February 28, 2025 |
By Vickie Babyak | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
JoAnne Rodgers, the first Black nurse hired by the McKeesport Area School District in 1971 (above) and Arlene Harvey, the first African American to retire from the Carnegie Free Library of McKeesport.
The local women were celebrated during a Black History Month event at McKeesport Regional History & Heritage Center. (Both photos: Vickie Babyak for Tube City Almanac)
Two local women who “dared to be first” were celebrated Saturday during a Black History Month Celebration at McKeesport Regional History & Heritage Center.
Arlene Harvey and JoAnne Rodgers were guests of honor and received awards during the celebration, organized by McKeesport HBCU Vision, an organization for local alumni of historically Black colleges and universities.
Harvey was the first African American to retire from the Carnegie Free Library of McKeesport, while in 1971 Rodgers was the first Black nurse to be hired by the McKeesport Area School District.
“I’m honored, it’s been a long time coming, and it was a surprise,” Rodgers said. “I’m thankful that a lot of people came to the ceremony.”
Read More
February 27, 2025 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News, State & Region
(Penn State University photo)
Local leaders are expressing concern and support for Penn State University’s campus in McKeesport following an announcement that 12 of the regional or “Commonwealth” branches could be shuttered.
On Tuesday, University President Neeli Bendapudi said that declining enrollment, increasing costs and demographic trends — including the declining population in the western part of Pennsylvania — are forcing the state-related institution to consider the future of its smaller campuses.
In addition to its main campus in Centre County, Penn State has 19 regional or Commonwealth campuses around the state. Campuses in Western Pennsylvania include McKeesport (Greater Allegheny), as well as New Kensington, Beaver County and Fayette County.
“We cannot continue with business as usual,” Bendapudi said. “The challenges we face — declining enrollments, demographic shifts and financial pressures — are not unique to Penn State, but they require us to make difficult choices. Across higher education, institutions are grappling with similar headwinds, and we have reached a moment where doing nothing is no longer an option.”
Read More
February 27, 2025 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
McKeesport Area Family Support Group of the National Alliance on Mental Illness will host a discussion by Dr. Amira Wolfson at its next monthly meeting, a spokeswoman said.
Wolfson will discuss PACE schools and providing individualized education with mental health, behavioral and autism support services. There will be a question-and-answer period afterward if time allows.
NAMI McKeesport meets at 6 p.m. March 5 at Penn State Greater Allegheny, 4000 University Drive, Frable Building, Room 122. Regular meetings are held the first Wednesday of each month and are open to the public.
February 26, 2025 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
A city man is dead following a shooting Wednesday afternoon in a Downtown tavern and Allegheny County police are searching for a suspect.
The Allegheny County medical examiner’s office said Darnell Ross, 37, died at UPMC McKeesport hospital just after 12:19 p.m. Wednesday.
Police said that Ross was shot by an unknown assailant following an argument at Tube City Cafe in the 900 block of Fifth Avenue.
According to county homicide detectives, Ross was inside the bar just before 12 noon when another man entered and began a verbal altercation with him.
The suspect then produced a weapon and shot Ross multiple times before fleeing the scene, county police said.
No name or description of the suspect was released Wednesday by police.
Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to call the county police tip line at 1-833-ALL-TIPS. Callers can remain anonymous.
February 20, 2025 |
By Yousuf Lachhab Ibrahim | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Auberle will host the second of two meetings this week to discuss disbursements from a health and welfare fund created in the wake of a 2018 air-pollution incident.
A public hearing will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. today (Feb. 20) at 1101 Hartman St., McKeesport (register now) to hear community input into the Mon Valley Public Health and Welfare Fund.
The fund was created as part of the settlement from the 2018 fire at the U.S. Steel Clairton Plant.
On Tuesday, Allegheny County held a virtual town hall meeting regarding the fund. Six projects have been awarded money so far, officials said.
Read More
February 19, 2025 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Politics & Elections
State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, vice chair of the Democratic National Committee; Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin; state legislative candidate Dan Goughnour; and Sam Hens-Greco, Allegheny County Democratic Committee chair during a Tuesday event in McKeesport. (Kyle Nelson photo, submitted by McKeesport Democratic Committee)
The national chair of the Democratic Party visited the city on Tuesday afternoon to rally local candidates and urge them to compete at every level.
