MASD Parents Still Frustrated By Bus Problems

December 15, 2021 |

By Siana Emery | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

McKeesport Area School Board had a packed house for its final meeting of 2021.

During a public comment period, Stephanie Graham, the mother of a student whose bus was cancelled two out of three days last week, asked where the district stands on the busing issue as winter approaches.

McKeesport Area School District has been locked in a dispute with its bus provider, Pennsylvania Coach Lines, since August. In September, the district asked Allegheny County Judge Arnold Klein to declare the company in breach of contract after the bus company repeatedly cancelled service, citing a lack of drivers.

Although an agreement was reached for Pennsylvania Coach to continue providing services, the dispute has continued. The case was scheduled to go to trial Dec. 15, but has been postponed, according to court records.

 
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Taxes Unchanged in Upcoming W.O. Budget

December 15, 2021 |

By Sarah Turnbull | Posted in: White Oak News

White Oak’s proposed 2022 budget will include no tax increase, officials said at this week’s borough council workshop session.

Borough manager John Palyo provided some updates on next year’s spending proposals. He said that key focus areas in the 2022 budget include pension plans and code enforcement.

It is possible that White Oak will continue to provide police services to South Versailles Twp. in 2022, Palyo said.

 
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Duquesne Takes Cautious Approach With Chief

December 15, 2021 |

By Matt Germaine | Posted in: Duquesne News

Duquesne’s police chief will retain his title for now.

Thomas W. Dunlevy, 49, has been charged by Allegheny County police with intimidation of witnesses, intimidation or realitiation in a child abuse case, obstructing the administration of law and official oppression.

Dunlevy was arraigned Dec. 7 and is currently free on $25,000 unsecured bond pending a preliminary hearing Dec. 20 before Magisterial District Judge Kim Berkeley Clark.

“These are all allegations. We have to see what’s going to be held for court, and then whether or not charges are going to be pursued by the district attorney’s office,” said Duquesne city solicitor Myron Sainovich in an interview. “If there’s not enough evidence in the preliminary hearing, the charges could be dismissed. We just have to wait and see.”

 
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Local Districts Keep Masking Plans in Effect

December 14, 2021 |

By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Duquesne News, McKeesport and Region News, North Versailles Twp. News

Local school districts are keeping their mask policies in effect for the time being.

Duquesne and East Allegheny school officials said their mandatory mask policies will remain in place, while McKeesport Area School District said the district is making face masks optional but “highly recommended” for all staff and students.

Masking also is mandatory on school buses, McKeesport Area officials said.

On Friday, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that the state Department of Health overstepped its authority on Aug. 31 by setting a blanket requirement for all students to wear a face mask while in class to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

 
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Employee Charged in Tool Thefts

December 14, 2021 |

By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News

A former employee of Pure Penn faces formal arraignment in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court after being accused of purchasing more than $17,000 in tools on a company credit card, then selling them.

Wade A. Kildow, 33, of Elizabeth Twp. is charged by McKeesport police with theft by unlawful taking and access device fraud. He remains free on his own recognizance following a preliminary hearing Nov. 15 before Magisterial District Judge Eugene Riazzi.

McKeesport police said the alleged thefts were reported Sept. 24. Police said Kildow was a maintenance worker at the facility on Industry Road and had access to a credit card to purchase tools from a hardware supplier.

 
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Student, 16, Accused of Assaulting Police Officer

December 14, 2021 |

By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News

A 16-year-old student was charged with striking a police officer in connection with a Nov. 22 incident at McKeesport Area High School.

McKeesport police said officers responded just after 7 a.m. when callers reported a disturbance was in progress.

According to a police report, a staff member accused the student of using profanity and abusive language. When the staff member asked the student to leave the campus, the student did so, police said, but then attempted to re-enter the building.

 
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Pa. School Funding Trial Enters Fourth Week

December 12, 2021 |

By Emily Scott © Public News Service | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

Pennsylvania’s school funding trial will enter its fourth week in Commonwealth Court on Monday.

Testimony so far has provided an inside view into the difficult decisions faced by educators in the state’s low-wealth districts with minimal resources.

In 2014, six Pennsylvania school districts—William Penn, Greater Johnstown, Lancaster, Panther Valley, Shenandoah Valley and Wilkes-Barre Area—sued state legislative officials, state education officials and Gov. Tom Wolf, alleging that the state’s school funding system violates the clause of the Pennsylvania Constitution that promises to provide a “thorough and efficient” system of public education.

The Pennsylvania Association of Rural and Small Schools, the NAACP-Pennsylvania State Conference and a group of public school parents are also plaintiffs in the lawsuit.

 
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Parish Hosts Cookie Walk Dec. 18

December 11, 2021 |

By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements

Mary, Mother of God Parish will host a Cookie Walk from 12 noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 18 at Corpus Christi Social Hall, 803 Market St., McKeesport, a spokeswoman said.

Attendees can grab a cup of hot chocolate, stroll cookie lane and select a from a wide variety of homemade treats.  A dozen cookies cost $7.  Kids can decorate their own sugar cookie and visit with Santa Claus.

For more information, email suz.litzinger@gmail.com.

 

RAD OK’s Renzie Improvements for 2022

December 09, 2021 |

By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

McKeesport will receive more than $1 million in 2022 from the Allegheny Regional Asset District for improvements to Renziehausen Park as well as operating funds.

The $118 million RAD budget approved last week includes $783,525 in operating funds as well as $250,000 in capital funding for bleacher improvements, extensions to the walking trail, new exercise equipment, and upgrades to the Lions Bandshell and the dek-hockey court.

“We got what we believe is our full amount (requested),” said McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko. “We’re very grateful for RAD and if the media prints anything, I hope they print that.”

 
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Duquesne Chief Accused of Intimidating Witness

December 09, 2021 |

By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News, Duquesne News

Duquesne’s police chief has been charged with witness intimidation in connection with an incident in Hazelwood, Allegheny County police said.

Thomas W. Dunlevy, 49, of Duquesne is charged by Allegheny County police with intimidation of witnesses, intimidation or retaliation in a child abuse case, obstructing the administration of law and official oppression.

Dunlevy was arraigned Wednesday night and is currently free on $25,000 unsecured bond pending a preliminary hearing Dec. 20 before Magisterial District Judge Kim Berkeley Clark.

 
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