International Village Returns for 65th Season

August 07, 2025 |

By Staff Reports | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

The Rankin Junior Tamburitzans performed during the 2021 International Village. The ethnic troupe will return to the main stage at Renziehausen Park next week. (Vickie Babyak file photo for Tube City Almanac)

When Nick Vranesevic was a kid growing up in West Mifflin, McKeesport’s International Village was the place to “see and be seen” with his friends for three days — which included performing with the Junior Tamburitzans of Duquesne.

Now, Vranesevic, who lives in Alison Park, has kids of his own, but he’s still looking forward to International Village, where he and his friends — who together form the band Orkestar Pobeda — will be performing under the Jakomas Blue-Top Pavilion on Tuesday night, beginning at 5 p.m.

“We were all friends first, and then we were a band second,” said Vranesevic, who plays guitar and keyboards in the band, which features both old and new songs from Serbia, Croatia and other Eastern European countries. “For us, playing these songs is about reconnecting with my family, my ancestors, and just being with my friends more.”

One of Pittsburgh’s longest-running folk festivals, McKeesport’s International Village — a three-day celebration of ethnic food, music and dance from around the world — returns for its 65th year next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in the city’s Renziehausen Park.

Duquesne Celebrates Successful Community Day

August 05, 2025 |

By Tom Leturgey | Posted in: Duquesne News

Duquesne Council Member Elaine Washington visits with Vicki Adams, wife of the city’s mayor, and their son, Councilman Aaron Adams. (Tom Leturgey photo for Tube City Almanac)

Even the weather cooperated to give Duquesne ideal conditions — 75 degrees and summer — for its 32nd annual community day, including the second-annual community day parade.

Kicking off at 11 a.m. Saturday, the parade proceeded up Grant Street to Polish Hill Community Park. That’s where hundreds gathered to visit vendors, listen to music, eat great food and simply visit with neighbors.

Mayor R. Scott Adams and Councilman Derek Artim greeted residents, saying that there were more people this year than in recent outings.

Local HBCU Students Receive Scholarships

August 04, 2025 |

By Yousuf Lachhab Ibrahim | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

Miracle Kelley, Jurnee Murphy and Safiyah Allen-Crane are recipients of this year’s scholarships from McKeesport HBCU Vision. The non-profit supports local students who attend historically Black colleges and universities. (Yousuf Lachhab Ibrahim photo for Tube City Almanac)

Three local students with plans to attend historically Black colleges and universities got a little boost on Saturday with help of a McKeesport-based non-profit.

During a ceremony in Wilkins Twp., McKeesport HBCU Vision presented $700 scholarships to McKeesport Area High School graduates Safiyah Allen-Crane, Miracle Kelley and Jurnee Murphy.

McKeesport HBCU founder and chief executive officer Denise Sinkler, an alumni of Clark Atlanta University, awarded a $700 scholarship to Allen-Crane, who will be a sophomore at the same school in the fall.

Kelley is a senior at Coppin State University in Baltimore and Jurnee Murphy will be a freshman at Xavier University in New Orleans.

Suspect in Dispute Shot By Neighbor

August 04, 2025 |

By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News

A suspect in a domestic dispute was hospitalized after being shot early Monday morning.

Police said the suspect, whose name was not released, was trying to escape from officers by forcing his way into another home when the occupant of that apartment shot him.

Allegheny County police said McKeesport officers were called to a home in the 2300 block of Highland Avenue at 1:31 a.m. after a woman said she had been assaulted by her boyfriend.

Police found the victim about one block away with visible physical injuries from the assault, according to a report.

Officers responded to the home and attempted to take the boyfriend into custody, Allegheny County police said, but the man refused to leave the home. As officers entered the residence, the suspect fled through a back window and attempted to escape by forcing his way into a neighboring apartment, according to police.

The occupant of that apartment then shot him, Allegheny County police said. The suspect was taken to the hospital in critical condition, police said.

Allegheny County homicide detectives were called to the scene and are leading the investigation, according to a prepared release. No further information was released Monday morning.

