When McKeesport Model Railroad Club opens its doors on Saturday, it will mark the 75th year in a row — minus a few interruptions — that the public has been invited to view its miniature train empire representing Western Pennsylvania.
It also is likely to mark the 75th year in a row that someone asks, “How long does it take to put this up and take it down?”
“That is a question we get every year from at least a few attendees,” said George Sharp Jr. of Irwin, the club’s president. “It’s something we smile at because you can’t really fathom how long it would take to do all of that.”
The answer is “they don’t.” The club’s 2,200-square-foot train display in HO scale (representing objects at about 1/87th of actual size) is a permanent fixture inside the non-profit organization’s building on Walnut Street in Christy Park, across from CP Industries’ Christy Park Works.
Coincidental phone calls led to a local collaboration between two successful McKeesport native drag queens, resulting in “Dragsgiving” this Saturday at McKeesport Little Theater.
Pittsburgh’s First Lady of Drag Kierra Darshell, who grew up along Union Avenue not far from the theater, said she had an idea for a show over the Thanksgiving weekend and was looking for a venue.
McKeesport Little Theater Juniors alum and McKeesport Area High School grad Joey Young is a rising star in the drag community, having recently won the Miss Blue Moon competition and prestigious national/international Miss Continental Newcomer title.
A former nurse’s aide at Kane Community Living Center in McKeesport has been accused of stealing more than $8,200 from a patient who entrusted her with his debit card.
Tracy Lee Dodds, 59, of West Elizabeth is charged by Allegheny County police with theft by unlawful taking and access device fraud, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed with Magisterial District Judge Eugene Riazzi in McKeesport. A preliminary hearing has not yet been scheduled.
The missing money was discovered in October. A person with knowledge of the situation who asked not to be identified said Dodds is no longer employed at Kane.
A Liberty Borough man who died after being shot multiple times on Route 48 in White Oak was targeted by members of a rival motorcycle club in retaliation for his alleged role in a fight in Washington County, Allegheny County prosecutors said.
Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala Jr. has charged three men in connection with the Oct. 12 death of Kenneth Hayman, 33.
Hayman, who police identified as a member of the War Dogs Motorcycle Club, died at AHN Forbes Hospital in Monroeville about one hour after police said three armed men attacked him at the intersection of Lincoln Way and Route 48 in White Oak.
Fran Angert (center), shown with Mayor Michael Cherepko and Police Chief Josh Alfer, has been promoted to captain in charge of McKeesport police’s patrol division. (Tube City Almanac photo)
With the promotion of a new captain of patrol, McKeesport police have a new leadership team in place that will be responsible for building community-department relations, the city’s mayor said.
This month, McKeesport City Council approved the promotion of Lt. Fran Angert to captain. A native of Munhall and a graduate of Steel Valley High School and the Indiana University of Pennsylvania Municipal Police Academy, Angert has been a McKeesport police officer since 1995 and is well-known as one of the department’s K-9 handlers.
In September, council approved the promotion of Nick Matthews to captain of detectives and Sidney Summers to assistant police chief. Along wth police Chief Josh Alfer, who was sworn into his position in July, the team represents a complete changeover in command at the department over the past two years.
The city’s 60th annual Salute to Santa parade kicks off at 11 a.m. Saturday (Nov. 22) along Fifth Avenue, Downtown. Parade units will begin lining up at 10 a.m. on Water Street near the Palisades Ballroom.
The reviewing stand is located at the corner of Fifth and Walnut streets. Weather-permitting, Tube City Community Media will carry live video on its YouTube channel.
The National Weather Service in Moon Twp. is predicting partly cloudy skies and air temperatures of 47 degrees for the start of the parade.
An East McKeesport man was hospitalized Tuesday afternoon following a shooting at his apartment. Allegheny County police have charged one of his neighbors in connection with the incident.
Timere J. Johnson, 21, of East McKeesport is charged with attempted homicide, aggravated assault and two counts of recklessly endangering another person in the shooting, which happened at an apartment building on Woodmont Avenue. Police say the victim was in critical condition Tuesday night at AHN Forbes Regional Hospital in Monroeville.
According to an affidavit of probable cause, witnesses overheard Johnson and the victim arguing after the victim returned home with his girlfriend and their child. Police said the dispute is alleged to have stemmed from the noise made by the victim’s car, which was parked outside of Johnson’s window.
Nearly $1.9 million in economic development money generated by casino gaming will benefit Mon-Yough area communities, state officials announced.
The money from the Gaming Economic Development Tourism Fund is administered by the state Department of Community & Economic Development and the Commonwealth Financing Authority for infrastructure development projects, job training, community improvements, public safety and public interest projects in Allegheny County.
“These grants are investments in our communities, and I’m happy to help bring these funds back to Allegheny County,” said State Sen. Nick Pisciottano of West Mifflin. “From improving public facilities to supporting local job creation, GEDTF funding helps advance projects that make our region stronger and better prepared for future growth.”
A vehicle prepares to descend Center Street in Duquesne. (Tube City Almanac photo)
Duquesne City Council is considering closing Center Street from Pine Alley to Oak Street during the winter to conserve salt during bad winter weather.
