September 11, 2022 |
By Tom Leturgey | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko and resident Corry Sanders exchanged tense words Wednesday night at the city council meeting when a discussion over speeding turned tense.
The debate could be a preview of things to come, since Sanders — who was elected to city council in 2015 but was unable to take his seat — has discussed the possibility of running against Cherepko in a future election.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, Sanders asked the mayor about road patching and resurfacing on Jenny Lind Street. Cherepko said the public works crews do the best they can with strategization and available resources.
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September 08, 2022 |
By Jason A. Mignanelli | Posted in: Sports
After a tough loss in week one at North Catholic, Serra Catholic’s football team was out to make a statement last Friday night. The Eagles beat the Seton LaSalle Rebels 56–21 at Rebel Athletic Field, bringing their record to 1-1-0.
Eagles Head Coach Jose Regus was not surprised at all by his team’s rebounding effort.
“The players know the expectations that have been set in this program. This group didn’t flinch at the loss; it was a chance to get better,” he said.
The Eagles controlled the Rebels from the beginning, and it soon became a highlight reel for Eagles’ senior quarterback Elijah “Tiger” Ward as he threw for three touchdowns, caught one touchdown, and ran one in on the ground. Ward finished the game with 237 yards passing.
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September 05, 2022 |
By Danielle M. Smith - Public News Service | Posted in: State & Region
One goal of youth and family support services is to keep kids out of juvenile detention, but for those who are accused of serious crimes, Pennsylvania doesn't have enough space in its detention centers, and it is being described as a crisis.
A report by the Juvenile Court Judges’ Commission outlined the effects of facility closures on accessibility to services. Since 2006, some 15 juvenile detention centers have closed in the state, including Allegheny County’s Shuman Juvenile Detention Center, which had its license revoked in 2021.
There are now 14 facilities providing secure detention services across the state, and 61 of 67 counties must vie for beds at just seven of them. The report indicated staff shortages mean not all the beds can be used.
The closest juvenile detention facilities to Allegheny County are in Erie, Fayette and Westmoreland counties.
Abigail Wilson, director of child welfare, juvenile justice and education services for the Pennsylvania Council of Children, Youth, and Family Services, said a few factors are contributing to the lack of available beds.
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September 05, 2022 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Crime and Police News, Duquesne News
A 14-year-old from Duquesne died Friday evening following a shooting near the intersection of Caroline Street and Priscilla Avenue.
La’Japonis Roberts was pronounced dead at the scene, the Allegheny County medical examiner’s office said.
Allegheny County police said Roberts was a passenger in a car in the 700 block of Priscilla Avenue when someone opened fire just after 5 p.m. The driver fled the scene, police said.
Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to call the county police tip line at 1-833-ALL-TIPS. Callers can remain anonymous.
September 05, 2022 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
More than 30 shell casings were recovered Sunday evening from the scene of a shooting on Craig Street in which an innocent bystander was injured.
Allegheny County police said a 68-year-old woman who was sitting on her porch was injured when unknown gunmen targeting a house in the 1100 block of Craig Street opened fire.
In addition to the unidentified victim, who was struck in the arm, two houses and three vehicles were damaged, county police said.
The incident happened just before 5:30 p.m., police said.
Police recovered a mix of rifle and handgun casings and said they believe the shooters, who fled on foot, were targeting a specific house.
Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to call the county police tip line at 1-833-ALL-TIPS. Callers can remain anonymous.
September 01, 2022 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
(UPDATED with bond information)
A former McKeesport Area School District teacher is being held in the Allegheny County Jail without bond after being charged in connection with 11 alleged incidents of child sex abuse.
Eric V. Fairman, 26, is charged by Allegheny County police with multiple counts of indecent assault, corruption of minors, unlawful contact with minors and criminal use of a communications facility. Allegheny County police said Fairman surrendered this morning.
McKeesport Area school officials said Fairman resigned from his position at Founders Hall Middle School on Wednesday, when the district learned he was being investigated. He had worked there since September 2021.
Fairman also has been removed from coaching positions at West Jefferson Hills School District, school officials there said.
Police allege the incidents occurred in 2020 and 2021 in Pleasant Hills and Jefferson Hills borough, where according to published reports, Fairman served as a girls’ assistant basketball coach and former ninth-grade baseball coach at Thomas Jefferson High School.
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August 31, 2022 |
By Bonnijean Cooney Adams | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
McKeesport Area High School Tiger Marching Band 2022 leaders and seniors are, clockwise from right, Luciano Lanz, Zachary Manfredo, Nicole Upperman, Makayla Elash, Shyaire Flohr, Connor McGrew, Cooper Kuchma, Tina Wos, Brianna Schmidt and Savanna Auckerman. (Bonnijean Cooney Adams photo for Tube City Almanac)
From the theme of this year’s McKeesport Area Tiger Band Show, the audience may expect to see a lot of glitz and sparkle.
But “All That Glitters,” according to those who collaborated on its production, refers to way more than outward appearances.
“I have always liked the ‘positive,’ uplifting concept/style shows,” band director Drew DeCarlo said during summer camp when describing what can be found in the finished product.
“This season's show portrays that we all shine in our own unique ways,” he added. “Throughout the season we will be talking about how each student in the ensemble has that unique talent that needs to be uncovered.”
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August 30, 2022 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News, North Versailles Twp. News
A North Versailles Twp. man died Saturday evening after a shooting in the Crestas neighborhood.
Lyndale Irish-Knight, 24, was pronounced dead at the scene just after 5 p.m., the Allegheny County medical examiner’s office said.
Allegheny County police said in a prepared statement that police and paramedics were dispatched to a business in the 400 block of Porter Street at approximately 4:47 p.m. when a caller to 9-1-1 reported a shooting. There, police found the victim, later identified as Irish-Knight, suffering from a gunshot wound to the torso, officials said.
County homicide detectives are investigating but few details have been released. Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to call the county police tip line at 1-833-ALL-TIPS. Callers can remain anonymous.
August 30, 2022 |
By Vickie Babyak | Posted in: Commentary-Editorial
Vickie Babyak is a photographer and freelance writer from Dravosburg:
Bee balm (Monarda), native to eastern North America, and black-eyed Susans (Rudbekia hirta), native to eastern and central North America, naturalized in the western part; both plants are perennials attracting hummingbirds, bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects. (Vickie Babyak photo for Tube City Almanac)
The end of summer is near and the first day of autumn arrives on Sept. 22. In reaction to the shorter length of days, seasonal changes can be observed in surrounding trees and plants.
Each season displays its own beauty with growth that is attractive to humans and supportive to the environment.
Native plants are particularly important to nature and some bloom throughout autumn before winter arrives, providing necessary nourishment for a wide-range of diverse wildlife.
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August 30, 2022 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements, West Newton News
West Newton Public Library is accepting donations of gently used books and old jewelry for upcoming sales.
A spokesperson said that following the recent successful used book sale, the library needs to replenish its book sale room. The library is seeking newer adult fiction hardcover, paperback, biographies, non-fiction, children’s books, DVDs and audio tapes.
The library is not currently accepting used cookbooks, Bibles, encyclopedias or textbooks for resale.
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