June 11, 2024 |
By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
(Adam Reinherz photo for Tube City Almanac)
Back to back meetings of the McKeesport Area School District showcased new hires and planned improvements to the district.
During Thursday’s special board meeting, the district approved the hiring of Matthew Mols as assistant to the superintendent. The new position comes with an annual salary of $130,000. Scott Smith was announced as director of building and grounds at an annual salary of $110,000.
During a subsequent open agenda meeting, board members voiced their intention to vote on several upcoming expenses, including paving services and band instruments.
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June 11, 2024 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
(Submitted photos courtesy UPMC McKeesport hospital)
A record crowd attended the fourth-annual McKeesport Community Day on Saturday, a spokeswoman said.
More than 1,000 people attended the event, held along Market Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues. The celebration was sponsored by UPMC McKeesport hospital in cooperation with several area churches that are part of a faith-based “Call to Action” community health team, said Sarah Deist, UPMC McKeesport spokeswoman.
The event had previously moved to the campus of McKeesport Area High School. Deist credited the decision to return to Downtown McKeesport with increasing the attendance. The goal of the event was to promote health awareness and healthier lifestyles through free health screenings, health education, and access to local resources.
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June 11, 2024 |
By Vickie Babyak | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
New officers sworn in by the Semper Fidelis Club include financial secretary T. Renee Easley of West Mifflin; corresponding secretary Amber Webb of McKeesport; recording secretary Joyce Gwen Thompson of White Oak; president Norine A. Jenkins of White Oak; vice president the Rev. Anica Jones of McKeesport; and parliamentarian V. Fawn Walker of McKeesport.
One of the city’s longest-running civic organizations is preparing for its 105th year of service.
During a meeting at Penn State Greater Allegheny Campus, members of the Semper Fidelis Scholarship Club inducted new officers, with outgoing club President Jacqueline Blake presiding over the ceremony.
Taking oaths of office were Norine A. Jenkins, president; Anica Paige, vice president; Tia Wanzo, treasurer; T. Renee Easley, financial secretary; Joyce Gwen Thompson, recording secretary; Amber Webb, corresponding secretary; Paula Robinson, chaplain; V. Fawn Walker, parliamentarian; and Joy Simmons, historian.
Blake said thank you to the incoming officers and members for their pledge of service, their commitment, and for the support and love that was shown towards her during her tenure.
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June 07, 2024 |
By Bonnijean Cooney Adams | Posted in: Entertainment
Julia Rae Jackson as Tina Kenney shares her struggles, hopes and dreams in "Voices." (Bonnijean Cooney Adams photos for Tube City Almanac)
The alien cast of McKeesport Little Theater Juniors' production of "Are We There Yet?" aboard their space vehicle prepare to tour Earth with Tika Gill, standing, as their guide.
If you go...
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“Are We There Yet?” and “I Will Sing Life: Voices from the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp”
Where: McKeesport Little Theater, 1614 Coursin St., (412) 673-1100, www.mckeesportlittletheater.com
When: Friday, June 7, and Saturday, June 8, at 7 p.m. Sunday, June 9 matinee at 2 p.m
Tickets: $10 for adults, $5 for students available at the door.
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McKeesport Little Theater Juniors’ annual spring production showcases the talents of some of the newest members of the group, followed by tear-jerking performances from veterans.
Opening today (June 7), and running for just one weekend, the first play, called “Are We There Yet,” is short and full of lots of humorous moments as intergalactic tour guide Tika Gill shares her interpretation of places, events, and things on Earth with her latest clients.
The second play, while more serious, still has its lighter moments.
“I Will Sing Life: Voices from the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp” is a collage of writings and interviews with young people who attend the real Hole in the Wall Gang Camp founded by actor Paul Newman.
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June 07, 2024 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
UPMC McKeesport is joining with the city’s faith-based “Call to Action” community health team to host the fourth annual McKeesport Community Day on from 12 noon to 4 p.m. Saturday (June 8) on Market Street at Fifth Avenue, Downtown.
