November 11, 2021 |
By Siana Emery | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
The McKeesport unit of the NAACP has accepted an apology from the school district superintendent, and both sides say they want to collaborate on challenges facing the community.
“My comments were not intended to be disrespectful or unprofessional,” said Mark Holtzman Jr., McKeesport Area School District superintendent, this week. “They were geared towards calling to action our community groups (and) members that were present at the meeting.”
Brenda Sawyer, NAACP unit president, said Wednesday the group wants to “put this incident behind us and continue to do what’s important.”
“And that is to ensure that the children in the McKeesport Area School District experience acess to quality teaching, fair discipline, equitable resources and challenging curricula — all necessary in preparing them for college or vocational training with resultant meaningful careers,” Sawyer said.
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November 10, 2021 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
McKeesport’s mayor and the founder of a men’s shelter remained at odds this month.
At November’s city council meeting, Keith Giles, chief executive officer and founder of First Step Recovery Homes Inc., apologized for a recent confrontation with Mayor Michael Cherepko in front of city hall.
But Giles said that he remains frustrated that the city demolished a house owned by First Step — without his permission, he said — and sent the charitable organization the bill.
In addition, Giles said, he is disappointed that the city no longer supports the organization financially.
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November 10, 2021 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
The Greater Pittsburgh Soapbox Derby will be holding a re-organization meeting at 7 p.m. Nov. 30, a spokesperson said.
The meeting will be held in the social hall at St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church, across from McKeesport Senior High School, 1907 Eden Park Blvd.
Anyone interested in the soapbox derby is welcome to attend.
November 10, 2021 |
By Emily Scott © Public News Service | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
The location for a proposed gas-fired power plant near Buena Vista. (Invenergy illustration via Elizabeth Twp. Zoning Hearing Board)
Several environmental organizations are appealing a decision made last month by Allegheny County to approve an air permit for a large gas-fired power plant which could pose environmental and public health risks.
Invenergy’s proposed Allegheny Energy Center would be a 639-megawatt plant located in Elizabeth Twp., along the Youghiogheny River near Buena Vista. (See the original application to the Elizabeth Twp. zoning hearing board, PDF download)
A coalition of four environmental groups said under the permit, Invenergy would be able to turn the plant on and off frequently, which could lead to unlawful spikes in air pollution.
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November 10, 2021 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements, West Newton News
West Newton First Church of God, 157 North Second St., will hold its third-annual Christmas cookie walk from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 11, a spokesperson said. Participants will receive a plastic glove and a box, and will be able to fill the box with the favorite cookies. At the end of the walk, they will pay $8 per pound.
Peanut butter balls also will be sold for $6 per dozen. For more information, call (724) 872-7467.
November 10, 2021 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
An Elizabeth man has been sentenced to three years’ probation and $1,425.95 in restitution after pleading guilty to vandalizing railroad signals in Port Vue and Braddock.
William C. Brown IV, 28, was sentenced Nov. 4 by U.S. District Court Judge Donetta Ambrose in Pittsburgh on federal charges of terroristic attacks and violence against a railroad and a mass transportation carrier.
Prosecutors noted that the affected tracks carry both CSX freight trains as well as Amtrak passenger trains, and said the vandalism could have had “catastrophic consequences.”
Court documents indicate that Brown and an alleged accomplice were railroad buffs who had known each other since childhood, and were fascinated by trains — and train derailments.
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November 09, 2021 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
McKeesport City Council has approved an ordinance that will allow violators of zoning and planning rules to be cited in criminal court.
At the November meeting, council by 7-0 vote amended the city’s zoning and planning ordinance to allow someone convicted of violations to be sentenced to up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine upon conviction by a magistrate.
City Solicitor J. Jason Elash said McKeesport’s zoning ordinance previously allowed violators to be cited with a criminal offense, but the language was dropped during a comprehensive update done in 2017.
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November 08, 2021 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Announcements
Diane Holder, vice president of operations for Pennsylvania American Water Co., speaks during an event at Renziehausen Park on Thursday as PAWC government affairs representative Brent Robinson, state Sen. Jim Brewster and McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko look on. (Tube City Almanac photo)
Elected officials and the region’s largest water and sewer company urged residents to take advantage of a program that can provide discounts and emergency help with utility bills.
At an event at Renziehausen Park on Thursday, Pennsylvania American Water Co. celebrated the 30th anniversary of its low-income customer assistance program, H2O Help to Others.
“We never forget that at the end of every water pipe, there is a family depending on us,” said Diane Holder, PAWC vice president of operations for the western part of Pennsylvania. “For public health and sanitation, everyone needs access to safe tap water and waste water service.”
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November 08, 2021 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
A McKeesport police officer and another motorist were injured when their cars collided at the intersection of Versailles and Union avenues on Monday morning.
City police Chief Adam Alfer said an officer, whose name has not yet been released, was responding to a structure fire on Olive Street when his squad car collided with a vehicle driven by a female motorist in her 40s or 50s.
The accident happened just after 10:30 a.m.
The crash remains under investigation and a report was not yet complete on Monday, Alfer said. The squad car did have its warning lights and siren activated at the time of the crash, he said.
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November 08, 2021 |
By Bonnijean Cooney Adams | Posted in: Entertainment
(Submitted photo courtesy McKeesport Little Theater)
If you go...
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Musical Theatre International’s “All Together Now! A Global Event Celebrating Local Theatre”
Where: McKeesport Little Theater
1614 Coursin St.
www.mckeesportlittletheater.com
When: Evening performances Friday, Nov. 12, and Saturday, Nov. 13. Doors open at 6 p.m. Dinner at 6:30, show at 8.
Matinees Saturday, Nov. 13 and Sunday, Nov. 14. Lunch at 12:30 p.m. and show at 2 p.m.
Tickets: $25 for show and meal. Reservations must be made online by Wednesday, Nov. 10. Do not call the theater to reserve.
Tickets purchased after 1 p.m. for matinees and after 7 p.m. for evening performances will be $15 for the show only. Those tickets can be purchased at the box office.
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A cabaret-like atmosphere will welcome guests to McKeesport Little Theater’s fundraising show, “All Together Now!” that runs for four performances on Friday, Nov. 12 through Sunday, Nov. 14.
With Edward Bostedo at the helm as director, the performances are part of Music Theatre International’s global event celebrating local theatre that weekend.
As is happening in theaters around the world, “All Together Now!” at MLT will feature songs from a variety of MTI’s extensive collection. They include “Newsies,” “Mama Mia!”, “Junie B. Jones, the Musical,” “James and the Giant Peach,” “Sister Act” and others.
“It’s a cabaret-style, very classy show,” Bostedo said. “There will be sheer curtains on the stage with lights, and dinner or lunch prior to the performances.”
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