July 08, 2019 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News, North Versailles Twp. News
A Penn Hills woman faces a preliminary hearing July 18 in connection with a shooting Saturday inside the North Versailles Twp. Walmart.
Rojanai Germaine Alston, 22, is charged by Allegheny County police with aggravated assault and attempted homicide. Court officials said Alston is free on $25,000 bond pending the hearing before Magisterial District Judge Roxanne Eichler.
Alston is accused of shooting a 25-year-old woman inside the store's electronics department just after 9:30 p.m. The victim, whose name has not been released, was hospitalized in critical condition, police said.
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July 05, 2019 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Jimmy Beaumont, shown fourth from left on the cover of The Skyliners' first LP, was born in Pittsburgh but lived in McKeesport for nearly 50 years until his death in 2017.
A portion of Tulip Drive near the Lions Bandshell in Renziehausen Park will be renamed for the late Jimmy Beaumont.
McKeesport City Council on Tuesday by 5-0 vote approved a proposal from Mayor Michael Cherepko and Council Vice-President Jamie Brewster-Filotei to rename the section of street for Beaumont, former lead singer of The Skyliners, who died Oct. 7, 2017, at his home in McKeesport at age 76.
Jimmy Beaumont Boulevard will be dedicated on Aug. 11, when the remaining Skyliners perform at Renzie.
Beaumont was born in Pittsburgh's Knoxville section but had lived in McKeesport's Myer Park neighborhood since the 1960s.
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July 05, 2019 |
By Vickie Babyak | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
(All photos: Vickie Babyak, special to Tube City Almanac)
The McKeesport area celebrated the 243rd birthday of the United States of America with a lively concert and fireworks at Renziehausen Park.
James Warren of McKeesport and his daughter Alaina, age 2, show off their holiday spirit with the red, white and blue.
Sal Ventura, lead singer for Zoot Island Band, tosses a hula hoop off stage to the audience during their concert in Renziehausen Park.
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July 04, 2019 |
By Richard Finch Jr. | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
From left, Michelle Matuch, McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko, Matthew Craig of the Young Preservationists of Pittsburgh, and Jason Togyer participated in a panel discussion entitled "The Past, Present and Future of the Penn-McKee Hotel" on Saturday at McKeesport Regional History & Heritage Center. (Photo courtesy McKeesport Regional History & Heritage Center)
The first thing you see driving into Downtown McKeesport from the Jerome Street Bridge or traveling on the river trail is the derelict Penn-McKee Hotel.
And thousands of people ride through McKeesport on the bike trail --- but don’t stop to spend any money, according to Jason Togyer, executive director of Tube City Community Media Inc.
Reversing those two facts --- and filling cash registers --- are the goals of a possible renovation of the hotel, Togyer said.
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July 04, 2019 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
A Port Vue man who fell from the roof of a home on Laredo Street died of a heart attack.
Raymond Martini, 68, suffered a blood clot in his right coronary artery, the Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office said Thursday following an autopsy.
Martini was taken by ambulance to UPMC McKeesport hospital just after 3 p.m. Wednesday following the fall, the medical examiner's office said. He died in the emergency room, the medical examiner's office said.
The death has been ruled an accident. Port Vue police investigated at the scene.
July 04, 2019 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Announcements
(Courtesy Dr. Zoot and Zoot Island)
Zoot Island party will perform at Renziehausen Park at 7 p.m. tonight, with fireworks to follow for Independence Day.
McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko said this week the fireworks will be set off at around 9:30 p.m., weather permitting.
"Obviously, we'll keep an eye on the sky," he said.
McKeesport police will be out in full force to monitor traffic and crowd safety, Cherepko said.
The concert is sponsored by the McKeesport Lions Club, the Allegheny Regional Asset District, the city of McKeesport and Mayor Michael Cherepko. Admission is free but attendees should bring a blanket or chair to sit on.
Zoot Island performs a mix of summertime favorites, including Jimmy Buffett tunes, classic rock and oldies, sing-a-long hits and beach party tunes.
July 03, 2019 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Another gas station and convenience store may be coming to East Fifth Avenue near the McKeesport-Duquesne Bridge.
McKeesport City Council by 5-0 vote on Tuesday approved a request from Morris Knowles & Associates of Delmont, Westmoreland County, to merge together 12 separate lots, totalling more than 3 acres, for the development of a gas station and convenience store.
Councilmen Jim Barry Jr. and Richard Dellapenna Jr. were absent.
Council also voted to vacate a portion of Gleditsch Alley, which passes between the lots at the bottom of Hartman Street.
Dick Roberts, a spokesman for Giant Eagle, said the O'Hara Twp. based retailer is considering the construction of a GetGo cafe and market at the site.
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July 03, 2019 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
A naked man used a garden gnome to smash the window of a Downtown liquor store and had to be subdued with a Taser, McKeesport police said.
The suspect in the June 21 incident refused to give his name and was charged as a "John Doe" with burglary, indecent exposure, criminal mischief, theft by unlawful taking and public drunkenness.
He is being held in the Allegheny County Jail in lieu of $5,000 bond pending a preliiminary hearing July 15 before Magisterial District Judge Eugene Riazzi.
McKeesport police on Wednesday said the suspect has since been identified as Antonio Burton, 33, of Pittsburgh's East End.
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July 01, 2019 |
By Richard Finch Jr. | Posted in: Duquesne News
Former Duquesne police chief Richard S. Adams has been named to a vacant seat on city council, over the objections of Mayor Nickole Nesby.
At its June meeting, council voted 3-1 to name Adams to fill the seat vacated by the May 28 resignation of Fawn McDaniel. Nesby voted no.
Nesby had earlier made a motion to appoint William Danko to council. The motion failed 2-2, with Nesby and Councilman Tim Caldwell voting "yes" and Councilwoman Terra Henderson-Murphy and Councilwoman Elaine Washington voting “no.”
Danko “will bring new ideas to the city of Duquesne," Nesby said. "He can also bring experience as well as diversity to council."
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July 01, 2019 |
By Richard Finch Jr. | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Mark P. Holtzman Jr., McKeesport Area School District superintendent, presents Dennis Halaszynski Sr. with his cap, tassel and 1949 high school diploma from McKeesport Area School District. (Photo by Vickie Babyak, special to Tube City Almanac)
Diane Couch couldn't stop smiling as she held her father's hand Wednesday night.
She and five of her siblings brought 88-year-old Dennis Halaszynski to the McKeesport Area School District meeting on the premise that one of his daughters-in-law was receiving an award.
It was a special case of "better late than never" for the life-long McKeesport resident when he received his high school diploma from district Superintendent Mark Holtzman Jr. at Wednesday's meeting, during a surprise ceremony planned six weeks ago with the help of school board President Joe Lopretto.
Couch said her father always regretted not earning his high school diploma.
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