September 05, 2023 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
This is a developing story and is subject to change
A city man is in custody after an hours-long standoff with police at his home on Pirl Street.
Michael P. Plopi, 42, is charged by Allegheny County police with attempted homicide, aggravated assault and unlawful possession of a firearm and was awaiting arraignment on Tuesday morning, court officials said.
Plopi surrended to police early Tuesday morning following a standoff that began about 7:30 p.m. Monday after officers allege that he shot his girlfriend during an argument, then fired on first responders who were called to the scene. The victim's name has not yet been released by police.
Emergency personnel said McKeesport police were dispatched to Plopi's home in the 1200 block of Pirl Street near Versailles Avenue on Monday evening after a ShotSpotter device detected gunshots in the area.
Police arrived to find a woman outside of a home, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Officers came to her aid, police said, only to have someone inside the house begin firing at them. Officers pulled the woman to safety and she was taken to UPMC Presbyterian hospital. Her condition was not immediately available but she was said to be “conscious and alert” at the scene.
Emergency responders said the victim suffered wounds to her leg, hands and torso.
Plopi is accused of barricading himself in the house with another person and refusing to come outside, police said.
The Allegheny County police special weapons and tactics team responded along with police from surrounding jurisdictions, emergency personnel said. Police determined that the suspect in the shooting was barricaded inside the home with another adult.
After repeated calls for the suspect to surrender went unanswered, witnesses said SWAT officers used smoke grenades, tear gas and so-called “flash-bang” devices to force the shooter to surrender.
Dozens of police officers were present on the scene, including law enforcement from surrounding municipalities as well as county police and state troopers.
Versailles Avenue was closed for several blocks around the shooting scene. Residents were asked to avoid the area if at all possible.
Police said Plopi surrendered at approximately 3 a.m. Tuesday.
September 02, 2023 |
By Kristen Keleschenyi | Posted in: North Versailles Twp. News
(Kristen Keleschenyi photo for Tube City Almanac)
Without fanfare, the new Amazon distribution facility at the site of the former Eastland Mall has opened.
“While there was no formal announcement sent out, I can confirm the site is now operational,” says Sam Fisher, public relations specialist for Amazon.
Blue-gray Amazon delivery vans can now be seen driving in and out of the site on East Pittsburgh-McKeesport Boulevard. Freshly painted parking spaces are starting to fill up with employee vehicles.
Not much has been shared officially from Amazon about the day-to-day operations at the facility, which first got the green light by township Commissioners back in December 2020.
It has been a long time coming for this opening, which was hampered not only by the pandemic but also major delays in the supply chain.
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September 02, 2023 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Announcements
Orlando Carter of Straight Out of the Kitchen tends the grill Saturday morning at Renziehausen Park. The McKeesport Ribfest continues through Monday, when fireworks will close the weekend. (Tube City Almanac photo)
Good crowds and pleasant weather greeted attendees Friday for the opening night of McKeesport’s annual Labor Day Weekend ribfest.
Organized by the City of McKeesport and the McKeesport Lions Club, the event is free and open to the public. Booths are arranged near the Lions Bandshell at Renziehausen Park, near the corner of Eden Park Boulevard and Jimmy Beaumont Boulevard.
Live music is being provided today by Pendulum — a Creedence Clearwater Revival tribute band — 4:45, while the Nashville sound of Dozzi takes the stage at 7 p.m.
The Clintones arrive at 4:45 p.m. Sunday — when a car show is also scheduled — while Jimmie Ross & The Jaggerz begin at 7 p.m. A car show is also scheduled for Sunday.
On Monday, the Blues Brothers tribute show “The Booze Brothers” begin performing at 7 p.m., followed by fireworks.
Varange Cabil of Robbie’s Ribs was among the workers helping owner Roberta Williams at the Renzie Rib Fest. (Tube City Almanac photo)
August 30, 2023 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Rapper Taurus Bartlett, 24, better known as Polo G, has released three albums, each of which have sold more than 2 million copies. He’s scheduled to appear in McKeesport ahead of the Sept. 15 release of his fourth album. (Photo at left by Lou Wop via Wikimedia, licensed under Creative Commons 3.0. Photos at right courtesy Columbia Records.)
A controversial — and highly successful — rap artist currently facing criminal charges in Los Angeles could be coming to McKeesport to perform.
According to advertisements posted on Eventbrite, Taurus Bartlett, 24, better known as Polo G, is scheduled to appear at “Club IKON” — formerly “Tube City Brew House” — on Route 48 near Olympia Shopping Center.
City officials said Wednesday they are aware of the situation and will take action, but said they could not speak further. “We are handling it,” an official said, speaking on background.
“We have a lot of security — we don’t compromise on that — and we’re definitely looking to work with the local police to ensure our guests’ safety,” said real estate developer Prasad Margabandhu, co-owner of Club IKON through the company, Maya Restaurants Inc., he controls with his brother, Sivram M. Bandhu.
“We’ve never had any problems since we’ve been in McKeesport,” Margabandhu said.
A ticket sale listing posted on Eventbrite advertises “an epic night of music and vibes ... get ready to groove to the beats of one of the hottest artists in the game right now ... Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to experience Polo G’s electrifying performance live!” Tickets range from $60 to $85.
