March 02, 2020 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Crime and Police News
Some motorists who parked on Fifth Avenue on Thursday and paid using the MeterFeeder smartphone app got an unpleasant surprise --- parking tickets.
McKeesport police Chief Adam Alfer said the tickets were issued in error by a new officer who was unfamiliar with how MeterFeeder works. The glitch will not happen again, he said.
MeterFeeder allows motorists to pay for parking at a metered space, without putting coins into the meter. The city began using the app in 2017. Homestead, Braddock, Dormont, Sewickley and other towns also use the app.
Any motorists who received a parking ticket in error should bring the citation to the police chief's office, second floor of the Public Safety Building, 201 Lysle Blvd., and the ticket will be waived, Alfer said.
February 28, 2020 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Conflict of Interest Note: The author has a conflict of interest. He is a member of the McKees Point Development Group. See previous coverage of this issue and the note at the end of this story.
The developers and financial backers behind a six-year, $2.7 million project to remove blight in the city’s Downtown business district said this week they’re excited about the possibilities.
Members of McKees Point Development Group held a public hearing Wednesday at the Public Safety Building to outline the city’s goals for the first year of the Neighborhood Assistance Program, or NAP.
The program is being funded through tax credits and investments by Duquesne Light, First Commonwealth Bank, Noble Energy and UPMC Health System.
“McKeesport has a tremendous opportunity to move forward,” said Dennis Troy, president of DTI Development, which is talking to the city about partnering on several redevelopment projects.
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February 27, 2020 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements, Duquesne News
Human Services Center Corp. will hold an HIV/AIDS awareness day event for women and girls from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 11 at First Presbyterian Church of Duquesne, 719 Duquesne Blvd., a spokeswoman said.
The event will include speakers, prizes, free dinner and confidential HIV testing.
Reservations can be made by calling Deanna at (412) 829-7112 or emailing dsupancic@hscc-mvpc.org. Attendees who want to be entered into a raffle must RSVP by March 2.
February 27, 2020 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
Three women have been charged after McKeesport police said a dispute early Saturday morning in the 2500 block of Stewart Street turned into a break-in.
Cherri Ann Barber, 30, of Munhall, and Shada D. Williams, 31, and Gabrielle M. Sinkler, 28, both of McKeesport, are each free on $10,000 bond pending a preliminary hearing March 9 before Magisterial District Judge Eugene Riazzi.
Police said officers were dispatched late Friday night to the area of Stewart and Packer streets when callers to 9-1-1 reported several women were creating a disturbance. Officers left the neighborhood after not finding anyone at the scene, police said.
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February 27, 2020 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
In an effort to step up the city’s collection of unpaid taxes, permit fees and other debts, McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko has hired a chief revenue officer.
Matt Gergely, who served for the past three years as business manager for McKeesport Area School District, will be introduced to city council at the March 4 meeting, Cherepko said Wednesday.
Council has already discussed Gergely’s hiring in an executive session before the Feb. 5 meeting, the mayor said.
Gergely is taking the place of two employees of the finance department who recently retired and will help oversee a “total restructuring” of the department, Cherepko said.
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February 26, 2020 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
LifeSpan, a Homestead-based agency that serves seniors throughout the Mon Valley and South Hills, is encouraging local residents to signup for Highmark's Walk for a Healthy Community.
The walk will be held May 9 at Heinz Field on Pittsburgh's North Side. This year, the walk will benefit more than 90 health and human service organizations. The 2019 Pittsburgh Walk for a Healthy Community raised $433,328.
All funds raised by LifeSpan will go directly to LifeSpan, a spokeswoman said. Donations may be made through the Highmark website at www.walkforahealthycommunity.org. Select “Pittsburgh” and then choose “LifeSpan.”
LifeSpan's goal is to raise $10,000. For more information, contact Mike Dunn at (412) 464-1300, extension 145, or email mdunn@lifespanpa.org.
February 26, 2020 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Announcements, McKeesport and Region News
(Architect’s rendering courtesy Penn State University)
The Penn State University board of trustees has approved a proposed $14.7 million project to modernize the science building at the Greater Allegheny Campus in McKeesport.
The improvements to the 21,700-square-foot Ostermayer Laboratory were recommended last week by the trustees’ committee on finance, business and capital planning and ratified by the full board on Friday.
Ostermayer Laboratory was built in 1972-73. Renovations are expected to begin this spring and to be completed in early 2021.
Turner Construction Co. of Pittsburgh was chosen as the design build team.
The company has worked on projects at other Penn State campuses and Point Park University and the University of Pittsburgh; as well as the five-story K. Leroy Irvis Science Center at Community College of Allegheny County’s North Campus and the new Thomas Jefferson High School in Jefferson Hills.
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February 26, 2020 |
By Emily Pidgeon | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News, North Versailles Twp. News
(Editor's note: This story was corrected after publication.)
Volunteers at Corpus Christi Church in McKeesport prepare pierogi dough for assembly for annual fish fry. (Emily Pidgeon photos for Tube City Almanac)
Deep fryers pop and hiss, phones ring, volunteers shout out orders and collect totals. The air smells of fresh seafood and butter, cabbage and onions. Lines of people form, all waiting to place or pick up their order on the first evening of the Lenten season.
It’s just another Friday for church members and firemen alike at local area fish fries in the Mon Valley.
For the West Wilmerding Volunteer Fire Dept. in North Versailles Twp. and Mary Mother of God Parish in McKeesport, frying fish and serving the community go hand in hand with Lent. Both institutions cite religion and tradition as the reason for the fish fries each year.
“God and Money,” said Bud Pusey, West Wilmerding assistant fire chief. “That’s how we live here in the Steel Valley. That’s all we know. We get up and go to work each day to make a living and try to do the right thing. We work and we eat, and that’s how it’s always been.”
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February 25, 2020 |
By Christy Walters | Posted in: Announcements, White Oak News
White Oak police officers and officers from surrounding departments will be participating in Tips for Cops night at Twin Oaks Restaurant, Rainbow Village Shopping Center, on March 9, a spokesperson said.
Officers will be waiting tables from 5:30 to 9 p.m. and serving a limited menu. One-hundred percent of tips and 10 percent of every check will go toward Sampson’s Mills Church food pantry. There will also be a Chinese auction, 50/50 raffles and a bake sale.
The second annual Cops and Kids basketball program will meet Wednesdays in March from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the gym at Francis McClure Elementary School, 500 Longvue Drive. Pre-registration is not required and the program is open to all kids in fourth through 12th grade.
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February 25, 2020 |
By Jason A. Mignanelli | Posted in: North Versailles Twp. News
Sewerage bills will be increasing next month for residents of North Versailles Twp.
At the monthly meeting Feb. 20, township commissioners said the increase is the first in four years.
“We don’t ever like to see the rates go up but we are simply passing on the increase that we are seeing from Alcosan,” said Sam Juliano, vice president of the township commissioners.
“There have been a number of additional factors that play into the rate increase,” said Frank Pearsol, chair of the North Versailles Township Sanitary Authority.
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