February 27, 2023 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
A city man is being held in the Allegheny County Jail in connection with a string of convenience store robberies in McKeesport and Munhall.
James E. Harrison III, 26, faces preliminary hearings on March 6 before Magisterial District Judge Eugene Riazzi in McKeesport and on March 8 before Magisterial District Judge Patrick Campbell in Munhall on 18 different charges, including multiple counts of robbery, simple assault, recklessly endangering other persons and theft.
Allegheny County detectives and McKeesport and Munhall police said that Harrison has been connected to five robberies, including a Jan. 17 hold-up at a market in the 900 block of Union Avenue, two hold-ups at a variety store on Lysle Boulevard in February, and two robberies at a deli on Main Street in Munhall.
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February 27, 2023 |
By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
SPECIAL REPORT — © 2023 Tube City Community Media Inc.
(WCN247.com photo via Flickr, licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
After a violent three-month period that has seen three young people shot — one fatally — as well as the murder of a police officer, McKeesport residents are searching for answers.
“This was not how we grew up at all,” McKeesport Area School Superintendent Tia Wanzo said in an interview. “We went through 13 years of school and we may have had one student in our class that passed away — whether it was a car accident or something unexpected — but this is way too much. It’s too common.”
The events, she and other community members said, evidence new realities.
Wanzo recalled her actions following the Dec. 13 death of 16-year-old Chance Naylor. In the aftermath of the student’s murder, she began preparing a statement.
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February 27, 2023 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
The McKeesport chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness will meet at 6 p.m. March 1 at Penn State Greater Allegheny, Frable Building, Room 122, a spokeswoman said. The meeting is open to families and friends of loved ones living with mental illness.
Through a “care and share” session, members offer understanding and support unique to those who are affected by these conditions. NAMI McKeesport occasionally invites mental health professionals to speak about treatment and resources.
For more information about the McKeesport meeting, call (412) 527-6600. For the NAMI Helpline call (412) 366-3788 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
February 25, 2023 |
By Danielle M. Smith - Public News Service | Posted in: State & Region
It’s been two weeks since a Commonwealth Court judge ruled Pennsylvania’s system of funding public schools is unconstitutional and must be revamped.
Backers of the ruling are looking toward Gov. Josh Shapiro’s new budget, expected March 7, to address the steps his administration will be taking to move toward compliance with the court decision.
Kristina Moon, senior staff attorney for the Education Law Center, called the victory “historic” for the petitioners: six school districts, parents, the NAACP of Pennsylvania, and the Pennsylvania Association of Rural and Small Schools.
Moon said the judge wrote a “strong” decision, which is 786 pages long.
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February 22, 2023 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News, Duquesne News
A Duquesne police officer received a gunshot wound early Wednesday morning following an altercation in the 600 block of Catherine Street, emergency personnel said.
Allegheny County homicide detectives are investigating.
The incident happened less than three weeks after two McKeesport police officers were shot, one fatally, while attempting to obtain mental-health treatment for a Wilson Street man.
The unidentified Duquesne officer, who was taken to a hospital in stable condition, was wounded in the foot but returned fire, Allegheny County police Lt. Venerando Costa said in a prepared statement.
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February 21, 2023 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
A 59-year-old Jenny Lind Street man was found dead Friday evening inside his home of apparent gunshot wounds to the head and torso, police said.
Anthony L. Sayles was pronounced dead at the scene at 5:40 p.m., the Allegheny County medical examiner’s office said. His death has been ruled a homicide.
Allegheny County police Sgt. Todd Dolfi said the investigation is active and ongoing, but that no additional details can be made public at this time.
Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to call the county police tip line at 1-833-ALL-TIPS. Callers can remain anonymous.
February 21, 2023 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
Allegheny County police are releasing few details in connection with their investigation of a shooting on Friday that sent a 2-year-old to the hospital.
County police Sgt. Todd Dolfi told Tube City Almanac the investigation is “active and ongoing” and detectives do not believe it was a random act of violence.
“This was not a stray bullet,” he said.
Emergency personnel said the incident happened at a home near the intersection of Oliver and North Third streets just after 9 p.m. Duquesne police transported the child to a meeting with paramedics, who rushed the 2-year-old to a hospital with a gunshot wound to the abdomen.
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February 20, 2023 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
Christy Park United Methodist Church campus of McKeesport Area Shared Ministry will host a Shrove Tuesday pancake supper from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday in observance of Shrove Tuesday, a spokesperson said.
The dinner is free and open to the neighborhood. The church is located at 29th and Beale streets.
Shrove Tuesday is the final day before the beginning of Lent and is observed by many Christians, including Methodists, Episcopalians, Lutherans and Roman Catholics. “Shrove” comes from the word shrive, meaning “to absolve.”
On Shrove Tuesday, sometimes called “Fat Tuesday,” Christians traditionally supposed to use up rich and sweet foods, such as pancakes and syrup, before Lent.
February 20, 2023 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: West Newton News
First Methodist Church, 106 N. Second St., West Newton, and First Church of God will host a celebration of the World Day of Prayer at 11 a.m. March 3 at the sanctuary of First Methodist, a spokesperson said. The event is sponsored by the women of both congregations.
This year, congregants will be asked to pray for Taiwan. A light luncheon will be served following the service.
February 20, 2023 |
By Dianne Ribecca | Posted in: North Versailles Twp. News
Residents of Kline Avenue in West Wilmerding are asking the North Versailles Twp. commissioners to consider closing a park there following recent gunfire.
At this month’s meeting, neighbors presented the commissioners with a petition signed by 50 homeowners asking the township to convert West Wilmerding Park from basketball courts into something for families with children.
Thursday’s meeting was held one night after shots were reportedly fired during an altercation near the park. No injuries were reported, but residents said they are concerned that neighbors will get caught in the crossfire if violence continues at the park.
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