May 29, 2025 |
By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
McKeesport Area School District said a decision to end its partnership with the charitable giving arm of Dick’s Sporting Goods was made by the foundation, not by school officials. (Adam Reinherz photo for Tube City Almanac)
A McKeesport Area School Board member said long-simmering structural issues between the school district and Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation led to the cessation of a nearly four-year partnership.
In an interview, School Director David Donato implored the public to wait for the facts before reaching a conclusion: “There is no doubt Dick’s stopped this arrangement.”
Following a May 27 announcement that the charitable arm of the Dick’s Sporting Goods chain had ended its partnership with McKeesport Area School District, both sides are looking back — and making accusations.
School Board President Mark Holtzman Sr., who has been singled out for much of the blame by Dick’s and some members of the public, declined comment and referred questions to District Solicitor Gary Matta.
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May 28, 2025 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
(Editor’s Note: This is a developing story and will be updated with new information as needed)
Guests at the 2022 launch event of United at Twin Rivers included Aimee Watters, executive director of the Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation; Tim Joyce, chief of staff for then-state Sen. Jim Brewster; Jackie Castma, associate executive director of the Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation; Brandy Daye, assistant principal, Twin Rivers; then-district superintendent Mark Holtzman Jr.; Tia Wanzo, then-assistant superintendent; then-state representative Austin Davis, now lieutenant governor; McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko; and then state representative, now state senator, Nick Pisciottano. (File photo/Tube City Almanac)
A more than three-year-long relationship between McKeesport Area School District and the charitable arm of Findlay Twp.-based Dick’s Sporting Goods has come to an acrimonious end.
District Superintendent Donald MacFann issued a statement Tuesday saying that Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation had made a “unilateral decision to end the partnership,” which has seen the philanthropy donate what it said was more than $13 million since 2021 to support educational programs at Twin Rivers Elementary School, fund professional and student development, and create a community center.
“Like many of you, the McKeesport Area School Board is deeply disappointed by this unexpected decision,” MacFann wrote.
“Over the course of this school year, MASD has worked diligently with DSGF to ensure our partnership benefited as many students as possible, with a particular focus on supporting their academic success,” MacFann wrote.
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May 27, 2025 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Two school district employees have reportedly been suspended amidst an investigation into approximately $8,000 in deposits that were not properly made.
McKeesport Area School District confirmed Tuesday that an outside law firm, as well as McKeesport police and school district police, are investigating why nine deposits totalling $8,226 were not made during October, December and January.
It was not yet immediately clear if the money had gone missing. The situation was discovered May 15, the district said.
Last week, Pittsburgh TV station WTAE (4) reported that two district employees were suspended with pay pending the outcome of the investigation.
“While there was a delay in sharing this information, it was necessary due to ongoing legal and investigative procedures,” District Superintendent Donald MacFann said Tuesday in a prepared statement. MacFann was not immediately available for further comment.
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May 27, 2025 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Announcements
A national outreach coordinator for Mental Health America will speak next week when the McKeesport Support Group of the National Alliance on Mental Illness holds its monthly meeting.
A spokeswoman said NAMI McKeesport will host Heather McLean, an outreach coordinator for Mental Health America at 6 p.m. June 4 in Room 122, Frable Building, Penn State Greater Allegheny.
NAMI McKeesport meets the first Wednesday of every month. The meetings are open to families and friends of loved ones living with mental illness. The meetings offer understanding and support unique to those who are affected by mental health conditions of loved ones, the spokeswoman said.
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.
May 27, 2025 |
By Vickie Babyak | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Saniya Rivers, a student at McKeesport Area High School, reads her essay entitled “America the Beautiful: A Legacy of Sacrifice and Struggle.” Her winning essay in the American Legion essay contest will advance to council level. (Vickie Babyak photo for Tube City Almanac)
Several local students were honored by the American Legion this month for writing essays on what it means to be an American.
At a dinner at Post 701 in White Oak, students whose essays are chosen to advance to the next level received a prize of $50, and in each of their names a $50 donation was presented to the Children of Warriors National Presidents’ Scholarship fund.
“The response has been great,” said Holly Gallagher, Americanism chairperson. In years past, she said, “we would average 10 to 12 essays, but this year we received a total of 37 essays.”