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August 30, 2023 |
By Vickie Babyak | Posted in: White Oak News
Zach Werner of McKeesport proudly stands next to one of three The Little Free Growers Exchange stands he built for community residents to share plants and seeds. (Vickie Babyak photos for Tube City Almanac)
Zach Werner of McKeesport was ready for a challenge when White Oak Councilwoman Julie Opferman contacted leaders of Boy Scout Troop 1640 and made a request for the troop to be more involved with the community.
Troop 1640 is attached to Saint Angela Merici Church in White Oak. Werner was getting ready to try to reach Eagle Scout — something only 6 percent of all Boy Scouts achieve — and he began to brainstorm ideas to help the borough.
“Zach joined the Cub Scouts when he was 5 years old and transitioned into Boy Scouts when he was 11,” his mother Danielle Werner said. “He’s been a member ever since.”
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August 30, 2023 |
By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
With only one day remaining until teachers’ contracts expire on Aug. 31, there’s uncertainty — but optimism — at McKeesport Area School District.
Gerald McGrew Jr., head of the teachers’ union, said negotiations are “moving forward” but didn’t offer a date when parents, students and district members could expect the potential labor crisis to resolve.
“I don't personally see it dragging on too long. But I can’t answer for any factual ending,” he said.
The school board and members of the McKeesport Area Education Association have been negotiating a new contract since January. McGrew said the early stages of the process began “very professionally,” and with positive input from both sides.
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August 30, 2023 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News, Duquesne News
A Turtle Creek woman faces formal arraignment in Allegheny County Court after being accused of threatening the life of a district magistrate in Duquesne.
Rose Ann Kardell, 58, remains in the Allegheny County Jail pending the Sept. 29 hearing.
Kardell was charged July 20 by the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office with threatening harm against a public official, stalking, disorderly conduct and harassment after Magisterial District Judge Scott Schricker in Duquesne began receiving threatening text messages on his personal cell phone.
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August 17, 2023 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
A medallion of William Shakespeare that once decorated the front of White’s Opera House in McKeesport is now displayed on the lawn of McKeesport Regional History & Heritage Center. (Tube City Almanac photo)
Staff at the McKeesport Regional History & Heritage Center thought it was a fraud, or an accident, when they were notified of a $10,000 donation that had been received through the organization’s website.
“It came through on PayPal,” said Meagan Donnelly, community outreach coordinator for the museum and historical society in Renziehausen Park. “We thought it was a scam at first, then we were worried that maybe someone meant to send us $10 or $100 and typed in too many zeroes.”
A quick call to Terry Merlin of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., a former White Oak resident and McKeesport Area High School graduate, confirmed the donation was very real and made intentionally.
“Our average donation is more like $5 to $20,” Donnelly said. “For a program or a big event like our golf outing, we may occassionally get a hundred dollars. This was a very pleasant surprise, to say the least.”
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August 17, 2023 |
By Vickie Babyak | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Chris Starry from McKeesport and Norma Kwiecinski from Irwin with her grandson, 5-year-old Liam. Starry and Kwiecinski have been friends for a long time and both have attended International Village for years. Kwiecinski said, “I’m introducing my grandson to International Village for the first time.” “I really like the halushki from the Croatian booth,” said Liam. (Vickie Babyak photos for Tube City Almanac)
If you go...
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McKeesport’s 63rd International Village
Where: Stephen Barry Field, Renziehausen Park (Eden Park Boulevard)
When: 3 to 9 p.m. today (Aug. 17)
Admission: $2 for adults
Website: www.internationalvillage.info
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Families of all generations have been enjoying one of the area’s biggest events since 1960 and have honored their roots while learning about other cultures.
The City of McKeesport is wrapping up its 63rd annual International Village at Stephen Barry Field in Renziehausen Park today. The ethnic heritage celebration ran from Tuesday through Thursday. Food, live entertainment and polka music are a huge attraction for many people of all backgrounds.
Live coverage will be available beginning at 5 p.m. on YouTube via Tube City Community Media Inc.
When International Village began, it was held as part of a larger event called “Old Home Week” on Market Street, Downtown. Many of the traditions started at the first “village” has carried over to the modern day International Village.
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August 16, 2023 |
By Tom Leturgey | Posted in: Duquesne News
Residents in Duquesne and the surrounding area are without another grocery store, as the Shop ’n Save in the Village Shopping Center suddenly closed for the last time on Friday.
The store along Homeville Road in West Mifflin, which had changed ownership about a year ago, had a small, dedicated group of employees who opened the market at 7:30 a.m. and served nearby residents, including those who live in the neighboring senior-citizen high-rise.
A few years ago, a Save-A-Lot store located in Duquesne Plaza — the last supermarket in the city limits — closed its doors. Many residents started shopping at the Village Shopping Center Shop ’n Save instead.
Efforts to find a new supermarket for Duquesne have been unsuccessful.
As a result, Duquesne is one of the communities classified as a so-called “food desert,” because although there are convenience stores and dollar stores, none of them provide fresh perishable fruits or vegetables.
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