April 16, 2021 |
By Nichole Faina | Posted in: Duquesne News
Editor’s note: This is the second of two stories about In City Farms. The first may be found here.
An architect’s rendering shows what In City Farms’ Duquesne facility will look like. Construction is expected to begin soon. (Submitted image courtesy In City Farms)
When businessman Paul Schink learned that In City Farms aquaponics plant was slated to be built in Duquesne, he said it would mean “more customers and more traffic” for his store, Schink’s Hardware, and other local businesses. His father founded Schink’s Hardware in 1945 and he began working at the store in 1959.
Schink, who witnessed Duquesne’s industrial decline over the last few decades, is glad for new industry to come to the area.
This spring, In City Farms is breaking ground in RIDC’s Industrial Center of Duquesne business park, located on the former U.S. Steel Duquesne Plant.
The 25-acre development is a 175,000-square-foot aquaponic plant dedicated to growing vegetables such as bok choy, collard greens and mixed salad greens and raising fish.
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April 16, 2021 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: West Newton News
West Newton Library, 124 N. Water St., will hold a jewelry and “fill-a-bag” book sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 24 in the parking lot, a spokesperson said.
All visitors will be asked to practicing social distancing and to wear masks. Library volunteers said that more than two years’ worth of donations of gently used books have been sanitized and quarantined, and will be on sale.
Parking will be available at the West Newton Senior Center or other nearby spaces. For more information, call (724) 633-0798.
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April 15, 2021 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
The Allegheny County Police Department will participate in the federal Drug Enforcement Agency’s National Take-Back Initiative being held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 24, a spokesperson said.
This is the DEA’s 20th bi-annual event focused on offering an opportunity for the public to surrender expired, unwanted or unused pharmaceutical controlled substances and other medications to law enforcement officers for destruction.
Any over-the-counter, controlled substance or prescription-required drugs can be dropped off. Tables, capsules, ointments, creams and liquids will be accepted in packaging. There is no need to take medicines out of the original package or container. Sharps and syringes cannot be accepted due to safety reasons, the county said.
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April 14, 2021 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Marsha Watkiss of Jeannette, a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, helps to clean a grave Long Run Cemetery in North Huntingdon. The McKeesport chapter, named for Queen Alliquippa, celebrated its 110th anniversary this past weekend. (Submitted photo)
Few organizations can celebrate more than a century of existence. Even fewer in Western Pennsylvania are comprised of people who can trace their lineage to the American Revolution.
On Saturday, members of the Queen Alliquippa Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution celebrated their 110th anniversary with a tea social.
Their special guest was Elizabeth Watkins, state leader — or “regent” in DAR parlance — who updated the local group about her efforts to restore a window at the Valley Forge Tower that honors Robert Morris, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation and the U.S. Constitution, and one of Pennsylvania’s first U.S. senators.
Founded in 1890 and incorporated by an act of Congress in 1896, the DAR is an organization of women 18 years and older who can prove they are descendants of any “patriot” who supported the American Revolution.
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April 13, 2021 |
By Bonnijean Cooney Adams | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Whether new to the cast, returning to the same roles they were ready to play in 2020, or in totally different roles this year, McKeesport Area High School students are in final rehearsals for “Disney’s The Little Mermaid.” (Submitted photo courtesy Carolyn Carreiro)
If you watch...
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“Disney’s The Little Mermaid”
Where: Online at https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/48602
When: 7 p.m. Thursday, April 29, Friday, April 30, and Saturday, May 1, with an additional 2 p.m. matinee on May 1. (Note: Performances must be watched when they’re being streamed. There will be no re-broadcast.)
Tickets: $20 per device
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“Disney’s The Little Mermaid” was supposed to be the final spring musical for McKeesport Area High School producer Carolyn Carreiro back in 2020.
But then Covid-19 came along and changed her plans.
“Last year was supposed to be my last musical as producer,” she said. “With the pandemic, no one else was hired and I said I would step up one more time. This year was so different with the logistics of streaming the show, that it would have been a nightmare for a new producer to deal with.”
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April 13, 2021 |
By Siana Emery | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
The COVID-19 pandemic has stretched resources in school districts across the nation, creating deficits in funding, access to education, and access to resources. For schools in the Mon Valley, however, there is some aid on the way.
State Rep. Austin Davis announced on March 30 that an estimated $41.1 million in federal funding has been allocated to districts across the Mon Valley to help them reopen safely and address learning losses as students and teachers return to classrooms.
The McKeesport Area School District will receive $16.9 million.
“We are thankful to have those funds,” said Mark Holtzman Jr., district superintendent. “I don’t know what we would’ve done without them.”
Other districts receiving funds include:
• Clairton City School District — $4.96 million
• Duquesne City School District — $4.81 million
• East Allegheny School District — $4.82 million
• South Allegheny School District — $3.4 million
• Steel Valley School District — $5 million
• West Mifflin Area School District — $5.95 million
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April 09, 2021 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Residents who challenged McKeesport city council’s decision to close its January meeting finally got a chance to speak their minds.
At Wednesday’s city council meeting, which was streamed over the Internet, eight people asked to enter comments into the official record. Four were from McKeesport. One of the others was Allegheny County Councilwoman Olivia Bennett.
Comments were received in writing from three of the four people, including former McKeesport Councilwoman V. Fawn Walker-Montgomery, Janina Riley and Courtney Thompkins, who sued McKeesport City Council after the Jan. 6 meeting was closed to the public.
All of the comments criticized police behavior during the Dec. 20 search for Koby Lee Francis, the 22-year-old suspect accused of shooting McKeesport police Officer Jerry Athans.
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April 09, 2021 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
County health officials will begin issuing air-quality alerts targeted to the Mon Valley, beginning on Monday.
A spokeswoman for the Allegheny County Health Department said the alerts will tell residents when weather forecasts have the potential for poor air quality.
The alerts will be sent out using email, text messages and phone calls. To receive the alerts, visit alleghenycounty.us/alerts and sign up for “Mon Valley Air Pollution Episode” notifications.
The move comes in the wake of several recent cases when air quality measured at the Liberty Borough monitor dropped below federal standards.
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April 09, 2021 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
Allegheny County’s Board of Elections will meet at 2 p.m. Tuesday (April 13) to discuss the upcoming municipal primary election, a spokesperson said.
The Elections Division will provide an update on its plans, including discussion on preparations for polling places, poll workers and other related administrative functions.
The public may view the meeting at https://bit.ly/3uo3leN. Anyone wishing to address the board must submit their comments via email to BOE@AlleghenyCounty.us prior to 2 p.m. April 12.
Pennsylvania voters will be electing mayors, borough councils, township commissioners and supervisors, school directors and other offices. The primary will be held May 18.
April 09, 2021 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Crime and Police News
A McKeesport man faces up to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to a charge of possession of child pornography.
Michael Brooks, 54, also faces a fine of up to $250,000, said a spokeswoman for acting U.S. Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman in Pittsburgh.
Brooks entered the plea before U.S. District Judge Marilyn J. Horan. Sentencing is scheduled for July 27.
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