November 19, 2019 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Low-income homeowners in the Christy Park and Grandview (above) neighborhoods of McKeesport will be eligible next year for assistance upgrading their exteriors of their houses, with help from gaming funds and tax credits, local and state officials announced last week. (Tube City Almanac photo)
A Pittsburgh-based non-profit will begin helping residents of two McKeesport neighborhoods rehabilitate their homes with assistance from Pennsylvania gaming revenues.
Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh, located in Homewood, has been awarded $150,000 for a program to offer exterior improvements for low-income homeowners in Grandview and Christy Park in 2020, a spokeswoman for McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko said.
The money will be provided from the state's Gaming Economic Development and Tourism Fund, which receives 5.5 percent of the revenues from casinos and other gambling facilities in Pennsylvania.
Separately, the state Department of Community and Economic Development has authorized $225,000 in tax credits for the same home improvement program, as well as $360,000 to the McKees Point Development Group for redevelopment projects and tourism enhancements in the Downtown area.
Read More
November 17, 2019 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
(Tube City Almanac photo)
Crews have begun the long-awaited process of running a new water line to fire hydrants in the Grandview neighborhood of the city.
The work is being done by W. Construction Corp. of Jeannette under a contract from the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County, said Matthew Junker, water authority spokesman.
Nearly a half-mile of 12-inch water main is being installed, he said. Work is expected to conclude in early February. McKeesport city council this month granted a right-of-way along Silver Alley to the water authority.
"We were happy we were able to come to an agreement with the city and we look forward to working with them," Junker said.
Read More
November 15, 2019 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements, West Newton News
First Church of God, 157 N. Second St., West Newton, will hold a “cookie walk” from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 14 at the church.
A spokesperson said more than 20 varieties of homemade cookies will be for sale on tables. Visitors will be invited to walk through the church hall with a box that they can fill with whichever cookies they want.
Read More
November 15, 2019 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
McKeesport firefighters and Allegheny County hazardous materials teams responded to a chlorine leak Thursday morning at the McKeesport Water Treatment Plant.
Matthew Junker, spokesman for the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County, said the chlorine was isolated to a single building and water treatment operations at the plant were not affected.
Emergency crews were notified when workers detected a “slight chlorine smell” in the room where the tanks are housed, Junker said.
Read More
November 14, 2019 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
The Allegheny County fire marshal's office is investigating a blaze on Tuesday afternoon that destroyed a vacant house on Stewart Street.
McKeesport fire Chief Jeff Tomovcsik said callers reported the fire at 3:21 p.m. in the two-story wood frame structure at 2910 Stewart.
Initial reports indicated that someone may have been inside, but those proved to be incorrect, Tomovcsik said.
Read More
November 14, 2019 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
A city woman has been charged following an incident late Tuesday night that involved police from multiple jurisdictions, including Allegheny County and City of Pittsburgh special weapons and tactics teams.
McKeesport police Chief Adam Alfer said Thursday that despite initial media reports, no police officers were fired upon. No injuries were reported in the incident that stretched into Wednesday morning.
Jasmine A. Mosby, 29, is charged by McKeesport police with recklessly endangering another person and receiving stolen property in connection with the incident. She is being held in Allegheny County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bond pending a preliminary hearing Nov. 18 before Magisterial District Judge Eugene Riazzi.
Read More
November 14, 2019 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
Mon Yough Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting a women's networking luncheon and craft fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 20 at Dave & Buster's, 180 E. Waterfront Drive, Homestead. Tickets cost $20 for members and $25 for non-members, and registration in advance is required.
The event will include open shopping from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and a buffet lunch from 12 noon to 1 p.m.
The deadline to register is Nov. 15. To purchase tickets online, visit the website.
Read More
November 08, 2019 |
By Emily Pidgeon | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Michael Kennedy and Vickey Giddens-Kennedy have opened Vickey’s Soul Grill Takeout & Catering with help from Penn State’s Mon Valley Launchbox. (Photo by Emily Pidgeon, special to Tube City Almanac)
Vickey Giddens-Kennedy wants to change how people think and feel about Southern cooking.
“Just let me get into a kitchen," says the owner of Vickey’s Soul Grill Takeout & Catering. Giddens-Kennedy says she found her own personal healing through food and wants to pass that gift onto others in the community.
Sometimes, Giddens-Kennedy says, she would pray, “Lord if you heal me, I’ll give this healing to others.”
"Food is my cure,” she says.
Vickey's Soul Grill is one of the first busineses to receive guidance and assistance from the Mon Valley Launchbox, a business incubator program of Penn State University’s Greater Allegheny Campus.
Read More
November 08, 2019 |
By Richard Finch Jr. | Posted in: Announcements, McKeesport and Region News
Students perform during McKeesport Area High School’s 2013 Veterans’ Day program. (Photo courtesy McKeesport High School Tiger Band.)
McKeesport Area students will perform a one-hour concert, “A Tribute to Veterans,” at 9:30 a.m. Monday at the high school in honor of Veterans Day.
The event will begin with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the Presentation of Colors by the McKeesport Area High School Air Force Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps.
The program will feature the district’s symphonic and jazz bands, directed by Mark DeCarlo; the concert and a capella choirs; and the string orchestra directed by Sarah Persin, as well as a multimedia presentation including “Tribute to Apollo 11,” “75th Anniversary of D-Day” and Toby Keith's “American Soldier,” and conclude with an audience sing along with the a capella and concert choirs.
“The students are very excited to present their hard work to the veterans,” said Beth Eger, choral director at Founders Hall Middle School. “This is one of our favorite programs, we get to show our appreciation to the men and women who fought for our country.”
Read More
November 07, 2019 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Emmy winner Rachel Brosnahan is co-producing “I’m Your Woman,” an upcoming Amazon Studios release which is filming some scenes in McKeesport this month. (Submitted photo)
Hollywood is back in McKeesport: Amazon Studios is using locations in the city for scenes in an upcoming movie starring Rachel Brosnahan.
Film crews used The Elbow Room restaurant on West Fifth Avenue this week, as well as the former Weinberg's Texaco station on the opposite side of Rebecca Street.
Brosnahan, who recently won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in Amazon Studio's series “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” is the lead in a movie titled “I’m Your Woman,” according to the Pittsburgh Film Office.
Read More
