January 28, 2025 |
By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Swin Cash speaks with Lady Tigers players and coaches following Monday's game. (Adam Reinherz photo for Tube City Almanac)
Swin Cash and McKeesport basketball have been synonymous for decades. Now it’s official. During Monday’s home game against the West Mifflin Area Titans, McKeesport Area School District dedicated its court in honor of the former player.
The halftime ceremony marked a “full circle” moment for Cash and the community, School Board President Mark Holtzman Sr. said: “She has been recognized as an Olympic champion, as a WNBA champion, and now she's being recognized as a champion in her own community, in her own home.”
Long before accruing nearly every basketball accolade imaginable, Cash was a self-described “scrawny girl” growing up in Harrison Village.
During high school, Cash’s size and talent exploded. She grew several inches and by senior year, Cash not only averaged 30.4 points and 16.9 rebounds per game but helped her team win the WPIAL title. After being named Gatorade Pennsylvania Player of the year, the 6’1 phenom went on to win two national championships at the University of Connecticut, three WNBA titles and two Olympic Gold medals for Team USA.
Read More
January 27, 2025 |
By Yousuf Lachhab Ibrahim | Posted in: Announcements
The McKeesport Model Railroad Club’s HO-scale model represents Western Pennsylvania in the 1950s era. (Yousuf Lachhab Ibrahim photo for Tube City Almanac)
If you go...
|
|
What: 75th Anniversary Open House
Where: McKeesport Model Railroad Club, 2209 Walnut St.
When: 12 noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1
Admission: Free
|
The McKeesport Model Railroad Club is celebrating its 75th birthday, and it’s inviting the whole town to the party.
The local hobby group, located at 2209 Walnut St. in Christy Park, is riding high this month, with a cover story in the issue of Model Railroader magazine on sale now.
On Saturday (Feb. 1), the public will be invited to a free open house to admire 2,200 square feet of an idyllic 1950s-era Western Pennsylvania, complete with more than 75 locomotives and 1,200 freight cars.
“There are very few hobbies where you’re going to have seven-, eight-, nine-year-olds working right alongside retired guys [who are] teaching them something,” said Steve Raith, vice president of the MMRC. “There's a lot of people that think the hobby is kind of dying out, but we're definitely not seeing that. We have a lot of growth with younger people involved with the hobby.”
Read More
January 27, 2025 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Announcements
Areas colored in green, plus Duquesne, receive water service from Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County. Pins and symbols show locations where MAWC has active construction or where it has recently completed projects. (Source: MAWC)
Residents of McKeesport and surrounding communities that get water service from the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County are being asked to conserve after a period of high demand.
Matthew Junker, authority spokesman, said that extremely cold temperatures caused many residents to run their water to prevent frozen lines.
At the same time, the water authority was responding to a number of leaks and water line breaks caused by the weather, he said. Due to rising temperatures, customers no longer need to let their water run, he said.
In order to bring system levels back up, Junker said, the authority is asking customers to reduce water usage at their homes and businesses until the system can stabilize.
Read More
January 25, 2025 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Politics & Elections
A memorial wreath is visible through the window at State Rep. Matt Gergely’s office as it reflects scenes of Lysle Boulevard. The office was closed this week following his death Sunday. (Almanac photo)
A special election will be held March 25 to fill the 35th Legislative District seat left vacant by the death of State Rep. Matt Gergely of McKeesport.
The Pennsylvania Department of State said official papers were filed this week by Speaker of the House Joanna McClinton and nomination certificates will be accepted through Feb. 5 from both the Democratic and Republican parties, as well as minor parties.
Objections to any candidate’s nomination must be filed by Feb. 6. Persons who want to vote in the special election must register by March 10.
Read More
January 24, 2025 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro delivers remarks during Friday’s funeral for State Rep. Matt Gergely at First Free Evangelical Church in McKeesport. (Official photo courtesy Office of the Governor of Pennsylvania)
An honor guard of Allegheny County constables bearing the U.S. and Pennsylvania flags led the final procession into church for one of the city’s favorite sons.
On Friday, more than 400 people attended the funeral of State Rep. Matt Gergely of McKeesport, who died Sunday aged 45.
In addition to Gergely’s friends and family, mourners at First Free Evangelical Church near Renziehausen Park included Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, State Sens. Jay Costa and Nick Pisciottano, McKeesport City Council, Clairton Mayor Richard Lattanzi, and many members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly.
We are “broken-hearted for a life that was cut way too short,” Shapiro said. “Matt was a man who lived his life with purpose, and kindness, and decency for others.
McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko — a lifelong friend of Gergely’s — and retired state Sen. Jim Brewster escorted his casket to the altar.
Read More
January 22, 2025 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
With Wednesday’s temperatures expected to remain near or below zero for most of the morning, Allegheny County Emergency Services is cautioning residents to take extra care.
