November 30, 2021 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Buildings at 907 and 911 Fifth Ave., Downtown, were demolished in November with the help of funds from the Commonwealth Financing Authority, and the vacant furniture store at 903 Fifth Ave. is also scheduled to be torn down. Demolition of abandoned buildings will remain a focus on 2022, city officials said. (Tube City Almanac photo)
Demolition of vacant buildings, stabilization of residential neighborhoods and attracting new business development will remain key focuses of McKeesport’s mayor in 2022.
City council will hold a budget hearing at 6:15 p.m. Wednesday at the Public Safety Building, 201 Lysle Blvd. at Market Street. Council is expected to vote on the budget at 7 p.m.
By law, the city is required to have a balanced budget.
Earlier this month, Mayor Michael Cherepko said some of the programs that the city wants to launch in 2022 — such a program to help homeowners get their roofs replaced — may be ambitious, but he’s optimistic they can be funded.
Read More
November 29, 2021 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Crime and Police News, Port Vue News
Port Vue police are advising borough residents to keep their car doors locked when their vehicles are unattended, and to make sure any door-to-door solicitors are properly registered.
Police Chief David J. Petruski said that during the early morning hours on Monday, someone rifled through unlocked vehicles parked on the street and in driveways. Only one minor theft has been reported so far, he said.
The suspects “are searching through the cars and tossing the contents throughout the inside of the vehicle,” Petruski said in a emailed release.
Read More
November 29, 2021 |
By Sarah Turnbull | Posted in: Announcements, McKeesport and Region News
Scaled-down structure at the McKeesport Model Railroad Club was inspired by the city’s Jerome Avenue Bridge. The club is holding its annual open house Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 19. (Sarah Turnbull photo for Tube City Almanac)
Bob Balawajder of the McKeesport Model Railroad Club remembers when trains would pass through downtown McKeesport every day.
“I’ve been part of the club for 38 years. I’ve always been interested in trains. I used to go shopping downtown with my mother and we would watch the trains go by,” Balawajder said.
The club, located at 2209 Walnut St., kicked off its Holiday Open House Nov. 27. The open house features a 2,200-square-foot layout depicting the Mon Valley in the mid-20th century. Hours are 1 to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 19.
Read More
November 29, 2021 |
By Kristen Keleschenyi | Posted in: North Versailles Twp. News
North Versailles Twp. has a variety of holiday events planned to make spirits bright for the month of December:
Winter clothing drive: The parks and recreation department is partnering with Speedway for a Winter Wear Drive. They will be collecting and distributing winter clothes such as hats, gloves and scarves for township residents in need. If anyone knows someone who can benefit from this collection or has items to donate, please contact Lisa Green, parks and recreation director, at (412) 823-6602, extension 104.
Children’s Christmas Party: The township Children’s Christmas Party will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 18 at the community center, 1401 Greensburg Ave. Magician Chuck Caputo will provide entertainment. There will be pizza for lunch, presents and photos with Santa. Parents need to register their children through the parks and recreation office by Dec. 10 at nvtparks@verizon.net.
Read More
November 29, 2021 |
By Kristen Keleschenyi | Posted in: North Versailles Twp. News
Ongoing traffic bottlenecks on Route 30 in North Versailles Twp. — near the Dairy Queen and Dunkin Donuts — will soon be addressed if commissioners pass a proposed ordinance approving warning signs.
“They’re [motorists] stopping to wait their turn to get into the businesses on Route 30 which is creating a substantial traffic hazard and a serious risk for motor vehicle accidents,” said township Solicitor Greg Evashavik at the November commissioners meeting.
Officials said township police had been in touch with the state Department of Transportation about the problem because Route 30 is a state road, and the township does not have the authority to put up any signage along that stretch of road. But PennDOT has agreed about the severity of the problem.
Read More
November 29, 2021 |
By Sarah Turnbull | Posted in: White Oak News
Santa greets visitors during the annual Pet Pics event at White Oak Volunteer Fire Co. on Sunday. The event raised money for the fire department and White Oak Animal Safe Haven. (Sarah Turnbull photo for Tube City Almanac)
For Amy Bower and her family, taking their pets to see Santa is a time-honored Christmas tradition.
“We live close by, and we’ve gone every year,” Bower said. “The people are nice, and it’s for a good cause.”
Sammy, an 11-year-old West Highland White Terrier, was one of several pets to get his picture taken with Santa on Sunday, when White Oak Animal Safe Haven hosted its annual Pet Pics event at the White Oak Volunteer Fire Co.
Read More
November 28, 2021 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Port Vue News
(Tube City Almanac photos)
Crews from Port Vue and several neighboring communities battled a stubborn house fire for several hours on Sunday morning.
A neighbor said he called 9-1-1 to report the blaze just after 1:30 a.m., and crews arrived to find flames and heavy smoke showing from the left side of the home at 905 Romine Ave.
The two-story wood-frame and brick house was reportedly unoccupied at the time, and Allegheny County tax records indicate the property is owned by a West Mifflin man.
Read More
November 24, 2021 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Updated with comment from CVS.
(Tube City Almanac photo)
Arrivals at Saturday’s “Salute to Santa” parade who thought they might stop at the CVS Pharmacy on Fifth Avenue for a beverage or a snack got a lump of coal instead.
CVS “made the difficult business decision to close the CVS Pharmacy store located at 311 Fifth Ave. in McKeesport on Nov. 11,” said Matt Blanchette, a spokesman at the company’s headquarters in Woonsocket, R.I.
“We understand the disappointment of our closing store’s neighbors and customers,” he said. “The closure of this store is not a reflection of the hard work and dedication of our employees,” and all employees were offered “comparable roles” at other CVS locations, Blanchette said.
Last week, CVS announced plans to close up to 900 stores over the next three years.
Read More
November 23, 2021 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
The suspect in a fatal stabbing at Midtown Plaza Apartments has been arrested and is being held without bond at Allegheny County Jail.
Allegheny County police have charged Damian Baverso, 15, of East McKeesport with criminal homicide and making terroristic threats in connection with the death of 19-year-old Kai Brown on Friday afternoon.
Police allege the stabbing followed a fight after Brown, another man, and Baverso’s ex-girlfriend confronted Baverso over threatening text messages he had sent.
Read More
November 23, 2021 |
By Emily Scott © Public News Service | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
A bill making its way through the Pennsylvania General Assembly would help ensure a smooth transition to graduation for young people who face personal challenges outside of school.
Senate Bill 324 would help address barriers to graduation for kids experiencing homelessness or who are in the foster-care or juvenile-justice systems.
The bill creates a point of contact at the student’s school to help support them as they return to the classroom after time away from the education system.
Young people in foster care “face many barriers,” said John Lydon, chief executive officer of McKeesport-based Auberle, which works with at-risk youth and their families.
Read More
