April 12, 2018 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
A water main near Renziehausen Park began leaking Thursday morning, flooding several homes and leaving parts of Haler Heights, the 11th Ward and Versailles Borough with low or no water pressure.
The incident happened just before 10:30 a.m. in the 700 block of Palm Street as crews from Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County worked to install a new valve on a 16-inch water main, said Matt Junker, authority spokesman.
"When the new valve was installed, a sleeve that holds it to the pipe shifted, causing a leak" in a nearby 12-inch pipe, Junker said.
The leak was isolated at about 2 p.m. Thursday, he said.
Homes in the area of Palm and King streets were flooded by the initial leak, and debris washed down onto Eden Park Boulevard, said Steve Kondrosky, McKeesport public works director.
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April 11, 2018 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Crime and Police News
McKeesport and Allegheny County police are investigating a shooting Wednesday night that sent a 38-year-old man to the hospital.
A spokeswoman for Allegheny County police said that city police and paramedics were dispatched at 9:30 p.m. to the 2900 block of Palmgreen Street after callers reported that someone had been shot. The victim was wounded in the stomach, police said, and taken to a trauma center for treatment.
No details on his condition were available Wednesday night.
Homicide detectives were investigating, the spokeswoman said.
April 11, 2018 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
McKeesport Mayor Mike Cherepko this month honored four people for living the "McKeesport Message" of Respect, Dignity, Hope and Love.
At April's city council meeting, proclamations were presented by Cherepko to McKeesport Area High School junior Maniya Mitchell for living the value of "Respect"; state Rep. Austin Davis for "Hope"; Mary Pat Soltis for "Love"; and Cindi Higdon for "Dignity."
Nominees were selected by the McKeesport Message Committee, part of Cherepko’s Select Committee on Crime and Violence. Nominations for the next round of awards must be received by May 4.
Biographies of the latest winners follow.
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April 11, 2018 |
By Bonnijean Cooney Adams | Posted in: Entertainment
Members of the cast and orchestra pit rehearse a number from McKeesport Area High School's production of "James and the Giant Peach."
McKeesport Area High School graduate Carolyn Carreiro was hired by her alma mater in 2012 to design the program for the spring musical.
Now she’s producing her third musical there – “James and the Giant Peach” – based on the children’s book of the same name by Roald Dahl.
The musical, which opens Thursday and runs through Saturday in the high school auditorium, relates the story of a young orphan named James, who is taken in by two not-so-nice aunts, his only living relatives. He discovers the recipe for a magic potion that causes a peach tree in their yard to produce a giant fruit.
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April 10, 2018 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
New books for ages 5 through 12 are being collected at White Oak Park, Round Hill Park in Elizabeth Twp., and other county facilities to benefit children who receive meals through the summer food program.
Now through June 1, books can be dropped off at the White Oak Park office from 7:30 to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, and at the Round Hill Park office from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Drop-off boxes also are available during regular business hours at the Human Services Building, 1 Smithfield St., downtown Pittsburgh; and at the County Executive’s Office in the Allegheny County Courthouse, 436 Grant St.
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April 10, 2018 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
Work has begun to replace a bridge on Route 48 in Elizabeth Twp., and delays are possible in the area, said a district spokesman for the state Department of Transportation.
Frank Gavlik & Sons, Inc. is the prime contractor on the project to replace a bridge that carries the highway over Boston Run in the Mt. Vernon section of the township. The project is expected to cost $804,000.
Minor restrictions with flaggers will occur during the first two weeks of the project while crews conduct shoulder work, the spokesman said. Once bridge replacement work begins, traffic will be restricted to a single, alternating lane, controlled by traffic signals.
The new bridge is expected to be complete in August.
April 10, 2018 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Crime and Police News
A city man has pleaded guilty to charges that his school bus company employed drivers without conducting required criminal background checks --- and in one case, hired a driver who didn't even have a license.
Martin W. Betchy, 36, of Haler Heights pleaded guilty Tuesday to charges of insurance fraud, theft by deception and endangering the welfare of children, state Attorney General Josh Shapiro said in a prepared release.
Sentencing for Betchy has been scheduled for June 28 before Allegheny County Judge Ed Borkowski, Shapiro said. Court records indicate that Betchy is currently free in lieu of $15,000 bond.
Betchy was the owner of Three Rivers Transit LLC, which beginning in 2012 had a contract to transport children to and from Propel Schools.
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April 09, 2018 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Announcements, Duquesne News, White Oak News
It's National Library Week, but next week also promises to be exciting at Carnegie Library of McKeesport. On April 19, the library board, staff and local elected officials will break ground on a new parking lot next to the main building at 1507 Library Ave.
The long-awaited $81,000 parking lot, being funded through grants and donations, will add 30 sorely needed spaces for library patrons.
"We were sending out invitations, and someone said, 'Do you think I should put on there that we have limited parking?'" says Colleen Denne, library director.
This week promises to be busy --- even if parking is limited at times --- with events that include "Patron Appreciation Day" on Wednesday, a visit by local children's author Sydelle Pearl on Thursday and a keynote lecture by gardening expert Doug Oster on Friday.
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April 09, 2018 |
By Bonnijean Cooney Adams | Posted in: Entertainment
Above: The cast of "Once on This Island" at East Allegheny High School rehearses a scene from the upcoming show.
Amanda Rosco decided to depart from more traditional offerings and cross one item off her bucket list through East Allegheny’s spring musical, “Once on This Island.”
Running this Thursday, Friday and Saturday with shows at 7:30 p.m. daily, plus a 2 p.m. matinee Saturday, the musical is set in the Caribbean and focuses on the life of a peasant girl named Ti Moune, who falls in love with a young man from her island’s upper class.
The musical includes elements of “Romeo and Juliet” in the tale of the star-crossed lovers, plus a wager among the four gods who watch over the inhabitants of the island.
“These shows are my babies and major project each year,” said Rosco, who serves as director, producer and music director.
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April 09, 2018 |
By Cami DiBattista | Posted in: Duquesne News
New Duquesne fire Chief Frank Cobb (Cami DiBattista photo, special to Tube City Almanac)
Around 40 hardworking volunteers make up the Duquesne Fire Department, according to Frank Cobb, who became fire chief in January.
“We are a family and we are committed to the safety of the community,” said the lifelong Duquesne resident.
A 22-year veteran volunteer, Cobb has devoted his life to serving Duquesne, both as a firefighter and also as the city’s constable. Prior to becoming chief, he served as assistant chief for the Duquesne Fire Department.
“The adrenaline you get from being a firefighter is indescribable,” he said. “It gets in your blood.”
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