October 30, 2025 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
(Tube City Almanac file photo)
A nationally known group of economic development specialists will be in the city for three days next week to develop a proposal for reinvigorating McKeesport’s moribund Downtown business district.
The Young Preservationists Association of Pittsburgh has contracted with The Collaborative, a Boston-based network of city planners, designers and engineers, to tour the Downtown area and meet with residents, said Matthew Craig, executive director of YPA.
The Collaborative, YPA and Mayor Michael Cherepko will host a walking tour from 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday (Nov. 6) beginning at the Palisades Ballroom and heading up Fifth Avenue.
Then, at 7 p.m., the mayor’s office, YPA and the Collaborative will hold a community forum at the Palisades. Refreshments and child care will be provided.
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October 30, 2025 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
State Rep. Dan Goughnour talks to a constituent during an event at the Palisades on Oct. 16. (Submitted photo courtesy Pennsylvania House of Representatives)
State Rep. Dan Goughnour has distributed a list of emergency food resources for families affected by the ongoing federal government shut-down.
The crisis, now nearly one month old, has caused the federal government to stop paying many employees and also led to the loss of funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly called “SNAP.”
“As of Oct. 16, SNAP benefits will not be paid until the federal government shutdown ends and funds are released to the state,” Goughnour said in a release. “If you or someone you know is experiencing food insecurity, please remember that there are resources available. All of my offices have contacts and can direct you to the closest location that food is available.”
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October 30, 2025 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: State & Region
Fresh produce is prepared for distribution by Mission: Agape at the Croatian Club in Versailles on Sept. 26. Mission: Agape and other food banks are alarmed by the federal government shut-down that has caused an end to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for nearly 2 million Pennsylvania residents. (Submitted photo courtesy Mission: Agape)
Listen:
Charla Irwin-Buncher of Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and Kelly Doyle of Mission: Agape were our guests this week on “Two Rivers, 30 Minutes,” our weekly talk show that airs on Tube City Online Radio, WEDO (810) and WZUM (1550/101.1 FM)
Organizers at local food banks say the panic has already begun for more than 2 million Pennsylvania residents — mostly senior citizens and children — who use the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to buy groceries each month.
The SNAP program — still commonly referred to as “food stamps” — has run out of money due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, which began almost a month ago.
Charla Irwin-Buncher, chief external affairs officer for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank in Duquesne, said the federal government has already missed the deadline for recipients to receive their November benefits.
“The crisis is already here,” Irwin-Buncher said. “It’s causing a lot of anxiety and stress amongst people who are recipients of the SNAP program. We have seen a surge in demand at our on-site food pantry attached to our building in Duquesne. People are preparing in advance, knowing that their SNAP benefits might not come through in November.”
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October 27, 2025 |
By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Editor’s Note: A previous version of this story was retracted because it incorrectly stated that a replacement for former Assistant Superintendent Matthew Mols had not been named. The school board named an assistant to the superintendent on Oct. 9. We apologize for the error and for any confusion we caused.
Outgoing McKeesport Area School District assistant superintendent Matthew Mols is set to begin a new chapter at Ligonier Valley School District.
Following an Oct. 20 vote by LVSD school board members, Mols will serve as superintendent beginning Nov. 3.
LVSD school board members signaled their enthusiasm for the new hire by praising both his “energy” and “perspective.”
The comments echo earlier approval from McKeesport Area School District. “There were some folks who didn’t believe in him. We believed in him,” MASD School Board President Mark Holtzman Sr. said on Oct. 9. “He’s pretty damn good.”
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October 27, 2025 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Conflict of Interest Disclosure: The author of this piece has a conflict of interest. See Editor’s Note.
Homestead-based Mon Valley Initiative held its 37th annual community awards dinner at the Palisades Ballroom, Downtown. (Tube City Almanac photo)
At a time when many Americans are struggling to feel a sense of unity and purpose, the volunteers of the Mon Valley’s many non-profits have created “a very unique hub.”
