May 26, 2022 |
By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Less than a year after being signed to a new five-year contract, the superintendent of McKeesport Area School District has resigned to take a job in another district.
At Wednesday’s meeting, the school board accepted the resignation of Superintendent Mark Holtzman Jr., effective June 30. Tia M. Wanzo was named acting superintendent, effective July 1.
Wanzo will receive an additional monthly stipend of $1,250 in addition to her present salary.
Beaver Area School District in Beaver County announced that Holtzman has been hired as its superintendent. Holtzman introduced himself to the district in a letter dated May 23.
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May 25, 2022 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Penn State Greater Allegheny Chancellor Jacqueline Edmondson, state Sen. Jim Brewster, former Penn State University President Eric Barron and McKeesport Mayor Mike Cherepko during the 2019 ribbon-cutting for the Mon Valley LaunchBox, located at the former YWCA on Ninth Avenue. (Submitted photo courtesy state Sen. Jim Brewster)
Local officials are praising the chancellor of Penn State’s McKeesport campus following the announcement that she will step down June 30.
Jacqueline Edmondson has been named president of the University of Southern Maine in Portland. Edmondson has served as chancellor and chief academic officer of Penn State Greater Alllegheny since 2017. She begins her new role July 1.
Additional details about the leadership transition for Penn State Greater Allegheny will be shared soon, a spokesperson said.
Under Edmondson’s leadership, the McKeesport campus launched its “Crossing Bridges” summit series to explore racial and cultural divides in the region, completed a $14.7 million renovation of the Ostermayer Laboratory and created the “Mon Valley LaunchBox” to help small and start-up businesses.
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May 25, 2022 |
By Emily Scott © Public News Service | Posted in: State & Region
May marks both Mental Health Awareness Month and Military Appreciation Month. In Pennsylvania, officials want to ensure that veterans know mental-health and substance-use resources are available.
Pennsylvania is home to nearly 800,000 military veterans, the fourth-largest veteran population in the country.
Rick Hamp, special assistant to the deputy adjutant general for veteran affairs at the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, leads military suicide-prevention efforts in the state.
He said veterans sometimes can face stigma if they speak openly about struggles with anxiety or depression. Knowing a loved one supports them can help, Hamp said.
“Always be there for your family members and for those around you,” he said. “You know what’s normal for a person, and if they don’t look normal, don’t be afraid to ask the question, ‘Are you OK?’ That is the start of helping a person. And be ready when they reply, ‘No, I’m not.’”
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May 24, 2022 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
(Submitted photo courtesy McKeesport Regional History & Heritage Center)
McKeesport Regional History & Heritage Center will hold a “flea-tique” antique sale and flea market this Saturday and Sunday (May 28 and 29), a spokesperson said.
Hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and 12 noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at the center, 1832 Arboretum Drive.
The sale is being organized by the center volunteers and proceeds benefit center activities. Items are being accepted for sale as well during regular business hours at the center, located in Renziehausen Park.
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May 24, 2022 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: West Newton News
West Newton Public Library will hold its summer reading program from 10 to 11 a.m. June 15, 22 and 29 at the Lions Field Pavilion, 511 Pittsburgh St., a spokesperson said.
Each day there will be a snack, guest reader and a craft, rain or shine. The event is being coordinated by Lori Luppold. Parents or guardians must accompany smaller children.
Participants must register at WNPL by calling (724) 633-0798 or emailing westnewton@wlnonline.org.
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May 20, 2022 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
A city man is charged with criminal homicide after Allegheny County police said he followed his ex-girlfriend and shot at her car, which crashed into a building on Walnut Street in Versailles.
A passenger in the car, Ibrahim Diallo, 20, was pronounced dead at the scene, the Allegheny County medical examiner’s office said.
Although the cause and manner of death have not yet been released, police said Diallo was suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.
The suspected shooter, Tyrique Simmons, 21, of McKeesport is being held in the Allegheny County Jail pending formal arraignment.
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May 19, 2022 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Announcements, Duquesne News
The northbound lane of the McKeesport-Duquesne Bridge will close this weekend so that crews can continue repairs on the road surface and approach ramps.
A district spokesman for the state Department of Transportation said the closure will begin 7 p.m. Friday and continue through 5 a.m. Monday morning, weather-permitting. The work affects traffic traveling from McKeesport to Duquesne.
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May 19, 2022 |
By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Guests at the launch event of United at Twin Rivers included Aimee Watters, executive director of the Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation; Tim Joyce, chief of staff for state Sen. Jim Brewster; Jackie Castma, associate executive director of the Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation; Brandy Daye, assistant principal, Twin Rivers; district superintendent Mark Holtzman Jr.; Tia Wanzo, assistant superintendent; state Rep. Austin Davis; McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko; amd state Rep. Nick Pisciottano. (Submitted photo)
McKeesport Area School District and the Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation have symbolically broken ground on a new effort to support local students and their families.
The partnership was announced Thursday at Twin Rivers Elementary School, which will be renamed “United at Twin Rivers” beginning with the next academic year.
Investment from Dick’s will provide increased staffing, improved facilities and a restructured school day allowing greater individualized student support, said Sarah Cassella of Dick’s Sporting Goods. The model is designed to help students and families focus on building healthy minds, bodies and relationships, she said.
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May 19, 2022 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
Carnegie Library of McKeesport and its branches in White Oak and Duquesne are gearing up for its summer reading program.
Library director Vincent D’Alesio announced a kickoff party for the program will be held June 18. Professional magician Steve Haberman will bring his “Oceans of Adventure” magic show to the library that day at 1 p.m. Registration is already available on the library website.
The library has also obtained a number of Kennywood tickets to use as incentive prizes this summer.
“We’ll have opportunities to give them away as door prizes for various programs this summer, so the more programs you attend at the library, the better your chances will be of taking home fabulous gifts,” D’Alesio said. “Summer reading, like last year, will again feature both an in-person and an online version so participants can log their reading time in either fashion.”
Donations also are being accepted in support of the program, he said. For more information, visit www.mckeesportlibrary.org/support-the-library/
May 18, 2022 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: White Oak News
Russ and Bernadette Breitinger have announced plans to retire from their family business, Breitinger’s Flowers in White Oak. Founded 76 years ago in McKeesport, the business is for sale and will close in June. (Submitted photo)
After 76 years in the blooming business, the Breitinger family is hanging up its pruning shears.
On Wednesday, Breitinger’s Flowers in White Oak announced plans to wind down operations next month. The last day of business will be June 25, said Bernadette Breitinger, wife of Russ Breitinger, whose father founded the business in 1946.
The first store — a one-room, one-person shop — was located on Versailles Avenue in McKeesport. Russ Breitinger took over the business, now located on Cool Springs Road at Route 48, in 1979.
“Our daughters and their families both live out-of-state, and we’d like to be freer to visit with our grandchildren,” Bernadette Breitinger said in a press release. “When you own a business, it actually owns you, and these 65-year-olds are worn out.”
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