May 31, 2022 |
By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News, State & Region
With charter school tuition payments rising faster than enrollments, public school districts are asking the Pennsylvania state legislature for relief.
According to Pennsylvania’s quarter-century-old law, charter schools do not charge students tuition. Instead, the majority of charter school funding comes from each student’s district of residence.
But local charter school officials said that their facilities serve poor students and fill vital educational needs in the communities where they operate. One local charter administrator who asked not to be identified by name said their school and others like it are getting “a bad rap.”
McKeesport Area School District Superintendent Mark Holtzman Jr. is one of the local officials who have been calling attention to the expense that public school systems incur from charters.
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May 26, 2022 |
By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
McKeesport Area School District board members continued their commitment to highlighting student achievement during this month’s meeting.
After asking attendees to observe 30 seconds of silence for those impacted by the May 24 mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Texas, Board President Mindy Lundberg recalled recent board efforts to showcase student success and said, “We're going to continually try to highlight students every month.”
Charley Kiss, athletic and activities director, reported on the accomplishments of student athletes Kanye Thompson and Aaron Elm, calling the seniors “two of the hardest workers — the kids are on campus always running on that track and preparing.”
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May 26, 2022 |
By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Less than a year after being signed to a new five-year contract, the superintendent of McKeesport Area School District has resigned to take a job in another district.
At Wednesday’s meeting, the school board accepted the resignation of Superintendent Mark Holtzman Jr., effective June 30. Tia M. Wanzo was named acting superintendent, effective July 1.
Wanzo will receive an additional monthly stipend of $1,250 in addition to her present salary.
Beaver Area School District in Beaver County announced that Holtzman has been hired as its superintendent. Holtzman introduced himself to the district in a letter dated May 23.
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May 25, 2022 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Penn State Greater Allegheny Chancellor Jacqueline Edmondson, state Sen. Jim Brewster, former Penn State University President Eric Barron and McKeesport Mayor Mike Cherepko during the 2019 ribbon-cutting for the Mon Valley LaunchBox, located at the former YWCA on Ninth Avenue. (Submitted photo courtesy state Sen. Jim Brewster)
Local officials are praising the chancellor of Penn State’s McKeesport campus following the announcement that she will step down June 30.
Jacqueline Edmondson has been named president of the University of Southern Maine in Portland. Edmondson has served as chancellor and chief academic officer of Penn State Greater Alllegheny since 2017. She begins her new role July 1.
Additional details about the leadership transition for Penn State Greater Allegheny will be shared soon, a spokesperson said.
Under Edmondson’s leadership, the McKeesport campus launched its “Crossing Bridges” summit series to explore racial and cultural divides in the region, completed a $14.7 million renovation of the Ostermayer Laboratory and created the “Mon Valley LaunchBox” to help small and start-up businesses.
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May 25, 2022 |
By Emily Scott © Public News Service | Posted in: State & Region
May marks both Mental Health Awareness Month and Military Appreciation Month. In Pennsylvania, officials want to ensure that veterans know mental-health and substance-use resources are available.
Pennsylvania is home to nearly 800,000 military veterans, the fourth-largest veteran population in the country.
Rick Hamp, special assistant to the deputy adjutant general for veteran affairs at the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, leads military suicide-prevention efforts in the state.
He said veterans sometimes can face stigma if they speak openly about struggles with anxiety or depression. Knowing a loved one supports them can help, Hamp said.
“Always be there for your family members and for those around you,” he said. “You know what’s normal for a person, and if they don’t look normal, don’t be afraid to ask the question, ‘Are you OK?’ That is the start of helping a person. And be ready when they reply, ‘No, I’m not.’”
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May 24, 2022 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
(Submitted photo courtesy McKeesport Regional History & Heritage Center)
McKeesport Regional History & Heritage Center will hold a “flea-tique” antique sale and flea market this Saturday and Sunday (May 28 and 29), a spokesperson said.
Hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and 12 noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at the center, 1832 Arboretum Drive.
The sale is being organized by the center volunteers and proceeds benefit center activities. Items are being accepted for sale as well during regular business hours at the center, located in Renziehausen Park.
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May 24, 2022 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: West Newton News
West Newton Public Library will hold its summer reading program from 10 to 11 a.m. June 15, 22 and 29 at the Lions Field Pavilion, 511 Pittsburgh St., a spokesperson said.
Each day there will be a snack, guest reader and a craft, rain or shine. The event is being coordinated by Lori Luppold. Parents or guardians must accompany smaller children.
Participants must register at WNPL by calling (724) 633-0798 or emailing westnewton@wlnonline.org.
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May 20, 2022 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
A city man is charged with criminal homicide after Allegheny County police said he followed his ex-girlfriend and shot at her car, which crashed into a building on Walnut Street in Versailles.
A passenger in the car, Ibrahim Diallo, 20, was pronounced dead at the scene, the Allegheny County medical examiner’s office said.
Although the cause and manner of death have not yet been released, police said Diallo was suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.
The suspected shooter, Tyrique Simmons, 21, of McKeesport is being held in the Allegheny County Jail pending formal arraignment.
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May 19, 2022 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Announcements, Duquesne News
The northbound lane of the McKeesport-Duquesne Bridge will close this weekend so that crews can continue repairs on the road surface and approach ramps.
A district spokesman for the state Department of Transportation said the closure will begin 7 p.m. Friday and continue through 5 a.m. Monday morning, weather-permitting. The work affects traffic traveling from McKeesport to Duquesne.
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May 19, 2022 |
By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Guests at the 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 state Sen. Jim Brewster; Jackie Castma, associate executive director of the Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation; Brandy Daye, assistant principal, Twin Rivers; district superintendent Mark Holtzman Jr.; Tia Wanzo, assistant superintendent; state Rep. Austin Davis; McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko; amd state Rep. Nick Pisciottano. (Submitted photo)
McKeesport Area School District and the Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation have symbolically broken ground on a new effort to support local students and their families.
The partnership was announced Thursday at Twin Rivers Elementary School, which will be renamed “United at Twin Rivers” beginning with the next academic year.
Investment from Dick’s will provide increased staffing, improved facilities and a restructured school day allowing greater individualized student support, said Sarah Cassella of Dick’s Sporting Goods. The model is designed to help students and families focus on building healthy minds, bodies and relationships, she said.
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