McKeesport Community Day will be a “free, joy-filled day” for the whole family, featuring the Bill Henry Band, health screenings, children’s activities, raffles, giveaways, food and refreshments and more, said Sarah Diest, UPMC spokeswoman.
UPMC McKeesport aims to promote health awareness and healthier lifestyles through free health screenings, health education, and access to local resources, she said.
“UPMC McKeesport’s goal is to foster connection within the community, while sharing how important it is to prioritize your health,” said Kari Bedillion, vice president of operations for UPMC East and UPMC McKeesport. “We are looking forward to celebrating the community of people we are thankful to care for.”
The event is being made possible thanks to the support of UPMC McKeesport, McKeesport Hospital Foundation, UPMC McKeesport Medical Executive Committee, UPMC Health Plan, UPMC Western Behavioral Health, Bethlehem Baptist Church, Beulah Park United Methodist Church, Sister to Sister Outreach Ministries and Zion Baptist Church.
For more information, call (412) 664-6774.
June 06, 2024 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
The owner of a Marshall Drive home where two people were shot during a backyard pool party has apologized to neighbors and said he wants to avoid a repeat of the incident.
Jake Howell said the May 26 incident — where two guests exchanged gunfire following an argument — was a family cookout that “turned tragic.” Howell, an electrical engineer who has lived in McKeesport for three years, called the events “painful.”
“I’ve never had anything like that happen before and it’s scary,” Howell said Wednesday following a city council meeting attended by a large group of other Haler Heights residents.
The incident happened around a backyard swimming pool at Howell’s home near Renziehausen Park.
Allegheny County police allege that Vance Lee Sykes, 30, of New Castle threw a 13-year-old girl into the pool. When he was confronted by other guests, police said, Sykes is accused of retrieving a handgun from a car and shooting another person.
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June 05, 2024 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
(Photo courtesy Dress for Success Pittsburgh via Facebook)
Dress for Success Pittsburgh will hold an event from 1 to 3 p.m. June 17 at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, 1507 Library Ave., a spokeswoman said.
The non-profit group provides business-ready clothing, shoes and accessories for women and female-identified persons who are applying for jobs and need wardrobe items to attend employment interviews.
Attendees can also receive personal care items, connections to interview and resume support, and other assistance.
Registration in advance is suggested by calling (412) 672-0625 or visiting the library’s website.
June 05, 2024 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
A two-alarm fire Tuesday afternoon that destroyed an abandoned house on Grover Street has been ruled accidental by the Allegheny County fire marshal’s office, but the cause remains under investigation.
According to county officials, the blaze was reported to Allegheny County 9-1-1 just before 5 p.m.
First-responders found the two-story wood-frame structure at 2719 Grover St. completely engulfed in flames and a second alarm was sounded, McKeesport deputy fire Chief Tom Perciavalle said.
No utilities were connected to the home and the blaze is suspicious in nature, Perciavalle said. Allegheny County property tax records indicate the house was owned by a White Oak woman, but according to published reports, she died in 2022.
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June 03, 2024 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
A Lawrence County man is jailed without bond pending a preliminary hearing on charges that he shot a fellow partygoer at an event on Marshall Drive in the city’s Haler Heights section.
Vance Lee Sykes, 30, of New Castle, formerly of Pittsburgh, is charged with attempted homicide, aggravated assault, carrying a firearm without a license and recklessly endangering another person in connection with the Memorial Day weekend incident.
Sykes also was wounded during the incident, according to a criminal complaint, which alleges that at least five shots were fired — two by Sykes, and third by another, unnamed person.
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May 31, 2024 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
Allegheny County police continue their investigation of a shooting incident Sunday night in Haler Heights that sent two men to local hospitals with what were described as non-life-threatening injuries.
Details remain sketchy. The incident was reported at around 7 p.m. at a home in the 100 block of Marshall Drive, emergency personnel said.
Neighbors have speculated that a party was in progress at a private home and that an argument began, but county police have declined to confirm any details.
Pennsylvania is one of a handful of states that exempts police reports from public open-records laws.
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