January 23, 2019 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Officials with the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County are hopeful that a boil-water advisory for residents of Port Vue and McKeesport's 10th Ward could be lifted on Thursday.
Matthew Junker, authority spokesman, said MAWC is waiting for test results of a water sample taken Wednesday morning. The test --- checking for possible contamination --- takes 24 hours.
"If we get the results we expect, and the (state Department of Environmental Protection) gives approval, it could be lifted in the A.M.," Junker said.
About 2,100 customers have been under the boil-water advisory since Tuesday morning, when the authority detected a loss of water pressure and found a broken six-inch water main on Joy Street in Port Vue.
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January 22, 2019 |
By Richard Finch Jr. | Posted in: Announcements, North Versailles Twp. News
The North Versailles Twp. 150th Anniversary Planning Committee meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday at the municipal building, 1401 Greensburg Ave. Anyone interested in serving on the committee is welcome to attend.
Other Upcoming Events
North Versailles Twp. Family Night, including snow tubing, will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. Feb. 28 at Boyce Park. To attend, RSVP by Feb. 25 to the township's Parks and Recreation Department at (412) 823-6602, extension 104.
The Art and Apple Juice Painting Classes for children ages 5-12 will be held Feb. 1, Feb. 8, March 1 and March 29 at the North Versailles Twp. community center, 1401 Greensburg Ave. RSVP to the Parks and Recreation department.
January 22, 2019 |
By Richard Finch Jr. | Posted in: North Versailles Twp. News
The Wilmerding YMCA was expanded in 2006 at a cost of $750,000. (Photo copyright Penner & Associates.)
The former Wilmerding YMCA is scheduled to re-open early this year as the new Wilmerding Community Center, Inc., according to Peter McGinty, the center’s executive director.
The center, located on Ice Plant Hill Road, features a fitness center, swimming pool, child care day camps and the Silver Sneakers program.
At Wednesday's meeting of the North Versailles Twp. commissioners, McGinty said the new community center will need the support of all of the area communities.
“That’s why I’m here at North Versailles,” McGinty told the commissioners. “I met with the school district, I spoke with the East Allegheny Business Association and met with (state Sen.) Jim Brewster and (state Rep. Joe) Markosek.”
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January 22, 2019 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Announcements
Updated with additional details, 8 p.m.
(Map courtesy Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County.)
Officials have issued a "boil water" advisory for Port Vue and McKeesport's 10th Ward following a water main break on Joy Street near Romine Avenue, up the hill from the 15th Avenue Bridge.
A 6-inch water main broke at approximately 9:30 a.m. Monday, causing a loss of water pressure throughout the system, said Matthew Junker, a spokesman for the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County.
About 2,100 customers were affected, he said. Crews were still making repairs on Monday night.
The loss of water pressure could have allowed contamination to enter water lines through back-flow, Junker said, and until further notice, MAWC customers in Port Vue and the city's 10th Ward should boil their tap water before using it to drink, cook or make ice.
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January 22, 2019 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Announcements
(Photo courtesy 412 Food Rescue)
A local non-profit agency that has delivered 5 million pounds of unwanted food to needy families is asking for more volunteers from the Mon-Yough area.
“We are in need of volunteers in and around McKeesport and West Mifflin so food that is made available as a donation can be delivered to organizations that distribute it,” said Leah Lizarondo, chief executive officer of 412 Food Rescue. “It’s a chance to make a local impact on both food waste and hunger.”
Most food banks only accept non-perishable items --- such as canned and boxed foods --- because of the difficulty of storing and handling fresh food.
But 412 Food Rescue uses a smartphone app and the Internet to quickly match surplus perishable and fresh foods from supermarkets and restaurants with food banks. Technology writers have described it as the "Uber of food recovery."
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January 21, 2019 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
McKeesport Unit of the NAACP will hold its annual pancake breakfast Feb. 23 at Renziehausen Park, a spokeswoman said.
The event is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 12 noon at Jacob Woll Pavilion. The cost is $8 for adults and $4 for children 12 and under.
The menu will include pancakes, sausage, fruit cocktail, coffee, tea, water and juice, and assorted desserts for sale.
For more information, call (412) 292-5852.
January 21, 2019 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
Do you like to sing? Have you sung in high school, college or even in the shower? The Mon Yough Chorale is looking for you.
Spokeswoman Dianne Ribecca said the community chorus, based in White Oak, is always open to new members. The first gathering of the spring season will be held at 7 p.m. Jan. 27 at Sampson's Mills Presbyterian Church, 1665 Lincoln Way.
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January 18, 2019 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
(Photo by David Reber via Flickr, licensed under Creative Commons)
Now through April 11, Mon Valley residents may be eligible to get their federal, state and local tax returns filed for free under a program being offered again this year by the Human Services Center Corp. and United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania.
Stephanie Eson, a spokeswoman for the Turtle Creek-based HSCC, said the preparers are certified by the IRS, and there are no hidden fees or charges, and taxpayers who are eligible for refunds will get to keep those refunds.
Participants may qualify if their total income in 2018 was up to $30,000 for an individual or $50,000 for a household, Eson said. Appointments are required and can be made calling 2-1-1.
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January 18, 2019 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Announcements
(Photo by Classroom Camera via Flickr. Licensed under Creative Commons CC-BY-2.0.)
Five local school districts will each receive $35,000 grants to integrate computer science education into classroom lessons at all grade levels.
In addition, a $35,000 grant under the Pennsylvania Department of Education's PASmart initiative also has been awarded to the Mon Valley School in Jefferson Hills to provide targeted computer science education to students with special needs.
Duquesne City, East Allegheny, Norwin, South Allegheny and Steel Valley are among 221 school districts receiving the PASmart grants.
“As computer technology continues to evolve, it is important that students can experience and learn new computer skills first hand,” state Sen. Jim Brewster said in a prepared statement. “I am pleased that students in our area will benefit from Pennsylvania’s grants dedicated to improving computer science programs in local schools.”
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January 17, 2019 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Duquesne News
Following January's city council meeting when tensions ran high between residents and officials, Duquesne Mayor Nickole Nesby issued this statement:
"It’s important for everyone to be on the same page because residents get confused. The city values community organizations such as the Duquesne Youth Football Association. Sports play a role in bringing communities together, increasing social and cultural impact, developing social capital, reducing crime and anti-social behavior.
"It is my hope that more people participate as volunteers, increase the culture of respect and tolerance among young people, reduce fear of crime, create a more sustainable community with local pride, provide people with a greater voice and influence over decision-making, and increase the capacity to own community assets."
