May 11, 2021 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
(Tube City Almanac photo)
City officials, friends and family will gather Wednesday evening (May 12) to dedicate an athletic field at Renziehausen Park to former McKeesport Councilwoman Jamie Brewster-Filotei.
The dedication at 6 p.m. will take place on the one year anniversary of Brewster-Filotei’s death at age 46 after a nearly three-year battle with non-small cell lung carcinoma.
“Obviously we know what Jamie meant to this community, we know her extreme commitment to our youth, and we know her as an athlete as well, whether it was coaching or playing,” Mayor Michael Cherepko told city council last week.
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May 09, 2021 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
The federation of the state’s largest labor unions has joined local elected officials in questioning a decision by U.S. Steel to cancel more than $1.5 billion in upgrades to its three Mon Valley facilities.
In a joint letter to U.S. Steel’s chief executive officer, leaders of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO called themselves “shocked, disappointed and bewildered” by the corporation’s April 30 announcement that it will not carry through with its plans to construct an “endless caster” at Edgar Thomson Plant as well as a co-generation energy facility at Clairton Plant.
“Over the years we have diligently and cooperatively worked with your government affairs team and the Pennsylvania Steel Alliance to encourage new manufacturing in the Commonwealth and beyond,” wrote Rick Bloomingdale, president of the state AFL-CIO, and Frank Snyder, secretary-treasurer, in the letter made public May 6.
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May 09, 2021 |
By Vickie Babyak | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Brandy Daye, assistant principal of Twin Rivers Elementary School, discusses summer employment opportunities for the high school students during "The Voices of Change" meeting. (Vickie Babyak photo for Tube City Almanac)
A growing group of McKeesport Area High School students are learning about their cultural differences — and finding out that more unites them than separates them.
“The Voices of Change” includes students and faculty facilitators, who are focused on discipline, diversity and academics, said the organizers. Since their first meeting in March, which attracted about a dozen students, the group has continued to expand.
In the past few weeks, the group’s popularity has grown and membership continues to increase for the upcoming new school year.
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May 09, 2021 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Announcements
Thomas Bell, born Adalbert Thomas Belejcak in Braddock, worked in Carnegie Steel’s Edgar Thomson Works and at various industrial jobs before becoming a full-time writer. He died of cancer in 1961. (Images courtesy Carnegie Mellon University Libraries)
An upcoming program at McKeesport Regional History & Heritage Center will discuss a landmark novel set in Braddock in the period between the Civil War and World War II.
Dr. Kirsten Paine, a visiting lecturer for the English Department of the University of Pittsburgh, will discuss “Out of This Furnace” by Thomas Bell during an online presentation at 7 p.m. May 19. The program is free but pre-registration is required.
Bell’s novel, first published in 1941, examines the struggles of three generations of Eastern European immigrants who came to the Mon Valley to work in the local steel mills. Bell, who was born in Braddock in 1903 to immigrant parents from Slovakia, himself worked in the mill beginning at the age of 15 as an apprentice electrician.
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May 09, 2021 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
State Sen. Jim Brewster of McKeesport speaks at a 2019 veterans’ breakfast in White Oak. (Submitted photo courtesy state Sen. Jim Brewster)
State Sen. Jim Brewster will deliver the keynote address during the annual Mon Yough Area Chamber of Commerce Legislative Luncheon, to be held at 11 a.m. June 18 at Youghiogheny Country Club in Elizabeth Twp., a spokesman said.
This year’s event is entitled “The Road to Prosperity, Economic Development in the Mon Valley,” the chamber announced. Also delivering remarks will be Mark Compton, chief executive officer of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission.
Local television personality Michael Bartley will serve as master of ceremonies.
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May 06, 2021 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
This vacant building at the corner of Beech and Bailie avenues is one of 14 near the former Centennial School that has been targeted for demolition. Tax records indicate the building is owned by a limited-liability corporation in Forest Hills. (Tube City Almanac photo)
City officials are working to clear away more than a dozen blighted houses around a former school that is being turned into a senior citizen residence.
At Wednesday’s meeting, city council voted 7–0 to tear down 14 abandoned homes and apartment buildings on Bailie, Beaver and Union avenues and in the surrounding area, and to apply for $250,000 funding from the Allegheny County Economic Development Department to pay for the demolition.
City Administrator Tom Maglicco said McKeesport officials are hopeful that once the vacant structures are gone, the lots can be turned into greenspace or transferred to adjoining homeowners to enhance their own properties.
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May 06, 2021 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News, White Oak News
Two people face child abuse and assault charges after school officials and White Oak police said they found two children handcuffed in the back seat of their car.
According to court records, Richard Hayes, 37, of Mt. Oliver is being held in the Allegheny County Jail without bail, while his girlfriend, Natosha Bell, 26, of Rankin is free on $50,000 bond. Hayes faces a preliminary hearing May 19 before Magisterial District Judge Richard G. King, while Bell faces a preliminary hearing June 30.
The two children who were restrained in the car, ages 7 and 10, and a third child, age 11, are now in the emergency care of Allegheny County Children, Youth and Families, said county police Inspector Michael Peairs.
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May 05, 2021 |
By Bonnijean Cooney Adams | Posted in: Entertainment, McKeesport and Region News
The cast rehearses one of the high-energy song-and-dance numbers from “Schoolhouse Rock Live! Jr.” (Bonnijean Cooney Adams photo for Tube City Almanac)
If You Go
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“Schoolhouse Rock Jr.”
Where: Francis McClure Middle School, White Oak
When: Thursday through Saturday, but two performances are sold out. One of the performances will be recorded and streamed at a later date. Details will be posted on the McKeesport Area School District and Founders’ Hall Facebook pages.
Tickets: No admission at the door. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, seats are extremely limited and some performances are already sold out. To ask about tickets, email EMoore@mckasd.net.
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Years after Edward Moore studied theatre arts at West Virginia Wesleyan College, he’s directing and producing his first musical — “Schoolhouse Rock Live! Jr.” — featuring Founders’ Hall Middle School students.
“I guess that being a singer/actor with a college degree in theatre arts, I always wanted to try my hand at directing,” he said.
Moore works as an assistant to the Special Education Department at McKeesport Area School District. His musical credits include performing as a chorister for Pittsburgh Opera for more than 30 years.
After the former middle school musical director retired, Moore said he was approached by principal Tom Knight to take over.
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May 04, 2021 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Repairs are underway at a Downtown building after bricks came loose from a side wall early Tuesday morning.
The damage at the former Moose Lodge on Fifth Avenue near Strawberry Way was reported by a caller to 9-1-1 who heard a loud noise, said McKeesport Deputy Fire Chief Tom Perciavalle.
A section of brick approximately 15 to 20 feet tall and 10 to 12 feet wide fell into a sidewalk next to an apartment building, Perciavalle said. The neighboring apartment building, which has five units, was not damaged and no injuries were reported.
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May 01, 2021 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements, West Newton News
Community Revitalization of West Newton is sponsoring a Patriotic Concert at Vine Street Park from 6 to 8 p.m. May 30, a spokesperson said. The show will feature a 45-minute performance from Cathi Rhodes as Patsy Cline to honor all veterans, followed by other entertainers.
There will be food trucks for refreshments. Attendees should bring their own lawn chair or blanket. Organizers said they will be following COVID-19 guidelines and the audience will be asked to wear masks and practice social distancing.
Leaders of CROWN said they also are looking for local vendors and food trucks for an event to be held June 12 in conjunction with the West Newton Community Yard Sale. For more information, call Jennifer Bittner at (724) 344-4002.
