January 31, 2025 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Announcements
Not getting calls is unbearable. (Tube City Almanac photo by F. Stop Fitzgerald)
We occasionally get some confusion about whether we are part of the Mon Valley Independent or the Tribune-Review.
We are completely separate, so telling one of those newspapers something doesn't mean we get the announcement, and vice versa. (Home Depot doesn't tell Lowe's, either.)
You can reach us in three ways:
• Email at tubecitytiger@gmail.com
• Phone at 412-357-2670
• U.S. Mail at 409 Walnut St., Suite 200, McKeesport 15132
Please do not use Facebook or text messages; we do not always see them.
You may follow us on social media in the following places:
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tubecityonline.bsky.social
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TubeCityOnline
Fediverse/Mastodon: https://federated.press/@tubecityonline
January 31, 2025 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Announcements, Politics & Elections
(File photo: Vickie Babyak for Tube City Almanac)
As a public service, Tube City Community Media Inc. again will make available this space as a free, public outlet for local political candidates — although there are rules attached.
CANDIDATES: Please do not depend on Facebook messages or posts. Facebook does not always deliver messages or posts.
Please send candidate announcements to us at tubecitytiger@gmail.com, or Tube City Almanac, 409 Walnut St., Suite 200, McKeesport, PA 15132; we will publish candidate announcements as they are received at our office.
Deadline is May 1; announcements will be published at Tube City Almanac in the order they arrive.
Any candidate for a municipal (city, borough or township) or school board office in the Duquesne City, East Allegheny, McKeesport Area, South Allegheny or West Mifflin Area school districts* may submit a candidate announcement or statement for publication at Tube City Almanac.
Profiles received after the deadline will be published at the editor’s option, time permitting.
(Please do not send them as a text message, or as a Facebook message. Handwritten entries and phone calls are not acceptable.)
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January 31, 2025 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News, Politics & Elections
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was retracted and rewritten after publication. We learned after posting it that Joe Pero had also announced his candidacy on Facebook. We apologize to Pero for the omission.
Those are the only two candidates for this office of which we are presently aware.
CANDIDATES: Please do not depend on Facebook messages or posts.
Please send candidate announcements to us at tubecitytiger@gmail.com, or Tube City Almanac, 409 Walnut St., Suite 200, McKeesport, PA 15132; we will publish candidate announcements as they are received at our office. —JT
McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko speaks at a Veteran’s Day ceremony. He has announced plans to run for magisterial district judge. (City of McKeesport photo by Jennifer R. Vertullo)
Retired McKeesport police Chief Joe Pero also is seeking the office. Pero is a Marine Corps veteran and graduate of the FBI Academy. (Submitted photo via Facebook)
Two candidates widely known to city residents have announced their plans to run for magisterial district judge.
Saying that he looks forward to stepping out of the limelight — but continuing community service — McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko announced his plans on Thursday.
Earlier in the week, former McKeesport police Chief Joe Pero also announced his candidacy, via Facebook. Pero retired from the police department in 2010 after a 30-year career.
Magisterial District Judge Eugene Riazzi, who has served in that role since 2007, confirmed Friday that he is not seeking re-election. Riazzi, who previously served as a McKeesport police officer, chief of detectives, and as an Allegheny County sheriff’s deputy, is eligible for retirement under state law.
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January 30, 2025 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Politics & Elections
From top left, in alphabetical order, Tim Eads of Munhall, Rikell Ford of Clairton, Dan Goughnour of McKeesport, Mary Nesby of Homestead, Lou Ransom Jr. of Munhall and Dexel Tolliver of Clairton. (Submitted photos)
The six Democrats vying for the nomination to run for the 35th Legislative District seat in a special election share a common focus on jobs, public safety, education and blight removal.
And the candidates also share a common goal of working with Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro to advance his legislative agenda, they said during a closed-circuit conference call on Thursday night.
The Allegheny County Democratic Committee will meet Saturday in McKeesport to choose a candidate to run in the special election being held March 25 to fill the remainder of State Rep. Matthew Gergely’s two-year term in office.
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January 28, 2025 |
By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Swin Cash speaks with Lady Tigers players and coaches following Monday's game. (Adam Reinherz photo for Tube City Almanac)
Swin Cash and McKeesport basketball have been synonymous for decades. Now it’s official. During Monday’s home game against the West Mifflin Area Titans, McKeesport Area School District dedicated its court in honor of the former player.
The halftime ceremony marked a “full circle” moment for Cash and the community, School Board President Mark Holtzman Sr. said: “She has been recognized as an Olympic champion, as a WNBA champion, and now she's being recognized as a champion in her own community, in her own home.”
Long before accruing nearly every basketball accolade imaginable, Cash was a self-described “scrawny girl” growing up in Harrison Village.
During high school, Cash’s size and talent exploded. She grew several inches and by senior year, Cash not only averaged 30.4 points and 16.9 rebounds per game but helped her team win the WPIAL title. After being named Gatorade Pennsylvania Player of the year, the 6’1 phenom went on to win two national championships at the University of Connecticut, three WNBA titles and two Olympic Gold medals for Team USA.
