November 23, 2023 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: History
© Tube City Community Media Inc., all rights reserved, except for archival images
McKeesport Mayor Andrew “Greeky” Jakomas (second from left) marks the spot of a new memorial for slain President John F. Kennedy, along with Councilmen Albert Elko, Robert Kaplan, Harold Blid, Harry P. Helmstadter and Sam Vidnovic. (McKeesport Daily News photo/Tube City Almanac collection)
(Tube City Almanac photo)
The assassination of President John F. Kennedy brought life to a halt across the United States. And McKeesport, like cities everywhere, acutely felt the grief.
Unlike many other communities, however, the Tube City’s civic leaders directed their pain into positive action. Before Kennedy’s funeral was complete, McKeesport Mayor Andrew “Greeky” Jakomas and leading citizens had launched a fund-raising drive to erect a statue of the slain president on Lysle Boulevard.
One year later — after raising the modern equivalent of $375,000 — McKeesport unveiled what was reportedly the world’s first statue of John F. Kennedy, along Lysle Boulevard, where it still stands today. It is also the last major work of world renowned artist Bryant Baker, who served as a sculptor of kings and presidents for a half-century.
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November 20, 2023 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
Few details are available regarding a shooting that sent a Duquesne woman to the hospital.
Allegheny County police said the victim, whose name was not released, was shot in the leg just before 4 a.m. Sunday. The incident happened in the 200 block of Fifth Street, police said.
The victim was taken to an area hospital in stable condition, police said in a release.
County detectives are investigating. Anyone with additional information concerning the incident is asked to call the county police tip line at 1-833-ALL-TIPS. Callers may remain anonymous.
November 20, 2023 |
By Danielle M. Smith - Public News Service | Posted in: State & Region
Aaron Chapin testifies Nov. 9 at a public hearing in Bedford. He teaches fourth- and fifth-graders at Stroudsburg Area Middle School and serves as president of the Pennsylvania State Education Association. (Screenshot via Pennsylvania Basic Education Funding Commission website.)
“Bold action” is needed to improve school funding across Pennsylvania, advocates testified at a recent hearing in Harrisburg.
During public hearings on improving school funding held Nov. 9 and Nov. 16, the Pennsylvania Basic Education Funding Commission heard from people who stressed the need to set fair and adequate funding targets for every school in the state.
Aaron Chapin, who teaches fourth- and fifth-graders at Stroudsburg Area Middle School in the Pocono Mountains, serves as president of the Pennsylvania State Education Association, which represents more than 187,000 teachers’ union members.
He told the committee it is important for the new plan to be transparent and sustainable, and fix the funding inequities across the state. Chapin noted that PSEA has found many equity gaps which need to be closed.
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November 20, 2023 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Commentary-Editorial
Tube City Community Media is committed to printing viewpoints from residents of the McKeesport area and surrounding municipalities. Commentaries are accepted at the discretion of the editor and may be edited for content or length.
State Rep. Nick Pisciottano chairs the House Democratic Subcommittee on Labor, Energy & Development. He represents the 38th Legislative District in Allegheny County, which includes parts of the Mon Valley and the South Hills. Pisciottano writes:
This Saturday is Small Business Saturday, and it’s the perfect time to start your holiday shopping by supporting the small businesses who create jobs and invest in our local community. But, it’s also a time to recognize that our main street businesses need more than just our dollars.
In the United States, a fair marketplace is a healthy marketplace. Open competition is the engine of our nation's economy, and we need to ensure that state law protects against companies that seek to restrain Pennsylvania commerce.
For decades, large companies across the nation have purchased smaller ones, creating concentrated power in almost all sectors of our economy. Large, monopolistic firms then use their dominant market share to engage in price gouging, collusion and other predatory, anti-competitive tactics that harm consumers, small businesses and workers by raising prices, suppressing wages and more.
This monopolistic consolidation has also led to offshoring our nation's production capacity, while creating brittle supply chains for even basic goods.
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November 20, 2023 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko apologized Monday after being cited for public intoxication and trespassing in Nashville, Tenn.
Cherepko said the arrest came after a dispute involving a missing credit card.
“This is an embarrassing situation, and I’d like to apologize to my family and my constituents,” Cherepko said in a prepared statement.
“What started as a misunderstanding over my missing credit card could have been handled the next day with the establishment or my bank,” he said. “I should not have allowed myself to be in a situation like this, and unfortunately, I have to deal with the consequences. That means having my day in court and hopefully being absolved of any charges once the facts are explained.”
