January 18, 2018 |
By Lynne Glover | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
A view of the new inpatient detox and rehab unit at UPMC McKeesport --- the only one of its kind in Allegheny County. (Submitted photo courtesy UPMC)
Every day in Allegheny County, between six and 14 people are admitted to a hospital emergency room after an overdose, according to a 2016 study by the county's departments of Health and Human Services.
With its soon-to-open detoxification and rehabilitation unit, UPMC McKeesport is “stepping up to address the growing epidemic,” says Mark Sevco, hospital president.
Epidemic indeed: In 2016 and 2017, there were 35 fatal overdoses in the McKeesport zip code, 15132.
On Jan. 10, one day before UPMC McKeesport held an open house for its soon-to-open inpatient detox and rehab unit, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf declared the heroin and opioid epidemic a statewide disaster emergency.
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January 17, 2018 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
A married couple died at their home Wednesday morning in Clairton in what appears to have been a murder-suicide, Allegheny County police said.
The Allegheny County medical examiner's office has identified the victims as Robert Lewis, 72, and his wife, Louise, 73. A spokesperson said both were pronounced dead at their home in the 900 block of School Street from apparent gunshot wounds.
Homicide detectives said that Robert Lewis appeared to have shot his wife, and then turned the gun on himself, but that their investigation was ongoing.
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January 17, 2018 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
A former Christy Park resident has been indicted by a federal grand jury after being accused of coercing several minors to engage in sexual activity, and then making videos of them.
Scott Joseph Payne, 31, is charged with three counts of coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity, three charges of production of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, and one charge of possession of such material, U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady said Wednesday.
The indictment was returned Tuesday in Pittsburgh, Brady said in a prepared statement.
According to court records, Payne is currently being held in the Allegheny County Jail after violating terms of his probation for a previous conviction on child pornography charges.
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January 17, 2018 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
Mon Valley residents who need help filing their income taxes may be eligible for one of several free tax clinics being provided around the district.
The clinics are being held in McKeesport, Duquesne, Braddock, Clairton, Homestead, Turtle Creek and Elizabeth beginning Jan. 27, said Stephanie Eson of Human Services Center Corp. in Turtle Creek.
The clinics are being sponsored in part by the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, the Human Services Center and other agencies.
Although the clinics are free, appointments must be scheduled in advance by calling 2-1-1, Eson said. To be eligible, taxpayers must have had a 2017 income of $25,000 or less if filing as an individual, or a household income of $45,000 or less.
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January 16, 2018 |
By Cami DiBattista | Posted in: White Oak News
White Oak Borough has named Mark Sargent as its new police chief.
Council this week voted to offer the position to Sargent.
“I feel Mark will do a great job,” said Councilman Lou Bender, who previously served as police chief before retiring from the position in December. “He has tons of experience. He’s been on the police force for 22 years. He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and teaches at a local police academy. He’s a great officer and would make a wonderful police chief.”
In other business, council voted 6-1 to allow the transfer of a restaurant liquor license from Pleasant Hills into White Oak. The license will allow the Speedway on Route 48 to sell beer, wine coolers or malt beverages.
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January 16, 2018 |
By Cami DiBattista | Posted in: White Oak News
At White Oak Council's meeting this week, Karen Slobodian (above) accepted a plaque from Mayor Ina Jean Marton for her 17 years of service on the White Oak Recreation Board. The chair of the organization for the past three years, Slobodian is stepping down but said she still hopes to assist the board with some of their activities.
Also recognized by council for their service as members of the Recreation Board were Andy Macey, Art Maksin, Tom Miller, Lois Paige, George Pambacas and Lisa Pitchford.
January 16, 2018 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
Above: Pat Harris and Cheryl Myers Cotter receive a proclamation from McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko during January's city council meeting. (Tube City Almanac photo)
Five people were honored this month by McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko and city council for living the "McKeesport Message."
At this month's city council meeting, proclamations were presented to George Mushalko for living the value of "respect," to Carlinos Acie for "hope," and to Pat Harris and Cheryl Myers Cotter for "love."
Also honored, for the value of "dignity," was Melissa Staley, who could not be present.
The "Living the Message" awards are presented quarterly by a subgroup of Cherepko's Select Committee on Crime and Violence.
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January 14, 2018 |
By Cami DiBattista | Posted in: Duquesne News
A new shelter for families who need someplace to live in case of an emergency will address a longstanding need in the Mon Valley.
Opened last week in Duquesne by McKeesport-based Auberle, the shelter can accommodate up to 20 individuals at one time and will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“Affordable housing is already really difficult to obtain, and in the Mon Valley there are a lot of issues with people being able to maintain employment and find affordable housing, which leads to housing instability and crisis,” said Aisling McIntyre, Auberle's housing director, who is supervising the staff and opening of the facility.
“The goal of the program is to keep families safe, assist them with securing more permanent housing and link them to available resources,” McIntyre said.
Auberle is seeking donations of new items for people who stay in the Family Emergency Shelter including diapers, baby wipes, towels, washcloths, baby formula and more.
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January 14, 2018 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News, Duquesne News
Few details have been released in connection with the shooting death Friday night of a Duquesne man.
The Allegheny County medical examiner's office has identified the victim as 24-year-old Shavell Davidson.
In a prepared statement, Allegheny County police Lt. Andrew Schurman said officers were dispatched to a home in the 100 block of South Seventh Street just after 7 p.m. Friday for a reported shooting.
When they arrived, they found Davidson suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, Schurman said.
The medical examiner's office said Davidson was pronounced dead at the scene inside a private residence.
Friends and family plan a candlelight vigil at 7 p.m. Monday at the corner of Seventh Street and Kennedy Avenue, according to information posted on Facebook.
January 12, 2018 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
(Photos special to Tube City Almanac)
City officials are hopeful that the 300 block of Fifth Avenue will reopen early next week after demolition crews finish removing damaged bricks from the facade of the Executive Building.
The street was closed Jan. 5 after part of a decorative brick pillar on the Ringgold Street side of the building collapsed on the sidewalk. Similar cracks were spotted in the brick pillars on the Fifth Avenue facade as well, leading the city to close the street to through traffic.
Betters Company of Lincoln Borough is working to remove the damaged sections of the pillars from the five-story brick office building. The building has been vacant since late December, when the final tenants were forced to leave.
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