January 31, 2023 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Politics & Elections
Applications for absentee and mail-out ballots are being sent this week to approximately 300,000 registered voters in Allegheny County, the Elections Division has announced.
A state law passed in 2019 allows voters to place themselves on a “permanent” list for an absentee or mail-in ballot, and requires the applications to be distributed before the first Monday in February.
Anyone on the permanent list should receive their application by Friday.
County officials said the so-called “permanent” ballot list has been confusing for voters. Signing up for the “permanent” list does not mean a voter automatically gets a mail-in ballot each year. Instead, they receive an application for a mail-in ballot.
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January 31, 2023 |
By Vickie Babyak | Posted in: White Oak News
Zachary Schmude amazes his family with his positive attitude and continuing recuperation from the severe accident that could have taken his life. Zach is seen here in late December with his mother, Rachel Schmude, father, Brian Schmude and siblings, all from White Oak. (Submitted photo)
One man’s tragedy can be another person’s survival guide.
On Nov. 3, 23-year-old Zachary Schmude of White Oak went to work as usual, never foreseeing an accident that would alter the rest of his life.
Now, he wants to share his story and help people in similar situations.
“I want people to know they can persevere through something horrible and if I inspire one person, then I will be happy,” Schmude said. “I will do the same stuff I did before, but in a wheelchair.”
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January 26, 2023 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Crime and Police News, Duquesne News
A former Duquesne resident faces more than six years in federal prison and six years probation following his conviction on drug and firearms charges, a spokeswoman for U.S. Attorney Cindy K. Chung said.
Brandon McCaskill, 28, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Joy Flowers Conti after he was found guilty on charges of possession of controlled substances with intent to deliver and possession of a firearm in connection with drug trafficking.
Prosecutors allege that on Aug. 17, 2020, Duquesne police officers visited McCaskill’s home in connection with a separate incident. While there, prosecutors said, police found McCaskill seated on the front porch with a backpack and detected a strong odor of drugs.
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January 26, 2023 |
By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Following three area shootings in six weeks, and the discovery of a plastic BB gun in a high school student’s backpack on Monday, McKeesport Area School District board members voiced their commitment to safety during Wednesday’s meeting.
“Safety is the number one priority. Education is supposed to be number one but that’s fallen out and number two for me,” board member Joseph Lopretto said. “This school board is 100 percent on board. I don’t want anybody to even take away from tonight that we don’t care because we care.”
Despite Lopretto’s assertion, several parents raised concern regarding the effectiveness of backpack checks and other security measures.
Superintendent Tia Wanzo said that a group of six adults inspect backpacks “every day.”
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January 25, 2023 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
The Lenten season is right around the corner, which means fish fries are too.
The Allegheny County Health Department is reminding fish fry sponsors that they must have a valid food permit, a requirement for all food facilities in the county, including temporary fish fries.
“Seasonal fish fries are a great part of the region’s cultural identity,” said Otis Pitts, deputy director for food safety, housing & policy at the health department. “It is important that seasonal fish fry organizers follow proper food safety handling procedures to make sure their patrons do not get sick from the food they serve. Working with the Health Department’s Food Safety Program will help fish fry organizers do just that.”
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January 25, 2023 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
The McKeesport chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness will meet at 6 p.m. Feb. 1 in Room 122 of the Frable Building at Penn State Greater Allegheny, a spokeswoman said. The meeting is open to families and friends of loved ones living with mental illness.
Updates regarding NAMI programs and other resources will be available. A care and share session will be held.
NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.
For more information about the McKeesport meeting call (412) 527-6600. For the NAMI Helpline, call (412) 366-3788 between the hours of 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
January 24, 2023 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements, West Newton News
The Grady Hoffman Memorial Scholarship Fund will hold a spaghetti dinner benefit from 1 to 6 p.m. Feb. 25 at the Hutchinson Volunteer Fire Dept. hall, 261 Firehall Road off Route 136 in Sewickley Twp., a spokesman said.
Dinners are $10 for adults and $5 for children and include spaghetti, bread, beverage, salad and dessert. There will be a 50/50 drawing and other raffles.
The scholarship fund distributed $9,000 in educational assistance last year, the spokesman said. Purchase tickets at the door and eat-in or take-out.
January 23, 2023 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
An unidentified teen-ager is in critical condition at a local hospital following a shooting Monday afternoon on Dinsmore Street in the city.
McKeesport police said officers were dispatched at 2:27 p.m. to a report of “multiple shots fired” and discovered the victim suffering from gunshot wounds. The incident happened near the corner of Dinsmore and Meadow streets, police said.
The victim’s age and the extent of his injuries was not immediately known.
Allegheny County police said in a prepared statement that homicide detectives are investigating. Anyone with information is asked to call the County Police tip line at 1-833-ALL-TIPS. Callers can remain anonymous.
January 23, 2023 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
McKeesport Area High School was put on lockdown Monday morning after a plastic BB gun was discovered in a student’s backpack.
City police Chief Adam Alfer said the investigation is ongoing and that charges had not been filed. The student involved is 16 years old and attends the high school, he said.
Tube City Almanac does not identify suspects who are charged as juveniles.
Alfer said officers from McKeesport, White Oak and Penn State Greater Allegheny were dispatched after Allegheny County 9-1-1 received a report that a handgun had been spotted in a student’s belongings.
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January 23, 2023 |
By Tom Leturgey | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Community members arrive Thursday at McKeesport Area High School for a community meeting on gun violence convened by the McKeesport Unit of the NAACP. (Vickie Babyak photo for Tube City Almanac)
Focused and persistent community action is necessary when it comes to tackling gun violence, said one of the speakers at a summit last week at McKeesport Area High School.
Tim Stevens, chair and chief executive officer of the Black Political Empowerment Project, or B-PEP, said stakeholders in the Mon Valley need to “stay the course” and keep working on communication and outreach, especially to youth who may be lured into crime or violence.
Anti-bullying and Internet safety are two specific areas that families should pay attention to, Stevens said.
The McKeesport unit of the NAACP on Thursday convened the second of a series of community meetings focused on reducing gun violence. A third is tentatively planned for Feb. 21.
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