Duquesne Sets Zoning, Home Rule Sessions

September 03, 2025 |

By Staff Reports | Posted in: Announcements, Duquesne News

The Duquesne zoning hearing board will meet at 1 p.m. Sept. 8 to consider a request for a variance, city officials said.

The request was made by Carolyn Thomas, who wants to operate a day care at 1050 Grant Ave. The property is in a commercial zoning district.

The home rule government study commission will meet at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 15.

Duquesne Promotes Officer to Detective

September 03, 2025 |

By Tom Leturgey | Posted in: Duquesne News

Veteran Duquesne police officer Patrick Vroman was unanimously promoted to detective sergeant at Duquesne City Council’s first general meeting back since July. The promotion does not include a pay increase, according to Mayor R. Scott Adams.

Council also introduced the city’s new code enforcement officer, Dave Sabo. Sabo’s phone number is (412) 466-4746, ext. 2118 and his email is dsabo@duquesnepa.us for residents who need to contact him.

During his Public Safety report, Mayor Adams said they are still working on a proclamation for former Duquesne City Council Member Eugene “Gene” Capristo, who died in June at the age of 97.

Council also unanimously approved the appointment of Council Member Denise Brownfield as a delegate to the Steel Rivers Council of Governments. The meetings are on the first Thursday of the month at various locations.

Teen With Gun Arrested Outside Duquesne School

September 02, 2025 |

By Tom Leturgey | Posted in: Crime and Police News, Duquesne News

A juvenile is in custody after carrying a firearm outside of Duquesne City School around dismissal on Tuesday.

Duquesne assistant police Chief Karra Vance told city officials about the incident at Tuesday night’s council meeting.

Speaking via Zoom, Vance said school personnel spotted the unidentified male on security cameras walking up and down the street outside the school, just before students were to be let out around 3 p.m.

School security and city police arrived and questioned the suspect. He is described by sources as a 13-year-old former student at Duquesne who now lives in West Mifflin.

“It could have been a bad situation,” said Duquesne police Chief Tom Shaw after the general meeting. “None of the kids were in immediate danger.”

He also noted that on the heels of a shooting at a Catholic church in Minnesota last week, “this isn’t a Duquesne thing. It’s everywhere.”

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.

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.

Duquesne Amends Landlord-Tenant Ordinance

July 04, 2025 |

By Tom Leturgey | Posted in: Duquesne News

Duquesne City Council has amended its landlord-tenant ordinance to clarify several points — including to exempt publicly owned housing.

At this week’s meeting, council clarified the ordinance to “clearly identify who is applicable under the ordinance, including the exemption of County- and Commonwealth-owned properties.”

Mayor R. Scott Adams said that landlords will be charged a rental fee each year. That fee was not immediately announced.

Council also voted to “clearly identify boats as recreational vehicles and to delineate the proper area for storage.” In recent meetings, the council has discussed changing the law as a way to prevent residents from parking boats on the city’s narrow streets.

Mayor Commends VFD for June 26 Efforts

July 04, 2025 |

By Tom Leturgey | Posted in: Duquesne News

Duquesne’s mayor commended the city’s volunteer fire department for its efforts to battle a blaze that claimed the life of a resident.

At this week’s council meeting, Duquesne Fire Chief Frank Cobb told city officials that volunteers arrived at the scene of the June 26 house fire within five to six minutes of the initial call, but the home was already completely engulfed by flame.

The blaze destroyed 138 and 136 North Third St., and one unidentified resident was killed in the blaze. Two other homes, at 130 and 140 North Third Street, received slight damage, according to Cobb.

One Dead in Fire, Four Homes Damaged

June 26, 2025 |

By Tom Leturgey | Posted in: Duquesne News

Crews were still working Thursday on the scene of an early morning fire in Duquesne. (Tom Leturgey photo for Tube City Almanac)

One person is dead and four homes were left damaged following a fast-moving fire in Duquesne early Thursday.

Crews remained on scene well into the afternoon following the blaze, which was reported at 1:20 a.m. at a two-story wood-frame home at 136 N. Third St. Emergency personnel said the blaze then spread to 138 N. Third St.

According to reports, when first responders arrived, one house was fully engulfed, and one resident was outside of the burning home, shouting for his wife who was still inside. She was unaccounted for on Thursday morning and presumed dead.

Police: Tip Led to ID of Duquesne Bar Shooter

June 17, 2025 |

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

An anonymous call to a police tip line led to the arrest of a Duquesne man in connection with a fatal shooting in a local bar on Friday night.

Marvin P. Harpool, 51, is being held in the Allegheny County Jail without bond pending a preliminary hearing June 27 after Allegheny County police charged him with shooting to death Tywone McClain, 26, of Duquesne inside a club in the 700 block of Grant Avenue.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Allegheny County night court, just after 11:30 p.m. Friday, McClain was arguing with another bar patron when a man identified by police as Harpool allegedly intervened.

Duquesne Council Sets Upcoming Events

June 06, 2025 |

By Tom Leturgey | Posted in: Duquesne News

Duquesne City Council will have its regular workshop meeting on June 26 and its regular meeting on July 1; however, they will enjoy a summer recess in July and early August.

The July 22 workshop meeting and the August 5 meetings are cancelled. The city’s Home Rule Government Study Commission meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. June 16 at City Hall.

In other business, the Duquesne Boys and Girls Club is hosting a three-on-three basketball tournament from 12 noon to 3 p.m. June 19 at Polish Hill Park.