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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June 30, 2019 |
By Richard Finch Jr. | Posted in: North Versailles Twp. News
During May, North Versailles Twp. police department received 890 calls, made 27 arrests and housed eight inmates from East McKeesport and nine from Turtle Creek, commissioners reported at their June 20 meeting.
Firefighters answered 40 calls during May.
Also at the June 20 meeting, commissioners voted to approve payments in the amount of $2,967.38 to West Wilmerding VFC from the 2018 Fire Tax Money and $27,886.35 for Crestas VFC from the 2018/2019 Fire Tax Money, Commissioner Russell Saula said.
The amount approved for Crestas VFC includes an annual loan payment for a fire truck in the amount of $24,835.33, according to Saula.
Commissioners voted 7-0 to approve $800 for the purchase of a camera to be placed in the dispatch center.
June 28, 2019 |
By Richard Finch Jr. | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Volunteers unpack new fitness equipment in the weight room at McKeesport Area High School. (All photos: Richard Finch Jr., special to Tube City Almanac)
McKeesport Area High School became the latest destination on the nationwide Team8 Tour this week, after volunteers with the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation and United Healthcare's “Do Good, Live Well” employee program gathered in the gymnasium to kick off the two-day event.
The weight room in the high school and the courtyard at Founders Hall Middle School were targeted for improvement. The Team8 Tour is a national campaign aimed at encouraging young people around the country to make healthy choices, build character and learn critical life lessons that will inspire them to be catalysts for positive social change, according to the foundation's website.
McKeesport Area School Superintendent Mark Holtzman Jr. credited baseball coach Ron Bishop with connecting the district to the program.
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June 28, 2019 |
By Richard Finch Jr. | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Above: Major Bryan Carson has been hired by McKeesport Area School District to teach the Air Force Junior ROTC program for 10 months, beginning July 1. His appointment was approved by the school board Wednesday. (Richard Finch Jr. photo, special to Tube City Almanac)
McKeesport Area School Board voted this week to approve a $69.1 million budget that includes a 0.68-mill property tax increase.
At their meeting Wednesday, school directors voted 6-2 to approve the spending plan for the 2019-2020 fiscal year.
School directors David Donato and James Brown voted against the budget, and school director Mindy Sturgess was absent. Donato and Sturgess were absent during the 7-0 vote on the preliminary budget on May 22.
The tax increase takes the district's millage from 19.48 mills to 20.16 mills, and represents a $68 increase on a house assessed at $100,000. It's the second year in a row that McKeesport Area School District has raised its property tax rate.
Francis Weiss, a former MASD employee, told school directors the property tax increase is a burden for herself and other seniors living on a fixed income.
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