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November 17, 2023 |
By Vickie Babyak | Posted in: State & Region
Editor’s Note: File this under the department of “better late than never.” It’s been a whirlwind few weeks here at TCCMI world news headquarters. My apologies to Vickie and the Masons of Lodge 765; I’ll try to do better. (At least we got this posted before Thanksgiving, right?) —Jason
(All photos: Vickie Babyak for Tube City Almanac)
Despite cloudy skies and intermittent rain, families enjoyed the fourth-annual Trunk or Treat held Oct. 29 by Harry S Truman Masonic Lodge 765 in Dravosburg
Lodge secretary Rob Stone said he had concerns about the rain but said, “It all worked out and the kids are enjoying themselves.”
Adults decorated their vehicles from a cute monster theme to a spooky funeral home theme and passed out candy to delighted children dressed up in their trick or treat costumes. The Shriner Clowns entertained the youngsters and made balloon sculptures underneath the lodge pavilion.
“We’ve been doing this for four years and this is the first year we have an award for the best-decorated vehicle,” said John Stein, past master of the lodge.
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November 17, 2023 |
By Danielle M. Smith - Public News Service | Posted in: State & Region
Plumbers & Pipefitters Local Union 354 accepts applications from potential apprentices in Westmoreland, Fayette, portions of Washington and Greene counties on the third Monday of each month from 8 a.m. to 12 noon at its training center, 263 Armbrust Road, Youngwood, Westmoreland County. (Photo courtesy Builders Guild of Western Pennsylvania, via Facebook)
Pennsylvania needs more economic opportunities and a new report from the Keystone Research Center showed federal investments in climate and infrastructure projects would help grow a skilled construction workforce.
Diana Polson, senior policy analyst at the center, said the report revealed federal money would create thousands of trade jobs through expanding union construction apprenticeships leading to quality careers, as electricians, operating engineers, carpenters, and laborers.
“In Pennsylvania, for example, these apprenticeships train workers for jobs that pay more than most college-educated workers earn, and 61 percent more than the average worker in Pennsylvania,” Polson said. “Significantly, this training comes without any student debt.”
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November 16, 2023 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
(Submitted photo courtesy Pittsburgh Steeline drum band)
The Pittsburgh Steeline drummers will highlight McKeesport’s 58th Salute to Santa parade.
Called a “staple of Steelers entertainment” by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Steeline group will be just one of the marching units at this Saturday’s event, which begins at 11 a.m. at the McKees Point Marina, Downtown, and proceeds up Fifth Avenue to Coursin Street.
More than 50 units will be part of this year’s celebration, city officials have announced. Tube City Community Media will provide free coverage of the parade via YouTube, beginning at 10:45 a.m.
The parade also will include the candidates for Queen, including Sydney Campusano (representing the McKeesport Area High School Tiger Band), Shai-Lynn Morgan (MAHS cheerleaders) and A’Naudya Robinson (LaRosa Youth Club); and Princess candidates Michelle Ferguson (MAHS cheerleaders), Amyah Harper (Little Tigers cheerleaders) and John’Nasya Mack (LaRosa Club).
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November 16, 2023 |
By Tom Leturgey | Posted in: Duquesne News
Duquesne City Council’s meeting Tuesday night was one of the quickest of this calendar year at 38 minutes, but officials went through some important items.
City residents may see an increase in their sewage rates next year. “We received a template from Pennsylvania American Water Co. with ‘here’s why,’” said Councilman Aaron Adams. He noted that there were no definitive numbers yet, but rates may increase.
Adams countered that there will still be assistance plans available for those low-income residents who may need assistance. “And there might be discounts based on income.” The council hopes to know more about the matter by next month’s meeting.
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November 16, 2023 |
By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
(Adam Reinherz photo)
Correction: This story was corrected after publication to correct an editing error.
The president of the union representing McKeesport Area School District teachers remains hopeful that a months-long contract dispute is nearing conclusion.
“It’s not as bad as the press is treating it,” said McKeesport Area Education Association president Gerald McGrew Jr.
MAEA has been without a contract since Aug. 31. Weeks ago, the teacher’s union rejected a one-year contract offered by the district, but the decision wasn’t driven by financial greed, according to McGrew.
The issue is really about allowing the district to complete its audit and allow time for the new business manager to “get acclimated to the job,” McGrew said.
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