December 09, 2016 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
The East Winds Symphonic Band will present "Holiday Sounds," a free concert of Christmas and seasonal music, at 3 p.m. Sunday (Dec. 11) at St. Angela Merici Catholic Church, 1640 Fawcett Ave., White Oak.
The all-volunteer band is directed by Susan Sands, a spokesman said. The concert also will feature the Mon Yough Chorale under the direction of Benjamin Filippone.
Admission is free and a reception with light refreshments will be held immediately following the concert. Visit the website for more information.
December 07, 2016 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
McKeesport City Council is preparing to do something it hasn't done in 25 years --- enact a property tax increase.
At a budget hearing Tuesday night, Mayor Mike Cherepko presented the city's proposed 2017 budget, including tax increases of 2 mills each on buildings and land.
That would take the city's property tax on buildings to 6.26 mills and on land to 18.5 mills.
The increase is expected to generate about $689,000 in additional revenue in 2017. "I don't want to do this," Cherepko said. "What politician wants to raise taxes? But the right choice is not always the popular choice."
The tax increase wasn't popular with the handful of residents who attended the hearing. Ken Thornton of Fawcett Plan questioned whether the administration and council have cut expenses as deeply as they could.
Cherepko said that approximately 90 percent of the city's expenses are fixed or subject to labor contracts.
"Then maybe you need to lay some people off," Thornton said. "That's what happens in the real world ... I think maybe some concessions need to be made. You can't have these unions run you out of business."
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December 05, 2016 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
Winners in the 31st annual Festival of Trees, just concluded at Renziehausen Park, have been announced by co-chair Cheryl Myers Cotter.
Handmade Category
Adult
- #16 Hungarian Embroidery group
- #6 The Well Ministries
- #79 McK Business & Professional Women
Youth
- #28 South Allegheny Spanish IV & V Class
- #5 Cub Scout Pack 916
- #51 Carnegie Library of McKeesport
Children
- #83 Romine Group Shelter Home ( Auberle)
- #26 Founders' Hall Pre-K Counts
- #62 Francis McClure 5th Grade ACE
- Honorable Mentlon #85 McKeesport Mon Valley Girls Softball Association
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December 02, 2016 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
Author and attorney James Lomeo will discuss his book, "From the Ice to the Fire: A Sicilian Immigrant's death struggle with Pittsburgh politics, The Teamsters, and Mafia" at 7:30 p.m. Thursday (Dec. 8) in the social hall of Amity Presbyterian Church, 400 Euclid Ave., Dravosburg. Admission and refreshments are free.
The book details his grandparents' real-life struggle with the Teamsters, organized crime and their business, Roma's Fruit Market in McKeesport. Lomeo will explain why Dravosburg is the only town that would help the family.
Lomeo served as mayor of Monroeville for six years, until 2008, and served for two years as an assistant district attorney and another two years as assistant solicitor, both times for Allegheny County.
You can buy the book here: From the Ice to the Fire: A Sicilian Immigrant's death struggle with Pittsburgh politics, The Teamsters, and Mafia
December 01, 2016 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Announcements
The 31st Annual Festival of Trees opened Thursday at the Jacob Woll Pavilion in McKeesport's Renziehausen Park.
Girl Scouts from Troop 58112 in White Oak sang a medley of Christmas carols before joining McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko in a ceremonial tree-lighting at 6:30 p.m. near the Renzie Park Senior Center. Santa Claus then arrived on McKeesport Fire Department's ladder truck.
The festival continues through Monday. Pat Harris of McKeesport, who co-chairs the festival with Cheryl Myers Cotter, said about 1,200 adults attend each year, plus many children, whose attendance isn't closely counted.
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November 30, 2016 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
In another sure sign that Christmas is just around the corner, McKeesport's 31st annual Festival of Trees opens Thursday at Renziehausen Park's Jacob Woll Pavilion.
Hours are 12 noon to 9 p.m. Thursday through Monday (Dec. 5). Admission is $2 for adults and free for children 12 and under who bring a canned good for donation to local food pantries.
Refreshments will be provided by culinary arts students from McKeesport Area High School, while the city's Semper Fidelis Club will operate a bake sale.
Also open during the Festival of Trees are the nearby McKeesport Regional History and Heritage Center and the Garden Club of McKeesport with special Christmas themed events.
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November 30, 2016 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Crime and Police News
Ten men, including three from the Mon Valley, were arrested by the state Attorney General's Office and accused of attempting to solicit children for sex.
The arrests were announced this morning by state Attorney General Bruce Beemer in what he dubbed "Operation e-Traffic."
The investigation was conducted by the Attorney General's Child Predator Section and McKeesport police, with assistance from Bethel Park police.
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November 30, 2016 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
McKeesport Presbyterian Church, the Seventh Ward Community Group and Carnegie Library of McKeesport will host a Christmas event at 7 p.m. Friday (Dec. 2) at the church, corner of Versailles and Union avenues.
Called "A Light Up Celebration," everyone is welcome, Pastor Jim Leuenberger said.
There will be a Christmas tree lighting ceremony, followed by a carol sing, crafts for kids, and Christmas cookies and hot chocolate. For more information, visit the church's website.
(Photo courtesy McKeesport Presbyterian Church)
November 30, 2016 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
By Christina Newmyer, Penn State Greater Allegheny
Jon Lutes loved pizza, his Italian mother, and having fun. He had a passion for working with children, travel, and his friends and family. His life, full of love and laughter, was cut short at the age of just 42.
The Monessen native died of AIDS on May 2, 1994.
Now through Dec. 2, a 12-by-12 portion of the AIDS Memorial Quilt, including a panel dedicated to Lutes, is on display in the concourse of the Penn State Greater Allegheny Student Community Center, to commemorate World AIDS Day.
The day also coincides with Jon Lutes’ birthday --- Dec. 1.
Penn State Greater Allegheny Director of Student Affairs Glenn Beech was a friend of Lutes’. They met while attending college at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania. The two had several classes together and became friends, as Beech said, due to Lutes’ likeable nature.
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November 23, 2016 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
West Mifflin and Duquesne residents got an early holiday present from Allegheny County when the Homeville Bridge re-opened to traffic on Monday --- one day earlier than expected.
The 781-foot-long viaduct, built in the mid-1950s, closed in August 2015 for a $10 million reconstruction project that included replacement and widening of the concrete deck from 26 to 29 feet, a new five-foot wide sidewalk, replacement of the existing hand rail with an 8-foot-tall protective fence, new lighting, structural streel repairs and re-painting of the entire structure.
It was the first major rehabilitation of the bridge since 1981, county officials said.
The bridge is owned by Allegheny County and carries two lanes of traffic and pedestrians over Lower Bull Run, Thompson Run Creek, the Union Railroad and Grant Avenue Extension. About 10,000 vehicles per day used the bridge before the closure, including emergency vehicles, school buses and 400 commercial vehicles.
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