September 16, 2016 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
The late B.E. Taylor will be the honored on Tuesday when more than 500 people gather at a benefit for McKeesport-based Auberle.
The 12th annual Voices Carry concert and fundraiser at Stage AE on Pittsburgh's North Side is sponsored in part by Huntington Bank, said Deb Hilton, spokeswoman for the charitable organization, located on Hartman Street, that serves at-risk children and young adults and their families.
A singer and songwriter from Aliquippa whose group's 1983 single, "Vitamin L," cracked the Billboard Hot 100, Taylor was a frequent guest at previous Voices Carry concert. Taylor died Aug. 7 of complications from an inoperable brain tumor.
The concert begins at 6 p.m. and includes local performers Donnie Iris, Joe Grushecky, Chris Higbee, Etta Cox and Scott Blasey of The Clarks, Hilton said.
Read More
September 15, 2016 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
Registrations are still being accepted for the fifth annual Joan Burns Fun Walk 4 Kane, to be held this Saturday (Sept. 17) along the McKeesport waterfront area.
The walk, which benefits residents at Kane Regional Center in McKeesport, is sponsored by the non-profit Kane Foundation, a spokeswoman said. The foundation raises money to support improvements to Allegheny County's four Kane centers and activities for residents.
A donation of at least $20 is requested, and all donations are tax-deductible.
Registration begins at 8 a.m. Saturday at the Kane center in McKeesport, located at 100 Ninth Ave. near the McKees Point Marina and the bike trail, and the walk begins at 9:30, with a picnic immediately following.
For more information, call (412) 292-8069 or visit the Kane Foundation's website at www.kanecare.com.
You can also download a printable donation form here. (PDF file)
September 15, 2016 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
The new owner of a building next to McKeesport's Olympia Shopping Center said last night he's excited about redeveloping the former site of Jim Shorkey Ford.
"My father had a restaurant in McKeesport many years ago,” said Spiro Pappan, son of former restauranteur Lou Pappan, who founded Pappan's Family Restaurants, in a prepared statement. “When I told him about my project here, he was very excited. He plans to be here for the opening.”
A company led by Spiro Pappan purchased the former Jim Shorkey Ford on Walnut Street for $1.9 million and is renovating the building for Ollie's Bargain Outlet and two other new tenants. The Ollie's store, which will take up about 32,000-square-feet, will be the first in Allegheny County and is expected to open in March 2017.
Pappan's building, which once housed a Zayre Department Store and later an Ames, is on a separate parcel from the rest of the Olympia Shopping Center, which is technically located in Versailles Borough.
The rest of the center is operated by Pittsburgh's Union Real Estate and includes a Shop 'n Save, a Save-a-Lot, a state wine and spirits store, a dry cleaner, a PNC Bank branch, a Dollar Tree and other retailers.
Read More
September 14, 2016 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 432 in Westmoreland County is taking orders for barbecued lamb prepared by Mike and Carol Mezick, a spokeswoman said.
Call in orders to 724-872-7495 by this Sunday (Sept. 18), for pickup on Sunday, Sept. 25 at the Yukon Croatian Club beginning at 12:30 pm.
Also on Sept. 25 is the lodge’s indoor picnic. Those picking up lamb are welcome to stay for an afternoon of music and dancing. Sarena, from Cleveland, Ohio, will play 2 to 6 p.m.
The club is located at 109 Union St. in Yukon, exit 53 on I-70. For more information, call the club at 724-722-4100.
September 14, 2016 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
A growing discount department store chain known for its quirky advertising and its deep selection of books is coming to McKeesport.
Work has begun on an Ollie's Bargain Outlet store in the former Jim Shorkey Ford dealership at Olympia Shopping Center on Walnut Street.
The store represents the first step into Allegheny County by the Harrisburg-based retail chain.
Jerry Altland, vice president of real estate for Harrisburg, Pa., based Ollie's, said the 32,000-square-foot McKeesport store is projected to open in March 2017. Remodeling has already begun.
Read More
September 12, 2016 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Documentary filmmaker Sam Zolten has turned his camera lens on a variety of subjects over the past 40 years, many of them as part of the industrial filmmaking company he operates in Bala Cynwyd, outside Philadelphia.
One of his films --- 2002's "Just Call Me Kade," the story of a transgender boy in Tucson, Ariz., has been widely used as a teaching tool around the country.
Now, the McKeesport native and Temple University graduate is focusing on a much more personal subject --- the story of Jewish families, such as his own, who emigrated to McKeesport beginning in the 19th century.
"It's a labor of love," Zolten said.
Zolten has interviewed more than 140 people for his upcoming feature-length documentary, "Missing McKeesport," and has raised more than $17,000 through the crowdfunding website Kickstarter.
Zolten, who is working with associate editor James T. Rowland, has eight more days to reach the $18,000 goal necessary to complete the movie.
Read More
September 12, 2016 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
The company buying McKeesport's sewerage authority and its three wastewater treatment plants has put a value on the sale of $156 million.
In a joint press release, city officials and Pennsylvania American Water Company said the final price is subject to a complete appraisal of the system, which serves 22,000 customers in 12 municipalities.
Last week, the board of the Municipal Authority of the City of McKeesport joined McKeesport City Council in voting in favor of the sale of the authority's assets to Pennsylvania American.
The sale is subject to approval by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission and the state Department of Environmental Protection. Kathy L. Pape, president of Pennsylvania American, said the company expects to close on the sale in the second half of 2017, pending those approvals.
Read More
September 08, 2016 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
The 16th annual Inspire Christian Music Festival, sponsored by McKeesport-based The Well Ministries, will return to the Lions Bandshell in Renziehausen Park on Saturday (Sept. 10).
Admission is free. Refreshments will be available but picnic baskets are also welcome, says Kris Rhoades, who organizes the festival with her husband, Lou. Attendees should bring a blanket or a lawn chair to sit on.
Performances begin at 12 noon and are scheduled to include Gospel Illusions, Puppets for the King, Heart-Beat, Daughters of His Grace, The Coddingtons, Ed Lutheran, Tree of Life Open Bible Church, Bob Fagin and God's Grace, Cross Vision, Chalice and Signs of Faith Ministry. The schedule is subject to change.
Read More
September 08, 2016 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Crime and Police News
- Arrest records published here were provided by the McKeesport Police Department.
- Not all arrests are published.
- A report of an arrest does not mean the person identified has been convicted of a crime.
- All people arrested are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Read More
September 07, 2016 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
(Correction added, 11:57 a.m. Sept. 8, 2016)
With no controversy, McKeesport City Council on Wednesday took the first step toward selling the city's sewerage authority to Pennsylvania-American Water Company.
By 6-0 vote, with Councilwoman LuEthel Nesbit abstaining, councilors authorized the Municipal Authority of the City of McKeesport to enter into a sales agreement with the water company. Nesbit is a member of the municipal authority's board. The authority board will meet on Thursday to consider the deal; Nesbit said Wednesday she will abstain from voting there, as well.
In a separate vote, council also accepted a $5 million advance payment from Penn-American. If for any reason the sale isn't consummated, the city will be required to repay the money, Cherepko said.
Although the final sale price of the sewerage authority isn't yet known, its outstanding debts --- including some $62.5 million spent recently to upgrade and expand the system --- top $90 million, city officials have said.
In a prepared statement, Kathy Pape, president of Penn-American, said Wednesday night that the company was "pleased" with city council's decision and was looking forward to the authority's vote on Thursday.
Read More
