January 04, 2022 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
At Monday’s meeting, Magisterial District Judge Eugene Riazzi, second from left, administered the oath of office to McKeesport City Council Members Brian Evans and Jim Barry Jr., and City Controller Ryan Sturgess. Not shown: City Council Member Jill Lape. (Tube City Almanac photo)
At a short meeting on Monday, members of McKeesport City Council were sworn into office and meeting dates were set for 2022.
Magisterial District Judge Eugene Riazzi administered the oath of office to Council Members Jim Barry Jr. and Brian Evans, City Controller Ryan Sturgess and City Clerk Annette James.
Council Member Jill Lape was unable to attend and was sworn in earlier in the day at Riazzi’s office.
Barry, Evans, Lape and Sturgess were elected to four-year terms in November. James, who has served as city clerk for seven years, is appointed by Mayor Michael Cherepko and city council.
Read More
January 03, 2022 |
By Emily Scott © Public News Service | Posted in: Politics & Elections
With the deadline for approving Pennsylvania’s new voting-district maps fast approaching, the commission in charge of creating House and Senate maps is hosting public hearings this week to receive feedback from residents.
The Legislative Reapportionment Commission will host eight hours of public hearings on Thursday and Friday in Harrisburg.
Carol Kuniholm, chair of the advocacy group Fair Districts PA, said creating new maps once a decade based on population changes is never an easy task. She pointed out in the proposed Senate map, there is concern about a pattern of large deviations from the ideal district population, which needs to be addressed.
Read More
January 03, 2022 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
The McKeesport affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness has canceled its planned Jan. 5 meeting, a spokeswoman said.
The next meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Feb. 2 in Room 122 of the Frable Building at Penn State Greater Allegheny.
NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. It offers understanding and support unique to those who are affected by these conditions.
Read More
January 02, 2022 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Editor’s Note: The writer of this story has a conflict of interest. See note at the end of this story.
(Tube City Almanac photo)
The fate of McKeesport’s long-vacant Penn-McKee Hotel likely depends on an engineer’s report due later this month.
The in-depth study, being completed by KU Resources on behalf of the Young Preservationists Association of Pittsburgh, will help advise city redevelopment officials on whether the historic structure near the McKees Point Marina can be stabilized for re-use, or must be torn down.
“Right now, we are gathering all of the facts so that we are able make a responsible, educated decision on the future of the Penn-McKee,” McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko said.
Nearly $1 million has been set aside for environmental remediation of the structure, said Matthew Craig, executive director of the YPA. The organization was retained in 2018 to study the history of the area around the Penn-McKee, as well as possible re-uses for the building.
Located on Fifth Avenue at Strawberry Way, the Penn-McKee is like a person who has abused drugs and alcohol for decades “and then they go to the doctor and hope they can erase all of their bad choices,” Craig said. “It has sat vacant for too long.”
Read More
December 31, 2021 |
By Kristen Keleschenyi | Posted in: North Versailles Twp. News
After serving North Versailles Twp. for more than two decades — most recently as township manager — Patricia Logo is now preparing to retire.
At the December commissioners’ meeting, board President Frank Bivins thanked Logo for her efforts to guide the township through a period of financial difficulty. “Since she’s been here, she’s done a wonderful job,” Bivins said. “We were in the hole when she got here and she brought us up to where we’ve got a surplus.”
Logo’s last day will be Jan. 28.
Read More
December 30, 2021 |
By Sarah Turnbull | Posted in: White Oak News
CORRECTION: This article incorrectly reported the vote at Monday’s meeting. It has been corrected.
The borough of White Oak failed to pass its 2022 budget at Monday’s special council meeting.
Council members Julie Opferman, Charles Davis and Louis Bender voted yes. Council members George Dillinger, Joe Nagy, George Pambacas and Ken Robb voted no.
Pambacas expressed concern that although the spending plan was balanced, it would cut into the borough’s fund balance, or surplus.
Read More
December 29, 2021 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Announcements
Our goal is to continue to provide coverage of news and events in McKeesport, Duquesne, North Versailles Twp., White Oak and the surrounding area. We'd even like to grow, but first, we need to get back to full strength.
We don't ask for money very often. If you can help us, we would very much appreciate a donation this year.
We are an IRS-registered 501(C)(3) charity, which means your donation may be tax-deductible.
If you are financially able, and would like to make a gift, please consider doing so.
Donations may be made by check or money order to:
Tube City Community Media Inc.
P.O. Box 94
McKeesport PA 15134
Or via PayPal at: http://www.tubecityonline.com/contact/
Read More
December 28, 2021 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
(Tube City Almanac file photo)
More than 92 percent of residents of the Kane Regional Center in McKeesport are fully vaccinated against the virus that causes COVID-19, said the administrator of Allegheny County’s four public assisted living facilities for the elderly.
In addition, said Dennis Biondo, executive director of the Kane Community Living Centers, Kane employees are covered by Allegheny County’s mandate that required workers to provide proof of vaccination by Dec. 1.
About 94 percent of workers responded positively before the deadline.
“We’re keeping a close eye on it,” Biondo said. “And we’re keeping a close eye on our residents. I can’t say that we never have any posititve cases, but most recently we’ve not seen any significant serious illness for a while.”
Read More
December 23, 2021 |
By Jason A. Mignanelli | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News, Sports
Bill Cleary, retired athletic director and teacher at Serra Catholic High School, poses with a new sign at the gymnasium. Cleary’s 41-year career at the school in Haler Heights includes coaching the girls’ basketball team to a state championship and 18 section titles. (Photo courtesy Serra Catholic High School via Facebook)
For the first time in the school’s 60-year history, Serra Catholic High School has named an area of its campus after a former teacher.
On Dec. 11, at a ceremony attended by past and current teachers and faculty, the school in McKeesport’s Haler Heights neighborhood dedicated the William J. Cleary Gymnasium.
Cleary not only taught at Serra Catholic for 41 years, but he also held the Athletic Director position for 38 of those years.
“The thought of having the gymnasium named after me is just overwhelming and it’s incredibly humbling,” Cleary said recently. “I find myself paying closer attention to places that are named after people now. Someday someone will ask, ‘Who was that Coach Cleary guy anyway?””
Read More
December 21, 2021 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Crime and Police News, Duquesne News
Allegheny County police are investigating a shooting Monday night in Duquesne.
Emergency personnel said Duquesne police and paramedics were dispatched just before 10 p.m. to the 500 block of Grant Street for a report of a shooting. A male victim was found sitting a car, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the head, emergency personnel said.
The victim was taken to an area hospital and is listed in critical condition, county police said. His name was not released.
County police said the investigation is continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call the Allegheny County Police Tipline at 1-833-ALL-TIPS (1-833-255-8477). Callers can remain anonymous.
