November 06, 2021 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
* Correction: This story was corrected after publication.
Allegheny County police are releasing few details in connection with a death Friday afternoon at a home on Grover Street in the city.
The victim, Stephen Rucinski, 41, of McKeesport was reportedly mauled by a dog, but county police had not confirmed that information as of Saturday morning.
McKeesport police and animal control officers searched the neighborhood on Friday evening for a black and brown pit bull, which was located about an hour after the incident. The extent of Rucinski’s injuries was not publicly released and it was not clear to whom the dog belonged.
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November 05, 2021 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
Neighborhood groups will combine efforts for a Seventh Ward cleanup day on Saturday (Nov. 6), a spokesperson said.
The event begins at 10 a.m. at 1604 Evans Ave., near the McKeesport Ambulance Rescue Service station, and is sponsored by the McKeesport chapter of the NAACP, the Community Partnership for HIV Prevention and McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko.
Cherepko said the city will provide gloves and trash bags and volunteers will work their way through the neighborhood toward McKeesport Little Theater at Coursin and Bailie avenues. Lunch will be served at the end of the day.
For more information, call (412) 628-0919.
November 04, 2021 |
By Sarah Turnbull | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Local, county and state officials joined Auberle staff and board members and Bishop David Zubik to dedicate a new family emergency center at Auberle’s Hartman Street campus. (Sarah Turnbull photo for Tube City Almanac)
Auberle held its annual board meeting, “Reimagining Essential Services During COVID,” Wednesday at its McKeesport campus.
The group honored Allegheny County’s Department of Human Services as its “Community Partner of the Year.” In addition, County Executive Rich Fitzgerald and the Most Rev. David Zubik, Roman Catholic Bishop of Pittsburgh, helped to dedicate Auberle’s newest Family Emergency Shelter.
“I couldn’t be prouder of our human services department,” Fitzgerald said. “It takes all of us working together. Pittsburgh has learned a lot since the 1918 pandemic.”
Since the beginning of the pandemic, Auberle launched nine new services to address housing, unemployment, mental health support and more, group spokespersons said. These services include virtual behavioral health and therapy sessions, virtual support groups for foster parents, and mental health support for youth aging out of foster care.
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November 03, 2021 |
By Sarah Turnbull | Posted in: White Oak News
We could all use more support and positive vibes. Healthy breathing and good posture don’t hurt either.
That’s where yoga comes in.
The Sunnie Vibes Studio Yoga & Wellness will hold an outdoor vendor show from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday (Nov. 7). at 1206 Ohio Ave. in White Oak. The studio will officially open the following Monday, Nov. 15.
Founder Cameron Chemsak has been practicing yoga for eight years, and for her, it’s about more than just fitness.
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November 03, 2021 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Announcements, McKeesport and Region News, Politics & Elections, White Oak News
Republicans swept four vacant seats on White Oak borough council in Tuesday's election.
According to complete but unofficial results from the Allegheny County elections office, Loree Scharritter led the field with 1,188 votes, followed by incumbent Julie A. Opferman and newcomers Joelle M. Harbert and Jason Russell.
Former White Oak councilman David J. Pasternak came in fifth place; followed by Kenneth Robb and George Dillinger, who lost their bids for re-election; and Kenneth A. Obusek.
Pasternak, Robb, Dillinger and Obusek are Democrats.
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November 02, 2021 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements, West Newton News
Downtown West Newton Inc. will hold its annual “Miracle on Main Street” light-up night on Nov. 27.
Aaron Nelson, chair of DWNI, said this year’s theme is “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” The event begins at 3 p.m. and ends at 8:30 p.m., with a parade on Main Street to beginning at 5:15 p.m.
The community Christmas tree will be lighted directly following the parade.
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November 02, 2021 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
Health screenings and technology programs for kids are part of November’s offerings at the Carnegie Library of McKeesport, said Vincent D’Alesio, library director.
“Thank you to everyone who attended the outstanding events during the busy month of October,” D’Alesio said. “You can see pictures of all the fun we had on our Facebook page.”
The library will be participating in the city’s Salute to Santa Parade on Nov. 20 with a “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” themed float, he said. Nelson’s Transmission Shop in Christy Park has been helping with the preparation of the float, D’Alesio said.
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October 31, 2021 |
By Sarah Turnbull | Posted in: Politics & Elections, White Oak News
White Oak residents on Tuesday will select members of council and decide whether to retain their mayor.
The Democratic ticket includes Lisa Pitchford for tax collector; with David J. Pasternak, George Dillinger, Ken Robb and Kenneth Obusek as members of council. The Republican ticket includes Julie Opferman, Jason Russell, Joelle Harbert and Loree Scharritter running for members of council.
There are four seats available on council. Dillinger, Opferman and Robb are incumbents.
Incumbent Mayor Ina Jean Marton faces a last-minute challenger, write-in candidate Kelly Doyle. (See related story.)
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October 31, 2021 |
By Jason A. Mignanelli | Posted in: Politics & Elections, White Oak News
A last-minute write-in candidate is challenging incumbent White Oak Mayor Ina Jean Marton in Tuesday’s election.
Kelly Doyle, who manages the McKeesport Agape Center on Lincoln Way, says she’s running for mayor because she feels strongly about serving the people of White Oak.
“I already spend up to six days per week serving the community through the Agape Center, so the mayor position would come naturally to me,” Doyle says.
Marton, who has served as White Oak mayor since 2004, won both the Democratic and Republican nominations in May’s primaries. She has not faced opposition since her first election.
“I have no problem with anyone running against me,” Marton says. “I just ask for a good, honest and fair campaign.”
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October 29, 2021 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
One of the weapons that prosecutors said they confiscated in August 2019. (U.S. District Court documents)
The owner of a Versailles Avenue tattoo shop has been sentenced to 30 months in federal prison after prosecutors said he sold unlicensed and untraceable handguns from the business.
Richard Watson Jr., 33, of McKeesport also was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan to three years’ probation and a $10,000 fine.
Prosecutors allege that Watson bragged that he was a member of an “outlaw motorcycle club” and that he told undercover informants that “everyone in the hood knows that I’m the gun guy.”
But his attorney argued that Watson’s previous lack of a criminal record, and his stable home life and business, demonstrated that he was not a threat to the community.
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