December 24, 2018 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Crime and Police News
A security camera image of the July 14, 2015, robbery of a First National Bank branch in West Mifflin. (Tube City Almanac file photo)
A former resident of Philadelphia has pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of robbing two banks near Century III Mall.
Germaine Kelly, 39, faces up to 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both, U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady said. Sentencing has been scheduled for May 16 before U.S. District Judge Cathy Bissoon.
Prosecutors said that on July 10, 2015, Kelly entered the Dollar Bank on Route 51 in Pleasant Hills and presented a teller with a note demanding money. He escaped with $1,115.
Read More
December 24, 2018 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
Allegheny County is again offering its annual Christmas tree recycling program this holiday season.
A spokeswoman said county residents may drop off Christmas trees beginning Wednesday and continuing through Jan. 14 at all nine regional parks from 8 a.m. until dusk.
All lights, decorations, tinsel and stands must be removed from trees prior to drop-off. Trees will be mulched and used in the county parks.
Read More
December 24, 2018 |
By Cami DiBattista | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Over 10,000 lights synchronized with Christmas music create a unique holiday display in Markvue Manor. Al and Cindy Harff have been decorating their home for 12 years and donating all funds collected to charity. (Cami DiBattista photo special to Tube City Almanac)
One North Huntingdon Twp. family aims to make the season a little brighter for those in need in a very festive way.
The Harff family, who reside at 1907 Bernice Dr. in the Markvue Manor development of North Huntingdon, deck out their home with thousands of lights and holiday décor each year in an effort to raise funds for Jamie’s Dream Team.
The McKeesport-based non-profit organization, founded by Jamie Holmes in 2005, supports those suffering from serious illness, injury, disability or trauma.
“Jamie is such a wonderful person and works so hard to make dreams come true for local children and adults,” said Cindy Harff. “We are happy to support her organization and just thrilled with the success of the light display.”
This is the 12th year the family has decorated their home for the holidays in this manner. Christmas Eve is the busiest night for visitors.
Read More
December 20, 2018 |
By Cami DiBattista | Posted in: White Oak News
The 2019 budget for White Oak Borough introduced at Monday's council meeting reflects no tax increase.
A special council meeting is slated for 7 p.m. on Dec. 27 for the purpose of adopting the budget. The meeting is open to the public.
The current property tax rate is 6.41 mills. Borough property taxes for a home assessed at $100,000 would be $641 annually.
In other business, Mayor Ina Jean Marton wished all residents a Merry Christmas and a safe, happy New Year and thanked everyone who participated in the borough’s first Toys for Tots collection.
“We collected five overflowing boxes,” Marton said. “Everyone was very generous.”
Read More
December 19, 2018 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Above: Seasonal public works employees Myselo King, left, and Austin Fagan and load recycle bins for delivery to McKeesport residents in this 2017 photo. Mayor Michael Cherepko said this month many bins are still available for city households. (Submitted photo by Jennifer Vertullo, City of McKeesport.)
McKeesport City Council has extended its contract with its garbage collection service for one more year.
But Mayor Michael Cherepko says the city is again considering purchase of its own garbage trucks and bringing the service back in-house for the first time in more than 35 years.
Council this month by 7-0 vote exercised an option with Big's Sanitation of Rostraver Twp., Westmoreland County, to collect the city's trash until Dec. 31, 2019.
Rather than a rate increase, Cherepko said, Big's has lowered its prices to the 2015 level.
The mayor's office has received some complaints about trash collection over the past year, Cherepko said, but added that Joe Eori Jr., president of Big's, has been "responsive every time the complaints have come in."
Read More
December 19, 2018 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
(All photos: Courtesy Tom Rosso, City of McKeesport)
With an assist from McKeesport City Electrician Tom Rosso and other employees, crews from McKeesport-based Fort Pitt Flagpole Co. installed one of their namesake products outside city hall last week.
The flagpole is the first to grace the grounds of McKeesport City Hall, located in the former McKeesport National Bank Building at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Sinclair Street, Downtown.
Read More
December 18, 2018 |
By Cami DiBattista | Posted in: Duquesne News
Nine-year-old Arnez Logan, a student of Duquesne Elementary School, is a member of the school's Junior Constable program, run by school security officer and Pennsylvania State Constable Lonzo Boyce Sr., at left. (Cami DiBattista photo, special to Tube City Almanac)
When fourth-grader Arnez Logan began the school year at Duquesne Elementary, he had no idea he would wrap up his first week being labeled a hero.
As a participant in the school’s Junior Constable Program, one of his responsibilities includes being a member of the "safety patrol." Logan was stationed outside the entrance of the school, diligently observing his surroundings, when he saw a kindergarten student run out into the road in front of an oncoming car.
Without a second thought he reacted, grabbing the kindergartener and pulling him to safety as the car sped by.
“He was running and it did not look like he was going to stop,” said nine-year-old Logan. “I hurried up and pulled him back before a car came speeding by.”
“I was across the street and couldn’t get there quickly enough,” said Duquesne constable Lonzo Boyce Sr., who started the Junior Constable Program around five years ago. “It was like it happened in slow motion. As soon as he stepped onto the street, Arnez grabbed him. ‘Nice save, Arnez. Great job,’ was the first thing that came out of my mouth. It was unbelievable.”
Read More
December 14, 2018 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
Motorists may expect brief delays this week on state Route 837 between Clairton and Dravosburg while crews perform tests.
A district spokesman for the state Department of Transportation says crews from Armstrong Drilling, Inc., are conducting geotechnical drilling between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. today through Friday, weather-permitting, between Lebanon School Road and New England Road in West Mifflin.
Single-lane alternating traffic will be maintained, the spokesman said. Motorists should use caution when traveling in this area.
December 14, 2018 |
By Cami DiBattista | Posted in: Duquesne News
Duquesne residents are voicing concerns regarding the new way water bills are being issued.
At the Nov. 27 council meeting, one resident who also owns a rental property said that as the landlord, she's receiving bills, but her tenants are not.
And while she is keeping the bills up-to-date, she said, her tenants are receiving delinquency letters. Other residents said they're receiving bill that are lower than what they know they owe.
Read More
December 14, 2018 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
(Map courtesy Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County. )
The water authority serving McKeesport will invest more than $843,000 to improve the water flow to fire hydrants in the Grandview area of the city.
The improvements --- including more than a half-mile of new water mains and eight new fire hydrants --- were approved Wednesday by the board of directors of the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County.
Matthew Junker, spokesman for the water authority, said the board is responding to concerns raised by McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko, fire Chief Jeff Tomovcsik and residents after a fire June 16 on Cleveland Street leveled one home, severely damaged at least five others and sent several people to the hospital.
"I'm very pleased that they are going to finally make the necessary improvements up there, and make sure that water flow is never a problem again in the Grandview area," Cherepko said Thursday.
Read More