The closure would allow residents on Pine and Oak to access their homes, but would not allow the steep, cobblestone street to be used as a throughway.
Council Member Denise Brownfield noted that city officials should look at detours during times of closure and said that residents of Oak Street park on both sides of the road, which may limit travel.
Officials said they will take a ride in that area and see how many people park on both sides of the road, then report back to council at a workshop meeting.
Students at Twin Rivers Elementary School will return to class on Wednesday, one day after being sent home due to a water main break.
McKeesport Area School District announced Tuesday evening that water service to the school on Cornell Street has been fully restored and that normal operations have resumed.
Pupils were dismissed at 12:15 p.m. Tuesday after a water line break in the 2300 block of Oak Street. Crews from Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County were repairing the break on Tuesday afternoon.
The school district notified parents just before 11 a.m. of the early dismissal.
A raid by city police and federal agents on a Willow Street home resulted in the seizure of crack cocaine and a firearm.
Justin Smith, 45, is free on bond pending a preliminary hearing Dec. 1 before Magisterial District Judge Eugene F. Riazzi Jr.
According to a criminal complaint, officers with the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Narcotic Enforcement Team obtained a search warrant for Smith’s home based on information developed in an ongoing investigation.
A city man faces drug charges and moving violations following a police chase in North Versailles Twp.
Da’Mon L. Dreher Jr., 21, of McKeesport is being held in the Allegheny County Jail in lieu of bond pending a hearing Thursday before Magisterial District Judge Roxanne Sakoian Eichler.
Court records indicate that at the time of his arrest, Dreher was on probation for a previous conviction on a weapons offense.
According to a criminal complaint, a North Versailles officer was on routine patrol just before 11 a.m. Nov. 6 when his police car was nearly struck head-on by another vehicle on East Pittsburgh-McKeesport Boulevard near Westinghouse Avenue.
A former city police detective who pleaded guilty to defrauding his lodge out of more than $1 million has been sentenced to incarceration and ordered to pay restitution.
Joseph A. Osinski, 56, of Haler Heights was sentenced Monday to nine to 18 months incarceration, followed by three years of probation. He also was ordered to pay $967,160 in restitution to Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 91 in West Homestead.
The sentence was imposed by Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Jill Rangos.
In addition, Osinski has been notified by McKeesport’s pension board attorney that he will not be eligible for his police pension, Mayor Michael Cherepko told Tube City Almanac.
Duquesne City Council is planning to hold the line on real estate taxes in 2026, but is considering increases in fees for water, trash collection and other services.
At this month’s council meeting, the city presented its first reading of the 2026 budget.
The budget holds the city’s blended real estate tax millage at 20 mills, which includes 17 mills for the general fund, 2 mills for debt and 1 mill for the volunteer fire department. One mill equals $1 of tax for every $1,000 of assessed property value.
At 20 mills, a house in Duquesne with a fair market value of $75,000 would pay $1,500 in city real estate tax.
St. John's Lutheran Church will be holding a Jewelry, Scarf and Bag Sale from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 6 at the church, located at 715 Lincoln Hwy. in North Versailles Twp.
The event will include a hot cocoa bar, bake sale, free Christmas craft, caroling and a visit from Buddy the Elf.
Then, St. John’s will hold a Holiday Showcase and Local Book Show from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 13.
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas already, and West Newton organizations are scheduling holiday activities.
The West Newton Community Singers will hold their Christmas concert at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5 at First Baptist Church, corner of Sixth and Vine streets. Tickets are $8 in advance and can be purchased at Maria’s Alterations, Main Street. Tickets will be sold for $10 at the door, or $5 for students.
The West Newton First Church of God will hold its seventh-annual Christmas Cookie Walk from 10 a.m. to 12 noon Dec. 13 at 157 N. Second St. Visitors can fill a box with cookies and pay $10 per pound for them. The church also will sell chocolate-covered peanut butter balls for $9 per dozen. For more information, call (724) 872-7467.
Spring Street between Cornell and Jenny Lind streets was repaired as part of a sewer line replacement project. City officials would like to reopen the street. (Tube City Almanac photo)
City officials are working on a proposal to reopen Spring Street between Cornell and Jenny Lind streets — but there’s a hitch.
About a quarter-mile of the street was abandoned when Twin Rivers Elementary School was built in 2014 and the intersection at Cornell Street will need to be re-aligned.
City council last week authorized Mayor Michael Cherepko’s administration to pursue $400,000 in funding from the Commonwealth Financing Authority to complete the work.
Spring Street was closed for safety reasons in 2009 when the pavement began to fail and cave in. Before the closure, it was an important link between Walnut Street and the Seventh Ward neighborhood, including homes, schools, and Carnegie Library of McKeesport.
This house at 1500 Versailles Ave. is designed to serve as a “gateway” to the library district, says an ACTION-Housing official. (Submitted photo courtesy ACTION-Housing)
A local non-profit is looking for the right owner who wants to call a newly renovated home their own.