“The way the world is, we struggle so hard to find community,” said April Hoover, chief financial officer of Mon Valley Initiative, during that organization’s 37th annual awards banquet. “So I want to remind you that this is a community. Tap into the other people in this room. Just remember, where there is service, where there is hope, lasting impact can happen.”
More than 200 people attended the event at the Palisades Ballroom in Downtown McKeesport. Awards were presented to three individuals and four Mon-Yough area organizations.
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October 23, 2025 |
By Leslie Savisky | Posted in: North Versailles Twp. News
Students show off craft items during a 2023 show. (Photo courtesy Kristen Keleschenyi)
All of the items are supposed to be “strictly homemade” when the East Allegheny High School Band hosts its next craft show Nov. 15.
The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the high school’s indoor court, located at 1150 Jacks Run Road.
There will be 50 vendor tables showcasing handmade items. Each vendor has graciously donated an item for the basket raffle.
Vendor booths include quilters, wood working, resin work, crocheted and knitted items, baked goods, shirts and tumblers. “People look for that personal touch,” said band parent and craft show organizer Toni Lucas.
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October 21, 2025 |
By Advertising | Posted in: Announcements
Tube City Community Media Inc., the non-profit publisher of The Tube City Almanac and operator of Tube City Online Radio, is accepting applications from people interested in serving on its board of directors for 2025-26.
This is an unpaid position.
Applications will be considered by the board of directors at an upcoming meeting. Deadline is Nov. 15, 2025.
Applicants should be at least 18 years old, be able to pass a background check, and live within a nine-mile radius of McKeesport. Most importantly, they should have a sincere interest in local, non-profit media and in promoting the McKeesport area via the Internet, radio and other means.
Previous experience in college or professional radio; at a college or professional newspaper; or on another non-profit board is helpful.
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October 21, 2025 |
By Stacy Alderman | Posted in: North Versailles Twp. News
North Versailles Twp.’s Apple Harvest Bakery & Catering had a booth at Pittsburgh’s Three Rivers Arts Festival this summer. (Submitted photo courtesy Facebook)
When owner Larry Newcomer decided to start using his catering building on Third Street in North Versailles Twp. as a bakery storefront this past spring, pastries soon started flying off the shelves.
Anchored by General Manager Michelle Martin and head Chef Vasil Oblockovich, business for Apple Harvest Bakery & Catering has been booming thanks primarily to word of mouth and social media.
“Two weeks ago, a little girl was in here and made 3 TikTok videos,” Martin said. “And they already have tens of thousands of views.”
According to Oblockovich, business increased so much after the videos were posted that they had to hire two new staff members.
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October 20, 2025 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
(Screenshot from WPXI-TV, Pittsburgh)
A Monroeville teen-ager who is charged with stealing $108,000 worth of merchandise in the burglary of a North Versailles Twp. vape shop bragged about the crime to his friends in chat messages, police said.
Police allege that Sean D. Stitt, 19, of Monroeville took pictures following the burglary and sent them to friends, saying, “gonna be lit ... look at all the weed.”
Stitt is being held in Allegheny County Jail in lieu of bond after being charged by township police with burglary, criminal trespass, criminal mischief, theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property. He faces a preliminary hearing Oct. 30 before Magisterial District Judge Roxanne Sakoian Eichler.
He also faces additional charges in McKeesport, Monroeville and Moon Twp., court documents indicate.
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October 17, 2025 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
A Duquesne Avenue man accused of setting fire to a home was allegedly targeting two people who owed him money for drugs, according to police — but those people were no longer living there.
Arthur “Bibbler” Franklin III, 32, also known as “Red,” is being held in the Allegheny County Jail without bond after a magisterial district judge said he represents a danger to the community. He faces a preliminary hearing Monday before Magisterial District Judge Eugene Riazzi.
Franklin was apprehended Oct. 9 in the city’s Downtown area and now faces additional narcotics charges in connection with that arrest, according to court records.
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