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."
January 17, 2019 |
By Cami DiBattista | Posted in: Duquesne News
Duquesne residents voice their frustrations during January's city council meeting. (Cami DiBattista photo, special to Tube City Almanac)
Read More: Duquesne Mayor Nickole Nesby had additional thoughts following this meeting
The first Duquesne City Council meeting of the year was emotionally charged, as a roomful of residents vented their frustrations with Mayor Nickole Nesby and other officials.
Several representatives of the Duquesne Youth Football Association questioned city officials about allegations that the organization is being dissolved.
They alleged that the Duquesne Police Department had “spread rumors of drug money being funneled through the organization.”
One spokesperson for the youth football association said the organization is unhappy with Police Chief Tom Dunlevy and the department, and said he feels the city’s black population is being unfairly targeted.
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January 17, 2019 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
An East Pittsburgh man is being held without bail on charges that he kidnapped a 16-year-old girl from her home in Penn Hills.
The victim, Marjani Aquil, was found Wednesday night by McKeesport police at a residence in Christy Park, a county police spokeswoman said. Aquil had suffered facial injuries during her abduction and was treated at a local hospital, county police said.
Jermaine Laquay Rodgers, 19, was arrested by McKeesport police and the Allegheny County Police SWAT team following a three-hour standoff.
He is being held in the Allegheny County Jail without bond pending a preliminary hearing Jan. 28 before Magisteral District Judge Anthony L. DeLuca, court documents indicate.
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January 16, 2019 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
(Roy Luck photo via Wikimedia Commons. Licensed under Creative Commons CC-BY-2.0.)
Correction appended, Jan. 17:
Three elected state officials are demanding more accountability from U.S. Steel and the Allegheny County Health Department in the wake of the announcement that sulfur dioxide emissions from the Clairton Plant have exceeded safe levels six times since Dec. 24.
State Sens. Jim Brewster and Jay Costa and state Rep. Austin Davis are calling on the state House and Senate Democratic Policy Committees to hold a joint hearing in the Mon-Yough area, which has been under an "air quality alert" since Jan. 8.
Last week, local residents criticized the health department for waiting 16 days before issuing the alert, which warned children, the elderly and people with heart and lung conditions to avoid strenuous outdoor activities until further notice.
"The public needs to know sooner and get better information on how to react," Brewster, Costa and Davis said in a joint release Wednesday.
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