ACTION-Housing has rehabilitated a 1920s bungalow-style house on Versailles Avenue, one block from Carnegie Library of McKeesport. The three-bedroom, two-bathroom home is listed at $180,000, but buyer assistance is available.
“We wanted to invest in the cultural district of McKeesport,” said Joseph Costa, ACTION senior development associate. “So we looked at several homes, some of which were on demo lists, and some where people were just looking to downsize.”
ACTION purchased the home in 2022. The agency, based in Pittsburgh, provides a variety of home repair and weatherization services for low- and moderate-income homeowners and provides related support services to communities in Southwestern Pennsylvania.
Despite freezing temperatures and gusty winds, McKeesport marked Veterans Day on Tuesday with a ceremony at Memorial Park on Lysle Boulevard.
After thanking God for the “nice crisp day,” the Rev. Christine Pope Portiss of True Vine Ministries recalled how her grandmother had put stars in the window for her five family members who were serving during World War II.
She also recalled how her high school boyfriend was killed while serving in Vietnam.
“This day means a lot to many of us, so if you have somebody who served, thank God for them, and thank them for their service,” said Portiss, who offered the opening prayer. About 75 people attended, fighting to stay warm amidst snow flurries and a steady gale that kept American flags flying stiffly and several times threatened to topple a memorial wreath.
Ed Shoucair, president and co-founder of The Collaborative, prepares to lead a group of about 30 residents on a walking tour Thursday afternoon in Downtown McKeesport. (Tube City Almanac photo)
A group of internationally known community planners has begun its third day of meeting with city residents and business owners as they begin the process of developing a strategy for reinventing McKeesport’s Downtown.
On Wednesday, the consultants — known as The Collaborative — met with local elected officials and a group of students at McKeesport Area High School.
They were impressed with the students’ “great and relevant ideas” and will be meeting with them on a regular basis as they develop a plan, said Ed Shoucair, president and co-founder of The Collaborative.
The process is expected to take about nine months, said Matthew Craig, executive director of the Young Preservationists Association of Pittsburgh, which obtained the grant to hire The Collaborative on behalf of McKeesport.
Crystal Reist relies on SNAP benefits to care for herself and her mother: “If it’s between paying a bill or purchasing food, we will choose having food on the table.” (Vickie Babyak photo for Tube City Almanac)
Although two federal judges have ordered the U.S. Government to pay supplemental nutrition benefits to about 42 million Americans, the funds remain frozen.
That has left nearly 2 million Pennsylvania residents — including 160,000 people in the Pittsburgh area — unsure how they’re going to pay their bills this month.
Crystal Reist is a 40-year-old McKeesport resident receiving disability benefits due to bipolar disorder, debilitating migraines and herniated discs in both her neck and back. She shares an apartment with her mother, who also receives disability benefits.
Without the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Reist said, she worries about making ends meet and hopes nothing major such as a large appliance breaks down, because they won't be able to cover costs for repairs. It will be out of the question to buy clothes or shoes, and we’ll need to cut back on everything, she said.
“If it’s between paying a bill or purchasing food, we will choose having food on the table,” Reist said.
Two polling places in Duquesne will move to new locations for Tuesday’s election, Allegheny County officials announced.
Voters in precincts 3-1 and 3-3 who usually vote at St. Peter and Paul Byzantine Church Social Hall will vote instead at the Orchard Park Apartment Offices, 1001 Ridge St.
A county spokeswoman said approximately two dozen total polling locations have moved since the last election, so every voter is encouraged to check their polling place and make a plan to cast their ballots. Voters can check their polling place here.
(Written by Adam Reinherz, Leslie Savisky and Jason Togyer)
Four seats are open on the McKeesport Area School Board and six candidates are currently seeking election on Tuesday.
Polling places are open Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. A county spokeswoman said that anyone in line as of 8 p.m. on Election Day will be allowed to vote. First-time and newly registered voters will be asked to show an approved form of identification upon arrival to the polling place.
Although school board elections in Pennsylvania are officially non-partisan, in May’s primary, voters selected candidates to run on both the Republican and Democratic tickets.
Top vote-getters in the primary were, on the Democratic side, Matthew Holtzman, Arla Payne, David G. Donato and Kevin Kovach; and, on the Republican side, Holtzman, Donato, Kovach and Bob Boyle.
Donato and Holtzman are current members of the school board running for re-election.
In addition, Josh Lefcowitz, a White Oak resident who was appointed to a vacant seat on the school board in May, is running as a write-in candidate.
Biographical sketches of each candidate follows. To find your polling place and verify that you’re registered, visit the Allegheny County Elections Website.
A Dravosburg man died early Monday morning following a shooting at a house party in Duquesne.
Shawn O’Leary, 32, was pronounced dead at the scene, the Allegheny County medical examiner’s office said.
Allegheny County police said emergency personnel were called to a home in the 1000 block of Crawford Avenue just before 1 a.m. for a report of shots fired and discovered a victim, identified as O’Leary, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
County homicide detectives are investigating. In a release, police said preliminary information shows there was a house party at the residence when the shooting occurred.
Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to call the county police tip line at 1-833-ALL-TIPS. Callers may remain anonymous.
