November 26, 2019 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News, North Versailles Twp. News, White Oak News
White Oak
In October, White Oak police made 14 total arrests, 13 adult and one juvenile: three assaults, two criminal mischief, two criminal trespasses, one DUI, one flight to avoid apprehension, one hindering apprehension/prosecution, two theft, one unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, 63 traffic violations, and 823 total incidents. -- Christy Walters
North Versailles Twp.
During October, North Versailles Twp. police department received 763 calls, made 19 arrests and housed six inmates from Turtle Creek and six inmates from East McKeesport, according to township Commissioner Russell Saula. --- Richard Finch Jr.
November 26, 2019 |
By Richard Finch Jr. | Posted in: North Versailles Twp. News
North Versailles Twp. residents can expect an increase in their sewer bills as a result of the sanitation authority budget, approved by the board of commissioners at Thursday's meeting.
The increase will amount to approximately 24 percent, commission Vice President Sam Juliano said.
The Allegheny County Sanitary Authority, or Alcosan, treats wastewater from the northern part of the township, while sewers in the southern part of the township are connected to Pennsylvania American Water Co.'s McKeesport treatment plant. PAWC took over the McKeesport sewerage authority in 2017.
Township officials said for the past three years the North Versailles sanitary authority held rates constant despite increases from Alcosan totaling more than 21 percent for that time period.
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November 25, 2019 |
By Vickie Babyak | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
McKeesport Area High School cheerleaders were among more than 70 different units in the city’s 55th annual Salute to Santa parade. (Vickie Babyak photos, special to Tube City Almanac)
Pleasant weather --- a welcome change --- drew a large crowd Saturday morning to Fifth Avenue for McKeesport’s 55th Annual Salute to Santa parade.
The parade got underway just after 11 a.m., following a performance of "Joy to the World" by McKeesport Area High School senior Joey Young. State Sen. Jim Brewster served as parade marshal.
Video was streamed live by Tube City Online and its radio station, WMCK, from the corner of Fifth and Walnut streets.
Photographer Vickie Babyak captured these scenes for Tube City Almanac.
(All photos: Vickie Babyak. For reprint information, email vbabyak@yahoo.com.)
Serra Catholic High School Eagle Marching Band and McKeesport Area High School Tiger Marching Band prepare for the parade under the Jerome Street Bridge.
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November 25, 2019 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Politics & Elections
(Submitted photo courtesy of the candidate)
A Westmoreland County attorney has announced plans to challenge state Sen. Jim Brewster's bid for re-election in the 45th District.
But Nicole Ziccarelli of Lower Burrell is no stranger to the Mon-Yough area. A graduate of McKeesport Area High School, Ziccarelli grew up in White Oak and is a former member of the advisory board at Penn State Greater Allegheny campus.
She will seek the Republican nomination in the April 28 primary.
“I am running because the 45th District needs a fresh voice in the State Senate who is committed to solving problems and advocating for the needs of our community,” Ziccarelli said in a prepared statement. “From the Allie-Kiski Valley to the Mon Valley, we need a strong advocate to stand up for what’s most important — job creation, what’s best for kids and families, improved infrastructure and quality, affordable healthcare.”
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November 21, 2019 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Announcements, McKeesport and Region News, White Oak News
(Tube City Almanac file photo by Richard Finch Jr.)
McKeesport's 55th annual Salute to Santa parade will kick off the Christmas season at 11 a.m. Saturday along Fifth Avenue, Downtown.
Then, on Saturday evening, White Oak will light the borough's holiday tree with a celebration at Rainbow Volunteer Fire Co. on Long Run Road.
And McKeesport's 34th annual Festival of Trees is just a few weeks away.
First up is "Salute to Santa," one of the largest Christmas parades in Western Pennsylvania.
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November 20, 2019 |
By Christy Walters | Posted in: White Oak News
White Oak Council took action on a variety of construction and paving projects this week.
At Monday's meeting, council voted to authorize Senate Engineering Company to prepare specifications for the 2020 Borough Paving Program project.
Roads included in the project are Cool Springs Road, Messinger Lane, White Oak Drive, Rankin Road, the 2200 block of Cypress Avenue and the 1600 block of Ohio Avenue.
Council President David Pasternak abstained from voting, as he lives in the 2200 block of Cypress Avenue.
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November 19, 2019 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Low-income homeowners in the Christy Park and Grandview (above) neighborhoods of McKeesport will be eligible next year for assistance upgrading their exteriors of their houses, with help from gaming funds and tax credits, local and state officials announced last week. (Tube City Almanac photo)
A Pittsburgh-based non-profit will begin helping residents of two McKeesport neighborhoods rehabilitate their homes with assistance from Pennsylvania gaming revenues.
Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh, located in Homewood, has been awarded $150,000 for a program to offer exterior improvements for low-income homeowners in Grandview and Christy Park in 2020, a spokeswoman for McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko said.
The money will be provided from the state's Gaming Economic Development and Tourism Fund, which receives 5.5 percent of the revenues from casinos and other gambling facilities in Pennsylvania.
Separately, the state Department of Community and Economic Development has authorized $225,000 in tax credits for the same home improvement program, as well as $360,000 to the McKees Point Development Group for redevelopment projects and tourism enhancements in the Downtown area.
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November 17, 2019 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
(Tube City Almanac photo)
Crews have begun the long-awaited process of running a new water line to fire hydrants in the Grandview neighborhood of the city.
The work is being done by W. Construction Corp. of Jeannette under a contract from the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County, said Matthew Junker, water authority spokesman.
Nearly a half-mile of 12-inch water main is being installed, he said. Work is expected to conclude in early February. McKeesport city council this month granted a right-of-way along Silver Alley to the water authority.
"We were happy we were able to come to an agreement with the city and we look forward to working with them," Junker said.
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November 15, 2019 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements, West Newton News
First Church of God, 157 N. Second St., West Newton, will hold a “cookie walk” from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 14 at the church.
A spokesperson said more than 20 varieties of homemade cookies will be for sale on tables. Visitors will be invited to walk through the church hall with a box that they can fill with whichever cookies they want.
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November 15, 2019 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
McKeesport firefighters and Allegheny County hazardous materials teams responded to a chlorine leak Thursday morning at the McKeesport Water Treatment Plant.
Matthew Junker, spokesman for the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County, said the chlorine was isolated to a single building and water treatment operations at the plant were not affected.
Emergency crews were notified when workers detected a “slight chlorine smell” in the room where the tanks are housed, Junker said.
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