January 21, 2022 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
A Wilkinsburg man is free on bond after being charged by Allegheny County police with aggravated assault in connection with a shooting on Sunday night in Versailles Borough.
Dondre A. Grisom, 27, was released Thursday on $20,000 bond pending a preliminary hearing Jan. 31 before Magisterial District Judge Thomas Miller Jr.
Allegheny County police allege that Grisom shot an unnamed juvenile just before 9 p.m. during an incident in the 900 block of Center Street. The youth was taken to the hospital by private vehicle, police said. His condition was not released.
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January 19, 2022 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News, White Oak News
A White Oak man died Tuesday night after being hit by a car on Route 48, police said, and the driver of the car that struck him did not stop.
Craig Peden, 81, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Allegheny County police said Peden was walking along Jacks Run Road just north of the entrance to White Oak Park when the collision occurred just before 7:30 p.m.
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January 14, 2022 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Demolition of the former Jaison’s Department Store on Fifth Avenue, Downtown, began Friday. (Tube City Almanac photo)
For Jaison’s Department Store in McKeesport, the doorbuster sale to end all doorbuster sales began on Friday.
Crews from Unis Demolition of Aliquippa, Beaver County, are demolishing the building at 215 Fifth Ave., Downtown.
Jaison’s was most recently used for bingo games by a charitable organization, but had sat vacant for at least a decade.
Pittsburgh real-estate developer Barry L. Stein, whose company purchased the building in 2014, said he had hoped to find a tenant, but the structure proved impossible to rent.
“The roof was no good when I bought it,” he said Friday. “Second and third floors have little value without an elevator, and in that building, the elevator is in the middle of the building. That means you couldn’t have a lobby.”
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January 12, 2022 |
By Sarah Turnbull | Posted in: White Oak News
The borough of White Oak is planning to move forward with its proposed Heritage Hill Park project, officials reported at Monday’s council workshop meeting.
Borough Engineer Ken Hillman provided updates on the status of the project, along with a timeline for completion.
“Our grant was funded for $184,100 — it’s a 50/50 contract,” Hillman said. “If we have the contract in place by May (or) June, that would be good. The project would go out to bid in late fall/early winter, and work would start in March (or) April 2023.”
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January 12, 2022 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
Construction began this week on a project to replace approximately 1,000 feet of old sewer lines in Dravosburg, Pennsylvania American Water Co. announced.
The project is expected to continue through the spring.
Gary Lobaugh, a spokesman for the water company, said the 60-year-old sewer line “has a recent history of breaks and reliability issues.”
The water company took over the Dravosburg sewer system with its purchase of the facilities of McKeesport’s municipal sewerage authority in 2017.
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January 12, 2022 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements, Duquesne News
(Submitted photo)
A weighted blanket manufactured by Duquesne-based American Textile Co. has received an award from the publisher of Parents Magazine.
The “Tranquility” brand kids’ blanket is featured in the “2022 Kids Sleep Awards” in the magazine’s January/February issue. It was called “one of the 21 best products to get kids to bed.”
Weighted blankets and vests have become popular in recent years for both kids and adults who struggle to fall asleep.
Although the scientific evidence for their benefits isn’t entirely clear, some experts have theorized the blankets induce a kind of deep pressure stimulation, which stimulates the production of melatonin, a hormone that helps to regulate sleep cycles, and reduces cortisol, a stress hormone.
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January 11, 2022 |
By Bonnijean Cooney Adams | Posted in: Entertainment
Dylan Stramaski plays Horton in the MLT Juniors’ production of “Seussical.” The show opens this Friday. (Submitted photo courtesy Jennifer R. Vertullo, McKeesport Little Theater)
If you go...
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MLT Juniors present “Seussical”
Where: McKeesport Little Theater
1614 Coursin St.
www.mckeesportlittletheater.com
When: Friday, Jan. 14 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 15 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Jan. 16 at 2 p.m., with a special Thursday show at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 20, then Friday, Jan. 21 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Jan. 23 at 2 p.m.
Tickets: 412-673-1100 or at mckeesportlittletheater.com
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Bright sets and colorful costumes reflect the enthusiasm of young actors — veterans and newcomers alike — as they take the stage for McKeesport Little Theater Juniors’ production of “Seussical,” which opens Friday, Jan. 14 at 7:30 p.m.
