June 20, 2025 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Four county pools will be open seven days a week, weather permitting. There is also a spray pad facility in Round Hill Park, Elizabeth Twp., shown here. (Allegheny County photo)
Allegheny County officials are warning residents to be prepared for dangerous conditions beginning Sunday and are opening cooling centers for people without air-conditioning.
The National Weather Service in Moon Twp. has issued an extreme heat watch beginning Sunday and continuining through Wednesday. Temperatures are expected to reach the mid to upper 90s each day, but the humidity will make it feel more like 100 to 105 degrees, forecasters said.
The county has declared its first-ever Code Red Heat Advisory as a result.
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June 18, 2025 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
New McKeesport police cadets currently attending the Allegheny County police academy include Ronnell Hunt, Devin Webb, Jaison Mikelonis, Francis Aguirre, Dontae McCarthy and Matthew Hurst, shown with interim police Chief Josh Alfer and McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko. (Tube City Almanac photo)
McKeesport has promoted a longtime police officer to the department’s command staff and added two new officers from other departments.
In addition, McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko said six people interested in attending the Allegheny County police academy have been named as cadets and will join the department following the successful completion of their education.
At this month’s meeting, Cherepko asked council to approve the elevation of Sgt. Josh Byers to lieutenant. Byers became a full-time McKeesport police officer following nine years with the Liberty Borough police department.
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June 18, 2025 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: State & Region
David McCall, president of the United Steelworkers union, addresses its constitutional convention in April. (Photo courtesy United Steelworkers)
The president of the union representing production employees at U.S. Steel called the so-called “golden share” awarded to the federal government “startling” and said his organization will hold the company’s new owners accountable for their promises.
David McCall, president of the United Steelworkers International, said that when media scrutiny of the Nippon Steel takeover wanes, the union will remain vigilant.
“As the sale concludes, it seems likely that attention will dissipate,” McCall said in a prepared statement. “U.S. Steel’s PR machine will power down, and the majority of elected officials will turn their attention elsewhere.”
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June 18, 2025 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: State & Region
UPDATED: Adds comments from Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato
U.S. Steel’s Edgar Thomson Plant was founded by Andrew Carnegie in 1873 and forms the nucleus of what is now called the Mon Valley Works. (Mark Dixon photo via Flickr, licensed under Creative Commons)
Japan-based Nippon Steel and Pittsburgh’s U.S. Steel announced Wednesday morning that they have agreed to a deal that will preserve the company’s headquarters in Pittsburgh and commit to $11 billion of investment in American steel-making and mining facilities.
The almost $15 billion deal also gives the federal government a seat on U.S. Steel’s board of directors. In addition, it will require consent from the President of the United States on certain operating decisions, including moving jobs out of the U.S. Both sides are calling the agreement a “golden share” for the government.
Trading of U.S. Steel shares was halted at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday on the New York Stock Exchange, and the stock will be delisted from the exchange June 30.
The final listed market price of U.S. Steel stock was $54.84 per share, roughly double the price in September 2024, when the Nippon Steel takeover seemed to be in jeopardy. Both then-President Biden and Donald Trump, running for re-election, had vowed to stop the deal.
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June 17, 2025 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
An unidentified teen-ager is in critical condition after being struck by a car Tuesday night on Lysle Boulevard, Downtown.
Allegheny County police said the victim was attempting to cross the boulevard near the Coursin Street intersection in front of a Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus when he was struck by a car traveling in the left lane.
The accident happened just before 7 p.m., police said. The driver of the car remained at the scene and was questioned by police. The victim, 15, was taken to the hospital by ambulance, emergency personnel said.
The Allegheny County homicide and collision reconstruction team is investigating, 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.
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.
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June 17, 2025 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Announcements
I really hate asking for money, but we’re at a critical point.
Here’s the bottom line: Look at the readership figures above.
If everyone who reads our website had given us $1 last year, we would never need to run advertising. But in reality, only a small percentage of people ever donates — usually as a thank-you for posting a death notice.
If it wasn’t for support for a few faithful donors — among them, the G.C. Murphy Co. Foundation, the Bill Persson family, the Flynn Family Foundation, Larry and Rikki Berger, and Eric and Judy Wisniewski — we’d be in big trouble.
As it is, we’ve taken two big financial hits recently. Our advertising revenue has dropped by about $100 per month after we responded to complaints by limiting the number of ads you see. And one of our longtime donors says they need to cut back their support by about $100 per month.
At the same time, our expenses have gone dramatically up. We are working to move our websites to a new server and as a result, our webhosting cost has already increased $1,200 — and we haven’t moved yet.
