January 03, 2025 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News, State & Region
(Tube City Almanac file photo)
State Rep. Matt Gergely has been hospitalized for what was described as a “medical emergency” by a spokesperson for the state House Democratic Caucus. Few other details were released.
The McKeesport Democrat won a special election in 2023 to fill the 35th District seat, which was left vacant when former state Rep. Austin Davis of McKeesport was elected lieutenant governor.
In November, Gergely was elected to a full two-year term. His illness was first reported Friday by Pittsburgh public radio station WESA-FM.
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January 03, 2025 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
(Download printable version)
McKeesport’s 2025 recycling calendar was published incorrectly in this quarter’s edition of “In McKeesport Area” magazine, the mayor’s office has announced.
The correct calendar is attached and available on the city’s website.
McKeesport participates in single-stream recycling, which means residents can dispose of paper, cardboard, plastics Number 1 through 7, and aluminum or bi-metal cans by placing everything in a single bin, the city said.
The holiday scheduling for trash and recycling pickup affects customers whose service falls on a holiday. The entire week will be one day behind when a holiday falls on a Monday. When the holiday falls on any other day, the only days that will be affected are those following the holiday within the holiday week. If the holiday falls on a weekend, there will be no delay.
January 03, 2025 |
By Advertising | Posted in: Paid Advertisement
MUSEUM MANAGER
The McKeesport Regional History & Heritage Center is seeking a MUSEUM MANAGER. Organized, fiscal-minded individual with experience in museum and/or nonprofit management. Experience in corporate giving, fundraising, and/or grant writing highly valued. Position also responsible for database management of collections, membership, sponsorships, etc. Up to 30 hours weekly. Wages negotiable based on training and experience. Email resume and cover letter to info@mckeesportheritage.org.
RECEPTIONIST / RESEARCH ASSISTANT
The McKeesport Regional History & Heritage Center is seeking a RECEPTIONIST and RESEARCH ASSISTANT. Friendly, outgoing person who can commit 35 hours per week to office tasks, customer service, and research coordination at the Center through customer interactions. Must have basic computer skills and some experience in an office setting. Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite preferred. Wages negotiable based on training and experience. Email resume and cover letter to info@mckeesportheritage.org. 12/31/24 - 1/31/25
December 30, 2024 |
By Danielle M. Smith - Public News Service | Posted in: State & Region
As President-elect Donald Trump takes office, federal safety net programs such as Medicaid, CHIP and SNAP, which support 85 million low-income Americans, may face cuts to reduce inflation and debt.
In Pennsylvania, 40 percent of the child population is covered through Medicaid.
Carolyn Myers, communications director for Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children, said Medicaid has been instrumental in reducing the child uninsured rate. Cuts to the program will threaten coverage and benefits to the 1.2 million children currently enrolled in Pennsylvania.
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December 30, 2024 |
By Danielle M. Smith - Public News Service | Posted in: State & Region
In January, low-wage workers in Pennsylvania will be missing out on pay hikes seen in 23 other states.
Neighboring states such as Ohio are starting the new year with higher minimum wages.
Gillian Kratzer, deputy director of the advocacy group Better Pennsylvania, said the state’s minimum wage has stayed the same as the federal minimum wage, $7.25, since 2009. Her group argues that a better economy requires people to have money to spend.
“When you are living not just at minimum wage but even within some distance above it, you do not have money to spend, you are living paycheck to paycheck,” Kratzer said.
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December 25, 2024 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Editorial Cartoons
Light dawns for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.
Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name!
(Psalm 97: 11-12)
December 24, 2024 |
By Kristen Keleschenyi | Posted in: North Versailles Twp. News
The North Versailles library and community center have been closed since 2023 after a building inspection revealed structural damage. (Kristen Keleschenyi photo for Tube City Almanac)
North Versailles Twp. commissioners will seek bids to repair the North Versailles Library and Community Center.
The library, located at 1401 Greensburg Ave., has been closed since September 2023 after a building inspection indicated structural damage.
Years of storing road salt in the building's garage space caused cracks to form in the walls. The building has remained closed, due to an abundance of caution, and a temporary site has been operating in the Great Valley Shopping Center in the former Good Samaritan Thrift Store.
A resident survey, distributed in late spring and early summer, was part of the catalyst to get the repairs done as soon as possible. “We got a lot of feedback with that,” said Commissioner Louise Beswick said. “People want their community center and library open.”
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December 20, 2024 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Pam Irizarry of Irwin gives last-minute instructions Thursday morning to helpers before parents of needy children begin “shopping” at Mission: Agape in McKeesport. (Tube City Almanac photo)
Volunteers from Mission: Agape this week distributed 2,000 toys and gifts for almost 400 children in the Mon-Yough area.
At a makeshift toy store set up inside the former Wesley United Methodist Church on Prescott Street, volunteers guided parents and guardians through a series of shopping stations grouped by ages ranging from birth to 18 year olds. “Shoppers” entered in groups of 10 at a time.
No children were permitted so that all gifts will remain a surprise until unwrapped, said Lori Smith-Sakalousky of Latrobe, who was helping organize this week’s giveaways along with Pam Irizarry of Irwin.
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December 16, 2024 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
(Illustration based on “Republic Services Trash Truck” by Jon Cutrer, licensed under Creative Commons CC BY 2.0)
Many McKeesport residents reacted with anger after city council this month voted to increase the annual Municipal Service Fee from $300 to $400.
The fee, payable in quarterly installments, has not been raised for several years. But Mayor Michael Cherepko told council that the cost of trash collection has more than doubled.
“We’ve eaten that cost the last two years,” Cherepko said. “I didn’t think it was right to increase that fee when our garbage collection was poor at times. I didn’t feel comfortable pursuing this increase until our service was satisfactory.”
Following three years during which residents alleged that the previous contractor was skipping houses, missing entire streets or leaving trash in the road, McKeesport returned in 2023 to Big’s Sanitation of Forward Twp. Cherepko said that complaints have dramatically decreased since the switch.
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December 16, 2024 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Duquesne News
Santa Claus has been making the rounds in Mon-Yough communities, in many cases with the assistance of volunteer firefighters and their departments, Tube City Almanac has learned.
The North Pole resident, shown here, visited Duquesne on Dec. 1.
A spokesperson for the jolly old elf said Santa and Duquesne firefighters began their rounds on Library Court, then traveled to St. Joseph Church, St. Nicholas Church, Payne Chapel A.M.E. Church, Orchard Park, Crawford Avenue, Kennedy Avenue, the former Duquesne football field, the Hilltop apartments and Oliver Plaza, ending their trip at City Hall on South Second Street.
Claus, whose age was not listed, is scheduled to return to the area on Dec. 24.
All photos are courtesy Duquesne Councilman Councilman Aaron Adams.
