March 25, 2022 |
By Sarah Turnbull | Posted in: White Oak News
White Oak will hold several community events this upcoming spring, members of council announced at Monday’s meeting.
Health and Environment chair Loree Scharritter announced several upcoming events the community can participate in.
“Borough Clean-Up Day has been scheduled for April 30, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Heritage Hill Pavilion. The Electronics and Household Hazardous Waste Recycling Collection drop off will be May 3 from 3 to 7 p.m. at the borough building,” Scharritter said.
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March 25, 2022 |
By Emily Scott © Public News Service | Posted in: State & Region
The United States and the United Kingdom have struck a deal to remove U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum along with U.K. tariffs on U.S. bluejeans, whiskey and motorcycles.
Some Pennsylvania lawmakers said the steel tariffs have been key to leveling the global playing field. In 2018, Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act was used to impose 25 percent and 10 percent tariffs, respectively, on some steel and aluminum imports to stabilize domestic production.
State Rep. Frank Burns, a Johnstown Democrat and co-chair of the House Steel Caucus, said the federal government should be cautious about easing tariffs on some countries.
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March 23, 2022 |
By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
In contrast to recent meetings, where heated confrontations took center stage, Tuesday’s meeting of the McKeesport Area School Board was brief, on time and student-focused.
After congratulating students and coaches on athletic achievements, including postseason success for McKeesport’s Color Guard and Girls Basketball and Bowling teams, School Board President Mindy Lundberg humorously commented on the board’s punctuality by saying, “We’re out on time today, so that’s even a bigger accomplishment.”
Highlighting the 40-minute combined open agenda and school board meeting was an audit presentation by Peter J. Vancheri, of Hosack, Specht, Muetzel & Wood LLP.
Vancheri’s report noted that during the school year ending June 30, 2021, the district’s expenditures exceeded its revenues by about $1.1 million — revenues for the year were $71 million, with approximately $61 million in expenditures and almost $10.6 million in other uses.
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March 19, 2022 |
By Vickie Babyak | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
A bumble bee gathers pollen from a rosemallow (hibiscus moscheutos) flower. Bumble bees are natural pollinators and are generally docile. (Vickie Babyak photo for Tube City Almanac)
Residents of McKeesport, Glassport and other local communities are learning more about the wildlife in their own backyards with the help of the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania.
In 2018, the Audubon Society created its Certified Backyard Habitat program, which connects residents of southwestern Pennsylvania with resources to make their yards and patios into a natural habitat for birds, pollinators and wildlife. Since then, over 650 households have enrolled in the CBH program.
Audubon is currently working with four local community groups to create Certified Backyard Habitats in McKeesport, Glassport, Wilkinsburg and Pittsburgh’s Garfield neighborhood.
“We selected these communities based on the local community organizations’ interest in partnering on the project and opportunities to make positive impacts,” said Conservation Director Sarah Koenig.
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March 19, 2022 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
A North Versailles Twp. man is being held in the Allegheny County Jail without bond in connection with a homicide Thursday in Wilmerding.
Edwin R. Green, 47, of Verona was pronounced dead at a hospital about an hour after the incident, the Allegheny County medical examiner’s office said.
Jason E. Grubb, 47, is charged by Allegheny County police with criminal homicide, carrying a firearm without a license and recklessly endangering another person. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for April 8 before Allegheny County Judge Kim Berkeley Clark.
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March 18, 2022 |
By Sarah Turnbull | Posted in: White Oak News
Roofing is under way at the Borough Maintenance Garage, members of the White Oak Council announced at Monday’s workshop meeting.
“It will probably take two weeks to get done, depending on the weather,” Borough Manager John Palyo said. “Street paving and inlet repairs are underway.”
Palyo also announced that the lowest bid for the 2022 paving project was from Tresco Concrete Products, and the equipment for the new Cool Spring Road traffic signal is scheduled to arrive in mid-May.
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March 15, 2022 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
Local homeowners who are facing foreclosure or other financial hardships because of the COVID-19 pandemic may be eligible for help.
The Pennsylvania Homeowner Assistance Fund will help homeowners whose annual household income is at or below 150 percent of the area median.
In the Mon-Yough area, Mon Valley Initiative is one of the agencies that will provide help through the program.
“PAHAF is designed to assist homeowners facing mortgage delinquencies, defaults, foreclosures and the loss of utilities or home energy services,” said Jonathan Weaver, housing counselor at MVI, which has offices in Charleroi and Homestead.
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March 15, 2022 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
(Tube City Online file photo)
Allegheny County will hold a virtual career fair on April 13 to fill a variety of vacant positions, including full- and part-time jobs and internships, a spokeswoman said.
Two sessions will be held, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. Job seekers can register beginning today, she said, and the event will be “mobile-friendly,” allowing participants to use their computer, tablet or phone.
No software is needed, only Internet access, county spokeswoman Amie Downs said.
“We saw during the pandemic just how important county services were to residents. Each and every day, county operations have an impact on someone’s life,” said County Executive Rich Fitzgerald. “There are opportunities available in departments across the county with competitive pay and good benefits. These aren’t just jobs, but the start of a career.”
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March 13, 2022 |
By Vickie Babyak | Posted in: Crime and Police News
A rally will be held at 9 a.m. Monday in front of the Allegheny County Courthouse to support the family of 18-year-old Dontae McKenith.
Family members and Take Action Mon Valley are trying to draw attention to McKenith’s death on July 24, 2021, after police said he was shot by 16-year-old Phillip Payne on Soles Street in the city.
Payne was charged with criminal homicide and a firearm offense. But family members said they’ve heard that Payne may be allowed to plead guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a lighter sentence — possibly as little as three years in prison.
The Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office has not confirmed whether Payne has been offered a plea bargain. A hearing in the case is scheduled Monday.
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March 11, 2022 |
By Bonnijean Cooney Adams | Posted in: Entertainment
A mixed cast of McKeesport Little Theater veterans and newcomers to that venue are in final rehearsals for the comedic mystery "Exit the Body." Missing from the photo is Cory Sigler. (Bonnijean Cooney Adams photo for Tube City Almanac)
When a successful mystery writer rents a cottage in New England for a change of scenery while seeking inspiration for her next novel, the result isn’t exactly what she anticipated.
That’s the situation Kacie Greenlief as novelist Crane Hammond finds herself in as she makes her McKeesport Little Theater debut in “Exit the Body.”
Written by Fred Carmichael, it premiered in 1961, which led to some decisions whether to update to 2022 for the MLT production.
Ultimately, the show that opens Friday (March 11) and continues March 12, 13, 18, 19 and 20, remains set in 1961, including using a rotary phone to dial “0” to reach the operator.
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