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 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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May 27, 2025 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Announcements
A national outreach coordinator for Mental Health America will speak next week when the McKeesport Support Group of the National Alliance on Mental Illness holds its monthly meeting.
A spokeswoman said NAMI McKeesport will host Heather McLean, an outreach coordinator for Mental Health America at 6 p.m. June 4 in Room 122, Frable Building, Penn State Greater Allegheny.
NAMI McKeesport meets the first Wednesday of every month. The meetings are open to families and friends of loved ones living with mental illness. The meetings offer understanding and support unique to those who are affected by mental health conditions of loved ones, the spokeswoman said.
For more information about the McKeesport meeting, call (412) 527-6600. For the NAMI Helpline, call (412) 366-3788 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
May 12, 2025 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Announcements, Entertainment
(Submitted photo courtesy McKeesport Area School District)
This weekend, six students from McKeesport Area High School took the stage and performed alongside the prestigious Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra as members of the Hamlisch-Page Student Choir.
The PSO’s student choir is composed of high school and collegiate singers from the greater Pittsburgh area and was created by the late Principal Pops Conductor Marvin Hamlisch and Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh Music Director Emeritus Robert Page.
Students performed at Heinz Hall in Pittsburgh during the PSO’s “Clouds in My Coffee” Mother’s Day Weekend concerts, which featured the music of Joni Mitchell, Carole King and Carly Simon. Student chorists supported vocalists Morgan James, Bryonha Marie and Micaela Diamond.
"We’re so proud of these students and excited to see them represent McKeesport in such an amazing opportunity," said Beth Eger, choir and piano teacher at McKeesport Area High School.
Pictured from left to right are Michael Pfeffercorn, Elizabeth Nemes, Gianna Sotereanos, Phoenix Funk and Antoine Smith. Also joining them are choir director Christine Hestwood and accompanist Lorraine Milovac. (Not pictured is Lucas Sotereanos.)
May 12, 2025 |
By Stacy Alderman | Posted in: Announcements
(Tube City Almanac file photo)
With the arrival of warm weather, spring and summer activities are ramping up in the McKeesport community, and the calendar is packed, volunteers and organizers said:
Renzie Market: The Renzie Market begins regular operations this week (May 15) and will continue on the first and third Thursday of each month through the summer. Hours are 5:30 to 8 p.m. and admission is free.
Residents can browse fresh produce and food trucks and enjoy live entertainment. The marketplace will take place at the Tulip Drive lot behind the No. 2 fire station in Renziehausen Park.
Literacy Lunch with Bluey: On May 17, the AIU McKeesport Family Center, McKeesport SHIP and the City of McKeesport will host a Literacy Lunch with Bluey. Attendants will enjoy stories and music, and snacks will be available. Each child will receive a free book to take home. To register, call the McKeesport Family Center at 412-672-6970. This event will take place between 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the akomas Blue-Top Pavilion in Renzie.
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April 28, 2025 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements, McKeesport and Region News
Nine candidates for McKeesport Area School District’s school board will debate Tuesday night in the high school auditorium, a district spokeswoman announced.
The debate, at 7 p.m. April 29, is being organized by political science teacher Gerald McGrew and his honors political science class. The public is welcome to attend and the debate also will be streamed on the district’s YouTube channel, the spokeswoman said.
“The class has been working on preparing questions and candidate bios from the information received in class,” McGrew said in a release. “The debate will be run very professionally by the students most of whom are juniors, but we do have a couple of seniors in the class as well.”
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April 03, 2025 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
(Courtesy Western Pennsylvania Conservancy)
TreeVitalize Pittsburgh is looking for volunteers to help plant 30 trees in McKeesport this Saturday, a spokeswoman said.
Volunteers will help plant 10 trees in Renziehausen Park, six along Sixth Avenue and 14 along Market Street.
Trees are selected that are slower-growing, native to Pennsylvania, compatible with an urban environment and safe around sidewalks and overhead utility lines, according to TreeVitalize’s website.
TreeVitalize Pittsburgh is a project of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, Allegheny County Parks, the City of Pittsburgh, Tree Pittsburgh and the state Department of Conservation & Natural Resources.
Volunteers will meet at 9 a.m. Saturday at 500 Market St.
To register, contact Alicia Wehrle at awehrle@paconserve.org or 412-586-2386, or visit the Water Land Life website.
April 02, 2025 |
By Stacy Alderman | Posted in: Announcements, White Oak News
Correction: All children age 10 and under are allowed to participate in the Easter egg hunt. This story was corrected after publication. We apologize for the error.
(File Photo, “Tulips Jubilee,” by Cam Miller, via Flickr. Licensed under Creative Commons By-NC-ND.)
The White Oak community is gearing up for warmer weather with events and activities that will appeal to everyone from kids and craft enthusiasts to athletes and animal lovers.
White Oak Athletic Association
WOAA will host its first youth basketball tournaments starting April 17-19 and again from April 24-27. Softball and baseball are ongoing, and the association’s calendar has several fundraisers, cash bashes, and bingos listed well into May. Their calendar can be found online.
Easter Egg Hunt
For children 10 and under, the borough will host an Easter Egg hunt on April 19 starting at 10 a.m. at Heritage Hill Park.
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