Royalties for playing music have gone up about 40 percent. We also now must pay for a service to file reports with the royalty-collecting organizations — that’s costing us $50 per month. (You may have noticed that several local Internet radio stations have gone out of business because they can no longer afford the costs.)
Add all of that up — we need to raise another $500 a month or so, or we’re not going to be able to continue. We have a small reserve fund right now but it’s not going to last.
If you are financially able, and would like to make a gift, please consider doing so.
Donations may be made by check or money order to:
Tube City Community Media Inc.
P.O. Box 94
McKeesport PA 15134
Or via PayPal at: http://www.tubecityonline.com/contact/
I think what we do is important. I think that other people do, as well. Last year, we were honored by the Press Club of Western Pennsylvania with the “Service to Journalism” award. Two of our reporters received separate awards for their work.
Five years ago, we were singled out by Columbia Journalism Review and asked to contribute monthly pieces about local news coverage, which were later collected into a book called “American Deadline.”
If you think this is important — even if you just visit our obituaries page every day — we very much could use your support. We pay reporters $50 to $100 per story. Your $50 or $100 gift goes directly to paying for their work — I don’t take any kind of payment from this website, and neither do any of our board members or officers.
If we could raise an extra $5,000 to $10,000 this year, we’d be OK.
We are recognized as a tax-exempt organization by the Internal Revenue Service, so your gift may be tax-deductible as a charitable contribution.
If you have a business that is looking to make a contribution, or if you have a charitable foundation that could donate money to help us, please reach out.
Thank you for your continued support of our organization.
June 16, 2025 |
By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Superintendent Don MacFann and students Lucas Sotereanos and Michael Pfeffercorn during the June 11 McKeesport Area School District regular board meeting. (Adam Reinherz photo for Tube City Almanac)
McKeesport Area School District recognized two students and hired a police chief during Wednesday’s school board meeting.
Superintendent Don MacFann congratulated Lucas Sotereanos and Michael Pfeffercorn on participating in the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association All-State Chorus. Held on April 12 at Kalahari Convention Center in Pocono Summit, the concert featured student vocalists and musicians from across the Commonwealth.
Sotereanos and Pfeffercorn, MacFann said, are the first representatives of McKeesport to “qualify for the state choir in over 30 years.”
MacFann presented each teen with a certificate of accomplishment from the district.
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June 13, 2025 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News, East McKeesport News
A Penn Hills man died after being shot in East McKeesport, Allegheny County police said.
Keith Pelmon III, 20, was pronounced dead early this morning at the scene, the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office said. His death has been ruled a homicide.
County police said that 9-1-1 dispatchers received a call just before 12 midnight that there had been a multiple vehicle accident in the 500 block of Pittsburgh Street near Park Avenue.
First responders found a vehicle had crashed into parked vehicles at Pittsburgh Street and Walnut Alley, police said. Inside the vehicle, officers discovered an adult male with a gunshot wound to the chest.
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June 10, 2025 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Announcements
At the 2021 Good Neighbor Day, young and old alike loved feeding and patting the farm animals in the mobile petting zoo. (Tube City Almanac file photo by Vickie Babyak)
More than 70 vendors are expected to participate in the city’s 61st annual Good Neighbor Day festival, a spokeswoman said.
The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday (June 11) along Fifth Avenue, Downtown, between Market and Locust streets.
The festival will include a children’s area complete with a petting zoo, games, rides and crafts. Other vendors will provide free community information, access to services, food and entertainment.
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June 10, 2025 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Announcements
Darla Poole has been named the new chief executive officer of McKeesport-based Auberle. She replaces John Lydon, longtime CEO, who will move to an emeritus role on July 1. (Both photos: Courtesy Auberle)
The longtime chief executive officer of McKeesport-based Auberle will move to an emeritus role as the non-profit agency implements a multi-year succession plan to ensure continuity and stable delivery of human services.
In the move, Darla Poole, who currently serves as chief operating officer, will become CEO, replacing John Lydon, who has been named director of strategic projects and chief executive officer emeritus, a spokesman said.
Aimee Plowman, currently director of young adult services, has been named COO, succeeding Poole. The changes are effective July 1.
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June 10, 2025 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
(File photo courtesy Penn State Extension)
Penn State Extension will once again offer the ServSafe Food Safety Manager course, which is aimed at restaurant and food service managers and others who need food safety certification.
The course will be held from 9 to 4 p.m. June 17, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 24 at Penn State Greater Allegheny, Main Building, 4000 University Drive, a spokeswoman said.
The exam will begin at 11 a.m. June 24.
These in-person trainings, led by certified ServSafe instructors, will teach participants how to prevent contamination by properly receiving, storing, preparing, cooking, cooling and serving food and by sanitizing food service facilities.
