May 04, 2023 |
By Vickie Babyak | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Students are hard at work organizing and sorting clothes for The McKeesport Agape Center on Prescott Street in White Oak. (Submitted photo courtesy Rachelle Cilli)
Life Skills students from McKeesport Area School District students have been learning to be the best they can be by volunteering and gaining valuable job skills every Tuesday afternoon at the McKeesport Agape Center in White Oak.
MASD special education teacher, Rachelle Cilli, instructs the Community Based Experiences class. She takes students into the community to learn about job skills that will help them after they graduate high school and become employed.
Cilli said her class began volunteering at Agape in September 2022. “The class has worked at different places throughout the community but this was our first year at Agape. I didn’t realize the variety of experience the students would gain here,” she said.
Life Skills classes are a program for students who have learning challenges and need additional support to learn tasks that enable them to live with a degree of independence. Additional instruction is provided with academics, personal wellness, home economics, communications and social skills, and job skills.
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May 03, 2023 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: White Oak News
(Submitted photo courtesy Angora Gardens)
The Spring Plant Sale at Angora Gardens will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday (May 6), a spokeswoman announced. Plants will be available while supplies last.
The fundraiser is made possible through the diligent work of Robert Stone, Angora Gardens program and property manager, and volunteer Steve Lesko. Additional assistance is provided by volunteer Natalie Wynn and the ACLD Tillotson School SHYFT Program.
All proceeds benefit the programs of Angora Gardens, located at 3 Muse Lane, inside White Oak Park.
Annuals will be sold in a six-pack or a 4-inch pot for $4 each. Varieties include ageratum, bachelor button, balsam, boneset, calendula, cleome, coleus, cosmos, helen’s flower, impatiens, lobelia, marigold, money plant, nasturtium, petunia, salvia, snap dragon, statice, strawflower, toothache plant and zinnia.
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May 03, 2023 |
By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: Announcements
Both photos: Adam Reinherz for Tube City Almanac
Students from the Founders’ Hall Drama Club will present “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Jr.” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday (May 4 to 6) in the auditorium at Francis McClure Elementary School, 500 Longvue Drive, White Oak.
Last week, cast members previewed songs for members of the McKeesport Area School Board.
The box office opens at 6 p.m. each night of the show. The producer/director is Edward Moore, choreographer is Cassie Fedor, musical director is Drew DeCarlo and technical designer is Nathan Cross.
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May 02, 2023 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Editorial Cartoons
May 01, 2023 |
By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
A budget presentation by McKeesport Area School District business manager Scott Domowicz added heft to an already weighty meeting last week.
Domowicz said next year’s total proposed budget is for $86 million with an approximate fund balance of $10.6 million. The 2022-23 budget approved by the board was approximately $79.8 million.
“We’ve added to our general fund balance, however, we have to be responsible with the spending,” School Board President Latoya Wright said.
Despite the fund balance, increased costs stand to hamper the district, Domowicz explained. “Contractual labor agreements and additional staffing represents an increase in payroll expenses of 8 percent,” he said.
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May 01, 2023 |
By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
A discussion of possible institutional bias dominated April’s meeting of the McKeesport Area School Board.
The wide-ranging conversation was triggered by a social media post, and subsequent comments, that alleged an unidentified student received preferential treatment.
“Everyone needs to be consistent,” School Board President Latoya Wright said.
The district’s policy manual authorizes the board to establish “fair, reasonable and nondiscriminatory rules and regulations” regarding student conduct, and delegates the superintendent to ensure policies are followed. In the event of an infraction, students “shall have a right to notice,” and suspensions and expulsions shall be carried out according to board policy.
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April 27, 2023 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements, West Newton News
The West Newton Community Singers will present “When I Sing” at 7:30 p.m. Friday (May 5) at West Newton United Presbyterian Church, Third and Main streets, West Newton, a spokesman said. Rick Carson will serve as director and Lauren Cross as accompanist.
Tickets can be purchased in advance at Gary’s Chuck Wagon Restaurant, South Second Street, and are $7 for adults, or $8 at the door. Children’s tickets are $5.
April 27, 2023 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: West Newton News
West Newton Public Library, 124 N. Water St, will hold a jewelry and book sale from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. May 6, a spokesperson said. Books will be sold for $5 per bag.
“Our storage building is full to bursting, so if you love to read, be sure to not miss this sale,” the spokesperson said.
In case of rain, the event will be moved to May 13. For more information, call (724) 633-0798.
In other West Newton Public Library news, there are 24 books from the “Antique Shop Mysteries” series available and in like-new condition that are now being sold in a silent auction. Interested parties should call the library before April 30 and leave their name, telephone number and bid. The winner will be contacted after April 30.
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April 27, 2023 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements, West Newton News
West Newton First Church of God, 157 N. Second St., will hold an election day luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the day of the May 16 primary, a spokesperson said.
A spokesperson said “we urge you to go out and vote, then come and eat at our Election Day luncheon.” The menu will include soup, salads, sandwiches, desserts and beverages. For take out, call (724) 872-7467. Delivery will be available to local businesses in the West Newton area.
April 27, 2023 |
By Danielle M. Smith - Public News Service | Posted in: State & Region
Warmer winters and shifting weather patterns caused by climate change are magnifying the impact of invasive pests like the spotted lanternfly, say experts. (Tube City Almanac file photo by Vickie Babyak)
April is Invasive Plant Pest and Disease Awareness Month, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture is warning Pennsylvanians that it’s the best time of year to spot damaging, invasive species.
Invasive pests cost the U.S. about $40 billion a year in damages to trees, plants and crops, according to the USDA.
Kathryn Bronsky is the USDA’s national policy manager for plant protection and quarantine. She said hungry pests are often great hitchhikers, and people can accidentally spread them to new areas by traveling.
In particular, she said, experts are urging residents to be on the lookout for the spotted lanternfly.
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