November 14, 2017 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
(Photo: "Edgar Thomson looms" by Dan Buczynski via Flickr. Licensed under Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.)
U.S. Steel is in violation of what health department officials called "multiple" air quality regulations at its Edgar Thomson Plant in Braddock and North Braddock, an Allegheny County official said Tuesday.
The violations stretch back to February 2016 and continued into 2017, said Dr. Karen Hacker, director of the Allegheny County Health Department.
"These violations must stop," Hacker said in a prepared statement. "U.S. Steel’s Edgar Thomson Plant must come into compliance to improve the air quality for the health of all county residents. The health of our county is paramount."
The department, in a joint effort with the federal Environmental Protection Agency, has served the company with a Notice of Violation, she said.
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November 13, 2017 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
Versailles Volunteer Fire Co. has removed the department's chief after McKeesport police charged him with open lewdness and corrupting the morals of minors.
According to an Allegheny County court docket, Aaron "Buster" Powell, 46, was arrested by McKeesport police on Sunday night at McKees Point Marina with an underage girl.
McKeesport police were not immediately available for comment Monday afternoon.
The arrest was first reported by WTAE-TV (4) in Pittsburgh on their 12 p.m. news Monday. WTAE reported that Powell was found by McKeesport police engaged in sexual contact with a 17-year-old girl.
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November 13, 2017 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
Traffic delays are likely this week as crews from Golden Triangle Construction replace waterlines on Lovedale Road in Lincoln Borough and Elizabeth Twp., a spokesperson has announced.
Single-lane alternating traffic will occur on Lovedale Road weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. between McKeesport Road and Mill Hill Road, said a district spokesperson for the state Department of Transportation. The restrictions are likely through Dec. 15, weather permitting.
Motorists should use caution when driving through the area, the PennDOT spokesperson said.
November 12, 2017 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Crime and Police News
A 22-year-old man is in critical condition at a Pittsburgh hospital after a shooting Sunday morning in the Third Ward.
Allegheny County police Lt. Andrew Schurman said in a prepared statement that McKeesport police and paramedics responded to the 1100 block of Walnut Street at 2:45 a.m. after 9-1-1 callers reported a shooting.
There, they found the victim, whose name has not been released, suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest.
Allegheny County police homicide detectives are investigating, Schurman said.
Anyone who heard or saw any of the events leading up to the shooting is asked to call the Allegheny County Police tip line at 1-833-ALL-TIPS (1-833-255-8477). Schurman said callers can remain anonymous.
November 12, 2017 |
By Cami DiBattista | Posted in: Duquesne News
Duquesne officials will seek a new collector for delinquent taxes as Mayor Phil Krivacek said the city and the existing agency were finding it difficult to work together.
At last week's meeting, city council voted 4-0 to terminate an agreement with Keystone Collections Group. Krivacek recommended that council find a new agency to perform the service.
In other business: Duquesne resident Steve Vasy was hired into the public works department on a 4-0 vote. Councilman John Gyure said there are presently two vacant positions after one public works employee retired and another is out on workers compensation with an injury.
Two vacant properties were secured and four street signs in the city were replaced by the Street Department, Gyure reported.
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November 10, 2017 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
Two services will be held in the city on Saturday in honor of Veterans Day, spokespersons said.
At 11 a.m., veterans groups will gather at Memorial Park on Lysle Boulevard at Market Street for a ceremony recognizing local residents who served in the armed forces.
At 12 noon, the LaRosa Boys and Girls Club, 901 Ravine St., will hold its 51st annual Veterans Day Program.
Master of Ceremonies will be Walt Yager, assisted by City Administrator Tom Maglicco and Councilman Jim Barry.
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November 10, 2017 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Crime and Police News
From left: Damon Gergely, Lindsay Vasko and Bennie Carter. (Photos courtesy McKeesport and West Mifflin police.)
Three people face charges in connection with convenience store robberies in Dravosburg and West Mifflin.
And police say at least seven similar holdups in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties are being investigated.
"We anticipate additional robbery charges will be filed," West Mifflin police Chief Kenneth Davies said in a prepared statement.
Damon M. Gergely, 24, of North Huntingdon Twp. is charged by McKeesport police with robbery, theft by unlawful taking, recklessly endangering another person and criminal conspiracy in connection with the Oct. 22 holdup at the Spee-D Mart on Richland Avenue, police said.
In a prepared statement, McKeesport police said Lindsay S. Vasko, 25, of Duquesne also faces charges of criminal conspiracy in connection with the Dravosburg robbery.
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November 10, 2017 |
By Cami DiBattista | Posted in: Duquesne News
There will be no property or wage tax increases in 2018 for Duquesne residents.
At Wednesday's city council meeting, City Manager Frank Piccolino said the Act 47 oversight board will review the city's proposed budget and make any final recommendations.
Council is scheduled to adopt the budget Dec. 13.
City Solicitor Patricia McGrail asked council for a motion to advertise the 2018 earned income tax rate of 1.15 percent for residents and 1.3 percent for non-residents. Council approved the motion 4-0.
The city will borrow $450,000 on a tax-anticipation note from First Commonwealth Bank. City Manager Frank Piccolino said First Commonwealth's bid was the only one received. Council approved the bid by 4-0 vote.
The rate on the tax anticipation note has increased slightly from last year, to 2.15 percent, Piccolino said.
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November 09, 2017 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
(Lee Paxton photo via Wikimedia Commons. Used under GNU Free Documentation License.)
A discussion with a local author, a driving refresher course for senior citizens, craft parties and movies are on the schedule at the Carnegie Library of McKeesport, 1507 Library Ave., a spokeswoman has announced.
Local Author: Craig Stephan, author of "Riding On Empty," will discuss the process of writing and getting his book published at 7 p.m. Nov. 14. The book, released in 2010, is Stephan's chronicle of a cross-country motorcycle trip he took with his wife on their honeymoon, set against the story of his mother's fight against cancer. The event is free and open to the public, but is recommended for adults age 18 and up. Registration is recommended.
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November 09, 2017 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
Six suspected narcotics dealers have been charged with selling a substance that state Attorney General Josh Shapiro described as "literally a drug used to tranquilize elephants."
The case centers on an alleged drug ring, operated out of the Braddock and Homestead areas, that sold $750,000 in suspected narcotics in 2016 and 2017.
It resulted in the first known seizure in Allegheny County of carfentanil, said a spokesman for Shapiro's office.
“It is outrageous criminal conduct, we won’t allow it, and with strong law enforcement collaboration, we’ve shut down a drug ring that sold three-quarters of a million dollars of poison in towns across Allegheny County," Shapiro said Thursday in a prepared statement.
Carfentanil is marketed under the trade name "Wildnil" and is intended as a tranquilizer for large animals, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The drug is about 10,000 times more potent than morphine, the FDA has said.
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