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January 27, 2025 |
By Yousuf Lachhab Ibrahim | Posted in: Announcements
The McKeesport Model Railroad Club’s HO-scale model represents Western Pennsylvania in the 1950s era. (Yousuf Lachhab Ibrahim photo for Tube City Almanac)
If you go...
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What: 75th Anniversary Open House
Where: McKeesport Model Railroad Club, 2209 Walnut St.
When: 12 noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1
Admission: Free
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The McKeesport Model Railroad Club is celebrating its 75th birthday, and it’s inviting the whole town to the party.
The local hobby group, located at 2209 Walnut St. in Christy Park, is riding high this month, with a cover story in the issue of Model Railroader magazine on sale now.
On Saturday (Feb. 1), the public will be invited to a free open house to admire 2,200 square feet of an idyllic 1950s-era Western Pennsylvania, complete with more than 75 locomotives and 1,200 freight cars.
“There are very few hobbies where you’re going to have seven-, eight-, nine-year-olds working right alongside retired guys [who are] teaching them something,” said Steve Raith, vice president of the MMRC. “There's a lot of people that think the hobby is kind of dying out, but we're definitely not seeing that. We have a lot of growth with younger people involved with the hobby.”
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January 27, 2025 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Announcements
Areas colored in green, plus Duquesne, receive water service from Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County. Pins and symbols show locations where MAWC has active construction or where it has recently completed projects. (Source: MAWC)
Residents of McKeesport and surrounding communities that get water service from the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County are being asked to conserve after a period of high demand.
Matthew Junker, authority spokesman, said that extremely cold temperatures caused many residents to run their water to prevent frozen lines.
At the same time, the water authority was responding to a number of leaks and water line breaks caused by the weather, he said. Due to rising temperatures, customers no longer need to let their water run, he said.
In order to bring system levels back up, Junker said, the authority is asking customers to reduce water usage at their homes and businesses until the system can stabilize.
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January 25, 2025 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Politics & Elections
A memorial wreath is visible through the window at State Rep. Matt Gergely’s office as it reflects scenes of Lysle Boulevard. The office was closed this week following his death Sunday. (Almanac photo)
A special election will be held March 25 to fill the 35th Legislative District seat left vacant by the death of State Rep. Matt Gergely of McKeesport.
The Pennsylvania Department of State said official papers were filed this week by Speaker of the House Joanna McClinton and nomination certificates will be accepted through Feb. 5 from both the Democratic and Republican parties, as well as minor parties.
Objections to any candidate’s nomination must be filed by Feb. 6. Persons who want to vote in the special election must register by March 10.
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January 24, 2025 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro delivers remarks during Friday’s funeral for State Rep. Matt Gergely at First Free Evangelical Church in McKeesport. (Official photo courtesy Office of the Governor of Pennsylvania)
An honor guard of Allegheny County constables bearing the U.S. and Pennsylvania flags led the final procession into church for one of the city’s favorite sons.
On Friday, more than 400 people attended the funeral of State Rep. Matt Gergely of McKeesport, who died Sunday aged 45.
In addition to Gergely’s friends and family, mourners at First Free Evangelical Church near Renziehausen Park included Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, State Sens. Jay Costa and Nick Pisciottano, McKeesport City Council, Clairton Mayor Richard Lattanzi, and many members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly.
We are “broken-hearted for a life that was cut way too short,” Shapiro said. “Matt was a man who lived his life with purpose, and kindness, and decency for others.
McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko — a lifelong friend of Gergely’s — and retired state Sen. Jim Brewster escorted his casket to the altar.
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January 22, 2025 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
With Wednesday’s temperatures expected to remain near or below zero for most of the morning, Allegheny County Emergency Services is cautioning residents to take extra care.
A spokesperson said residents should never use a generator, grill, camp stove, or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning device to generate heat inside their home. Kitchen stoves also should not be used for heat, the spokesperson said.
In addition, at least three feet of space should be kept on all sides of space heaters to prevent clothing, furniture, books, drapes and other items from accidentally catching fire.
Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County urged residents to take proper precautions for water pipes. Water expands as it freezes, putting pressure on the pipes, which can cause pipes to break. A spokesperson said:
• Drip cold water in the faucet furthest from your main valve; moving water keeps pipes from freezing
• Locate your shut-off valves in case of an emergency
• Insulate pipes in unheated areas
• Open cupboards and vanities to warm pipes
• Open outside spigots to allow water to drain
In the event your home’s pipes do freeze, the authority recommends:
• Turn off the water at the main shut-off valve
• Open a faucet near the frozen pipe so that water will flow once the area is melted; this will help melt more ice
• Apply heat to or around the pipe using a hair dryer
• Do not use any open flame devices, such as a propane torch, to heat frozen pipes
• Check all pipes and joints for leaks or cracks
• Call a licensed plumber if you cannot locate the frozen section, if you are unable to reach it, or you are unable to thaw it
Allegheny County public safety officials are encouraging residents to stay inside as much as possible and avoid prolonged periods of being outside and exposed to the elements. Frostbite can occur within 30 minutes at a wind chill temperature of -19 degrees, 10 minutes at -33 degrees, and five minutes at -48 degrees.
