Let The Earth Rejoice and Be Glad

December 25, 2024 |

By Staff Reports | Posted in: Editorial Cartoons

Light dawns for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.
Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name!
(Psalm 97: 11-12)

NV Twp. Pursues Library Repairs

December 24, 2024 |

By Kristen Keleschenyi | Posted in: North Versailles Twp. News

The North Versailles library and community center have been closed since 2023 after a building inspection revealed structural damage. (Kristen Keleschenyi photo for Tube City Almanac)

North Versailles Twp. commissioners will seek bids to repair the North Versailles Library and Community Center.

The library, located at 1401 Greensburg Ave., has been closed since September 2023 after a building inspection indicated structural damage.

Years of storing road salt in the building's garage space caused cracks to form in the walls. The building has remained closed, due to an abundance of caution, and a temporary site has been operating in the Great Valley Shopping Center in the former Good Samaritan Thrift Store.

A resident survey, distributed in late spring and early summer, was part of the catalyst to get the repairs done as soon as possible. “We got a lot of feedback with that,” said Commissioner Louise Beswick said. “People want their community center and library open.”

Volunteers Distribute 2K Toys to Local Families

December 20, 2024 |

By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

Pam Irizarry of Irwin gives last-minute instructions Thursday morning to helpers before parents of needy children begin “shopping” at Mission: Agape in McKeesport. (Tube City Almanac photo)

Volunteers from Mission: Agape this week distributed 2,000 toys and gifts for almost 400 children in the Mon-Yough area.

At a makeshift toy store set up inside the former Wesley United Methodist Church on Prescott Street, volunteers guided parents and guardians through a series of shopping stations grouped by ages ranging from birth to 18 year olds. “Shoppers” entered in groups of 10 at a time.

No children were permitted so that all gifts will remain a surprise until unwrapped, said Lori Smith-Sakalousky of Latrobe, who was helping organize this week’s giveaways along with Pam Irizarry of Irwin.

City Residents Criticize Service Fee Increase

December 16, 2024 |

By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

(Illustration based on “Republic Services Trash Truck” by Jon Cutrer, licensed under Creative Commons CC BY 2.0)

Many McKeesport residents reacted with anger after city council this month voted to increase the annual Municipal Service Fee from $300 to $400.

The fee, payable in quarterly installments, has not been raised for several years. But Mayor Michael Cherepko told council that the cost of trash collection has more than doubled.

“We’ve eaten that cost the last two years,” Cherepko said. “I didn’t think it was right to increase that fee when our garbage collection was poor at times. I didn’t feel comfortable pursuing this increase until our service was satisfactory.”

Following three years during which residents alleged that the previous contractor was skipping houses, missing entire streets or leaving trash in the road, McKeesport returned in 2023 to Big’s Sanitation of Forward Twp. Cherepko said that complaints have dramatically decreased since the switch.

Santa Makes Rounds in Duke City

December 16, 2024 |

By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Duquesne News

Santa Claus has been making the rounds in Mon-Yough communities, in many cases with the assistance of volunteer firefighters and their departments, Tube City Almanac has learned.

The North Pole resident, shown here, visited Duquesne on Dec. 1.

A spokesperson for the jolly old elf said Santa and Duquesne firefighters began their rounds on Library Court, then traveled to St. Joseph Church, St. Nicholas Church, Payne Chapel A.M.E. Church, Orchard Park, Crawford Avenue, Kennedy Avenue, the former Duquesne football field, the Hilltop apartments and Oliver Plaza, ending their trip at City Hall on South Second Street.

Claus, whose age was not listed, is scheduled to return to the area on Dec. 24.

All photos are courtesy Duquesne Councilman Councilman Aaron Adams.

School Board Honors Brewster, Donato

December 16, 2024 |

By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

School Board President Mark Holtzman Sr. congratulates Sen. James Brewster. (Adam Reinherz photo for Tube City Almanac)

Two longtime public servants were honored by McKeesport Area School District during Thursday’s meeting. Retiring state Sen. James Brewster and school director David Donato were recognized for decades of service to the district.

Brewster, a 1966 graduate of McKeesport Area High School, praised his alma mater, its educators, coaches and the city at-large for providing a surplus of edifying and meaningful experiences.

“I always talked about it in the senate. Jay Costa will tell you I talked about it ad nauseam,” Brewster said. “McKeesport has had four NFL players and a number of good athletes, attorneys, judges, you name it. We’ve had a lieutenant governor, senators — and that's a tribute to the city and the school district.”

Home Rule Study Moves Ahead in Duquesne

December 15, 2024 |

By Tom Leturgey | Posted in: Duquesne News

Duquesne will move forward with a study to decide whether to adopt a home-rule charter.

At this month’s council meeting, City Manager Douglas Sample announced that voters overwhelmingly approved the creation of a home-rule study commission, 1,313 to 674. “We are good to go,” he said.

Duquesne is currently governed by the state’s third-class city code. Home rule gives municipalities greater flexibility to set their own laws and ordinances. McKeesport and Monroeville are among municipalities that converted to home-rule government.

City residents also appointed members of the home-rule commission, with Councilwoman Denise Brownfield leading all vote-getters with 901. Connie A. Lucas-Kemp, who according to her LinkedIn page, is founder of Duquesne Network for Fairness & Community Development Corporation, came in second with 794.

Duquesne Council OK’s 2025 Budget

December 15, 2024 |

By Tom Leturgey | Posted in: Duquesne News

Download Duquesne’s 2025 Budget

Duquesne has approved a 2025 budget with no tax increase.

At the Dec. 3 meeting, city council voted 4-0 to approve a $4 million spending plan with no tax increase. 

The city’s tax millage will remain at 20 mills. According to the budget, some $620,000 will be allocated to County Hauling for garbage pickup. A total of $200,000 is allocated for vacant building demolition in the new year.

Officials said that a code enforcement officer might be hired in 2025.

Local Residents Tied to Car Burglary Ring

December 10, 2024 |

By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News

Four people, including two with ties to the Mon-Yough area, have been accused by the state Attorney General’s office with being part of a “smash-and-grab” burglary ring that took credit cards and checkbooks from vehicles, then stole cash from the victims.

Investigators have linked the group to at least 68 thefts in 19 different communities, according to a spokesperson for Attorney General Michelle Henry.

Charges were filed Friday in magisterial district court in Cranberry Twp., Butler County, where at least seven of the thefts are alleged to have occurred.

In some cases, investigators allege, the group preyed on victims who were at churches, day care centers, playgrounds and parks.

National Teacher Shortage Affecting MASD

December 10, 2024 |

By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

A national shortage of teachers for kindergarten through 12th grade is impacting McKeesport Area School District as well, officials said.

At Thursday’s meeting, school directors and district officials addressed concerns about the resignation of Angela Cale, MASD’s coordinator of special education and alternative services.

Cale is a McKeesport Area High School graduate and former dean of students and principal of East End Academy. She had served as special ed coordinator since 2013, according to the district. Her resignation was effective Dec. 10.

McKeesport resident Carolyn Cash asked the board how Cale’s resignation would affect student education. Residents have previously voiced concerns about vacancies in special education and other departments.