According to the American Legion National Headquarters, the essay contest was created to promote the value of patriotism, lifelong respect for the country and the American flag, and what it means to be an American. Thousands of students, grades 3 to 12 participate annually, and there is a category for students with special needs.
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May 23, 2025 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
A graphic provided by Penn State University shows the location of all of the regional, or commonwealth, campuses, as well as those slated to close. (Courtesy Penn State University)
Local officials and Penn State students and alumni are breathing a sigh of relief over the decision by the university’s board of trustees to keep the Greater Allegheny Campus open.
Seven other campuses will close under the plan approved by the board — although not without controversy — during a live-streamed meeting on Thursday night.
Penn State University currently has 20 regional, or “commonwealth,” campuses. The proposal approved by a 25 to 8 vote would close campuses in New Kensington, Fayette County and five other locations. Penn State is promising additional investment in the remaining locations, including Greater Allegheny.
“I love it,” State Rep. Dan Goughnour of McKeesport said. “I’m saddened that some campuses are being shuttered. I was hoping that there was a solution to keeping them all open. But obviously (Greater Allegheny) is near and dear to my heart and I’m happy that the administration and the board saw the value in it.”
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May 21, 2025 |
By Tom Leturgey | Posted in: Politics & Elections
(Submitted photo via Facebook)
Duquesne City Councilman Aaron Adams defeated two challengers to capture the Democratic nomination for Allegheny County Council District 9.
According to complete but unofficial returns from the Allegheny County Elections Division, Adams had 5,401 votes (54.8 percent) versus 2,845 votes (29 percent) for Kellianne Frketic of Elizabeth Twp. and 1,472 votes (15 percent) for Dylan Altemara of Elizabeth Twp.
There were 148 write-in votes. The district includes Dravosburg, Duquesne, Elizabeth, Elizabeth Twp., Forward Twp., Glassport, Liberty, McKeesport, Munhall, Port Vue, South Versailles Twp., Versailles, West Elizabeth, West Mifflin, Whitaker and White Oak.
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May 20, 2025 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Politics & Elections
According to unofficial returns, Duquesne Mayor R. Scott Adams won the Democratic nomination for re-election to a second term by a substantial margin. (Tom Leturgey photo for Tube City Almanac)
A comeback attempt by the former mayor of Duquesne to reclaim the office has apparently fallen short.
Following Tuesday’s primary, unofficial but complete returns from the Allegheny County Elections Division showed R. Scott Adams leading Nickole Nesby for the Democratic nomination, 429 to 135 votes.
No Republican candidate filed, but there were 25 write-in votes on the Republican ballot. Barring a successful write-in campaign, Adams will be the only candidate on the ballot in the Nov. 4 election.
Adams was elected mayor of Duquesne in 2021, replacing Nesby, who made headlines as the city’s first Black mayor and first woman mayor following her election in 2017.
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May 20, 2025 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Politics & Elections
Unofficial returns showed Joe Pero with a substantial lead in the race for both the Democratic and Republican nominations in Magisterial District 05-02-13. (Submitted photo via Facebook)
McKeesport’s former police chief was on track Tuesday night to become the city’s next magisterial district judge.
With 32 of 32 precincts reporting, unofficial returns from the primary election showed Joe Pero leading Michael Cherepko on both the Democratic and Republican ballots.
Allegheny County’s Elections Division showed Pero with a 59 to 41 percent lead on the Democratic side — 1,257 to 863 votes — and a 79 to 21 percent lead on the Republican side, 408 to 109 votes.
Judicial races in Pennsylvania are officially non-partisan, allowing candidates to cross-file.
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May 20, 2025 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
An unindentified man was in critical condition Tuesday morning following a shooting outside of UPMC McKeesport hospital, Allegheny County police said.
Detectives said the incident occurred after the victim attempted to force his way into a car in the parking lot and that there was no danger to the general public.
The emergency room was closed temporarily following the incident and a clinic inside the hospital was closed after sustaining damage, a UPMC spokesperson said.
In a prepared release, county police said the incident began just after 3 a.m. when the shooting victim attempted to force his way into someone’s car outside of the hospital.
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