Ken Martin, a longtime political activist in his home state of Minnesota, visited with Dan Goughnour and other local Democrats during a visit to a new campaign headquarters in the Executive Building, Downtown.
“It was almost overwhelming,” Goughnour said. “He told us they don’t want to take any election for granted. We need to work hard, knock on doors, win the little races before we take on the large races.”
Goughnour, a McKeesport police officer and member of the McKeesport Area School Board, is the Democratic candidate to replace the late state Rep. Matt Gergely in a special election March 25. Goughnour is being challenged by Republican candidate Chuck Davis, a White Oak council member and volunteer firefighter.
Read More
February 18, 2025 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
Allegheny County police are investigating the death of a man whose body was discovered inside McKeesport & Versailles Cemetery on Monday morning.
County emergency personnel said the victim, whose name has not yet been released, was discovered just after 10:30 a.m. not far from the Pirl Street side of the cemetery.
Investigators said they believe the victim may have been killed elsewhere and his body left in the cemetery. The man was suffering from a gunshot wound to the head and was pronounced dead at the scene, police said
Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to call the county police tip line at 1-833-ALL-TIPS. Callers can remain anonymous.
February 17, 2025 |
By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Smoothies are popular among students at McKeesport Area School District.
Sushi, less so. Dietary preferences were among the highlights presented to MASD school directors by Kelly Patterson, regional director of Nutrition Inc., MASD’s food services management company, during Thursday’s school board meeting.
Aided by photos and an informational packet, Patterson shared highlights from the district's food program.
In December, MASD featured a breakfast with Santa. The district also offered a Bluey Day, which students at Francis McClure Elementary and Twin Rivers Elementary “absolutely loved,” Patterson said.
Read More
February 17, 2025 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
U.S. Steel Clairton Plant in a file photo. (Mark Dixon, Blue Lens, LLC, via Flickr, licensed under Creative Commons)
Grants totalling $250,000 will be distributed to local health and welfare groups from a fund created as part of a settlement between Allegheny County and U.S. Steel Corp., officials announced.
And the public is being invited to weigh in on future rounds of funding at two meetings being held this week on Tuesday and Thursday.
The awards are being made from the Mon Valley Public Health & Welfare Grant Program, which was established as part of the settlement from the 2018 fire at the U.S. Steel Clairton Plant, said a spokesperson for Allegheny County Economic Development.
“ACED’s investment in these programs is a direct response to the voices of the Mon Valley community. By actively listening to constituents as we developed the application system, sought applications, reviewed submissions, and awarded funds, we are able to support projects that not only improve the environment but also protect the health and well-being of Mon Valley residents,” said Lauren Connelly, ACED director.
Read More
February 17, 2025 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Announcements
Arlene Harvey and JoAnne Rodgers will be honored Saturday during a Black History Month celebration at McKeesport Regional History & Heritage Center. (Submitted photos)
McKeesport Regional History & Heritage Center and a group of alumni from historically Black colleges and universities will celebrate Black History Month with a program this Saturday honoring two local pioneers.
“Dare to Be the First” will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Heritage Center, 1832 Arboretum Drive, Renziehausen Park. The event is free and open to the public.
The guests of honor will be Arlene Harvey, who retired after a career at Carnegie Library of McKeesport, and JoAnne Rodgers, the first Black school nurse in the McKeesport Area School District, said Denise Sinker of McKeesport HBCU Vision.
Read More
February 12, 2025 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Politics & Elections
The Allegheny County Elections Division today announced that nomination petitions are available online and in the office for candidates seeking to run in the May 20 municipal primary elections.
Voters throughout the county will go to the polls this fall to elect offices — depending on the communities — such as mayors, city and borough council members, Allegheny County council members, school directors, township commissioners, judges, and district justices.
Petitions, along with instructions, are available online. The nomination petitions must be printed or copied as duplex (double-sided, front-to-back, head-to-head) on plain white 8.5” x 11” (letter size) paper.
This requirement cannot be satisfied by printing each side of the nomination petition on a separate sheet of paper and affixing the sheets together.