Duquesne Gets Ready for Community Day

July 31, 2025 |

By Tom Leturgey | Posted in: Duquesne News

Local veterans, first responders, community groups and student-athletes are among the marchers set to participate Saturday during Duquesne’s second-annual community day parade. (Submitted photo courtesy Kirsten A. Pastrick)

It’s time for the City of Duquesne’s 32nd annual community day and the second-annual community day parade. 

Organizers said they hope this year’s parade will build on the success of last year’s, when enthusiastic crowds — including former residents who returned to see the parade — lined the streets.

Community Day begins at 10 a.m. Saturday at Polish Hill Memorial Field. The parade kicks off at 11 a.m. along Grant Avenue between South Fourth Street and Clark Street. It will travel to Polish Hill and an Honor Guard will conduct a service to honor the veterans.

Woman Wounded, Shooter Takes Own Life

July 31, 2025 |

By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News

A woman was hospitalized Thursday morning after being shot inside a home on Grandview Avenue, Allegheny County police said.

The suspected gunman then took his own life, police said.

The Allegheny County medical examiner’s office said Carlos Watts, 50, was pronounced dead just after 12 midnight inside the home in the 2300 block of Grandview.

In a press release, police said first-responders were called to the home at 12:30 a.m. and found the unidentified victim along with Watts, both suffering from gunshot wounds.

Grand Reopening Set for Heritage Center

July 31, 2025 |

By Stacy Alderman | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

New displays at the museum in Renziehausen Park place historic McKeesport items in their original settings, such as this area representing a typical 1930s home. (Submitted photo courtesy McKeesport Regional History & Heritage Center)

Tim Kunes has only been the executive director of the McKeesport Regional History & Heritage Center since March, but his first few months have been a whirlwind of activity.

A McKeesport native, Kunes retired from teaching in 2023 but soon grew restless. The urge to go back to work led him to the History & Heritage Center where his goal is to get the organization back in the forefront of the community’s mind.

Since taking his new role, Kunes has worked alongside board members and volunteers to prepare the museum in Renziehausen Park for its grand re-opening — including a new 3,500-square-foot exhibit space putting many of its treasures on public display for the first time.

“This reopening is a big step forward for us,” Kunes said. “So we want to put together presentations of all kinds.”

One Dead After E. McKeesport Crash

July 26, 2025 |

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

One driver is dead and another was hospitalized following a two-car crash in East McKeesport on Friday night.

Allegheny County police said two vehicles collided just before 7 p.m. on Fifth Avenue between East McKeesport and Wilmerding. 

The crash occurred on a curving stretch of road near the Penn Avenue cut-off to South Wilmerding.

At least one driver was entrapped and had to be freed from the wreckage by firefighters and paramedics, emergency personnel said.

Fundraiser for Woman Killed in Renzie Accident

July 26, 2025 |

By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News

Friends of a Westmoreland County woman who died after being struck by a tree branch in Renziehausen Park have begun a fundraiser to offset medical and funeral expenses.

Gendie N. Miller, 49, of Ligonier died at AHN Forbes Hospital in Monroeville on Thursday night, about an hour after the accident, the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office said.

Witnesses said Miller was a spectator at a softball game when she was struck by a falling tree branch and knocked to the ground.

Report: PA Lags Other States in Reducing Plastic

July 22, 2025 |

By Danielle M. Smith - Public News Service | Posted in: State & Region

About 40 municipalities in Pennsylvania have banned retailers from providing customers with single-use plastic bags, which are difficult to recycle. (Tube City Almanac photo)

A new report says Pennsylvania ranks near the bottom of all 50 states in its efforts to reduce pollution from plastic waste, including plastic bags.

July is Plastic-Free Month and the Ocean Conservancy’s “United States of Plastics” report gave the state a score of just 1.5 of a possible 5.

Anja Brandon, director of plastics policy for the advocacy group Ocean Conservancy and co-author of the report, said Pennsylvania has laws to support recycling of harmful chemicals. She said the state should consider doing the same with plastic waste.