March 08, 2022 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
A White Oak man was killed and two other people were injured in a crash Wednesday on state Route 148 in East McKeesport.
The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office said that John D. Semenko, 59, died at a hospital about an hour after the wreck.
An Allegheny County police spokesperson said Semenko was the driver of a Ford SUV that collided with a Dodge mini-van just before 11 p.m. Wednesday near the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Congress Street.
The Dodge’s driver, a 24-year-old man, and a passenger in the minivan, a 22-year-old woman, were taken to area hospitals in stable condition, police said. Their names were not released.
Allegheny County police homicide and collision detectives are investigating.
March 01, 2022 |
By Vickie Babyak | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
McKeesport Area High School staff placed positive notes of encouragement in school hallways to boost students' morale. (Vickie Babyak photo for Tube City Almanac)
After two years, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to cause shortages of teachers, substitute teachers and bus drivers for school districts across the country — and McKeesport Area School District has been no exception.
So a group of teachers, counselors and staff decided to come together and brainstorm ideas on how to uplift everyone's morale at McKeesport Area High School. They looked for budget-friendly activities to start a wave of positive emotions.
The “positivity project” was born.
“Students have had to adapt to new ways in accessing their education and teachers have had to learn new ways in delivering that education," said Sherri Geyer, school counselor. “Mental health and morale get lost in the process.”
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March 01, 2022 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
The Allegheny County Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating a blaze that damaged a Union Avenue home on Sunday afternoon, but the fire is not considered suspicious in nature.
McKeesport firefighters were dispatched to a duplex at 1307 Union Ave. just after 12 noon when one of the occupants of the home spotted flames in an upstairs bedroom, said firefighter Garrett Segelson.
Their quick decision to call 9-1-1 probably saved the home and helped keep the fire from spreading, he said.
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March 01, 2022 |
By Jason A. Mignanelli | Posted in: Announcements
A portrait of restaurant founder Matilda DeMarino Teti Smith — better known to everyone as “Tillie” — graces the dining room at Tillie’s Restaurant in McKeesport. The restaurant is celebrating its 60th anniversary this month. (Jason A. Mignanelli photo for Tube City Almanac)
On a recent Saturday night, a steady crowd of McKeesport regulars — along with others who were visiting for the first time — funneled into the tiny entrance of Tillie’s Restaurant on 36th Avenue.
Some were aware that Tillie’s was approaching its 60th anniversary. Others had no idea. But people who frequent Tillie’s have many fond memories of the restaurant throughout the years.
“I remember coming here with grandma when I was just young. She’s no longer living but it brings back memories,” said Robyn Lewis of McKeesport, who was waiting to be seated with her husband, Wayne, and their daughter Taylor.
For Wayne, his favorite dish is plain old spaghetti and meatballs. For Taylor, it’s the homemade gnocchi. As for Robyn, she sticks with the giant raviolis made from scratch.
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March 01, 2022 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church of McKeesport-Duquesne will hold fish fries on March 4, 11, 18 and 25 during Lent.
The fish fry menu will be for take-out only. Orders may be placed by phone, or at 901 Hartman St., a spokeswoman said. The menu may be found on the church’s website.
The menu is similar from week to week with the exception of a different soup each Friday.
Pre-orders will be taken prior to each event from Sunday through Wednesday by calling DeeDee Baskot at (412) 469-2955. Pre-order payment will be by credit card only. On the day of the fish fry, orders may be picked up in the church hall from 2 to 6 p.m.
March 01, 2022 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
Two men were in critical condition following a shooting on Monday night on Sixth Avenue in the city.
McKeesport police and paramedics were dispatched to the Hi-View Gardens apartment complex just before 12 midnight when callers to Allegheny County 9-1-1 reported a shooting.
Crews found two men — one 21-years-old, the other 22-years-old — suffering from apparent gunshot wounds, Allegheny County police said.
Both men were taken to area hospitals in critical condition. One man was detained at the scene for further questioning and county homicide detectives are investigating, police said.
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February 28, 2022 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: West Newton News
West Newton Lions, 511 Pittsburgh St., will be holding an Ash Wednesday Fish Fry fundraiser for take-out only, a spokesperson said.
Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. March 2. All sales are cash only. The menu includes deep-fried, breaded Alaskan cod dinner with two sides for $13, or a fish sandwich for $9. Sides include macaroni and cheese, haluski, potato soup or cole slaw. Homemade pierogis with slaw will be sold for $13.
For orders or more information, call (724) 972-3779 or (724) 872-8853. Parking will be available at the rear of the building.
February 28, 2022 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: West Newton News
(Submitted photo)
The West Newton Library will hold its fifth annual basket auction fundraiser from 12 noon to 4 p.m. March 13 at the Turkeytown Volunteer Fire Dept. Hall, 90 Supervisors Drive, South Huntingdon Twp., a spokesperson said.
Doors open at 11 a.m. Tickets are $15 and include a light lunch and 25 general gift basket tickets. Tickets may be purchased at the library, 124 N. Water St.; at Gary’s Chuck Wagon Restaurant, South Second Street; or online at ticketleap.com.
There will be games of chance, a Presidents Gift Basket Tier, 50/50 drawing, and additional activities. The fundraiser benefits the fully volunteer-run library.
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February 28, 2022 |
By Paul Wintruba | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Singer-songwriter Dolly Parton created the “Dolly Parton Imagination Library” in 1995 to serve children near her home in eastern Tennessee. The program has recently expanded into the McKeesport, Glassport and Duquesne areas. (Submitted photo)
“There is really nothing much better you can do to support your children, getting them ready for school than reading them a book,” Mary Denison says.
Denison is the founder and executive director of Reading Ready Pittsburgh, a non-profit organization that began in Homestead. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the group partnered with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, a charitable program created by the singer-songwriter that sends a free book monthly to parents of children younger than five years of age.
Created in 1995 to serve children near Parton’s home in Tennessee, the imagination library now operates across the United States, Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom and Australia. In February, the program expanded into McKeesport, Glassport and several other Mon-Yough ZIP codes.
“McKeesport is prime real estate for this program,” says Vincent D’Alesio, director of the Carnegie Library of McKeesport. “I have no doubt it will prove useful to our patrons.”
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February 28, 2022 |
By Kristen Keleschenyi | Posted in: North Versailles Twp. News
East Allegheny School District may soon make a change to its COVID-19 health and safety plan.
The current plan states masks are required to be worn by students, staff and visitors throughout the day in school and on the bus. At the February meeting, Superintendent Alan Johnson said that with the substantial decline in COVID-19 cases it might be time to join other local districts and drop the mask mandate.
“If we are continuing to see the kind of drops in the incident rate that we are seeing presently we are probably going to ask the board to approve a change to the health and safety plan to eliminate the use of masks that we have in place now,” Johnson said.
On Friday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention relaxed its mask guidelines. Many parents have taken to social media wondering what the policy would be moving forward for EA students in light of the new guidance.
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