January 02, 2022 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Editor’s Note: The writer of this story has a conflict of interest. See note at the end of this story.
(Tube City Almanac photo)
The fate of McKeesport’s long-vacant Penn-McKee Hotel likely depends on an engineer’s report due later this month.
The in-depth study, being completed by KU Resources on behalf of the Young Preservationists Association of Pittsburgh, will help advise city redevelopment officials on whether the historic structure near the McKees Point Marina can be stabilized for re-use, or must be torn down.
“Right now, we are gathering all of the facts so that we are able make a responsible, educated decision on the future of the Penn-McKee,” McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko said.
Nearly $1 million has been set aside for environmental remediation of the structure, said Matthew Craig, executive director of the YPA. The organization was retained in 2018 to study the history of the area around the Penn-McKee, as well as possible re-uses for the building.
Located on Fifth Avenue at Strawberry Way, the Penn-McKee is like a person who has abused drugs and alcohol for decades “and then they go to the doctor and hope they can erase all of their bad choices,” Craig said. “It has sat vacant for too long.”
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December 31, 2021 |
By Kristen Keleschenyi | Posted in: North Versailles Twp. News
After serving North Versailles Twp. for more than two decades — most recently as township manager — Patricia Logo is now preparing to retire.
At the December commissioners’ meeting, board President Frank Bivins thanked Logo for her efforts to guide the township through a period of financial difficulty. “Since she’s been here, she’s done a wonderful job,” Bivins said. “We were in the hole when she got here and she brought us up to where we’ve got a surplus.”
Logo’s last day will be Jan. 28.
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December 30, 2021 |
By Sarah Turnbull | Posted in: White Oak News
CORRECTION: This article incorrectly reported the vote at Monday’s meeting. It has been corrected.
The borough of White Oak failed to pass its 2022 budget at Monday’s special council meeting.
Council members Julie Opferman, Charles Davis and Louis Bender voted yes. Council members George Dillinger, Joe Nagy, George Pambacas and Ken Robb voted no.
Pambacas expressed concern that although the spending plan was balanced, it would cut into the borough’s fund balance, or surplus.
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December 29, 2021 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Announcements
Our goal is to continue to provide coverage of news and events in McKeesport, Duquesne, North Versailles Twp., White Oak and the surrounding area. We'd even like to grow, but first, we need to get back to full strength.
We don't ask for money very often. If you can help us, we would very much appreciate a donation this year.
We are an IRS-registered 501(C)(3) charity, which means your donation may be tax-deductible.
If you are financially able, and would like to make a gift, please consider doing so.
Donations may be made by check or money order to:
Tube City Community Media Inc.
P.O. Box 94
McKeesport PA 15134
Or via PayPal at: http://www.tubecityonline.com/contact/
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December 28, 2021 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
(Tube City Almanac file photo)
More than 92 percent of residents of the Kane Regional Center in McKeesport are fully vaccinated against the virus that causes COVID-19, said the administrator of Allegheny County’s four public assisted living facilities for the elderly.
In addition, said Dennis Biondo, executive director of the Kane Community Living Centers, Kane employees are covered by Allegheny County’s mandate that required workers to provide proof of vaccination by Dec. 1.
About 94 percent of workers responded positively before the deadline.
“We’re keeping a close eye on it,” Biondo said. “And we’re keeping a close eye on our residents. I can’t say that we never have any posititve cases, but most recently we’ve not seen any significant serious illness for a while.”
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December 23, 2021 |
By Jason A. Mignanelli | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News, Sports
Bill Cleary, retired athletic director and teacher at Serra Catholic High School, poses with a new sign at the gymnasium. Cleary’s 41-year career at the school in Haler Heights includes coaching the girls’ basketball team to a state championship and 18 section titles. (Photo courtesy Serra Catholic High School via Facebook)
For the first time in the school’s 60-year history, Serra Catholic High School has named an area of its campus after a former teacher.
On Dec. 11, at a ceremony attended by past and current teachers and faculty, the school in McKeesport’s Haler Heights neighborhood dedicated the William J. Cleary Gymnasium.
Cleary not only taught at Serra Catholic for 41 years, but he also held the Athletic Director position for 38 of those years.
“The thought of having the gymnasium named after me is just overwhelming and it’s incredibly humbling,” Cleary said recently. “I find myself paying closer attention to places that are named after people now. Someday someone will ask, ‘Who was that Coach Cleary guy anyway?””
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December 21, 2021 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Crime and Police News, Duquesne News
Allegheny County police are investigating a shooting Monday night in Duquesne.
Emergency personnel said Duquesne police and paramedics were dispatched just before 10 p.m. to the 500 block of Grant Street for a report of a shooting. A male victim was found sitting a car, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the head, emergency personnel said.
The victim was taken to an area hospital and is listed in critical condition, county police said. His name was not released.
County police said the investigation is continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call the Allegheny County Police Tipline at 1-833-ALL-TIPS (1-833-255-8477). Callers can remain anonymous.
December 21, 2021 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
The McKeesport Police Annual Fund Drive is currently underway, a spokesman said.
Donations are being solicited on a voluntary basis to assist the department with the purchase of non-budgeted equipment in order to better serve residents of McKeesport and Dravosburg.
“The items purchased from these donations are used on a daily basis by our police department,” the spokesman said. “Several of these items would never have been purchased if it were not for the generosity of the local businesses and private citizens of both McKeesport and Dravosburg.”
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December 21, 2021 |
By Kristen Keleschenyi | Posted in: North Versailles Twp. News
There are five new faces on the East Allegheny School Board. At the Dec. 6 reorganization meeting, new members were sworn in and took their seats.
Superintendent Alan Johnson thanked the outgoing board of directors for their service. “I do really truly understand what a commitment it is and oftentimes what a thankless task it is,” he said.
The first big task of this new board of directors will be to tackle the district’s masking policy. In light of the recent decision by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to overrule the governor’s state mask mandate, the topic will be on the agenda at the next school board meeting which will be held on Jan. 10.
Until then, masking remains a requirement at Logan Elementary, the junior-senior high school and school buses.
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December 20, 2021 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
All four lanes of the Jerome Avenue Bridge have now reopened, but work on a $15.44 million rehabilitation project will continue through next year. (Tube City Almanac photo)
The dark blue paint on the Jerome Avenue Bridge is there to stay, and is a homage to the red and blue colors of the McKeesport Area School District, a spokesman for the state Department of Transportation said.
Last week, all four lanes of the bridge reopened to traffic after being restricted to one lane since March 2021. Single-lane restrictions will continue on the bridge weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through the spring of 2022, but traffic will be maintained in each direction, said Steve Cowan, spokesman for PennDOT District 11.
Built in 1937 by Allegheny County, the bridge connects West Fifth Avenue and Lysle Boulevard over the CSX Railroad tracks and the Youghiogheny River. Up to 11,000 vehicles per day cross the span, PennDOT statistics indicate.
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