December 18, 2017 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Above: Signing the paperwork completing the sale of McKeesport's sewerage authority are Jeffrey McIntyre, president of Pennsylvania American Water; McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko; and Dale McCall, chair of the Municipal Authority of the City of McKeesport. (Submitted photo)
Pennsylvania American Water Co. today completed its purchase of the assets of the Municipal Authority of the City of McKeesport.
The sale, valued at $159 million, includes wastewater treatment plants in the city's lower 10th Ward, Duquesne and Dravosburg, sewer lines and infrastructure serving 64,000 people in those three communities as well as East McKeesport, Elizabeth Twp., Glassport, Liberty, North Versailles Twp., Port Vue, Versailles and White Oak.
After all of the debts and obligations of the sewerage authority were satisfied, the city netted more than $40 million, officials said Monday. The money is already in a city account, though portions of it must be escrowed while the authority's remaining business is wound down.
What it means for consumers:
Continue to pay your MACM bill as scheduled. Pennsylvania American Water will begin sending bills Jan. 1.
Sewerage rates will not increase for at least one calendar year and rate changes will have to be approved by the state Public Utility Commission.
Customers who pay in person at the office in Christy Park may continue to do so. A collection box is also available at McKeesport City Hall.
The same phone numbers may continue to be used until customers are told otherwise. The MACM billing department may be reached at (412) 673-0850.
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December 16, 2017 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Crime and Police News
(Updated 11 p.m. with victim's name)
One man is dead following a shooting Saturday morning on Spring Street.
Allegheny County police Lt. Andrew Schurman said emergency crews responded at 11:43 a.m. after callers reported a man was lying in the street and unresponsive just off of Jenny Lind Street.
The victim, identified as Mahlik Cash, 21, was suffering from multiple gunshot wounds and pronounced dead at the scene, Schurman said.
The killing is the 13th in McKeesport and the 29th in the Mon Valley so far this year, according to statistics from the Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office.
Schurman said county homicide detectives are investigating. No further information has been released.
December 15, 2017 |
By Mike Mauer | Posted in: Announcements
Scholarship awardees Reagan Rubright, Kada Jackel, Nicholas Kosuda and Dylan Ruffing with VFW Post 914 Commander Jake Bradich. (Submitted photo)
Four West Mifflin students each received top honors from All-American Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 914 Intrepid West Mifflin for this year’s Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen contests.
The winners were accepted from more than three dozen entries that gave the local scholars a chance to earn some of the $2 million in national educational incentives awarded annually through the VFW.
Earning the nod for this year’s VOD competition are Reagan Rubright, Kada Jackel and Dylan Ruffing from West Mifflin Area High School.
Nicholas Kosuda from the West Mifflin Area Middle School was awarded the top slot for the post’s Patriot’s Pen scholarship.
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December 15, 2017 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Duquesne News
In a scathing report, Pennsylvania's auditor general this week said he would refer a complaint to the state Ethics Commission about the Duquesne City School District.
But the state-appointed receiver for the district said the practices flagged by state Auditor General Eugene DePasquale have now been "prohibited" and that the problems have not affected "instruction, programs and services" provided to Duquesne's 331 students in kindergarten through sixth grade.
"Full funding has been maintained for all student instruction, programs and services," Paul B. Long said Thursday in a letter to parents and the district's elected school board.
At issue in the 42-page report released by DePasquale this week were payroll advances that administrators --- including a former school superintendent --- made to themselves without any oversight from the elected school directors or Long.
DePasquale said the advances amounted to "personal no-interest loans" and called the practice "total insanity" and "outrageous."
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December 15, 2017 |
By Cami DiBattista | Posted in: Announcements, Duquesne News
Free tax preparation services are being offered to Duquesne residents who qualify, beginning next month, Mayor Phil Krivacek said. The service is sponsored by United Way.
A workshop to help residents prepare their taxes is slated for Jan. 16 through April 17, he said.
Beginning Jan. 10, appointments can be scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. by calling 2-1-1.
Additionally, a free Duquesne tax clinic will assist residents in filing their 2017 taxes. Those with a total household income of up to $45,000 or an individual income of $25,000 are encouraged to take advantage of the service from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. either Feb. 23 or March 23, Krivacek said.
Contact United Way at 2-1-1 for an appointment.
December 15, 2017 |
By Cami DiBattista | Posted in: Duquesne News
Mary Louise Bittner will serve as Duquesne's acting business manager.
At Wednesday's city council meeting, outgoing Mayor Phil Krivacek said Bittner will fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Frank Piccolino last month.
Bittner will serve until the next administration selects someone permanent for the position, Krivacek said. Newly elected mayor Nickole Nesby takes office after the first of the year.
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December 14, 2017 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
- Arrest records published here were provided by the McKeesport Police Department.
- Not all arrest records are published.
- A report of an arrest does not mean the person identified has been convicted of a crime.
- All people arrested are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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December 13, 2017 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Announcements
The McKeesport Area Education Foundation and the McKeesport ROMEO Club will present a concert by the Glenn Miller Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 22.
The concert, titled "In the Holiday Mood," will help raise money towards scholarships for students in the district.
"I want to applaud that because it's really a win-win for our students as well as the organization," said Mark Holtzman, school district superintendent.
Tickets are $10 and are available by sending a check or money order to McKeesport Area Education Foundation, 3590 O'Neil Blvd., McKeesport 15132.
For more information, call Andy at (412) 708-3945.
December 13, 2017 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
Penn State Greater Allegheny will hold community fitness classes at its new McKeesport Community Center, 410 Ninth Ave., Downtown, a spokeswoman said.
Zumba classes with Tiffani Hurt will be held from 11 a.m. to 12 noon on the following Saturdays: Dec. 16; Jan. 13, 20 and 27; Feb. 3, 10, 17 and 24; March 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31; April 7, 14, 21 and 28; and May 5, 12 and 19.
Yoga classes with Anne Mason will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. on the following Mondays: Jan. 8, 15, 22 and 29; Feb. 5,12, 19 and 26; March 5, 12, 19 and 26; April 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30; and May 7 and 14.
The center is located in the former YWCA building, just off of Walnut Street.
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December 12, 2017 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
(All photos: Special to Tube City Almanac)
Demolition of the vacant George Washington School in the Seventh Ward will begin soon and take about a month, weather permitting.
That's the word from David Seropian, business manager for McKeesport Area School District, who said demolition crews are going to try to preserve some items from the 1928-vintage building, which closed in 2014.
"I don't know specifically what's being saved, but there are some things we want to try to save," he said Tuesday.
McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko said the demolition is a positive step forward for the school's neighbors on Sumac and Freemont streets.
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