Tickets: Available at Eventbrite. All proceeds benefit GASP.
Fifty years ago, the goal of the Group Against Smog and Pollution was to be a watchdog, fighting for cleaner air for Pittsburgh-area residents.
One of its targets back when it was formed in 1969 was the then-mighty U.S. Steel Corp., which owned mills up and down the valley.
As GASP celebrates its 50th anniversary, U.S. Steel --- especially its Clairton Plant --- remains in focus, especially after a fire at that facility on Christmas Eve destroyed a desulfurization unit.
Heavy rain that passed through the Mon-Yough area on Tuesday afternoon forced the cancellation of most of the opening night entertainment at McKeesport's 60th International Village.
Although the band Zabava did perform as scheduled in the Jakomas Blue-Top Pavilion at Renziehausen Park, dancing and music on the main stage was called off due to hazardous conditions in the area surrounding Stephen Barry Field.
The planned opening ceremony, as well as fireworks, have been rescheduled for tonight, a spokesperson said. Gates open at 3 p.m. and main stage entertainment is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.
Food and most craft booths remained open until 9 p.m. Tuesday, when the gates closed.
CORRECTED after publication to clarify the Renzie Market is a general market, not just a farmer's market. (Aug. 21)
(Photos courtesy Renzie Market via Facebook)
Halfway through its third year, the weekly market at Renziehausen Park is still going strong, even if not everyone in the Mon-Yough area is aware of it.
Joelle Harbert, vice president of the Renzie Market committee, said the current season will wrap up Oct. 12.
Despite being around since 2016, "many of our neighbors have never heard about the market," she said. Located behind the city's No. 2 fire station at the intersection of Eden Park Boulevard and Tulip Drive, the market is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.
Family of the late Jimmy Beaumont gathered at Renziehausen Park on Sunday to unveil a new street sign erected in honor of the late lead singer of The Skyliners.
Beaumont's grandchildren had the honor of revealing the sign on stage at the Lions Bandshell before a concert by the remaining members of the vocal group.
Beaumont, who was born in Pittsburgh but lived in McKeesport's Myer Park neighborhood for nearly 50 years, died in 2017 at the age of 76.
"We truly don't take it for granted that we had a star here in the City of McKeesport," Mayor Michael Cherepko said, "and without question as proud as Jimmy was to be a McKeesport resident, as a city, we were every bit as proud to have him here."
A McKeesport man has been charged with homicide in connection with a brutal double-stabbing Thursday morning in downtown Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh police said there is still no clear reason why the suspect, identified as James Wyatt, 23, slashed Janice Purdue-Dance, 61, of Erie.
The victim was talking to a police officer at a bus stop in front of the Heinz 57 Center on Sixth Avenue when the attack occurred.
Police allege that Wyatt stabbed another woman before the officer subdued him and took him into custody. The second victim survived the attack and was in stable condition at a hospital Thursday night.
McKeesport police investigating a suspected burglary in Highland Grove wound up arresting three people --- including a fugitive wanted in Maryland.
Officers recovered a stolen 9-mm semiautomatic pistol, more than $1,500 in suspected heroin and two bags of suspected crack cocaine following the incident Saturday morning.
One of the people arrested is being held in the Allegheny County Jail in lieu of $30,000 bond after city police allege that he pointed a firearm at officers.
Refrigerated trucks are loaded at Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank in Duquesne. By 2025, the organization hopes to deliver 20 million pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables each year to people in 11 counties. (Photo special to Tube City Almanac)
The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank is planning to double the amount of fresh produce it provides to needy people throughout Western Pennsylvania by 2025.
To make that possible, the Duquesne-based organization is planning a renovation of its facility in the RIDC industrial park that would expand its cold storage area as well as its "cold dock" --- the part of the warehouse where fresh vegetables and fruit are received and repacked for distribution.
For nutritional and health reasons, food banks are moving away from pre-packaged boxed and canned foods and towards fresh foods, said Justin Lee, chief operating officer for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.
McKeesport's 60th International Village will kick off with a Village for Kids from 12 to 4 p.m. on Monday (Aug. 12) at the Lions Bandshell in Renziehausen Park.
The family-friendly event is free of charge and will include plenty of food and fun. Activities include crafts, games, and inflatable rides.
“It’s an exciting opportunity to offer something like this for kids in and around the area because it brings everyone together for a day of excitement and fun while getting to know our neighbors,” said organizer Alison Piccolino.
(Tube City Almanac file photo from 2012 by Denise L. Ritter)
CORRECTION: Fireworks are Tuesday, Aug. 13. We apologize for the error.
Renziehausen Park will soon be booming with the tastes, sights and smells of another International Village.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the event, which has been a McKeesport tradition since its inception in 1960. International Village has grown to become the region's largest celebration of ethnic food, heritage and diversity.
This year’s celebration of the city’s distinctive ethnic diversity is slated for Aug. 13, 14 and 15.
“International Village is one of the many wonderful events that brings McKeesporters together, and it’s been a phenomenal success over the past 60 years,” said City Councilman Keith Soles, chairman of the International Village Committee. “Everyone comes together to celebrate years of tradition.
“I think, in addition to the tradition of their individual heritage, folks come out to celebrate the tradition of the Village itself,” he said. “It’s a grand event that truly represents what the McKeesport community has to offer.”
The City of Duquesne is appealing an arbitrator's decision to reinstate a police secretary accused of misusing a criminal justice database.
Lori Achtzehn had worked for the city for more than 40 years before being fired by city council in March 2018.
On June 25, an arbitrator ruled that the firing violated the terms of the city's contract with Teamsters Local 205, which represents Duquesne rank-and-file employees, and ordered Achtzehn reinstated with back pay.
Duquesne believes the arbitrator was wrong and is appealing to Allegheny County Common Pleas Court, said Myron Sainovich, city solicitor.