Although adult productions have resumed, this is the first time the Juniors have performed as a group since their 2020 show, “Into the Woods.”
The family-friendly show features familiar Dr. Seuss characters as the Cat in the Hat (Jonah Higdon) narrates the tale of Horton the Elephant (Dylan Stramaski), and his adventures as he tries to save a population of tiny Who people living in a speck of dust on a clover.
Lori Stramaski and Amy Majewski teamed up to co-produce “Seussical,” under the leadership of Dorothy Fallows as director. Their children, Dylan and Kaitlyn, senior members of the Juniors, not only have lead roles, but took on the task of choreographing the show.
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January 10, 2022 |
By Vickie Babyak | Posted in: Announcements
Post-holiday depression is tough. Resources are available in our area. (Vickie Babyak photo for Tube City Almanac)
Related Story: Feeling Post-Holiday Depression? You’re Not Alone
In a crisis or an emergency?
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800 273-8255.
The Re:Solve Crisis Network is a 24/7, 365-day crisis service that is available for free to all Allegheny County residents. The hotline number is 1-888-796-8226.
Addiction Treatment and Intervention Services
Addiction Treatment and Intervention Services (ATIS) has Open Access (OA) on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. and Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Call (412) 675-8516.
National Alliance for Mental Illness
NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania provides information and resources for diverse communities.
The McKeesport NAMI Family Support Group meets at 6 p.m. on the first Wednesday of every month, at Penn State Greater Allegheny, Frable Building, Room 122, 4000 University Drive, McKeesport.
For information regarding the group, contact AnnaLisa Haughwout at annalisahaughwout@gmail.com or call (412) 527-6600.
UPMC Western Behavioral Health at Mon Yough Community Services
UPMC Western Behavioral Health at Mon Yough Community Services, located at 335 Shaw Ave., Downtown McKeesport, provides resources for adults and children in the Mon Valley.
Adult Outpatient Program: (412) 675-6927 — The Adult Outpatient program provides intensive outpatient programming. The program is only taking hospital discharges due to staffing shortages, but will make referrals.
Child and Adolescent Program: (412) 675-8226 — The Child and Adolescent Program will begin Open Access (OA) the week of Jan. 10. OA is held on Monday and Wednesday from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Clients can walk-in to start the intake process. This program accepts young adults from 18 to 22 years as well. This program also offers school-based therapy in several school districts.
Vickie Babyak is a photographer and freelance writer from Dravosburg. She may be reached at vbabyak@yahoo.com.
January 10, 2022 |
By Vickie Babyak | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Donna Campbell of Glassport holds a photograph of her father on his 99th birthday. Since his death from COVID-19 in March 2021, she’s been battling depression. (Vickie Babyak photo for Tube City Almanac)
Related story: Local resources for people struggling with depression
The holiday season is over, and a new year has begun. People may be asking themselves why they have been feeling blue. Mental health experts say there are different reasons people experience depression through the holidays and post-holidays.
Psychotherapist Trina Bennett, a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and McKeesport Area Senior High School, says people may experience seasonal depression or have an increase in their depressive symptoms due to shorter days. The colder weather also decreases socialization and outdoor activities.
Bennett specializes in working with people who have confronted trauma, and has clients who experience increased depression during the holidays. They are triggered by that time of the year because holiday breaks from school left them vulnerable to home abuse, she said.
“I’d imagine it is awful to experience the expectation that everyone is cheerful when the season brings up body harm and/or cognitive memories of decreased safety,” Bennett said.
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January 04, 2022 |
By Sarah Turnbull | Posted in: White Oak News
Russell Morgan’s house on Fawcett Avenue in White Oak is one of the winners of the borough’s second-annual holiday home decorating contest. (Submitted photo courtesy White Oak Borough)
When Russell Morgan moved to White Oak two years ago, he knew he wanted to share his love of Christmas with the community.
“I’m fond of creating, and of Christmas. My favorite part is the look of it, and other peoples’ reactions,” Morgan said.
The borough of White Oak announced the winners of the Second Annual Holiday Home Decorating Contest and the Gingerbread House Contest.
Categories in the home decorating contest included Best Traditional, Clark Griswold, Buddy the Elf, and Kids’ Choice.
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