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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May 12, 2025 |
By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
(Adam Reinherz photo for Tube City Almanac)
New efforts are underway to improve student safety and opportunities at McKeesport Area School District, school board members said.
During Thursday’s school board meeting, MASD school director Matthew Holtzman told attendees he and fellow School Director Jason Pavlecic — members of the safe schools committee — met with administrators and community members on May 1 to discuss the enhancement of district “security features.”
Apart from identifying specific tasks, such as updating a security vestibule and rekeying door hardware, Holtzman said the meeting was a chance to welcome McKeesport and White Oak fire chiefs and examine current procedures.
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May 11, 2025 |
By Leslie Savisky | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News, Politics & Elections
(File photo by Adam Reinherz for Tube City Almanac)
Four seats are open on the McKeesport Area School Board and nine candidates — including two incumbents — are running in the May 20 primary election.
In Pennsylvania, school board races are officially non-partisan, and all candidates have qualified to run as both as Democrats and Republicans.
Candidates who finish in the top four positions in each party’s primary will be candidates for the general election, to be held Nov. 4.
Incumbents David Donato and Matthew Holtzman are running for re-election. School Director LaToya Wright, whose term expires this year, is not running again, while Dan Goughnour resigned after being elected state representative for the 35th Legislative District.
In addition to Donato and Holtzman, other announced candidates include Bob Boyle, Tom Filotei, Kevin Kovach, Arla Payne, Mike Shelly, Julian Thomas, and Tiffany Wampler.
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May 09, 2025 |
By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
(Adam Reinherz photo)
McKeesport Area School Board has filled a seat vacated by former school director Dan Goughnour, who resigned from MASD after winning last month’s special election to the state General Assembly.
Following a suggestion by School Director David Donato during the May 8 meeting, the empty seat will now be held by Josh Lefcowitz.
School directors, including Matthew Holtzman and Latoya Wright, praised Lefcowitz as well as Donato’s decision to put a name forward.
“Up until the last minute, even after the deadline, we were still getting people interested in applying, so we were thinking maybe just have the judge decide,” Holtzman said on Thursday. School Director David Seropian “brought up the point that we have a responsibility to at least try to fill the seat with people that put their names in.”
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May 08, 2025 |
By Bonnijean Cooney Adams | Posted in: Entertainment
Audrey II sure has grown! Johnny Terreri as Seymour Krelborn and Carina Iannarelli as Audrey discuss Seymour’s success raising the mysterious plant. (Bonnijean Adams photo for Tube City Almanac)
If you go...
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“Little Shop of Horrors”
Where: McKeesport Little Theater, 1614 Coursin St., 412-673-1100, www.mckeesportlittletheater.com
When: Friday, May 9, Saturday, May 10, Friday, May 16, and Saturday, May 17 at 7:30 p.m. and matinees, Sunday, May 11 and Sunday, May 18 at 2 p.m.
Tickets: $20 for adults, $15 for students available through the MLT website or www.onthestage.tickets/show/mckeesport-little-theater
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When Jeff Boles found out McKeesport Little Theater was looking for a director for “Little Shop of Horrors,” he let them know he definitely was interested.
“I love it,” he said prior to a recent rehearsal. “It’s one of those Top 5 musicals.”
This is the first time Boles has directed at MLT, with the show opening Friday, May 9 at 7:30 p.m. “The theater is great and it has been a lot of fun,” Boles said.
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May 08, 2025 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
The Versailles Avenue Viaduct, which crosses Ravine Street, closed in 2022. (Tube City Almanac file photo)
McKeesport’s mayor is hopeful that an infusion of federal funding will help the city replace the closed Versailles Avenue Viaduct.
At Wednesday’s council meeting, Mayor Michael Cherepko said city officials have had productive conversations with U.S. Rep. Summer Lee and are scheduling meetings with U.S. Sens. John Fetterman and Dave McCormick.
“Up to this point, the only money that has come into this project has been from the state,” Cherepko said. Funding obtained by retired state Sen. Jim Brewster and the late Rep. Matt Gergely enabled engineering and design work to begin, he said.
“Once the engineering is done, we’re hoping additional funding will come with it, and much more quickly,” Cherepko said.
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May 07, 2025 |
By Tom Leturgey | Posted in: Duquesne News
Tree Pittsburgh is holding an “adoption event” this Saturday (May 10) in McKeesport. For more information, visit the group’s website. (Photo courtesy Tree Pittsburgh)
Duquesne officials are looking forward to spring and summer months for several projects, including improving the city’s greenscapes and parks.
At this week’s meeting, council voted 5-0 to approve an agreement between the city and the non-profit group Tree Pittsburgh to explore community tree-planting efforts. There is no financial commitment at this time, city officials said.
According to its website, Tree Pittsburgh is an environmental non-profit organization dedicated to improving neighborhoods and communities “through tree planting and care, education, advocacy and land conservation.”
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May 04, 2025 |
By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
(Adam Reinherz photo for Tube City Almanac)
McKeesport Area School Board will vote on updated policies concerning the eligibility of nonresident students and the use of generative artificial intelligence during Thursday’s school board meeting.
Both policies received first readings during the April 10 meeting.
Policy 202, the eligibility of nonresident students, was last updated Jan. 23, 2013, according to district records.
The new policy’s purpose ensures the board operates “district schools for the benefit of students residing in this district who are eligible for attendance.” Additionally, according to the policy, “the Board reserves the right to verify claims of residency, dependency or guardianship and to remove from school attendance a nonresident student whose claim is invalid.”
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April 30, 2025 |
By Bonnijean Cooney Adams | Posted in: Entertainment
Students from Founders' Middle School will present Moana Jr. as their annual spring musical. (Submitted photo)
If you go...
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Founders’ Hall Middle School presents “Moana Jr.”
Based on the 2016 Disney film “Moana”
Where: Francis McClure Auditorium, 500 Longvue Drive, White Oak
When: Thursday through Saturday, May 1-3 at 7 p.m.
Tickets: $10 for adults, $5 for school-aged children. Available at the door or online at our.show/fhmoanajr
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Founders’ Hall Middle School students Tori Thomas and Skylar Crenshaw have been friends for years, a relationship they agree has helped them bring their well-known characters to life for the spring musical “Moana Jr.”
Thomas plays Moana, who is on a quest to restore the heart of goddess Te Fiti, stolen many years ago by demigod Maui (Crenshaw).
The show is based on the 2016 Disney movie “Moana,” whose storyline and songs already were familiar to the cast of sixth, seventh, and eighth graders when auditions were announced.
It opens at 7 p.m. Thursday (May 1) with all shows performed in the Francis McClure auditorium in White Oak.
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