on Duquesne Boulevard, advocates said the loss of the supermarket is having a severe impact on city residents who don’t have cars and must rely on public transit.
About 65 to 70 people gathered, with organizers repeatedly reminding those in attendance to wear a mask and practice social distancing.
Krystle Knight, an organizer with Pittsburgh’s Thomas Merton Center, said despite all of the hype around the recent presidential election, it will produce relatively little day-to-day change for Duquesne residents.
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November 11, 2020 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
Weight restrictions have been posted on a portion of Dravosburg Hill due to the conditions of one of the overpasses.
Steve Cowan, district spokesman for the state Department of Transportation, said the bridge that crosses the Union Railroad tracks near Sandy Lake is restricted to trucks weighing no more than 22 tons, or combination vehicles up to 27 tons.
Warning signs were posted on Richland Avenue and Pittsburgh-McKeesport Boulevard last week.
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November 11, 2020 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
The ramp from the south end of the McKeesport-Duquesne Bridge to Fifth Avenue in the city’s East End will remain closed through at least Nov. 27 so that crews can repair damaged concrete and expansion joints.
The closure began Wednesday. East Fifth Avenue also serves as state Route 148 between Downtown McKeesport and Route 30.
Steve Cowan, district spokesman for the state Department of Transportation, said the work is being done by Michael Facchiano Contracting of Mt. Lebanon.
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November 11, 2020 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
About 700 Mon-Yough area families will receive free Thanksgiving dinners with the help of state Rep. Austin Davis, Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania.
Turkeys, boxes of stuffing and potatoes as well as canned gravy, cranberry sauce, vegetables and sweet potatoes will be distributed from 10 a.m. to 12 noon Nov. 21 at McKeesport Area High School, 1960 Eden Park Blvd.
Registration is required. Call (412) 460-3663 ext. 655 or visit pittsburghfoodbank.org/get-help/drive-up to register. The deadline is 5 p.m. Nov. 19.
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November 05, 2020 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Politics & Elections
State Rep. Austin Davis appears to be headed to his second full term in the Pennsylvania General Assembly, while Nick Pisciottano of West Mifflin is the favorite to replace retiring state Rep. Bill Kortz.
According to unofficial returns from the Allegheny County Elections Division, with all 84 precincts reporting, Davis, a Democrat from McKeesport, received 19,704 votes. Davis was facing a write-in campaign from Don Nevills of Clairton.
The county said 1,643 write-in votes were recorded. All of the numbers are still subject to change and have not yet been certified by county officials.
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November 05, 2020 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Politics & Elections
State Sen. Jim Brewster is one of several Democratic legislators in Pennsylvania who are trailing their challengers following Tuesday’s election.
With all precincts in both Allegheny and Westmoreland counties reporting Thursday night, Republican Nicole Ziccarelli was leading Brewster, the 45th Senatorial District incumbent, by about 1,500 votes, 63,058 to 61,515.
According to Allegheny County officials, more than 35,000 absentee ballots still need to be reviewed on Friday.
County spokeswoman Amie Downs said Thursday those ballots include approximately 29,000 that were incorrectly printed by a vendor, and had to be re-issued, as well as ballots that were damaged and could not be electronically scanned.
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