November 20, 2020 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
A McKees Rocks man is being held in the Allegheny County Jail after McKeesport police said he fired a shot into the floor of his girlfriend’s Dravosburg apartment and threatened to kill her.
Cody W. Pehm, 25, is charged with recklessly endangering another person, terroristic threats, discharging a firearm into an occupied structure, simple assault and possession of a controlled substance following the incident Monday night.
Magisterial District Judge James A. Motznik ordered Pehm held without bond pending a preliminary hearing Dec. 3 before Magisterial District Judge Richard D. Olasz Jr.
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November 19, 2020 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Politics & Elections
The race between state Sen. Jim Brewster and challenger Nicole Ziccarelli is now tied at 65,978 votes each.
As of Wednesday, Brewster, a McKeesport Democrat, had been leading Ziccarelli, Republican of Lower Burrell, by 28 votes. Brewster is seeking re-election to his third full term representing the 45th Senatorial District.
Westmoreland County on Thursday counted additional provisional and mail-in ballots that had been held for further review. The count added 141 votes for Brewster and 169 for Ziccarelli.
Another court hearing is scheduled on Friday before Westmoreland County Judge Harry Smail Jr. regarding the remaining provisional ballots that have not yet been counted.
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November 19, 2020 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Announcements
(Google Maps image)
City officials, parents and volunteers are blasting a decision by the Boys & Girls Club of Western Pennsylvania to close the LaRosa Boys & Girls Club on Ravine Street.
The Pittsburgh-based organization notified McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko of the closing in a letter to city hall on Wednesday, and with a posting on its website.
In an interview with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Lisa Abel-Palmieri, president and chief executive officer of BGCWPA, called the closure a “merger” of the Duquesne and McKeesport programs, and blamed it on declining attendance in McKeesport and the high cost of overhead, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic.
But Cherepko and two former directors of the LaRosa club said Abel-Palmieri’s statements are not accurate.
“That story in the Post-Gazette made me sick,” said City Administrator Tom Maglicco, who served as executive director of the club for 13 years and sits on its advisory board. “In my opinion, she’s wrong. There is no doubt in my mind there’s enough kids in this community to fill that club.”
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November 18, 2020 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Politics & Elections
EDITED to clarify that the current totals do not reflect the disputed absentee ballots.
The future of Pennsylvania’s 45th Senatorial District is now in the hands of the state Supreme Court.
Republican Nicole Ziccarelli of Lower Burrell on Wednesday afternoon filed an emergency petition asking the state’s highest court to use its powers of “extraordinary relief” to rule that 2,349 of Allegheny County’s absentee ballots are invalid and cannot be counted.
State Sen. Jim Brewster, McKeesport Democrat, currently holds a 28-vote lead over his challenger, Ziccarelli. Brewster is seeking re-election to his third four-year term.
The Allegheny County Board of Elections voted 2-1 to accept the ballots, which were signed by voters but not dated. The ballots have not yet been counted.
On Wednesday morning, Allegheny County Judge Joseph M. James upheld the board’s decision.
“In light of the fact that there is no fraud, a technical omission on an envelope should not render a ballot invalid,” he wrote in his decision. “These ballots must be counted.”
Ziccarelli’s attorneys also are appealing James’s decision in Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court.
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November 16, 2020 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko helps unload $2,000 in food donated to the local Salvation Army by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. (Tube City Almanac photo)
Local Mormons have donated more than $2,000 in non-perishable food to McKeesport’s Salvation Army.
The gift, from the Pleasant Hills Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, comes as the Salvation Army is worried that this year’s “Red Kettle” campaign may come up thousands of dollars short.
Church members delivered the food gift on Thursday. Jeff Miracle of Mt. Lebanon, president and first counselor of the church’s Pittsburgh West Stake, said the congregation is working to build its relationship with the surrounding community.
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November 15, 2020 |
By Jason A. Mignanelli | Posted in: Announcements, Duquesne News
Christ Soul Saving Station Church, 1013 Kennedy Ave., Duquesne, will provide free Thanksgiving dinners to families in need on Nov. 21.
Bishop David Queen, senior pastor, said volunteers from the church will deliver the meals safely. To schedule a delivery, call (412) 689-3955.
Residents in need of a hot meal also may visit the church between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Nov. 21, Queen said.
November 15, 2020 |
By Jason A. Mignanelli | Posted in: Duquesne News
The closure of Duquesne’s only supermarket highlights the larger problems, caused by poverty, that plague residents of the Mon Valley, social justice advocates said on Saturday.
During a meeting outside the recently closed Save-a-Lot store on Duquesne Boulevard, advocates said the loss of the supermarket is having a severe impact on city residents who don’t have cars and must rely on public transit.
About 65 to 70 people gathered, with organizers repeatedly reminding those in attendance to wear a mask and practice social distancing.
Krystle Knight, an organizer with Pittsburgh’s Thomas Merton Center, said despite all of the hype around the recent presidential election, it will produce relatively little day-to-day change for Duquesne residents.
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November 11, 2020 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
Weight restrictions have been posted on a portion of Dravosburg Hill due to the conditions of one of the overpasses.
Steve Cowan, district spokesman for the state Department of Transportation, said the bridge that crosses the Union Railroad tracks near Sandy Lake is restricted to trucks weighing no more than 22 tons, or combination vehicles up to 27 tons.
Warning signs were posted on Richland Avenue and Pittsburgh-McKeesport Boulevard last week.
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November 11, 2020 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
The ramp from the south end of the McKeesport-Duquesne Bridge to Fifth Avenue in the city’s East End will remain closed through at least Nov. 27 so that crews can repair damaged concrete and expansion joints.
The closure began Wednesday. East Fifth Avenue also serves as state Route 148 between Downtown McKeesport and Route 30.
Steve Cowan, district spokesman for the state Department of Transportation, said the work is being done by Michael Facchiano Contracting of Mt. Lebanon.
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November 11, 2020 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
About 700 Mon-Yough area families will receive free Thanksgiving dinners with the help of state Rep. Austin Davis, Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania.
Turkeys, boxes of stuffing and potatoes as well as canned gravy, cranberry sauce, vegetables and sweet potatoes will be distributed from 10 a.m. to 12 noon Nov. 21 at McKeesport Area High School, 1960 Eden Park Blvd.
Registration is required. Call (412) 460-3663 ext. 655 or visit pittsburghfoodbank.org/get-help/drive-up to register. The deadline is 5 p.m. Nov. 19.
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