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June 09, 2025 |
By Leslie Savisky | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
ASWP's Brian Shema (left) and Dan Mendenhall work to construct a nesting tower at Renzie Park. (Leslie Savisky photo for Tube City Almanac)
Exciting things are happening for bird lovers at Renziehausen Park as the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania builds a nesting tower for mating chimney swifts.
Native to the eastern United States, the birds can be recognized by their long, slender wings and very short legs. They feed on insects and, as their name implies, often roost in vertical structures, such as chimneys. The birds have been considered in decline since 2010 because they have been losing their habitats.
“They are not endangered,” said Brian Shema, operations director for ASWP. “The population is decreasing annually, though, which is why we want to keep these birds common.”
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June 06, 2025 |
By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
McKeesport Area School Director Jason Pavlecic updates attendees about the district's relationship with Dick's Sporting Goods Foundation during a meeting Wednesday. (Adam Reinherz photo for Tube City Almanac)
Amid the accusations and blame surrounding the end of a partnership between McKeesport Area School District and Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation, several parties are asking for new discourse.
“Apparently you guys need to hear from a student like me,” Founders’ Hall seventh grader Zada Carr told MASD school directors during a standing-room-only — and often heated — board meeting on Wednesday.
“Food, water, clothing, showers, those are all basic needs for a regular human being that you guys are cutting off,” she said. “If you guys really care about the kids, please try to bring back Dick’s.”
The middle schooler, who was one of two students to speak during the 90-minute contentious meeting, implored adults to remember those affected by a May 27 announcement signaling the end of a nearly four-year relationship between DSGF and MASD.
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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.
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June 05, 2025 |
By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Wednesday’s school board meeting attracted more than 70 people. (Adam Reinherz photo for Tube City Almanac)
East End Academy, an alternative school located inside McKeesport Area High School, will close June 30.
The decision, which was made during Wednesday’s special board meeting, was approved by school directors.
Several meeting attendees asked where eligible students would receive district services. School director Jason Pavlecic acknowledged local worries.
“This is not the emotional support side of things,” Pavleic told nearly 70 attendees of Wednesday’s meeting. “This is the alternative education program that deals with the expulsions … We will still maintain the emotional support stuff within the district.”
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June 05, 2025 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
A 12th Ward man who was reported missing Wednesday evening was found dead a short time later behind his home, Allegheny County police said.
Jeffrey McKenzie, 60, was pronounced dead at the scene off of Route 48, the Allegheny County medical examiner’s office said.
Police said McKenzie was reported missing at about 7:15 p.m. Wednesday. McKeesport and Versailles Borough police responded and conducted a search.
McKenzie was found in a creek near the 400 block of Long Run Road, Allegheny County police said. Allegheny County homicide detectives are investigating.
Jim Madalinsky, county police spokesman, said the cause and manner of McKenzie’s death are pending completion of the medical examiner’s report.
“There were no obvious signs of trauma and right now it is not considered suspicious,” he said.
Anyone with information is asked to call the county police tip line at 1-833-ALL-TIPS. Callers can remain anonymous.
June 05, 2025 |
By Tom Leturgey | Posted in: Duquesne News
This rowhouse at 606 Crawford Ave. is on Duquesne’s demolition list. Its owner says he was never notified of plans to tear it down. (Tom Leturgey photo for Tube City Almanac)
A Duquesne resident had concerns about his properties being on the city’s demolition list. Charles Morgan owns four properties — 600, 602, 606 and 608 — on Crawford Avenue and three have been scheduled to be torn down.
Only 608 isn’t on the list that the city council has been working on for years.
Morgan talked to Duquesne City Council on Tuesday night. He said he’s a truck driver who is gone for long stretches of time. “I haven’t got any notification,” he told city council. “I didn’t get certified mail.”
City Solicitor Myron Sainovich and Mayor R. Scott Adams said the city has had public meetings about all of the properties that are scheduled for demolition, and all have been marked with official paperwork.
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June 02, 2025 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Crime and Police News
Allegheny County police are investigating a shooting that wounded a man early Monday morning.
Police said although the victim was found near the intersection of Coursin Street and Fifth Avenue, Downtown, a preliminary investigation indicates the incident may have happened at another location.
In a release, the county police Homicide Unit said McKeesport police were notified of a possible shooting at 5:19 a.m. and responded to find the victim, whose name was not released, suffering from gunshot wounds. He was transported to the hospital and is in stable condition, police said.
Anyone with information concerning the incident is asked to call the county police tip line at 1-833-ALL-TIPS. Callers can remain anonymous.