Candidates for any of the court offices (Common Pleas, Commonwealth, Superior and Supreme) may obtain nomination petitions by contacting the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Bureau of Commissions, Elections & Legislation via phone at 1-877-868-3772, or online at the state’s Running for Office webpage.
Candidates may begin to circulate petitions and file nomination papers on Feb. 18. The last day to file these nomination petitions is March 11.
February 12, 2025 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Announcements
Jeremy Renner and co-star Emma Laird in a publicity still from Season 3 of “Mayor of Kingstown” (Paramount+ photo via Instagram)
The Paramount TV series “Mayor of Kingstown” has returned to the Mon Valley and is shooting scenes in McKeesport, Port Vue and other nearby locations.
Crews were expected to be on the scene at multiple locations today (Feb. 12), Thursday and Feb. 18. A city spokesperson said that the producers have asked that filming locations be kept confidential to minimize disruptions.
Periodic street closures are possible, the spokesperson added. Locations will include both residential and commercial areas. The city will be reimbursed for police overtime, parking and other expenses, the mayor’s office said.
Read More
February 10, 2025 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Plans to relocate the bike trail to the river’s edge in McKeesport have stalled. (Tube City Almanac photo)
A plan to move McKeesport’s section of the Great Allegheny Passage to the edge of the Monongahela and Youghiogheny rivers has stalled, Mayor Michael Cherepko said Wednesday.
The cost of relocating railroad tracks and industrial operations is too expensive, and the city is looking for alternatives for the busy hiking-biking trail that forms part of a network between Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C., the mayor said in his report to council.
One of those alternatives would take the bike trail through the heart of the city’s central business district, which could provide an incentive for retail and restaurants to locate on the dormant Fifth Avenue corridor.
Read More
February 10, 2025 |
By Tom Leturgey | Posted in: Duquesne News
Duquesne City Council will study the possibility of collecting trash using its own personnel, rather than an outside contractor.
At this month’s meeting, council voted unanimously to have City Manager Doug Sample develop estimates on bringing trash collection in-house.
Local municipalities have been struggling with the rising cost of using outside contractors to collect garbage and residents in many communities have complained about trash fee increases. Some nearby communities, including West Mifflin and Munhall, have their own sanitation departments.
Council Member Aaron Adams said the city has speculated that Duquesne would need two garbage trucks — one as a primary vehicle and the other as a backup — and enough employees to collect trash four days per week.
Read More
February 10, 2025 |
By Tom Leturgey | Posted in: Duquesne News
Duquesne City Council has added another 23 vacant properties to the demolition list and could begin work as early as next month.
At a special hearing on Feb. 4, council voted unanimously to raze the buildings, which had previously been identified as dangerous structures.
Solicitor Myron Sainovich said letters have been previously sent out to the owners of record for the properties. He noted that the public hearing was advertised through City Manager Douglas Sample’s office, and not one of the property owners had appealed the verdict.
Read More
February 08, 2025 |
By Vickie Babyak | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Former Steeler Russell Stuvaints signs his donated Steeler jersey for the sports wall at McKeesport Regional History & Heritage Center. (Vickie Babyak photo for Tube City Almanac)
Former Steelers defensive back Russell Stuvaints donated sports memorabilia to the McKeesport Regional History & Heritage Center to keep a promise to a longtime friend.
A member of the 2005 Steelers team that defeated the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XL, Stuvaints was accompanied by his wife, son and mother. The family was greeted by Heritage Center board chair Jennifer Vertullo.
Vertullo said Stuvaints and State Rep. Matthew Gergely, a member of the heritage center’s board, were lifelong friends. Gergely had arranged for Stuvaints to make the donation prior to Gergely’s untimely death in January.
“The history center is making sure to fulfill Gergely’s wish to give Stuvaints his due honor on the sports wall with the other great McKeesport athletes,” Vertullo said.
Read More
February 08, 2025 |
By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
McKeesport Area School District will vote to approve several expenses and fiscal measures during next Thursday’s regular board meeting.
On Feb. 13, school directors will decide whether to authorize the district to receive quotes and award work to repair two hot water circulation pumps at the high school for a cost not to exceed $19,500 per pump, according to President Mark Holtzman Sr.