A spokesperson said residents should never use a generator, grill, camp stove, or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning device to generate heat inside their home. Kitchen stoves also should not be used for heat, the spokesperson said.
In addition, at least three feet of space should be kept on all sides of space heaters to prevent clothing, furniture, books, drapes and other items from accidentally catching fire.
Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County urged residents to take proper precautions for water pipes. Water expands as it freezes, putting pressure on the pipes, which can cause pipes to break. A spokesperson said:
• Drip cold water in the faucet furthest from your main valve; moving water keeps pipes from freezing
• Locate your shut-off valves in case of an emergency
• Insulate pipes in unheated areas
• Open cupboards and vanities to warm pipes
• Open outside spigots to allow water to drain
In the event your home’s pipes do freeze, the authority recommends:
• Turn off the water at the main shut-off valve
• Open a faucet near the frozen pipe so that water will flow once the area is melted; this will help melt more ice
• Apply heat to or around the pipe using a hair dryer
• Do not use any open flame devices, such as a propane torch, to heat frozen pipes
• Check all pipes and joints for leaks or cracks
• Call a licensed plumber if you cannot locate the frozen section, if you are unable to reach it, or you are unable to thaw it
Allegheny County public safety officials are encouraging residents to stay inside as much as possible and avoid prolonged periods of being outside and exposed to the elements. Frostbite can occur within 30 minutes at a wind chill temperature of -19 degrees, 10 minutes at -33 degrees, and five minutes at -48 degrees.
January 22, 2025 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Jose Castro of McKeesport helps clear a sidewalk near Bethlehem Baptist Church on Tuesday afternoon. (Tube City Almanac photo)
The temperature was just about 7 degrees above zero as Jose Castro shoveled snow along Ninth Avenue near Bethlehem Baptist Church on Tuesday afternoon. Taking a quick break to talk to a passerby, Castro was philosophical about the cold: “It’s winter. You just have to deal with it.”
Up on Romine Avenue, where crews from Betters Company are demolishing the long-vacant Becker House at 511, truck driver Ron Hoffer of Fayette County was waiting for another load of debris. The temperature when he left home Tuesday morning was 6 below zero, he said.
How does he cope with working outside in sub-zero conditions? “Hot coffee,” Hoffer said. “And lots of layers.”
Tuesday’s temperatures were not near the all-time record low of 18 below zero, set in 1985, but they were roughly 20 degrees less than normal for this time of year, according to the National Weather Service in Moon Twp., leading schools to move to online classes and most court and county offices to close.
Read More
January 21, 2025 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News, Duquesne News
A Turtle Creek man is dead and an unidentified woman is in critical condition following an early-morning shooting Monday in Duquesne.
Sean R. Johnson Jr., 30, was pronounced dead inside a home in the 100 block of Commonwealth Avenue just after 5:30 a.m. Monday, the Allegheny County medical examiner’s office said.
A woman who was with Johnson was taken to an area hospital suffering from gunshot wounds, Allegheny County police said in a prepared release. Her identity was not made public.
County homicide detectives said a caller to 9-1-1 reported the shooting just after 5 a.m. Police responded to find Johnson and the unidentified woman suffering from gunshot wounds. Detectives said Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene.
The medical examiner’s office said that Johnson died of a single gunshot wound to the head.
No further information was released by police. Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to call the county police Tip Line at 1-833-ALL-TIPS. Callers may remain anonymous.
January 20, 2025 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
State Rep. Matt Gergely speaks to visitors during a 2023 grand opening celebration of his district office in the former McKeesport Daily News Building. (Courtesy photo)
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro on Monday ordered the flags over state-owned buildings lowered to half-staff in honor of state Rep. Matt Gergely, who died Sunday at an area hospital following an undisclosed illness.
Gergely, 45, of McKeesport’s Haler Heights section fell ill unexpectedly in late December. He had represented the 35th Legislative District since 2023.
“Lori and I are heartbroken for Rep. Matt Gergely’s wife Holly, their two young sons, his colleagues on both sides of the aisle and the community he loved and proudly served in his hometown of McKeesport,” Shapiro said in a prepared release. “Matt’s was a life cut way too short. Now, in this moment of mourning, let us come together to honor his legacy, carry on the work that mattered most to him, and look out for his family ...
“May the memory of Matt Gergely forever be a blessing,” Shapiro said.
Read More
January 19, 2025 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
This is a developing story and will be updated.
(Courtesy photo)
State Rep. Matthew R. Gergely died Sunday at a Monroeville hospital, several weeks after suffering what had been described as a medical emergency. He was 45.
A former McKeesport city administrator and chief revenue officer, Gergely only two months ago was celebrating his election to his first full term as state legislator for the 35th District.
In addition to extended family, Gergely leaves a wife, Holly, and two children, Mason and Jarrett.
His death was announced by his former state house colleague, now state senator, Nick Pisciottano.
Read More
