July 27, 2017 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
The Mon Valley is at the forefront of a new industry that will be as transformative for the rest of the world as the steel industry was a century ago, state Sen. Jim Brewster said Thursday.
At a groundbreaking ceremony on the site of the former U.S. Steel National Works, Brewster called PurePenn's new medical cannabis production and research facility "a beacon of hope" for both the region and patients around Pennsylvania.
"Don't let the naysayers drag you down," Brewster told a crowd of more than 200 gathered in the RIDC Industrial Center of McKeesport, where PurePenn is purchasing five acres of property, with an option to purchase five more. "We can do almost anything in the Mon Valley --- you should believe that."
Afterwards, many in the crowd joined the hundreds of people who lined up outside the Palisades Ballroom to apply for one of the 25 jobs that PurePenn needs to fill.
Gabe Perlow, the company's chief executive officer, said operations will begin by Dec. 20.
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July 27, 2017 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Commentary-Editorial
I opened our mailbox recently to find a very pleasant surprise.
Along with a $324.00 bill to our Internet radio station, WMCK.FM, from one of the music licensing agencies, there were four donations from Finney Funeral Homes on behalf of families whose loved ones' obituaries recently appeared on our sister website, McKeesportObituaries.com.
This message is to thank Finney Funeral Homes and their staff and employees, includng owner and funeral director Scott M. Finney; licensed funeral directors Cynthia L. Finney and Edward C. Finney; and office manager Kathy DeMarco, for their continued support of our efforts to build a non-profit, community journalism website for the McKeesport area.
We do not ask funeral directors to pay to post obituaries --- it's done free of charge, as a public service to the community --- but donations from the Finneys are helping to sustain that service.
I should mention the Finneys are not alone. We've also had donations from other funeral professionals, including Bekavac Funeral Home & Crematory and Maloy-Schleifer Funeral Home.
This message is also to answer the question,"Say, what do those Tube City yahoos do with the donations they receive?"
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July 27, 2017 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Announcements
(Photo above courtesy Harmonia.)
Fireworks will wrap up the first night of McKeesport's 58th International Village, Aug. 15, 16 and 17 in Renziehausen Park.
Mike "Mikey Dee" Dorich, entertainment coordinator for the festival, released the entertainment schedule this week.
Dancing will be provided in the Jakomas Blue-Top Pavilion each night from 5 to 9 p.m. Scheduled to appear are the Balkan variety band Harmonia (above) on Tuesday, the kolos and czardases of the Gipsy Stringz (below) on Wednesday, and polkas with Johnny Koenig on Thursday.
(Photo courtesy Gipsy Stringz)
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July 25, 2017 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
The ninth annual International Village for Kids will be held from 12 noon to 4 p.m. Aug. 14 at the Lions Bandshell in Renziehausen Park, a spokeswoman said.
All children under age 6 should be supervised by an adult. Activities will include free food, games and crafts, music, exercises and a visit from a costumed character from the movie "Trolls" from 1 to 3 p.m.
In addition, inflatables will be open and McKeesport Police Department will be available to fingerprint children.
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July 25, 2017 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements, White Oak News
American Legion General Smedley D. Butler Post 701 in White Oak will hold oldies dances on Aug. 5 and 19 from 7 to 11 p.m., a spokesman said. Admission is $5.
The legion is located at 2813 Capital St. For more information, call (724) 984-6611.
July 25, 2017 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
UPMC Senior Services will do free blood pressure screenings at 9 a.m. Aug. 14 at the Carnegie Library of McKeesport, 1507 Library Ave., a spokeswoman said.
The blood pressure screenings are part of UPMC's Living at Home Program, which provides care for older adults and makes referrals for a range of services, including home delivered meals, grocery shopping, housekeeping and yard work.
The screenings will be done in the fiction room on the main floor of the library. For more information, call (412) 672-0625.
July 24, 2017 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
(Photo courtesy U.S. Steel.)
U.S. Steel will test emergency equipment at its Clairton Works on Tuesday, a spokeswoman said.
Meghan Cox, manager of corporate communications, said the plant will begin testing sirens, warning lights and other alarms at 9 a.m. and continuing until 1 p.m.
Local agencies, including Clairton police and fire departments and Allegheny County 9-1-1, have been notified of the tests, she said. The tests may be audible in Clairton as well as surrounding communities.
Cox said U.S. Steel tests emergency notification systems once per year "to protect the safety of our employees and the surrounding communities in the event of an actual emergency."
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July 20, 2017 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
A job fair in Homestead on Aug. 4 will match "real employers with real jobs," according to its sponsors.
"Jump Start Your Job Search," sponsored by Mon Valley Initiative and the Southwestern Pennsylvania Re-Entry Coalition, will include 11 different employers and five different job training programs, a spokeswoman said.
The event will be held from 12 noon to 2 p.m. at the Allegheny Intermediate Unit, 475 E. Waterfront Drive, at the Waterfront shopping complex.
A special, by-invitation-only session is being held from 9 to 11 a.m. Everyone who attends will have a chance to win one of five $20 gift cards.
Camille Smith, MVI workforce development specialist and financial coach, said attendees should bring their resumes, if they have one, and dress neatly.
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July 19, 2017 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Crime and Police News
(UPDATED with comments from McKeesport fire Chief Jeff Tomovcsik.)
A McKeesport man faces a preliminary hearing Monday after police said he deliberately set the fire that damaged his residence on May Street.
Michael J. Wright, 48, is charged by McKeesport police with arson, causing or risking a catastrophe and reckless endangerment of other persons. He is being held in Allegheny County Jail in lieu of $20,000 cash bond pending the hearing at 1 p.m. before Magisterial District Judge Eugene Riazzi.
According to a police report, firefighters were called just after 11 a.m. June 4 when witnesses reported seeing smoke coming from a residence in the 900 block.
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