School director Jason Pavlecic said the work is “much needed to continue the heat in the building.” In lieu of replacing faulty pumps, pursuing repairs at a total cost not to exceed $39,000, will save the district a “significant amount of money,” Pavlecic added during a Feb. 6 open agenda meeting.
Read More
February 08, 2025 |
By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Two administrators who were accused of failing to properly report alleged sexual misconduct by a former security guard were terminated Thursday by McKeesport Area School Board.
Two other employees also were terminated by the board in connection with a different incident. Details were not released by the district, citing privacy concerns.
Following this week’s special board meeting, Solicitor Gary Matta described the circumstances preceding the board’s decisions.
Two of the firings relate to an incident involving a former security guard at the high school, who was charged with maintaining a sexual relationship with a former student. The other two employees were terminated for “acting inappropriately,” Matta said.
Read More
February 06, 2025 |
By Danielle M. Smith - Public News Service | Posted in: State & Region
Immigration policy changes under the Trump administration are instilling fear in Pennsylvania schools, as educators and advocates warn of their effects on students and families.
Over 62,000 children born outside of the U.S. are residents in the Keystone State.
Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, executive director and chief executive officer of MomsRising, said children are living in fear of family separation and a terrified child in a classroom full of fearful children can’t learn or thrive.
“We’re hearing from people that many children are terrified that if they go to school, their parents won’t be there when they come home,” she said. “That’s no way to learn. We’re hearing from people that many students, indeed, whole classrooms, are terrified that their close friends who are students won’t be at their desks tomorrow. None of this is okay.”
Read More
February 05, 2025 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
A retired McKeesport police sergeant quizzed city officials Wednesday night on why a police officer charged in connection with a $1.3 million fraud was allowed to retire with his pension.
“I am retired from the police department after 21 years,” Dan Rich of Christy Park said at this month’s council meeting. “When I worked here on this department, you carried yourself to a standard that if you came into work, if your (work) wasn’t in order you got disciplined.”
Former McKeesport police Detective Joe Osinski retired days before he was charged with diverting more than a million dollars from Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 91 to support his own business.
Another retired McKeesport police officer is reportedly being questioned by the Allegheny County district attorney’s office in connection with money allegedly missing from the police evidence room.
Read More
February 05, 2025 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Politics & Elections
(Submitted photo)
West Mifflin Council Member Dan Davis has announced his plans to seek the Democratic nomination for Allegheny County Council District 9.
Davis, a graduate of Ohio State University, is an environmental engineer who currently works as a department manager at DLZ Corp. in Bridgeville.
“With eight years of experience as a councilman for West Mifflin Borough and 35 years as an environmental manager, I am confident in my ability to address the concerns of the 17 municipalities within Allegheny County District 9,” Davis said.
Read More
February 05, 2025 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Politics & Elections
(Submitted photo)
McKeesport police Capt. Dan Goughnour has officially announced his candidacy for state legislator from the 35th Legislative District.
A 16-year veteran of the city police and a member of the McKeesport Area School Board, Goughnour received the nomination from the Allegheny County Democratic Committee following a meeting Saturday at the Palisades.
Separately, the Republican Committee of Allegheny County has nominated White Oak Council Member Chuck Davis.
Candidates were chosen by parties, rather than in a primary election, because state law requires a special election to be held to fill the empty seat with 60 days of a vacancy. State Rep. Matt Gergely, 45, died unexpectedly Jan. 19 after a brief illness.
Read More
February 03, 2025 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Politics & Elections
The Republican Committee of Allegheny County announced Saturday that White Oak Councilman Chuck Davis has been nominated to run for the state General Assembly in the 35th District.
A special election is scheduled for March 25 to fill the vacancy left by the death Jan. 19 of state Rep. Matt Gergely.
A lifelong resident of White Oak and a longtime volunteer firefighter, Davis has chaired numerous committees on White Oak council, according to a spokesman, including the borough’s police, fire, public works, health and safety, and planning and zoning committees.
A spokesman said that Davis intends on bringing “a strong vision for economic growth, public safety and government transparency to the voters of the Mon Valley.”
Read More
