March 22, 2020 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Announcements, West Newton News
The West Newton Lions Club will hold a take-out only fish fry from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Good Friday, April 10.
A spokeswoman said the event will be cash-only and will be conducted at the Lions Field House, 511 Pittsburgh St.
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, customers may call ahead at (724) 972-3779 and drive around to the back of the building to pickup their orders from their car windows.
Delivery in West Newton is also available.
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March 22, 2020 |
By Richard Finch Jr. | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Teacher Ryan Dunmire-Kuftic and student. (Richard Finch Jr. photo, special to Tube City Almanac)
The Steel Valley School District has been distributing more than 260 “grab ’n go” meals to its 1,350 students each weekday since the beginning of the school year.
Beginning Friday, the “Love In A Backpack” program began providing food for the weekends as well.
More than 300 backpacks of free food were distributed to students at Steel Valley High School and Barrett Elementary School on Friday, according to District Superintendent Edward Wehrer.
Despite the statewide school shutdown for the coronavirus pandemic, Steel Valley has joined other districts in continuing to offer free school lunches for students in need. Food is available for pick-up at Steel Valley High School and Barrett Elementary School, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, Monday through Friday.
School counselor Alyson Fisher said in addition to the weekday meals, “with the parent's permission, every Friday, in light of this global crisis, we now provide food for the weekend.”
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March 22, 2020 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
(Submitted photo via Facebook)
Meals on Wheels deliveries continue for residents who are served by LifeSpan, but the organization’s seven community resource centers for senior citizens are closed to the public.
A spokeswoman said the closures are to comply with Gov. Tom Wolf’s order closing all non-essential businesses.
In addition to its senior resource centers, LifeSpan provides assistance to caregivers of older adults as well as care management and helps investigate allegations of possible elder abuse.
All programs except for the senior centers are operating, but with modifications in place to protect the health and safety of both consumers and staff, the spokeswoman said.
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March 21, 2020 |
By Vickie Babyak | Posted in: Commentary-Editorial
(All photos: Courtesy Vickie Babyak)
During stressful and uncertain times spring reminds me that life continues on. It helps me feel secure to see nature’s growing plants and amazing creatures. Spring feels like a new beginning and a perfect time to rejuvenate myself. I breathe in the fresh air of a new season and it clears away my dreary thoughts of winter.
I find comfort in nature and can patiently spend a couple hours in my backyard with my camera hanging around my shoulders. I love photographing the beauty of flowering plants, budding trees and especially native birds. I notice the details of a tiny flower bud, raindrops on a petal, playful squirrels, the colors of spring emerging from earth, and sweet chirping birds on branches. I capture the memorable image with my camera.
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March 20, 2020 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Editor’s Note: This story has now been updated with a response from Republican leaders of the Pennsylvania Senate and details from Ohio.
(Submitted photo)
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf ordered all businesses that are not “life-sustaining,” in his words, to close their physical locations at 8 p.m. Thursday.
Enforcement by the Pennsylvania State Police and other agencies will begin at 12:01 a.m. Saturday (March 21).
Pharmacies, food markets and gas stations are exempt. Also exempt are farms, food processing facilities and many manufacturing facilities. Utilities, transportation services, auto-repair shops and building material stores are exempt and may remain open. Construction work must halt, but building maintenance can continue, the state said.
Businesses that do not comply will face citations, fines and other enforcement actions, Wolf’s office said.
The order is designed to slow the spread of novel coronavirus and the related disease, COVID-19, officials said.
State Republicans said the order issued by Wolf, a Democrat, went too far.
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March 19, 2020 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Announcements
The Elbow Room in the city’s 10th Ward is one of more than a dozen restaurants that have stayed open to provide take-out food only, according to a spokeswoman in McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko’s office. (Tube City Almanac photo)
Although all restaurants in the state have been ordered to close their dining rooms and lounges for at least two weeks in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, businesses are allowed to offer carry-out, delivery and drive-through services for food and beverages.
The Allegheny County Health Department on Thursday issued new guidance for restaurants who are keeping their kitchens open for take-out or delivery service.
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March 19, 2020 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Announcements, Crime and Police News, Duquesne News, McKeesport and Region News, North Versailles Twp. News, White Oak News
Local police departments are modifying their procedures in response to concerns over the spread of novel coronavirus.
Officers will respond immediately to emergency calls to 9-1-1, police said, but tours and routine visits are cancelled indefinitely.
Police in Duquesne, McKeesport, North Versailles Twp. and White Oak are asking residents not to come to their stations in person for routine requests.
Information requests, general complaints and reports about suspicious behaviors should be telephoned to non-emergency numbers, and will be handled by phone. If an officer needs additional information in person, they will make arrangements to meet the other party, police said.
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March 19, 2020 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: North Versailles Twp. News
North Versailles Twp. cancelled the commissioners’ meeting scheduled for Thursday night as the number of cases of COVID-19 continues to increase in Western Pennsylvania.
A township spokesperson said the meeting will not be rescheduled. The township also has cancelled the annual “Spring Fling” and the citizens’ police academy.
The closure follows President Trump’s decision to declare the coronavirus pandemic a national emergency, the township announced.
Access to the township municipal building is restricted until further notice to staff and authorized personnel only, a spokesperson said. Residents who do not have appointments to visit the building are being to asked to transact business by telephone and email. To ask a question, call (412) 823-6602.
Bills, taxes and fees may be paid by mail to 1918 Greensburg Ave., North Versailles, PA 15137, or deposited in the drop box at the front of the building.
March 16, 2020 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
McKeesport Area Ministerium has cancelled the remainder of its planned Wednesday noontime Lenten luncheon services, following guidance from public health officials to avoid unnecessary public gatherings.
The Rev. Jim Leuenberger, pastor of McKeesport Presbyterian Church, made the announcement Monday morning. He said the decision was reached after polling members of the ministerium.
“The response was overwhelmingly in favor of canceling the rest of the services and lunches,” Leuenberger said. “I’m sorry to have to do this, but I agree that it is for the best and the responsible thing to do.”
The ministerium’s regularly scheduled meeting this week is also cancelled, he said.
March 15, 2020 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
(Courtesy Office of Gov. Tom Wolf)
All restaurants and bars in Allegheny County have been ordered to close their dining rooms at midnight tonight, and to stay closed for 14 days.
The order was issued by Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, citing recommendations from the state health department.
Wolf said he was exercising his authority under the state’s COVID-19 disaster declaration order. Four other counties — Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery — also are affected.
Eating and drinking inside restaurants and bars in those counties is temporarily prohibited. Carry-out and delivery service may continue, the governor said.
Ohio Gov. Michael Dewine issued a similar order earlier on Sunday, effective statewide at 9 p.m.
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